Bihać Airport targets 2023 opening


Bihać Airport in north-western Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to be opened for commercial use in 2023, with work on the 300 metre section of the planned 2.2 kilometre runway under way. "Construction is going according to schedule. We want to show everyone that Bihać Airport is a credible project", the General Manager of Bihać Airport, Elvedin Sedić, said. The 300-metre section of the runway, which will be used for testing purposes, is valued at 1.1 million euros. The Federal Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina allocated 1.8 million euros for Bihać Airport earlier this year. 

In addition to the development of the test runway. the airport will use part of the federal funding to finance the expropriation of land needed for the project. According to Mr Sedić, some 260.000 square metres of land has been expropriated over the past two years. Furthermore, an access road to the future airport complex has been built, while a perimeter fence has also been erected. "The Federation government is interested in this project and could take it over completely. The financing should come partly from commercial banks and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We expect the airport to be completed in four years", Mr Sedić said. However, the General Manager warned the airport is still seeking funds to finance the project.

Planned runway at Bihać Airport

The entire Bihać Airport project involves the construction of a terminal building, runway and control tower. It is estimated to be worth some 25 million euros. “I think it is realistic to expect support for this project because it is extremely important for our canton", the General Manager noted. Bosnia and Herzegovina currently boasts four international commercial airports - Sarajevo, Tuzla, Banja Luka and Mostar, which handled a combined total of 803.264 passengers during the first half of the year. Bihać is located near the Croatian border and is the country's eighth largest city. The majority of the local population living abroad travels to Bihać and surrounding areas via Zagreb, Tuzla and Sarajevo.




Comments

  1. Anonymous09:03

    Still can't believe this is going ahead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:36

      It's great news. It would be nice to have an airport in Bihac. I really don't understand all the negativity. Airport can be used in many circumstances, not just for commercial flights.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:49

      It has a chance for both some gasto routes and tourism traffic particularly for Plitvice and the surrounding region of beautiful nature. Also, this part of BiH really lacks an airport - albeit it is sparsely populated.

      Delete
    3. any local elections soon in BiH??

      Delete
    4. Rešite dok još ima vremena i uložite pare u Banja Luku

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    What I'm not happy about is that this project is being financed through taxes imposed at Sarajevo Airport which then limits is growth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      +100

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:09

      Ate these taxes paid at other airports in BiH too?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:11

      *are

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:13

      No!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:18

      Yes the tax "for the development of airport infrastructure" at SJJ is to provide cash for Bihac, Tuzla and Mostar.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:25

      Why not BNX too?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:27

      It's a federation tax.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:38

      BNX will do for Trebinje...

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:07

    Well it's a more realistic date of completion than Novi Sad's 2021.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:08

    why is this needed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      To fill someone's pockets.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:11

    Nice to see this project beginning to take shape and progress.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:20

    Does Bihac really need an airport?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:26

      Its canton is known for having huge diaspora

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:41

      An airport could also lead to the development of tourism in greater numbers. The area around there is beautiful.

      Delete
    3. I don't think this airport is really needed.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:21

    So they started the project even though they have not secured the money for it...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      "However, the General Manager warned the airport is still seeking funds to finance the project."

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:29

      Money should not be a problem since tax-income in Federation grows by huge percentage every year, and as such we are really eligible for credits from European banks.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:31

    How they are going to test 300m runaway? Twin otter? I can understand 850m runaway but 300 - cannot...

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      I think it's more testing in terms of land and terrain sustainability, not if planes can take off or land.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:31

    Better start planning funds for building a completely new airport in Sarajevo that could secure its longterm development. Much more useful than Bihać.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      And where do you expect them to build a new airport in Sarajevo?

      Delete
  10. Очигледно да ће се изградити Бихаћки аеродром. Што ће много помоћи развоју тог региона. Што је логично да постаје пети аеродром Б и Х. Природно и логично је будућа изградња аеродрома Требиње. Четири у Федерацији и два у Републици Српској су основ за уклапање и начин живота у двадесет првом веку. Како год изгледао овај чланак, биће остварен.
    Ко ништа не мења, ништа неможе осварити...
    Радован, Краљево. ✈☺✈🌐✈🔆✈✨✈🔅✈🌏✈🌍✈🌎✈

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:09

      Prirodno i logično je izgraditi aerodrom udaljen manje od sat vremena autom od DBV?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:16

      Vlad,
      Da, ako trebaš da skokneš do Moskve (3 sata) ali
      Sad putuješ od Banjaluke do Trebinja 6 sati (autom). Zamisli da ima linija ujutru i naveče sa Let410 do Banja Luke, odeš, obaviš posao i vratiš se isti dan i sutra odmoran. Ista stvar za Beograd (8 do 10 sati) , Niš...
      Ali ne treba aerodrom za avion od 100 sjedišta, već "pista i kafana"... Ta "pista i kafana" i Let410 (par godina star) se riješi za 3 miliona eura. I leti za pola godine. A na primjeru Bihaća vidimo koliko je za "pravi" aerodrom potrebno para i vremena. I kad završiš, opet moraš da odriješiš kesu da subvencioniraš letove jer niko neće da leti komercijalno sa takvih aerodroma. Kod nas su ljudi nekako megalomani, iz kolibe u dvorac, sa konja u mercedesa, gdje je sredina? Pa taj isti Let410 iz Bihaća može za sat/sat i po da dobaci do svih važnijih centara u Evropi i to sa već postojećeg aerodroma (polijeće i sa trave). Eno održava Osijek Pula. Subvencije? Pa naravno ali mnogo manje nego "pravi" aerodrom i LCC i "sad i odmah"

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:40

    I'm all for airport and traffic development so good luck Bihac!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:42

    What is the distance between Sarajevo and Bihać?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:05

    Invest this money in existing airports

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous10:12

    This airport is not as silly as some people think. It could serve the diaspora and tourists as well as a part of Croatia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:26

      Bihac is right next to Plitvicka Jezera. It could be used as a charter airport for the lakes. Una is also amazing. A city worth visiting.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:31

      Una river, Strbacki Buk Martin Brod Kostela Ostrozac Rafting Plitvicka Jezera

      Delete
  15. Anonymous10:22

    Otkud more iza aerodroma Bihac na slici?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous10:22

    Bihac-Dortmund by Wizz Air coming up

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous10:25

    At this rythme in 20 years every village in BiH will have an airport. I don't know why they didn't invest this money to improve the highway infrastructure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:44

      Exactly, I think we are getting a little too excited with airports! We have enough airports.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:48

      The terrain of the country in Bosnia makes it difficult and long to get from one place to the other just to use the airport.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:24

      Megalomania is an issue in the Balkans.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:44

    Can someone point out where this airport will be located?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:06

      https://www.google.com/maps/place/Biha%C4%87+Golubi%C4%87+Airport/@44.7970755,15.903487,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xc836c4faf79e7bc5!8m2!3d44.7970755!4d15.903487

      Delete
  19. Anonymous11:05

    If they find a private investor to build this then I don't mind but I'm not for wasting public money on such a project.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous11:06

    wow they have already started building a runway. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous11:13

    What about ATS services, controllers, meteo and technical staff... procurement of navigational, communication and meteo systems? Flight procedures? Who would do this? Air space of western BIH is delegated to Croatia based on bilateral agreement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:29

      In December BiH will take over all of its airspace.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:29

      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/07/bosnia-to-take-full-control-of-airspace.html

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:44

      Yes and no. Bosnia will take full control up to flight level 660 but inside present boundaries of its area of responsibility. And from that area is excluded western part of BH airspace. So dome kind of new agreement should be made. But, still the questions of manpower and equipment remains...who would run the control?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous19:15

      If I'm not wrong, as of now, the mentioned western part of LQSB FIR, west of the VBA-OMA-SPL VOR axis is still delegated to BiH below 9500 and covered by Banjaluka Information.

      It won't be a problem to implement a Bihac TMA there, 9500 ft could do it and as in LQBK, FL120 is sufficient vertically, but indeed there are many constrains latterly.

      Radar coverage is missing and the proximity of the Croatian border north and trrrain south of the field is restricting it beyond the need of a runway.

      A longer runway here is nothing but a piece of paved surface, so long the remaining factors are not accounted for.

      Try to present this and a true business case with all the costs to the electors vs what could be done for that money in their city, and I bet the little support will be gone.

      BiH including LQBI almost as of now, could as mentioned above be easily connected by a small plane such as the Let-410 and up to ATR-42 without these corrupt investements.

      This project is a decades long one man show to get a international airport next to his house in Golubic and to show his neigbours what he is capable of, with our money. And a mile from there families are still starving and cannot reach their houses on the muddy roads after rainfall.

      For now he has a well functioning sports airfield that cheap could become a regional one and GA hub for the rich travellers to the region including Plitvice.

      But noo, A380 capable airport only please with a Kai Tak approach due to all the constrains. Get real.

      Pity what BiH is turning into and wasting money on and the public eating it as if it was cevapi.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous11:35

    Improve the airports that are already there. For example, sarajevo is the capital with expanding tourism and could be more connected

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous12:05

    There are other things money could be better spent on.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous12:28

    I'm lovin' it

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous13:08

    BiH is still cementing its solid position as being the second aiport in ex-Yu with more international airports just behind Croatia.

    HR - 9
    BiH - 4 + 1
    SLO - 3
    ME - 2
    MK - 2
    SRB - 2 + 1
    Kosovo - 1

    The difference between Croatia and the rest is simply huge...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:37

      That is largely thanks to the nature. The capital city has no room to get a major hub airport, and the capacity of its existing airport is limited. So they have to build a network of international airports across the country.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous07:11

      Exactly, look at OSI which is 'close' to ZAG and how much it struggles. Not even struggles but the airport is collapsing.

      Delete
  26. Maribor II.....

    ReplyDelete
  27. BTW, if you want to connect a region by establishing public airport, you don't need asphalt or concrete. But this is typical mafia style of using public money...Would it kill them to operate Air Caravan or similar airplane, connecting them to ...I don't know, Banja Luka, Zadar, Zagreb, Split, Rijeka...no, it has to be concrete. This airport will be gigantic flop. I feel sorry for the aeroclub guys...govt stole a nice airfield from them and turned it into frankenstein. Because it will be huge and empty. Very sad sight for aviation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I ment Cessna Caravan, of course

      Delete
  28. Anonymous15:59

    Would it be better to invest in roads and railway to get a better and faster connection to Banja Luka, Tuzla or Sarajevo Airport?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous16:33

    How yes no

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous19:08

    Da je ijedan aerodrom u BiH nesto, pa hajde..
    Ceka se i medjunarodni aerodrom u Jablanici. Da A380 leti LAX-JAB. Do tada nema nam mira.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. E neces majci u Jablanicu ima da bude Konjic :) :) :)

      Delete
  31. Anonymous20:55

    How much is the airport development tax at SJJ now? Is it paid as part of the ticket or is it collected on departure by cash/credit card?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous21:33

    Simplified business case for new CEE airports:
    EU banks and EBRD provide credit to grandiose authorities to build a new airport. Once airport is built, no domestic airline (if exists) can make service viable at commercial rates, so EU lowcosters approach authorities and demand (almost) no airport fee to start service. LCCs love new airports in the middle of nowhere and try to sign exclusive contract with the new airport guaranteeing them no competition on all routes. Airports having no other airline interest cave in. They now can't make ends meet and also pay back loans with miniature income, so they ask government to take over debt repayment and support the airport. In the end, score is:
    a: Banks get their loans paid back by government. Banks earn a nice interest + enable more business for EU LCCs.
    b: Airports make almost no income without a chance for increase as they are at the mercy of LCC. They have to expand or improve infrastructure out of their own or government pockets.
    c: LCCs get exclusive access to newly built/renovated airports with zero own investment in infrastructure and they get almost all profits to themselves without risk as they can leave at any time.
    d: Diaspora living in the EU and earning EU level salaries enjoy cheap tickets to poor homeland supported mostly by the government of that poor country.
    e: domestic airlines (if any) or other regional airlines are locked out of the airport unless subsidized.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous01:22

    Svakako je istina da postoji potencijal kad se radi o LQBI pogotovu kad se zna koliko ljudi imaju u inostranstvu.Jedino bi letovi uspeli ako bi leteli W6 ili FR uz pomoc lokalne samouprave.
    INN-NS

    ReplyDelete
  34. Јако много нажалост негативних коментара. Многи мисле да су летови само за гастарбајтере или самозвану елиту са балкана. Аеродроми служе и у друге сврхе. Санитетски превоз пацијената, повријеђених, летови малим приватим авионима, противпожарним, противградним авионима и др. О туристичким атракцијама и љепотама тог краја да не говорим. Неки мисле да се све треба свести на бг или зг. Или што онај рече, сат и по до Дубровачког аеродрома. Само нека проба и нек на граници проведе још пар сати. За Српску би било идеално поред аеродрома у Требињу, направити аеродроме још у Бијељини и Источном Сарајеву.

    ReplyDelete

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