Sarajevo Airport reaches deal with airline over base opening


Sarajevo Airport has signed a contract with a carrier over the opening of its base in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital. According to the “Klix” portal, the airline, which is yet to be officially named, will station its aircraft in the city as early as next month or in May at the latest. Sarajevo Airport noted the carrier in question must now secure permits and the contract must be ratified based on local laws. The airline will be granted a range of incentives in line with a public call issued by the airport late last year. The development comes just five months after Wizz Air closed its base at Sarajevo Airport, citing inflation and commercial viability.

Although the airline has not been officially named and the airport had not confirmed any reports, local media in Bosnia and Herzegovina had previously reported that Ryanair was the only carrier to have applied in Sarajevo Airport’s public call for an airline to establish a base in the city in return for incentives.  Sarajevo Airport is expected to extend its work hours this summer in order to be operational past midnight, a demand reportedly made by the airline which will open the base. The airport undertook a similar tender in 2020, which was won by Wizz Air. It was the only one to have applied at the time. The renewed call was not limited to low cost carriers and neither did it require for the airline to base two aircraft in the city, as was previously the case.

Under the terms issued by Sarajevo Airport in its public call, the interested carrier must open its base in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital this year in order to qualify for the incentives. The subsidies are limited only to the number of passengers carried, however, the airline will qualify for the incentives regardless of how many travellers it handles. The more departing passengers it welcomes on board its aircraft from Sarajevo, the greater the financial support, however, the exact amount of funds have not been made public. Ryanair entered Bosnia and Herzegovina’s market in 2018. Based on existing capacity, it will hold a 17% market share in the country during the first month of the 2023 summer season (April) compared to 36% held by Wizz Air.


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    Imagine if it's wizz lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:02

      It says Ryanair was the only one to apply.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:32

      Those are just speculations. Someone mentioned it is an easyJet. But probably it is RyanAir

      Delete
    3. Anonymous05:55

      Jordan Aviation Company (JAV)

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:02

    Come to Ohrid as well :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:02

    Excellent news for Sarajevo!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:03

    I wonder how many routes/ aircraft we could expect

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      I hope that Ryanair will consider some leisure destinations

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:29

      Flights to Spain would be a nice addition.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:50

      I'm guessing they will base a Lauda A320 in SJJ

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:48

      I think Lauda has the lowest cost structure but am not 100% sure.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:15

      Not Lauda but Buzz

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:03

    Nice but FR usually looks at getting everything for free.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:05

    It's going to be a good year for Sarajevo!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:06

    SJJ is open 24/7

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      No, it is not.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:32

      It will be open 24/7

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:44

      From what I head it won't be 24/7 but until 3AM.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:49

      That would make sense. I assume their last plane will arrive at around 01AM

      Delete
    5. Anonymous18:20

      No itd austrian on 22h30pm

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:06

    Bosnian aviation is getting pretty impressive. I like how SJJ is not giving up and actively working to secure new flights.
    Ryanair seems like the logical airline. Once they enter, it will be very beneficial for SJJ. Interesting times ahead...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:18

      Ryanair are hardly reliable partners.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:29

      In a statement for slovenian media FRAPORT has already congratulated SJJ operator and added that they are extremely satisfied with FR decision to base their AC at SJJ. The number of slovenian pax who fly with FR from ZAG proves how popular is this carrier in the region. On a side note FRAPORT told the media they are extremely happy that ZAG has been recognised at the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards by ACI as this means better service for those slovenian pax who cant fly from LJU.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:49

      🤣🤣🤣

      Delete
    5. AnonymousBiH08:37

      There is no Bosnian aviation sadly… only Bosnian airports for now…

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:09

    How would a base in Sarajevo impact Ryanair's operations in Tuzla and Banja Luka?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      I think they will pause expansion from Tuzla (similar to what Wizz did). Banja Luka shouldn't be affected.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:15

      Tuzla might be slightly impacted but Banja Luka not at all. Each airport has its own area.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:50

      Ryanair's presence in Tuzla isn't huge and I assume they just won't grow much from there if they start Sarajevo.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:25

      Each airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina are places strategically. So, they are covering own regions.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:09

    Fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:50

      Well a deal has been signed :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:26

      Yes, but deal was signed woth Wizz and we.know what happened.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:12

    It will be interesting to see Wizz Air's reaction.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      Maybe they expand from Tuzla more.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:50

      Would make sense, although their growth from Tuzla has kind of stalled in the last few years.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:46

      Tuzla is hardly to be considered as serious airport. It is a low cost, but not suitable for any growth..

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:13

    The only solution for SJJ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:52

      I don't think this was the only solution for SJJ. I just think that the airport went down the "subsidies for LCC" path. I think Sarajevo, being a European capital, a developing tourism destination and having a good base of diaspora traffic, could have attracted a number of European legacy carriers.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:15

    They are cutting it fine if they plan to start flights in just a month or two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:48

      Most bookings are now made last minute. Plus they will probably offer 10 euro fares.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:55

      They are still loading their summer timetable, as we saw with Osijek being added today.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:16

    But will FR have more success than Wizz?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:37

      I would say yes. Wizz is not focusing on Eastern Europe at the moment. Plus, Ryanair seems quite successful in Tuzla, so why not in SJJ?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:02

      lol Wizz core competence is stil carrying gastos between West Europe and their east european homes. If they didntnt have success in this ...

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:21

    Fantastic news for Sarajevo!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:21

    If it is is Ryanair, SJJ will be one of their only non EU bases.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:30

      FR only in Morocco has 3 bases.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:40

      Other than Morocco and UK they don't have bases outside of EU.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:56

      True but they have extensive operations from both those countries ;)

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:21

    I'm surprised at how quickly they managed to find a replacement for W6.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:22

      In comparing to Management of Mostar Airport, it seams they know how to work. Management of Mostar Airport had a 5 pasangers in February.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:24

    Would have been better if they managed to reach a deal with a non LCC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:30

      Well none applied.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:36

      LCCs can't be trusted as we already saw in Sarajevo. They should not go in bed with them again.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:15

      There are no legacies who open the bases left and right, they usually stick to their own markets or regions (Scandinavia i.e). Do we have legacy in region with foreign bases? No. Do we have legacy in wider region with foreign hubs? Yes, Aegean has one (and yes, in Larnaca). So which non-LCC should open SJJ base, do you have some best practice example?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:27

      I think Ryanair can fly to Baden-Baden, Memmingen and Düsseldorf Weeze in Germany

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:30

    What routes do you guys think Ryanair could launch?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:31

      I'm sure they will introduce flights from London, especially with Wizz Air exiting this route.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:49

      Everyone has failed on the London-Sarajevo route so far. Let's see if Ryanair can be any different.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:59

      How many airlines have tried it?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:56

      British Airways, Fly Bosnia and Wizz Air.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous14:57

      In terms of new routes, I expect Scandinavia to be featured front and center, then flight to London, Paris, German airports and maybe Rome.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous20:28

      I think Ryanair can fly to Baden-Baden, Memmingen and Düsseldorf Weeze in Germany

      Delete
  20. Anonymous09:35

    Why do they bother with these tenders? If they already made an agreement with Ryanair, which everyone thinks they did, why the sham tenders? They did that with Wizz Air last time too. Everyone knew they had already made an agreement with Wizz Air.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      To look above board.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:49

      For any public company, tenders are mandatory by law.. In most branches you have to have at least 3 offers for it to be even valid. So.. this with airport is, I think, exemption of the rules, just to get anyone.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:36

    Watch and learn Fraport!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous09:39

    Let's hope they will be more successful this time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:57

      Don't remember FR ever flying to Sarajevo.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:03

      I meant the airport considering their past experience with Wizz Air.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous09:45

    Will that mean that SJJ will be ahead of LJU? Since the beginning of the year more than 110 thousand used SJJ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:53

      It's already ahead of LJU and will be this year too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:57

      SJJ had 118.047 passengers in first two months while LJU apparently had 122.808.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:06

      LJU has not published its passenger numbers for February.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:11

      It is on Sierra5.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous09:53

    There is a lot of potential from SJJ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:19

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:43

      And a lot of unserved routes.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:59

      Sarajevo had more passengers in February than in 2019. And thats without LCC

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:58

      This is impressive

      Delete
  25. Anonymous10:44

    Sarajevo really went through a renaissance with Wizz Air. I hope the same will happen this time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:49

      Yes but let's hope the final outcome is not the same. With LCCs you never know.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:03

      Wizz (in the region) is more reliable then Ryanair

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:44

    Great news for Sarajevo. It really needs a major LCC.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10:44

    Ryanair will definitely come

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous10:49

    How does Sarajevo finance this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:51

      They constantly get money from the government plus the tourist board will be involved.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:38

      The airport is operating profitably. But, for this project, subsidies come from the government.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:58

      Well it is good that the government finally came to its senses. It is being done like this everywhere.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:31

      "constantly get money from the government" - what do you mean, SJJ funded OMO and TZL with a 10€ tax until 2021. The only subsidies it had were Wizz to Budapest, it's only now they'll get some help

      Delete
  29. Anonymous10:51

    If it is FR they will probably announce 10 aircraft base within 3 years of launching flights. Just like they did in Zagreb even though it never happened.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous10:52

    By the time Sarajevo opens it new 'terminal' one base airline will already have left and another will open a base. How long does it take to complete such a miniature project of the terminal extension? It has been over 4 years since they started construction. Entire airports 50 times the size of SJJ have been built in that time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:38

      The new part is already in operation.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:59

      I don't think so.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:22

      Prije tri dana sam letio iz Sarajeva. Tako da je iz prve ruke:-)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous15:23

      Other airports like BER ;)

      Delete
  31. Anonymous10:53

    All the best of luck to SJJ. Definitely an underrated destination.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous11:04

    Dont wanna know how much they are getting for this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:35

      The tender is probably fixed so they don't want to reveal the money as it has already been agreed upon, likely Ryanair. They fixed the tender with Wizz Air too.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous12:28

    Can't wait for the announcement.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous12:28

    Fantastic news, well done Sarajevo! And that was a fast reaction.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous12:50

    Let's hope for a success story this time.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous12:52

    Great news for SJJ. I think this airline is likely to be Ryanair. Whoever comes is beneficial.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous13:38

    When will the routes finally be announced?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:44

      Soon

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:04

      The airport is waiting for the airline to give them the all clear.

      Delete
  38. Anonymous14:44

    SJJ will boom this year! So much potential for that airport

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous14:59

    Would it not have been smarter for the government and airport to work together to establish a national airline?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:04

      It is way too expensive to start from scratch. Plus the government has proven to be a very unsuccessful shareholder in BiH airlines in the past.

      Delete
  40. Anonymous19:00

    For a city the size of Sarajevo Ryanair is probably the best choice .
    But unfortunately this and Osijek flights mean that Ryanair has lost focus on its Zagreb base .

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous20:31

    I Hope basel..because wizzair flights from.basel was allways full

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous21:35

    I've heard it will be Royal Jordanian...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous08:07

      Well i heard it is Royal Brunei 😂

      Delete
  43. Anonymous04:58

    BiH airlines, come back, this time without the atr lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousBiH08:42

      Correction: This time without the corruption and some self-destructive old staff and management…

      Delete
  44. Anonymous11:36

    Lot rumours : among some : Jordanian and Eurowings....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:41

      You do realize that a Jordanian company would be unable to operate any other flights from Sarajevo other than Amman? Who comes up with this nonsense.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:51

      What if they register as Bosnian company?

      Delete
  45. Anonymous23:31

    It's easyJet! Go to the eJ website
    and type "Sarajevo". Routes have not been announced yet as they are still waiting for the local permits.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:34

      It isn't. Easyjet bas been selling Sarajevo as part of worldwide partnership for years and has been listed on their website for years. Unfortunately it is a no name airline and will bweannounced. Next week.

      Delete
  46. Adnan09:45

    It's confirmed! Eurowings will have a base in Sarajevo. It will be announced by Friday next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:40

      Are you sure because a lot of people saying RyanAir or EasyJet

      Delete
  47. Anonymous03:15

    If it is Ryanair, are we likely to get a UK (probably London) to Sarajevo flight?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous15:52

    last year I had my first flight with WizzAir and was very happy to have a comfortable and regular way to see my family. Three month later I found out that the line had been discontinued and that there isn´t any other flight without stop overs from North germany. I can no longer travel to Sarajevo by bus. My mother is not getting any younger and I am becoming more and more clumsy. Besides, the many journeys have traumatised me. PLEEEEEASE Ryanair I put all my hopes into you.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous22:45

    I am sure it will be Ryanair. I booked a fly from FMM-TZL in August and I check in the App they cancel it and I read on a site that they are canceling from TZL all three destinations Vienna, Stockholm and Memmingen is only bookable until end of May so for sure it will be Ryanair but let’s see

    ReplyDelete

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.