EX-YU airports seek better interconnectivity

Airports across the former Yugoslavia are looking to improve connectivity with neighbouring countries and are taking the initiative for the launch of such flights. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mostar Airport anticipates the introduction of services to both Zagreb and Belgrade next year, after securing flights to Germany through budget carrier Eurowings. “In addition to the success we have had in establishing flights with Eurowings, we have also approached other carriers. It is highly likely that Croatia Airlines will add flights from Zagreb next year, and we also hope to reach an agreement with Air Serbia in order to link Mostar with Belgrade”, the city’s Mayor, Ljubo Bešlić, said. Flights between Zagreb and Mostar were last operated in the summer of 2006, while services from Belgrade were run prior to the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.

Earlier this week, Flydubai commenced operations from Dubai to Podgorica via Sarajevo. The airline has become the first foreign carrier to operate revenue flights between two cities in the former Yugoslavia, maintaining the service twice per week. “With the launch of this new route, we are not only providing a direct flight to Podgorica from Dubai, but creating a regular service between Podgorica and Sarajevo. We look forward to the new opportunities that these flights will provide creating new flows of trade and tourism”, Jeyhun Efendi, Flydubai’s Commercial Senior Vice President, said. However, the route is expected to be maintained only during the winter season. As a result, local authorities are looking to secure year-round flights between the Bosnian and Montenegrin capitals.

JAT's domestic network in 1987

The governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia have launched a joint initiative for the introduction of a Sarajevo - Podgorica - Skopje service. The three sides believe such a route would boost trade and tourism, as well as people to people exchange. Bosnia and Herzegovina's former flag carrier, B&H Airlines, maintained flights between Sarajevo and Skopje on an off-and-on basis for several years. At one point services operated via Podgorica as well, although the airline had no fifth freedom rights between the Montenegrin capital and Skopje. Last week, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Zvizdić, said an airline had expressed interest for the introduction of flights between Sofia and Sarajevo via Skopje. He did not specify which carrier was considering the route.

Slovenia's VLM Airlines was to introduce services between Maribor and Belgrade this October, linking the two cities for the first time in over two decades. However, the carrier has put such plans on hold until further notice due to a lack of aircraft. Furthermore, Air Serbia has considered introducing services between Belgrade and Zadar but this is unlikely to occur in the near future due to an ongoing regulatory dispute between Air Serbia and the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency.