Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has ranked among the European countries with the most dynamic recovery of air traffic, according to the report of the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe.
In the first half of 2025, passenger numbers increased by 31.1 percent compared to the same period in 2024. According to experts, these positive results should simultaneously be followed by the establishment of a national airline. Such a strategic step would be crucial for stabilizing connectivity, reducing dependence on foreign carriers, and further developing the market.
According to the section referring to BiH, ACI Europe in the report emphasizes that the domestic market grew by 31.1 percent in 2025, compared to 4.5 percent in the European network and 5.6 percent for countries outside the European Union (EU). Compared with neighbors (Croatia +7.5 percent, Serbia +5.1 percent, Montenegro +6.9 percent), BiH achieved growth above the European average.
Sarajevo Airport stands out in particular, which, according to the same statements, is responsible for a large part of the growth and today is at 107.1 percent compared to 2019. ACI also emphasizes macro effects – European airports catalytically contribute to the economy.
BiH is marked as an emerging market – the inclination to fly is 0, which means plenty of room to catch up with the rest of Europe. For sustainable growth, ACI recommends long-term investments in capacity and efficiency, a focus on sustainability and connectivity, and a regulatory framework that enables airports to recover costs through reasonably set fees.
Sarajevo International Airport states that in the summer season of 2025, there are 31 airlines serving 38 destinations, and in the first half of the year, 947.744 passengers were transported.
In the business plan for the next three years, as they emphasize, the goal is to increase the number of destinations and bring new companies, with a special focus on so far unserved markets (e.g., the Netherlands) – along with continued cooperation with tourist institutions on strategic routes.
Alen Scuric, an expert in civil aviation, emphasizes that the market was far from its potential, but that this is now changing rapidly. He highlights Sarajevo Airport as the main generator of growth, noting that Mostar is on the rise and that Banja Luka is at the level of record 2023, with the estimate that next year it could exceed 500.000 passengers. Sarajevo, he says, is seriously considering expansion of the terminal and runway, due to potential arrivals of wide-body aircraft and reducing the impact of fog, which would further support growth.
Director of Mostar Airport Marko Djuzel emphasizes three pillars of growth at this airport: the base aircraft of the company SkyAps with six routes, the Eurowings line to Stuttgart with more than 90 percent occupancy, and year-round connections with Zagreb and Belgrade.
“Due to the complicated position of Mostar Airport, we cannot compete with classic low-cost carriers, except Eurowings,” says Djuzel, but adds that it is precisely these companies that bring the number of passengers and aggressive growth. “The priority of the next cycle is Scandinavia, because we have many inquiries from the diaspora, and resolving problems with Istanbul. The goal is to establish that connection next year. Mostar is the second airport in the country with a European certificate, but it is already at the maximum capacity of the current infrastructure. We have finished the project documentation for expansion, and we will seek financing from all levels of government and through credit lines,” emphasizes Djuzel.
The demand structure in Tuzla relies on the diaspora in Western Europe, as they explain from this airport located about 13 kilometers from Tuzla.
Director of Tuzla Airport Dzevad Halilcevic recalls that in the autumn of 2023, there was a global imbalance of supply and demand.
“A large number of planes of European companies were in regular service, so the availability of fleets was limited. Since the beginning of this year, the market has obviously recovered, the number of destinations and frequencies is increasing, and we expect continued normalization, with a strong boost given by two routes to Istanbul. Pegasus and AnadoluJet have opened our market. Passengers have the opportunity for tourist visits and transit, and citizens of Turkey come here, and this is two-way communication,” says Halilcevic, adding that the new destination to Vienna since June is filling well.
The picture of the market in the aviation industry from the ACI Europe report is consistent – demand exists and is growing, but it is flexible. Fleets and routes quickly move to where lower fees, more stable conditions, and an economy are found. For BiH, this means several tasks, primarily investment in infrastructure. Sarajevo Airport is temporarily relieved because Terminal B can receive up to two million passengers, but winter operations and the runway remain a strategic priority. Mostar is at its capacity limit and preparing investments, while Tuzla is seeking several more stable carriers. According to experts, systemic investment in staffing solutions, education, and retention of experts, as well as clearer and more harmonized management of airports, is also necessary.
One of the priorities should also be the establishment of a national airline, as an instrument of stabilizing connectivity, especially within the country. ACI Europe said that with such a framework and connectivity effects, BiH can keep its place among the fastest-growing markets in Europe and turn current results into lasting ones, which would lead to sustainable air connectivity and broader economic gain.
