Banja Luka Airport has announced the launch of flights to Athens and the Tunisian coast next summer season. It noted that additional details, including the operating carriers, would be revealed soon. “Our aim is to serve half a million passengers next year, while the figure will stand at around 300.000 in 2022. All of our routes have good loads, while flights to Tivat were most popular this summer”, the airport said. In addition to Ryanair and Wizz Air, which jointly serve thirteen destinations from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second largest city, Air Serbia maintains flights to Belgrade, while Air Montenegro and Air Cairo operate seasonal services to Tivat and Hurghada respectively. Furthermore, Freebird Airlines runs summer charters from Banja Luka to Antalya.

Over the first three quarters of the year, Banja Luka Airport handled 250.918 passengers, making 2022 its busiest on record as it has already surpassed all previous end-of-year results. The figure was achieved despite the airport being closed throughout most of February for urgent runway repairs, resulting in it handling just 45 passengers that month. The airport previously said, “For us, it was important to open up to the world in 2019 and for some flights to begin. We must now seek out new airlines and partners and expand our destination network. Prior to the coronavirus crisis we discussed the possibility of an airline opening a base in Banja Luka. We will see what will happen in the future in that respect”.

The airport’s passenger terminal is becoming increasingly cramped due to the rise in traffic. In late 2019, operator Airports of Republika Srpska began tendering procedures to select a contractor for the expansion of Banja Luka Airport’s terminal building. However, the project never materialised due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the airport has completed work on the construction of new cargo facilities, which are 900 square metres in size.