A considerable number of tourists are coming to BiH by the airline transportation, and the International Airport Sarajevo represents the first touch with our country for most of them. Over 20 airline companies, including seasonal and charter flights, operate from the International Airport Sarajevo, and five new lines have been introduced only in 2017.
“This kind of progress enabled citizens of BiH not only to reach over 20 destinations worldwide through direct lines but also to reach any corner of the world, from North and South America, across Japan and even Australia,” said Sanja Bagaric-Arnaut from the Office of Public Relations at the Sarajevo Airport.
All these airlines and new destinations are followed by a significant increase of passengers at the International Airport in Sarajevo. After 800,000 passengers were recorded at the International Airport Sarajevo in one year in December last year, that record was increased on over 900,000 passengers this year.
“This kind of increase is not possible without the simultaneous expansion of capacity, and with the increase of over 100,000 passengers in just 12 months, there comes the obligation to provide all of them with the same service, the same comfort, and the same positive experience. Regarding this, with the project ‘Modernization and Upgrading of Terminal B’ is planned the expansion of the existing capacity, so that the Sarajevo Airport should be able to serve over two million passengers a year with that expansion,” said Bagaric-Arnaut.
She also added that due to all this, the old Terminal A will be demolished soon, and it should happen at the end of the year according to the current plans. Therefore, setting up of temporary montage facilities in which will be located employees, restaurant, and numerous support services has already started.
According to Sanja Bagaric-Arnaut, this expansion should provide additional 10,000 square meters of space on four floors. The old and new part will be connected by a large, modern eaves. The terminal is now 68 meters long, and it will be 110 meters long after the expansion.
With this expansion is planned to expand and increase all capacities, including technological capacities for the needs of passenger and luggage registration, customs, security, passport and sanitary checks on arrival and departure, waiting room for passengers, emergency assistance, security check of luggage, waiting room for the reception of passengers, catering facilities, Duty Free Shop, offices and commercial premises for the needs of airlines and other agencies, space for religious needs and all the other accompanying facilities.
“The works should start with the demolition of the old Terminal A by the end of the year, and the approval for construction and extension from the competent Federal Ministry was secured for the expansion project, apart from urban planning approval. The value of the project is 38 million BAM. All of this will be an exceptionally strong financial injection for BiH, especially for the wider region of Sarajevo,” concluded Sanja Bagaric-Arnaut.
(Source: E. S. H./Klix.ba)
