Sarajevo plans new routes as it reaches pre-Covid traffic levels

Sarajevo Airport plans to expand its destination network over the coming months as it exceeded pre-pandemic traffic figures by recording its busiest December on record. “This year we will see the launch of new routes and the arrival of new airlines at Sarajevo Airport. From March, Wizz Air will introduce a new two weekly nonstop service from London, while Air Cairo will commence flights between Hurghada and Sarajevo, also twice per week. We are negotiating with several other airlines and we are constantly working on expanding our offer and destination network from Sarajevo”, the airport said. It added, “We have launched several initiatives with the authorities to subsidise airlines, which would in turn increase our passenger numbers, aircraft movements and destination count”.

The airport recently noted it was also focusing on far-away destination. “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”, it said. In addition to talks over new routes, Sarajevo Airport will see a number of its existing airline customers increase frequencies this summer season based on existing plans, while a handful of those serving the city on a seasonal basis have moved forward their launch dates. Based on OAG data, some of the busiest unserved routes from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital include Ankara, Amsterdam, Izmir, Tel Aviv and Prague.

Sarajevo Airport ended 2021 on a high note, recording its busiest December on record. It handled 70.200 passengers during the month, representing an increase of 21.6% on the same month in the pre-pandemic 2019. At the same time, aircraft movements grew 30%. Overall, the airport welcomed 767.133 travellers through its doors last year, down 32.9% on 2019. Wizz Air, which established a base in the city last year, continues to be the main driver of growth. The airport aims to achieve pre-Covid passenger levels in 2022. “Our plans are related to improving services, expanding capacity, introducing new routes, and development in every business segment in general. The airport’s management will do everything in its power to make Sarajevo Airport synonymous on the market for its service quality, safety and punctuality. We also aim to become a respectable partner for airlines and other customers”, the airport concluded.