Sarajevo Airport has had an impressive year so far, with several new airlines beginning operations to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, including Europe’s largest, Ryanair. The airport is now served by a record 27 scheduled carriers and six airlines operating charters, connecting the city to a total of 36 destinations, alongside a record number of passengers.The positive trends are set to continue into 2025, with the airport confirming new airlines and routes are on the horizon, which will cater for locals, tourists, businesspeople, and visiting friends and relatives alike. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Sarajevo Airport’s CEO, Alan Bajić, said, “Based on demand, there is definitely potential to broaden our network by adding more destinations, particularly to European cities like Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Eindhoven, and Prague, followed by expanding to more distant locations. We are currently at different stages of negotiations with various airlines, some in the early phases and others more advanced. What I can share at this point is that we anticipate the introduction of new airlines and destinations in the coming year”.The Tourism Association of the Canton of Sarajevo recently announced a new public call inviting airlines to introduce new routes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, offering incentives in return. Sarajevo Airport has identified over thirty strategically important destinations and is prioritising efforts to secure flights to these locations. “When developing our list of strategic destinations, we took into account various factors, including extensive market analyses, airline interest, and passenger demand for specific routes. A new public call for aviation incentives in the Sarajevo Canton area has been announced. It is open until October 1, and covers a three-year period (2024, 2025, and 2026). We anticipate a higher number of airlines submitting applications this time around”, Mr Bajić explained.The CEO noted that Sarajevo Airport has long-term plans to secure flights to distant markets as well. “Our long-term goal is to ensure that as passenger numbers continue to grow each year, we also elevate the quality of our services and accommodate larger aircraft, thus opening up opportunities for long-haul flights to distant destinations. We aim to facilitate landings and takeoffs for Category E aircraft, supported by an “Aeronautical Study” that explores the possibilities of extending the runway and upgrading the ILS [Instrument Landing System] category”, Mr Bajić said. He added, “I’m also pleased to report that Sarajevo International Airport successfully passed the TSA [US Transportation Security Administration] audit, with the aim to establish nonstop flights between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, earning us an excellent rating”.Sarajevo Airport handled its millionth traveller of the year in early August, almost a month and a half ahead of 2023, with its annual passenger growth rate currently standing at 36%. Over the past year, the airport opened its expanded and overhauled terminal, installed new jetbridges, opened new lounges and commercial shopping areas. Mr Bajić noted the secret to the success was “dedication and commitment to hard work”. “I want to highlight that during a highly uncertain period for the aviation industry, we successfully connected Sarajevo with numerous key European and global hubs, establishing the city as a sought-after tourist destination. This achievement was the result of several strategic business decisions, beginning with the organisational restructuring of our company. We appointed new leadership to head our middle management and lower organisational units, assembling a dynamic team of young professionals who, with their proactive approach and enthusiasm, embraced their roles and initiated a completely new business strategy in the market”, the CEO said.Mr Bajić added, “We placed a strong emphasis on staff training, effectively “building up” the new personnel needed to manage all complex airport operations, including aircraft handling, passenger services, baggage processing, and cargo and mail handling. Significant efforts were also dedicated to retaining and attracting new airlines and destinations, ultimately ensuring every passenger had a positive experience. We received significant support from all relevant institutions, which recognised and backed our numerous initiatives. First and foremost, this includes our owner, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Government of the Sarajevo Canton, the Ministry of Economy of the Sarajevo Canton, and the Tourist Board of the Sarajevo Canton”.To accommodate the expected increase in passenger numbers in the coming period, the airport will need to expand its infrastructure. Sarajevo Airport’s CEO will outline these developments in upcoming coverage on EX-YU Aviation News.
