Record numbers at Sarajevo Airport

Sarajevo Airport gears up for busy summer

Following a strong performance in May, Sarajevo Airport has seen its busiest start to June since it opened its doors back in 1969. The airport handled 18.410 passengers during the first week of the month, up 18.7% compared to the same period last year. In May alone, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s busiest airport welcomed 65.495 passengers, up a notable 19% compared to May of 2012. The growth is being driven by a significant increase in the number of operated flights. Sarajevo Airport recorded a combined total of 516 arriving and departing flights last month, up an impressive 15%. In the first five months of the year, Sarajevo Airport handled 230.790 passengers, an increase of 14.8% compared to the same period last year.

The exceptional results come despite problems B&H Airlines faced earlier in the year, which saw many of its flights cancelled. The Bosnian national carrier is still operating services with one aircraft, since the other is grounded due to technical problems and is unlikely to join the fleet until September. However, other airlines have seen a significant boost in numbers, led by Turkish Airlines which is currently operating eighteen weekly flights between the Bosnian capital and Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. Numbers have been further propped up by the arrival of Pegasus Airlines earlier in the year. Sarajevo Airport also continues to cater for a significant number of charter flights, many of which are flying pilgrims visiting the Medjugorje sight.

Sarajevo Airport can expect to see its numbers continue to grow with Kuwait Airways to launch flights to the city via Istanbul in August. Furthermore, Norwegian Air Shuttle has turned its seasonal Stockholm - Sarajevo service into all year long flights and will continue to operate to the Bosnian capital during the winter months. Wizz Air is still a possible new arrival at the airport as both sides look to resolve their differences over fees which could potentially see the low cost airline in Sarajevo, following the successful launch of its Tuzla flights.