Sarajevo Airport negotiating US, Canada and China flights


Sarajevo Airport is in the process of negotiating its first long haul flights with airlines from the United States, Canada and China. The airport’s General Manager, Alan Bajić, said, “In early June we successfully undertook a TSA [US Transportation Security Administration] audit as a precondition for the establishment of flights between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based on the existing plan, Sarajevo Airport will have a one weekly service with the States”. He added, “We are in talks with airlines from the US. Furthermore, we are in negotiations regarding the launch of nonstop flights between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada, as well as China and several European markets with whom we lack connectivity, such as Italy, Spain and Poland”.

Sarajevo has never had scheduled nonstop flights to the United States, Canada or China. US-based carrier Eastern Airlines planned on launching operations between Chicago and Sarajevo this summer but cancelled ticket sales within days. It intended on operating the route once per week on a seasonal summer basis with its 238-seat Boeing 767-200ER aircraft. In the pre-pandemic 2019, New York, Chicago and Boston were the top unserved routes between Sarajevo and the United States based on OAG data. There was a total of 7.165 passengers flying between New York’s airports and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, 5.995 to and from Chicago and 3.165 passengers to and from Boston.

In 2019, 5.348 passengers flew indirectly between Sarajevo and Toronto, 1.895 between Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital and Montreal and a further 900 between Sarajevo and Vancouver. On the other hand, Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of just a handful of European countries to allow visa free entry for Chinese passport holders. There have been prior attempts to establish flights between Sarajevo and Beijing via Belgrade, however, these never materialised. In 2019, 4.297 passengers travelled indirectly between Sarajevo and Shanghai, and a further 3.625 between Sarajevo and Beijing. “The increase in the number of flights, introduction of new destinations and arrival of new airlines is primarily the result of Sarajevo Airport’s shifting business policy which now includes incentives for airlines aimed at overcoming the crisis resulting from the coronavirus pandemic”, Mr Bajić noted.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:06

    The demand for seasonal route is there, but I doubt any US carrier will fly to SJJ before BEG and ZAG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      Eastern Airlines send to want to.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:10

      The CEO is obviously talking about them, since the schedules match.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:33

      If they are proactive why not? Airports like BEG are not protectively seeking IS airlines for obvious reasons.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:03

      Eastern seems perfect for this route. It has the right aircraft for these flights and they target niche markets.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:25

      Dude you are obviously not following Eastern in the US. They are beyond unreliable. They keep on adding and terminating routes. They managed to keep only a handful of them.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:08

    Keep dreaming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      Why?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:25

      US fights with Eastern will happen next year. They were cancelled this year because Eastern was unaware other burecratic issues had to be resolved first.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:25

      Hahaha wonderful airline, they start selling flights before clearing all administrative hurdles before.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:08

    Very ambitious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:51

      Step in the right direction. They are aiming high and that is what every airport should do.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:09

    Imagine if the Canadian airline is Air Transat :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      I wouldn't be surprised.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:13

      I don't see which other airline it could be. Especially if they are willing to fly just once per week.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:05

      They were willing to fly Split once per week so I don't see why not Sarajevo.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:09

    Good on you Sarajevo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:11

    It's great to see Sarajevo Airport finally with a proactive management.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      +1

      Delete
    2. Exactly. This Management did much more in short period than these guys before in years behind.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:12

    Those European markets mentioned seem ideal for Wizz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      Poland could be served by LOT too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:24

      That would be great. Don't know why they have been avoiding SJJ while flying everywhere else in ex-Yu.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:15

    Many will be surprised what is in store for SJJ :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:16

    Waiting for the next announcement from SJJ to be that they have regional him ambitions :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:16

    What could be the airline from China?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      I mean who could be

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:18

      Plenty of no name airlines around

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:23

      Why no name? You have examples of many Chinese airlines operating single weekly flights to the most random places around the world. They don't need a visa to enter BiH so why not?

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:17

    Always good to dream big

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:17

    When could these flights begin?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous09:18

    Is there really demand?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:21

      You can see from the indirect traffic figures.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:26

      Seasonal low frequency flights, why not?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:31

      Because airlines can't make money from seasonal low frequency flights.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:19

    Bravo Sarajevo!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous09:21

    Would be fantastic to see some widebodies at SJJ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      Are there any landing/take off restrictions for widebodies at Sarajevo?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:57

      No

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:31

    Many airlines have changed their approaches to launching new routes due to Covid. They are more willing to explore new routes and operate them at low frequencies even if they cause for just a particular niche.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:07

      Yes, and they especially more willing to launch VFR routes because they have a safe source of passengers no matter the circumstances.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:09

      VFR routes?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:13

      Visiting friends and family. Diaspora routes.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:32

    I'm glad the airport finally got its act together.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:34

    See a lot of people sceptical but who would thought SJJ would have up to 4 daily flights to DXB, ahead of any other ex-Yu airport.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:46

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:50

      Dubai is one thing. This is another. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:36

    So Eastern Airlines might start flights to Sarajevo after all.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:36

    Wow these would be nice

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous09:37

    Not gonna happen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      Seems like it will.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous09:37

    Where is the Bosnian diaspora mostly concentrated in the Canada?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27

      Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:50

      Define Bosnian diaspora, please.
      Does it include Croats and Serbs from Bosnia?! I am not so sure, so it's only Boshnjak diaspora, right?!

      Delete
  23. Anonymous09:37

    Well this is unexpected

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous09:39

    Can US flights to Sarajevo work?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:40

      238 seats once per week for a few months could work.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous09:40

    So they passed the TSA audit?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous09:41

    Sarajevo is on fire this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:45

      True. New Wizz flights to European destinations, lots of Gulf flights, new flights to Turkey, potential transatlantic flights. They are doing better than pre-Covid.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:47

      they are doing well. But it will be interesting to see if August will have more passengers than in 2019.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous09:46

    Are you people for real?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:55

      ?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:12

      There is a greater likelihood for US-Tivat flights to launch than US-Sarajevo flights. I don't think any of these will happen and it's just a list of nice wishes.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous09:48

    Good luck Sarajevo! Wish them all the best

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous09:49

    Sarajevo is having one of its best years in the middle of the pandemic :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:53

      What an exciting year for Sarajevo :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      It's fantastic to see so many new positive developments at Sarajevo

      Delete
  30. Anonymous09:50

    Surprised about Boston being third on the list in the US.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:52

      There is a Bosnian diaspora there.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      It's also interesting to see Shanghai having more indirect passengers than Beijing, similar to Belgrade.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:57

      Same about ZAG and LJU.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:09

      Any particular reason? Or is this standard for all destinations because Shanghai is the bigger city?

      Delete
  31. Anonymous09:56

    This would be like a dream come true. Fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous10:01

    This would be a great development for Sarajevo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:10

      It could really put it on the map.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous10:02

    Doubt anything will come of this.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous10:04

    Have there ever been any long hauls to Sarajevo?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:08

      From the article. First sentence: "Sarajevo Airport is in the process of negotiating its first long haul flights"

      Delete
  35. Anonymous10:14

    You can talk about these when you first secure flights to the UK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27

      Wizz launches London in November.

      Delete
  36. Anonymous10:26

    You heard it here first:

    Delta, ATL-SJJ, A350, daily, from March 2022.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:32

      United from Chicago daily with B787-10 and double daily AA New York with B777-300ER.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:05

      Both are wrong:
      American Airlines, 777-300ER SJJ-ORD 4 daily.

      Delete
    3. Hmm, I did laugh reading previous posts, because on the first glance it does not seem real that SJJ gets serious NorthAm connection looking at passenger numbers only. But then, getting little deeper into the picture, I wouldn't even be surprised with Emirates starting 3 weekly DXB-SJJ-JFK next summer. It is kind of their playground after all

      Delete
  37. Anonymous11:21

    Really enjoy while looking at (for some reason) triggered people here who hate SJJ possible success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do not think it is about hate, it is about what is probable, viable and more likely to happen. Non-stop flights to BEG, ZAG or SJJ? Some people base their statements on facts others on their personal and individual desires.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:26

      Bosnia has huge diaspora in USA, especially in St. Louis. That route (and similar ones) would make perfect sense. We don't know until they materialize.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:46

      @sloavio I doubt the general manager of Sarajevo Airport just made up that they are negotiating with airlines about these flights.

      Delete
    4. Look at the guys at LJU? Dreaming about direct flights to Japan. Everyone can dream.

      Delete
  38. Anonymous13:57

    What was the largest passenger plane to land at SJJ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:06

      QR used to deploy A330 sometimes. Not sure if we ever had B777.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:20

      SJJ handled a B777-200ER, as well as B747-400 a couple of months ago. As well as the B787 Dreamliner

      Delete
  39. Anonymous13:57

    Can't wait

    ReplyDelete
  40. Sarajevo, despite being important as the capital of Bosna/Hercegovina is still a small city. It will never be a regional or European hub so despite ambitious officials, it will never have daily flights to the US, Canada or China. But lacking a national airline, it was due time Sarajevo officials became proactive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:05

      SJJ is already regional hub for ME. No one expects daily flights to USA/China/Canada

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:15

      Samo gledaj kako Sarajevo postaje regionalno čvorište za Aziju i SAD, sa sve više europskih ruta. Pozdrav

      Delete
    3. Kork17:10

      I really think that more and more people don't know what the term hub (or cvoriste if you please) actually mean. Sarajevo cannot be a hub without an airline hub there that has transfer opportunities. You can have flights to Papeete 2 times a day but still it's not a hub if it's P2P.

      Delete
    4. SJJ is already regional hub for ME? Whose hub is SJJ? I do not know anyone who connects in SJJ?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:24

      Ne znaš ti, znam ja

      Delete
    6. Anonymous22:54

      Jao sto si mu rekao :)... Samo prvo da se sjetite da aerodromi mogu i da rade 24h dnevno a da nemaju radno vrijeme kao Kaufland.

      Delete
  41. Anonymous00:15

    Is Sarajevo airport or someone else providing incentives or any other support to Eastern to start Chicago-Sarajevo flights? It is hard to understand financial justification for once weekly flights unless some other money is supporting this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:07

      Sarajevo Airport said that they were in negotiations with airlines to establish air traffic between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, so it is not yet known what they agreed on, but Sarajevo International Airport abolished taxes, which resulted in an increase in passengers and new airlines. . Over 50,000 Bosnians and Herzegovinians live in America, and where there are still citizens there would be EX-YU, who would use this flight + tourists. A flight once a week would be very profitable, and in the summer months I think that additional flights between Sarajevo and the USA could be introduced.

      Delete

Post a Comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.