Sarajevo expansion to begin in 2012

Sarajevo Airport to get new look

The new CEO of Sarajevo Airport, Ivica Veličan, has announced that the expansion of Sarajevo Airport’s terminal building will begin in the fall of 2012. The airport has secured a loan of 25 million Euros from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development which will be used to expand the terminal by 7.000 square metres, build a new apron and overhaul existing jetways. The final price tag of the project will amount to 32 million Euros. Veličan said, “The expansion of the terminal building will allow better quality service for our passengers and will improve our country’s image”. It was originally expected for work on the terminal to begin this year. While the airport is still functioning effectively, capacity constraints are starting to emerge at peak hours with security and duty free facilities in need of expansion. In 2005 Sarajevo Airport was named the best European airport to handle up to 1 million passengers.

In July this year Sarajevo recorded strong growth. It handled a total of 81.042 passengers, an increase of 12%. However, in August, usually one of the busiest months of the year, Sarajevo Airport saw its figures slip by 2.8% compared to the same month last year. Contributing to towards the downward trend is the significant reduction in flights operated by B&H Airlines. The airport is hoping to handle 600.000 passengers by the end of the year.

Veličan also added that Sarajevo Airport is working to attract low cost airlines. Currently, only Germanwings and Norwegian Air Shuttle offer low cost flights to the Bosnian capital. However, according to some sources, Wizz Air has expressed interest to commence flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tuzla is hoping that it will bag the low cost airline ahead of Sarajevo.