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.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:03

    Opportunity for Anadolujet to start Ankara flights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      And it would be nice to finally see Transavia begin Amaterdam-Sarajevo!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:11

      Or KLM :D

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:32

      @anon 09:11

      Yes, KLM shows very pro-active in BEG last year, taking a piece of cake from the LH group.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    Wow well done on the December numbers being well ahead 2019

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:04

    China, Canada... are they for real?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:45

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

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:51

      Always good to dream big

      Delete
    3. There are tons of Bosnians who live in Canada, especially around Toronto. One of the reasons, why YYZ-ZAG flights were maintained by two airlines in the past, is because many Bosnians used those flights as well. Even though I hated AC Rouge, they offered great connections to those flights not just from other parts of Canada but also from many parts of the US. Not having AC flying this route is so disappointing. I hope once this pandemic is under control, they return.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:11

      For China, they are, since about 100,000 Chinese tourists visit Bosnia and Herzegovina every year, and there is no visa regime between BiH and China. About 300,000 people from the former Yugoslav Republics live in America, and Saint Louis is a complete success

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:53

      And? You think US nad Chinese airlines are going to launch Sarajevo?

      Please learn something about aviation business.

      Delete
    6. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous 17:53 - Please expert in aviation industry teach us something and share your knowledge with us. Only what we could learn from your coment is how big is your ego.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:05

    Really happy Sarajevo has woken up finally

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:06

    I think they will have way above pre Covid numbers this year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:09

    So if I got this right, they plan to offer subsidies to airlines?

    ReplyDelete
  7. London Luton with wizz finally well done Sarajevo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:22

    I bet Wizz Air will cancel Luton flights again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. London is Sarajevo’s busiest unserved route so that is not gonna happen.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:50

      It was the busiest unserved route before and didn't work out. Hopefully this time it is different.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous10:39

    Fingers crossed that Emirates comes over the summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:50

      Would be a nice sight :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:52

      Would be fantastic to see some widebodies at SJJ.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:39

    Encouraging figures for SJJ!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10:41

    SJJ is getting slowly to a normal shape. Let's hope 2022 turns into a real success and numbers that will exceed cca 1.144.000 pax which SJJ had in 2019.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:43

      With the opening of the new terminal, I see SJJ reaching 2 million by 2023 meaning that it may even surpass Skopje.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous10:44

    Should be a good summer. LH also plans to go double daily from FRA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:22

      Will the MUC flights be restored?

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:46

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:49

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:52

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

      Delete
  14. Anonymous10:49

    Those European markets mentioned seem ideal for Wizz - Italy, Spain, Poland, Netherlands and Czechia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:51

      Poland could be served by LOT too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:09

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

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:24

      FCO, MXP, PRG, BCN-Wizz, AMS-Transavia, WAW-LOT

      Delete
  15. Anonymous11:10

    Good luck Sarajevo! Wish them all the best

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous11:47

    Congrats Sarajevo! Really happy for your success! Let's hope better times are in front of LJU also. Kind regards from Slovenia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:56

      Unfortunately for LJU its getting worse and worse each year.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous12:52

    Can't wait

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous12:56

    Let's hope Aegean comes back . ATH-SJJ was pretty successful as A3 was planning to increase flights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:21

      I don't understand why it has not been restored.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:29

      I think Bosnian passport holders are still not permitted entry into Greece.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous22:10

      I believe that they're gonna restore flights to Athens as soon as possible .

      Delete
    4. Anonymous 21:29 - with Bosnian passport we need viša only for UK in Europe.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous14:36

    I think it will be great when SJJ have flight to LHR CDG AMS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:23

      +1. Luton is a waste of time! Sarajevo needs flights to Heathrow.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:21

      I agree. LHR would be a success as it would offer connectivity to the US and Canada.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous21:21

    What was the largest passenger plane to land at SJJ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:29

      B747

      Delete
    2. Muslimovic10:00

      Wasn't it the Antonov?

      Delete
  21. Anonymous00:50

    Bravo Sarajevo!

    ReplyDelete

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