The investigation is led by POSKOK, the national anti-corruption and organised crime unit. For several months, POSKOK has been examining suspected wrongdoing related to changes in the company’s bylaws, which may have altered the qualifications required for senior management positions. The concern is that these changes were designed to secure full-term appointments for the newly selected management. Investigators are examining whether the bylaw revisions were made outside of official governmental publication requirements, removed minimum aviation industry expertise needed for top roles, eliminated the need for a technical engineering degree and removed the requirement for at least five years of aviation experience. If true, critics argue the changes would allow politically favoured candidates without industry qualifications to take leadership positions at Bosnia and Herzegovina's busiest airport. POSKOK reportedly seized internal documents from the airport one month ago as part of the inquiry.
The airport is currently running an open recruitment process for the position of CEO and Executive Director roles, with more than five candidates applying, including one former airport head, Alan Bajić, who was controversially replaced last year. The investigation could delay the appointment process.
The investigation comes as Sarajevo Airport attempts to secure new Ryanair routes and a potential base. A delegation from the airport, led by the Premier of the Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, visited Dublin last week where they met with Ray Kelliher, the carrier's Director of Airports and Commercial Finance. Commenting on the talks, Mr Uk said, "We discussed concrete steps to further improve air connectivity for our capital city. Our focus is clear: more direct routes between Sarajevo and key European destinations. Better connectivity boosts tourism, facilitates business and directly contributes to strengthening our economy. I am confident that this direct dialogue will soon lead to new travel opportunities and greater economic benefits for all citizens of Sarajevo Canton".
Bajić se vraća , tako je i najbolje .
ReplyDeleteHe might be better but he is also a political appointment.
DeleteAlan Bajić deserves to come back. He was removed for purely political reasons. Under his leadership, SJJ was actually thriving.
DeleteOf course he is better, politics did appoint him, but he knows what needs to be done, the priorities are known. He knows what aviation is, while Ramezić has no idea about it.
Delete^ Commenting as an outsider here, was he really that bad? I mean the airport seemed to be running normally.
DeleteEven if Bajic returns, will he be allowed to work without interference? That’s the real question.
DeleteRamezić was perfectly fine and committed.
Delete^ wasn't there that fiasco with security earlier this year with licensing security staff?
DeleteIf Bajić comes back, great. If not, please, someone who at least knows what ICAO stands for.
DeleteWhat a timing. Leadership banned from entering their workplace right when they are negotiating with Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteTrue. SJJ is trying to get more Ryanair routes and this circus is happening in the background.
DeleteAll I care about is that Ryanair base. Let them sort this mess later. Just give us cheap tickets!
DeleteRyanair is opening a base, that's the most important thing that needs to happen
DeleteRyanair is not blind to what’s happening. They want stability if they’re going to base aircraft here.
DeleteWith all due respect, Bajic was also involved in accusations of corruption relating to the "new" terminal (it's more of a terminal expansion) and it took years and years to complete. They explained how it took so long because of covid but every other airport in the world accelerated infrastructure work on terminals during this period.
DeleteWhat a joke :D
ReplyDeleteNo wonder the Balkans are bleeding population. Who would want to live in such corrupt states? Many of us who haven't yet left, wouldn't mind doing so probably.
Delete@Anonymous 09:34
DeleteExactly!
And this isn't specific to Bosnia but to all our region's countries. Some more some less but it is a very common thing.
Corruption is Balkans? Is that news? That's business as usual there. No matter who gets in power, they will do the same thing. Not that EU if free from it, as recent arrests shows...
DeleteThis actually might be a good opportunity to bring in someone with real aviation experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Ryanair are operating with illegal subsidies. They should never of been allowed to operate flights to Sarajevo. They should only be permitted to fly to Tuzla. Hopefully the next CEO will sort this mess out
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteApart from the fact that your comment makes no sense, it is the previous management, which is probably coming back, that brought Ryanair in the first place.
DeleteHow are the subsidies illegal if they've been given by the completely legal Sarajevo tourist community?
DeleteClean up the whole system once and for all.
ReplyDeleteDon't get your hopes up.
DeleteYeah, anticorruption activities in Sarajevo Canton are on a really high level, if the entire country had that level of professionalism Bosnia would be in the EU long ago. No wonder they say laws only apply in Sarajevo, you can even smoke in many coffee shops outside it even though it's illegal and inspectors frequent Sarajevo more than any other place.
DeletePOSKOK will catch the little fish. The big sharks will continue swimming.
DeleteYep....big sharks always get away.
DeleteHow on earth can someone run an airport without basic industry qualifications? At least five years of aviation experience should be a minimum.
ReplyDeleteThese investigations always appear right when someone’s political enemies want them out.
ReplyDeleteLet’s see if there are real results or just headlines.
ReplyDeleteSarajevo needs more flights, not more scandals.
ReplyDeleteSarajevo is the busiest airport in the country and should be managed by proven professionals. Full stop.
ReplyDeleteWatch. In the end they will quietly appoint someone worse. Seen it all before.
ReplyDelete+1 unfortunately
DeleteIt’s always the same story. Instead of hiring people who know the job, they rewrite rules to fit their friends. Nothing surprising here.
ReplyDeleteDuring the time of the previous director, there were negotiations for the Yaranair base, now he is coming back and in the summer we can expect the Yaranair base, which will be a huge success for Sarajevo airport!!!
ReplyDeletePlease stop makin "Yaranair" a thing, its cringe.
DeleteI thought it was a typo but now I see what he did there hahaha
Delete@Anonymous 09:56 , It's a joke, it won't hurt anyone. There is also Zwizzair 😇 Really strange that the person who uses the term cringe, bothers Yaranair...
DeleteRespect to the court for doing the right thing instead of bowing to political pressure.
ReplyDeleteThe current administration literally got installed last December. How have they already managed to get into all this trouble?
ReplyDeleteA year is more than enough.
DeleteIt’s so embarrassing that executives are banned from entering their airport. Imagine that happening at FRA or IST…
ReplyDeleteIstanbul is not a good example. Erdogan literally installed his son in law to run the finances of Turkey.
Delete^
DeleteSo true. We could even blame the Ottomans for bringing this culture to the region.
Anon 09:24 Not sure if you're aware but Istanbul's mayor is kept in jail by Erdogan since March, let alone being banned entering its administrative building.
DeleteThe sad truth is we’re used to this. And that’s the biggest problem.
ReplyDeleteAt least things are finally moving. I’d rather have investigations than silence and sweeping problems under the carpet.
ReplyDeleteIf Ryanair bases a plane, the first ones in line will be the same politicians who caused this mess. Ribbon cutting championships incoming.
ReplyDeleteThey might need to investigate Mostar too
ReplyDeleteWhy?
DeleteOnly in the Balkans: airport managers banned from airport.
ReplyDeleteInvestigation will finish, everyone will be declared innocent, and we’ll be right back where we started. Bookmark this comment.
ReplyDeleteThe proper things to do would be for the CEO to resign seeing as he can't even enter his workplace let alone run it.
ReplyDeleteNot gonna happen here.
DeleteIf he's still collecting his salary he is not resigning it.
DeleteIt's not like any other airport operator anywhere in the world would hire him.
Uk seems motivated and finally talking to airline
ReplyDeleteLet’s be honest, the only qualification they needed was a party membership card.
ReplyDeletetoo much instability at this airport. From fog to frequent management changes.
ReplyDeleteThis situation won’t help foreign airlines’ perception of Bosnia. Stability matters.
DeleteEveryone dreams of a base… until Ryanair asks for incentives
ReplyDeleteIf they broke the law, they should be punished. If not, someone is trying to get control of the airport for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe airport can't decide if it’s a business or a political reward centre.
ReplyDeleteIt’s both. That’s the problem.
DeleteThese are quite petty charges
ReplyDelete