TRIP REPORT
This month, August 2025, I took a flight on Marathon Airlines on behalf of Sky Alps, from Mostar to Naples and back.
Mostar Airport is a very small airport situated in the Herzegovina region and has only a few flights per day. Recently Sky Alps opened a base and uses one of their Q400s and a leased Embraer.
It is very easy to go through all checks at Mostar as it is never crowded and the staff are nice. It has a small cafe and a waiting area. What is absolutely deplorable is its lack of connection to the city center by public transport. The airport shuttle goes only a few times per day and is not aligned with the departure and arrival times, not to mention the obscene price of 10KM (5.10 euros). That being said, one has to take (if going from the railway station) the local bus that goes to Blagaj or Zalik or Zitomislici (runs infrequently) and get off in front of FIS and walk some 25-30 minutes along the road and then through a vineyard and across the railway line to Capljina (also would be a great addition if a small stop could be built as its just behind the airport). Mostarbus has no markings on these bus stops and that is something they absolutely need to work on. Ticket price is 1.80KM (0.92 euros).
Now back to the airport. As online check in for Mostar doesn't work, you will need to get a boarding pass at the airport. You can be there comfortably an hour before departure as it's never crowded.
My plane on both legs was an Embraer 195 with no branding or markings, SX- RMA. It has 118 seats in a business and economy configuration. The interior has been refurbished, and the seats are well-padded on the bottom and the entire interior looked clean.
The crew was Greek, with one Italian-speaking Sky Alps flight attendant. All safety announcements were done manually first in English and then in Italian, by the Sky Alps crew member.
Load factor on the first leg was only 12 passengers. The plane departed with a slight delay of 20 minutes but landed on time. The crew handed out some sweet or salty snacks, a tissue and drinks. They were polite and very, very adamant that everyone had their seatbelts on as we encountered some turbulence over the sea. Interestingly the passenger announcement from the pilots was done only before landing.
On the return leg from Naples, the airport was extremely busy as always and one must arrive at least two hours before departure. What’s good is that it offers a nice duty free zone, with some great pastries and local produce such as buffalo mozzarella and it is very well connected by the Alibus shuttle to the harbour and railway station.
Again, the plane was SX-RMA with the same crew. This time there were about 30-40 passengers, mostly elderly passengers going on their pilgrimage. The plane departed with a delay of about 20 minutes and there was no announcement from the pilots during the entire flight.
I also noted a makeshift repair that was done in the meantime, behind which some condensation was dropping on the seats from time to time. The landing at Mostar was very smooth.
Overall, Marathon Airlines offers a nice service for the short route. The basics are there such as hygiene and inflight service, but they need to work on their punctuality and avoid makeshift repairs, especially given their safety record. Also, an added touch would be some basic Sky Alps titles on the plane along with a few words from the pilots, although, judging by the load factor, the route will not be in operation much longer.
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Is this the same Marathon airline invovled in incident at Belgrade airport?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteNo doubt SkyAlps and Mostar Airport did a thorough check and looked at operator history before engaging them.
DeleteHahahahaha
DeleteLoad factor on the first leg was only 12 passengers.
ReplyDeleteYeah goodbye SkyAlps
In return 30-40 passengers it's a disaster and that in August. Thanks for your report
ReplyDeleteThere is Split-Naples and Dubrovnik-Naples every day. Mostar has no chance.
DeleteSo that's in average maybe about 25 pax or a LF of 21%.
DeleteAnd I really can't imagine them having a full belly either.
most passengers had carryon luggage only
DeleteOk thanks. But what I meant was the cargo load in terms of freight :)
DeleteZero
DeleteJudging bu low LF, this route may soon go.
ReplyDeleteCanceled from beginning of september
DeleteMunich is just as bad, Palermo is hanging on because of tourist agencies
DeleteIt's a pity they discontinued Verona. North of Italy is underserved
ReplyDeleteNo demand, Aeroitalia tried last year with Ravenna and failed. There is FR to Bergamo though
DeleteThanks for this interesting report on a rather unusual line. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Well written!
DeleteThank you, appreciate it
DeleteAnd instead of rumours we get first hand facts.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Youre welcome !
Delete