Sarajevo readies for terminal expansion


Sarajevo Airport has begun tender procedures in order to commence work on the multi million euro expansion of its terminal building. The twenty million euro project will result in an additional 10.000 square metres of space spread across four levels. The tender deadline has been set for July 10, after which the winning bid will be selected, allowing work on the building to commence in autumn. According to the project outline, the length of the expanded terminal will total 110 metres, up from the current 68, while the number of check-in desks will be increased from seventeen to 28. Furthermore, the expanded facility will boast seven gates, up from the existing four, and will have an expanded departures and retail areas.


Upon completion, the terminal building will have the capacity to handle two million passengers. Currently, Sarajevo can welcome one million travellers per year, with the airport set to surpass that figure this year. The project is expected to be completed within a year. Previously, the old terminal A building was demolished in order to make way for the expanded facility. In addition, Sarajevo Airport recently commenced work on the final stage of its apron overhaul project. The reconstruction of 3.000 square metres of the apron will ensure its durability over the next twenty years. The first phase of the overhaul was completed in 2014, when work was undertaken on an area of 1.600 square metres, while the second phase was concluded last year when an area of 3.500 square metres was repaired. The airport also intends on upgrading its runway in the near future.


Sarajevo Airport has recorded strong growth so far this year by handling 256.119 passengers during the January - April period, representing an increase of 15.5% on last year. The number of aircraft movements stood at 3.902, up 11%. "Despite fierce competition, the airport is constantly working on attracting new airlines and is seeking to adapt to the individual and specific needs of each carrier. The airport’s management is undertaking ambitious infrastructure projects and other investments with the aim of further expanding its capacity and strengthening its leadership role on the Bosnian market", Sarajevo Airport said. A number of carriers currently serving Sarajevo have upped their frequencies this summer, while SAS Scandinavian Airlines has launched new seasonal operations from Copenhagen. Furthermore, start-up FlyBosnia, which is in the process of acquiring its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), plans to launch out of Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital on June 10.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    It should write: International Airport Sarajevo :D

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:47

      No It shouldn't. Name of the city goes before noun(aitport).

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    2. Anonymous15:09

      It was a joke.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    They said last year how they would finish the terminal expansion by the end of 2018. Oh well, better late then never.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      You really expected them to be on time? We will be lucky if construction starts this year. Just look at how long Tuzla airport's expansion is taking.

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    2. Dont forget its Balkan ;)

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    3. Anonymous11:10

      The only solution for SJJ is concession, let the professional do the job.

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    4. Anonymous13:24

      Would the government consider putting SJJ up for concession?

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    5. Berlin😂😂😂😂

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    6. Berlin .... many construction workers are from Balkan, so no wonder ;)

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  3. Anonymous09:14

    wow nice. Congrats Sarajevo!

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  4. Anonymous09:15

    Good news for Sarajevo.

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  5. Anonymous09:17

    A bit pricey for its size but I'm very glad that Sarajevo will be developing.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous00:52

      You couldn't even build a bridge (in germany) for that price. :)

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:18

    Good for Sarajevo airport. I hope some new European carriers will come with this expansion. Wizz Air should open some new routes.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:20

      Swiss, Air France, Aeroflot, Aegean, Alitalia would be nice.

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    2. Anonymous10:40

      I was really hoping for Aegean this year. I assume there is a big enough market for their Q400 a couple of times per week :/ maybe in 2019

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    3. Anonymous10:42

      Swiss already flies to Sarajevo :)

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    4. Anonymous11:08

      Only seasonal

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    5. Anonymous19:12

      Considering Swiss has failed in bigger markets like Zagreb and Ljubljana I think it's an achievement they fly to Sarajevo seasonally.

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  7. Anonymous09:19

    Hopefully traffic growth follows capacity expansion.

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    1. Anonymous09:21

      Well the trends are looking good at the moment and SJJ should handle over 1 mil passengers this year.

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    2. Anonymous19:13

      They will handle their millionth passenger around autumn so I hope 1.1 will be achieved by the end of the year.

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  8. Anonymous09:58

    San SJJ overtake Podgorica this year?

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    1. Anonymous11:18

      Currently its JAN-APR

      TGD: 271.112
      SJJ: 256.119

      So it's very close. There is a good chance Sarajevo could overtake Podgorica.

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    2. Anonymous13:30

      Thanks for the figures. It will be tight race between these two.

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    3. Anonymous19:14

      TGD will have an extremely busy summer so I think they will expand their lead. They are always close in winter.

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  9. Anonymous09:59

    Looking forward to the new terminal in Sarajevo.

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  10. Anonymous10:26

    2018 is looking promising. Go Sarajevo!

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  11. Anonymous10:32

    Is SAS actually flying to Sarajevo? From what I saw they had a few flights and then stopped.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:18

      They continue flying from peak summer. That has been the schedule for many months now.

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    2. Anonymous19:15

      Can't they sustain flights all winter? Who are Bosnians using to get to Scandinavia? It's a huge diaspora.

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    3. Anonymous19:20

      Norwegian flies to Sarajevo. Also I assume Wizz has taken a portion of passengers with their Tuzla flights.

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  12. Anonymous10:41

    Can't wait to see the completed project.

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  13. Anonymous10:42

    What a difference a canopy makes.

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  14. Anonymous11:09

    Impressive results, and a beautiful new terminal! Way to go Sarajevo.

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  15. Anonymous11:11

    Will they have additional air bridges or will it be only the current 2?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:17

      No. Only current two.

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    2. Anonymous12:22

      Pity. I think SJJ should seriously start considering how they can handle larger aircraft i.e widebodies.

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    3. Anonymous12:35

      If SJJ was serious and had a professional management, they could attract Emirates to fly there. There are 3 daily flights from Dubai to Sarajevo this summer. In winter Flydubai could operate the route. But the airport isn't equipped to handle a passenger B777. Yes, it can physically land but the airport has no capacity to handle this plane, catering facilities, cargo equipment etc. It was so complicated for them to open an extra few check in desks for Qatar Airways I can imagine the drama they would make if they had to do something for EK.

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  16. Anonymous11:16

    Nice growth. I think 1 million passengers will be easily reached.

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  17. Anonymous12:56

    BiH is being on the news spot yet again. The 4 airports will seem to have a nice future within the upcoming years.
    SJJ - new terminal
    TZL - maybe a 3rd W6 similar (SKP effect)
    OMO - EW launch next week
    BNX - arrival of FR

    Great job and kudos for such a small country like BiH.

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  18. Anonymous13:15

    If Fly Bosnia launches flights and bases plane in SJJ numbers will grow rapidly.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:23

      It's a big if. They still don't have an AOC and I think those flights to Saudi Arabia will again by operated by Nesma Airlines.

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    2. Anonymous13:31

      A few days ago they issued certificated to their newly trained cabin crew. So I think it's safe to say they are going ahead with the launch.

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    3. Anonymous19:16

      I didn't know that. Fingers crossed.

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  19. Anonymous13:31

    This airport has so much potential, they should definitely let Wizz or Ryan base a couple of aircraft there and launch European destinations.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:02

      If SJJ has demand from the Middle East, then that's fine really, as long as they come and spend their money and leave. Arabs travelling usually are rich compared to the Ryanair budget tourist. They are likely to stay longer and pay more expensive hotels because this forms part of their culture.
      If the rest of BiH has more connections to Europe is linked to gasto destinations as it is the case with TZL for instance.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous19:17

    They also recently opened a cooling chamber which is good news for cargo capabilities.

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  21. Anonymous19:19

    Runway work will be most challenging. They have been announcing it for a long time but nothing yet. Is there any approximate date when this should start?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:39

      It is also really expensive.

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  22. Anonymous19:27

    Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 on today's evening flight to Zagreb.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous07:32

      Technical reasons. Loads in the system show 158 & 119.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous19:39

    Very happy with all the recent developments at Bosnian airports. It may be an election year but at least things are moving in a good direction.

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  24. why does it need such a big (and probably expensive) canopy?

    shoebox principle ftw!

    ReplyDelete

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