The acting CEO of Sarajevo Airport, Sanin Ramezić, has said Ryanair is considering stationing one aircraft in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital and opening a base in the city next year. Speaking to the “Klix” portal, Mr Ramezić said, “Ryanair has stated that the elimination of the airport [departure] tax is crucial to its strategic plans, including the establishment of a new base in Sarajevo in 2026. This is contingent upon the removal of these taxes across airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The launch of this base would significantly benefit various sectors, enhancing airport operations, boosting tourism and generating new employment opportunities. In a joint effort with other airports, we have proposed the suspension of this tax in 2025. This initiative aims to maintain the competitiveness of all airports in the country, laying the groundwork for sustained growth in both the transport and tourism industries, which are pivotal to the economic development of any nation”.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is due to reintroduce a 1.5 euro tax per departing passenger in two weeks’ time. The tax was suspended for a year in 2024 in a bid to boost the country’s connectivity. Ryanair recently noted, “Abolish the taxes and enable us to have serious discussions about establishing a base. Taxes are the first condition to establish a base. We cannot even start discussions if the taxes remain”. The budget carrier will introduce five new routes out of Sarajevo this summer season and increase frequencies on existing services, thus doubling operations. It will boast eleven routes from the city and is estimated to generate over 400.000 passengers per year.
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, said late last year, “I’m a bit concerned about the reintroduction of taxes here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The development that was discussed for Sarajevo will not be possible if that decision stands. When we look at how we allocate resources, we deploy them where our costs are the lowest. I think this airport [Sarajevo] wants to be competitive, but it is at a disadvantage compared to Dubrovnik, Zadar, or other places where there are no taxes. That is the main drawback. For example, Hungary has abolished aviation taxes. Why would we base an aircraft here if we can base it in Budapest?”
Weren't people claiming Ryanair has no bases outside EU other than in UK and Morocco?
ReplyDeleteIt's true
DeleteSo this would be a first?
DeleteYes
Delete^No, all flights are operated by aircraft from other bases.
DeleteHow can it be a "first" when they have almost 20 bases outside of the EU?
DeleteA first outside of UK and Morocco.
DeleteSo third.
DeleteActually not even third but something like 20th.
DeleteThis would be amazing for SJJ
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteIt will increase traffic even more.
DeleteThey are still going ahead with this tax?
ReplyDeleteYes
Deletewhy is 1.5 EUR such a big deal?
DeleteGreed of Ryanair has no limits they want to take more and more
DeleteAlso its strategy, if they accept 1,5€ tax then all other countrys and Airports will rise up they own taxes, like in Germany for example they will rise it from 18 to 20 or 22,25€. They will act weak
DeleteIf you add it up based on the amount of passengers they handle, it is not such a small sum.
DeleteRight, 1.5 euro/psngr is nothing, but it's all about Ryanair about showing muscles. "We don't need Sarajevo, we can make money anywhere else. Now what's it gonna be, huh?"
DeleteWhich new routes could they open with a base?
ReplyDeleteTake your pick. So many unserved routes from Sarajevo.
Delete09:07 But most of those are possible without a base as well, especially the routes from SJJ's strategic list. A base would only provide better opportunities to connect with minor airports, where airlines don't have based aircraft.
DeleteSarajevo - Ljubljana 😅
DeleteSpain from Sarajevo would be fantastic
DeleteSarajevo - Zagreb would be great success
DeleteDublin would be a good addition.
Delete^ Is there really demand for Dublin? Is there a diaspora there?
DeleteViša problem for Ireland. Ambbasy is in Ljubljana, even ther is disscus and “plan” Ireland open ambassy in Sarajevo
DeleteLarge Bosnian diaspora in Ireland. Current options to SJJ include 2 legs via FRA with Lufthansa or via STN with Ryanair
Delete20:23 It's not just a plan, they already appointed their ambassador and confirmed the embassy will open in summer. So Bosnians will have a free visa to Ireland.
DeleteRyanair’s argument makes sense. Sarajevo Airport is competing with other regional airports, and taxes like this only push airlines to choose more affordable options.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the authorities stop Ryanair. They are destroying aviation in Europe!
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteHow are they destrings aviation in Europe?
DeleteBy forcing state run dinosaurs to adapt or close,
DeleteBy offering an affordable alternative to people who don't want to find inefficient National airlines
DeleteBy forcing uhljebi to start working at least a little bit (except OU of course, they keep drinking coffee and doing nothing)
DeleteIt’s not just about Ryanair. Other airlines will also think twice before adding routes if taxes like this are in place. Sarajevo needs to act fast.
ReplyDeleteOther airlines seem to manage just fine with this tax.
DeleteRyanair is gonna first ask for abolition of the tax, then subsidiaries for landing fees, then joint advertising, etc.
Delete@09:22
Delete+1
Hope it happens. SJJ could be handling 3 million passengers per year.
ReplyDeletesure with one jet of FR.
Delete^ + numerous other destinations, there might be potential for that
Delete@10.09 well there are other airlines at SJJ too.
DeleteFingers crossed the base happens
ReplyDeleteGood news however, as someone who travels out of SJJ every week, I do hope that any future increase in terms of flights will be duly supported by improvements in terms of infrastructure. Security is almost always a "zoo" these days, plus fast track has now been discontinued (which is a pain when flying business). This past week I was on the early PM service to Warsaw and it took ages to go through security (London and Istanbul also departing more or less at the same time), not to mention the confusion generated by the boarding pass checks upon accessing the security area, which are only supposed to be for those travelling with electronic boarding passes, but that inevitably confuse the hell out of people who would queue anyway...
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThey definitely need to expand infrastructure and better organize themselves. Especially with traffic growing so quickly.
DeleteAgree
DeleteThe tax does not seem to be going anywhere so there obviously won't be a base.
ReplyDeleteIf it means that much to the airport to be a FR base they can pay the cost of the tax, or pay 1 euro while FR pays 50 cents.
DeleteIs there really a need for a base? They can just introduce more new routes without basing an aircraft in SJJ.
ReplyDeleteIt is questionable how big growth will be n next few years. Plus base would generate jobs and for sure more route.
DeleteA base would only be useful for flights towards minor airports, where no airlines have stationed aircraft. Everything else is possible without a base as well.
DeleteTrue that. But a base does mean more jobs in Sarajevo.
DeleteHave a feeling this whole Sarajevo-Ryanair story won't end well.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible. Happened with Wizz.
DeleteAt least Wizz wasnt begging them publicly.
DeleteThe question is will Ryanair have more success than Wizz. LCCs don't usually pack and leave after such a short time without a valid reason.
DeleteThey do. After subsidies run out
DeleteWhat are they funding with this tax?
ReplyDeleteBHDCA
DeleteThat's a bit crazy. What about the airports getting some of that money??
DeleteI think it was mentioned that a percentage of the collected taxes will be given to the airports.
DeleteAt least something.
DeleteFantastic news. Hope it happens.
ReplyDeleteLong shot
ReplyDeleteNot really. The tax just needs to be abolished.
DeleteEven if it is not abolished, I'm sure SJJ will find a way to cover the cost in cooperation with the tourist board or local government.
DeleteMore routes from Sarajevo? That's music to my ears. It's about time this city gets recognized.
ReplyDeleteCity of Sarajevo now needs to do more work to promote itself as a city break destination, particularly in the west. Ryanair flights are perfect in bringing in these kinds of tourists.
DeleteThe Tourist Board of Canton Sarajevo is actually doing a pretty good job.
DeleteJa
DeleteSo basically SJJ is giving FR everything for free?
ReplyDeleteHow did you conclude that?
DeleteConsidering that 2-3 years ago there were barely any LCCs in Sarajevo and that we are now talking about a Ryanair base, this is great.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteExcellent news for Sarajevo!
ReplyDeleteRyanair are hardly reliable partners.
DeleteSarajevo is doing a fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many new routes we could expect if they decide to open a base?
ReplyDeleteBosnia is becoming an LCC heaven.
ReplyDeleteIt has been for a while. Wizz was the largest airline in Bosnia for the past 7 or 8 years.
DeleteFingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Ryanair will consider more leisure destinations from Sarajevo
ReplyDeleteMalta would be a good addition.
Deletepoor TZl
ReplyDeleteI think Wizz might return to TZL with more routes and flights to compete against Ryanair in SJJ.
DeleteNo one would go to Tuzla when they have FR in SJJ
DeleteIm so happy for that! Wizz totally deserves it, after abandoning Sarajevo just like that. Go Ryan!
DeleteThey abandoned Tuzla too.
DeleteIf this is serious, they need to expand the terminal ASAP as they'll be over capacity this or next year. It usually takes them years to complete any construction project.
ReplyDeleteTrue. They haven't actually completed even the current terminal expansion. There is still construction work going on.
DeleteGdje ste vidjeli u poslednje vrijeme gradjevinske radove?
DeleteDuty free expansion and around passport control
DeleteJust what they did with Tirana's
ReplyDeletehttps://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=154275
When you pay no fees, why not
Delete@19:46
DeleteSure they pay no fees!
The stuff people would actually believe...
I dont belive in base whit one airplane. Ryanair base strategy is whit minimum two birds. They never do it whit one. This is info from first hand, frend who work in FR told me long time a go.
ReplyDeleteAlso they will open bases in Ucraine rather then B&H. O Leary visit Ucraine last year and he told Ryanair will start operations and basses in moment when war stop
They have bases with one aircraft. The last one being Trieste. And they seem to do just fine over there
Delete"This is info from first hand"
DeleteWhat a load of nonsense. Ryanair has 1-aircraft bases all over the place. Zadar started as a 1-aircraft base and Trieste is a 1-aircraft base. That's two in our region alone.
I'm sure SJJ will cover the tax cost.
ReplyDelete