Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is preparing to reintroduce the passenger departure tax at commercial airports starting next year, which will increase costs for airlines.
The tax was implemented by the BiH Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA) but has so far been fully applied only to carriers operating from Sarajevo Airport.
In the future, it is expected to apply to all commercial airports in the country. This tax is seen as a significant deterrent for airlines, especially low-cost carriers.
The tax was suspended for a year to improve the country’s connectivity with international destinations.
However, the BHDCA stated that this policy resulted in a “dramatic decline in revenue” and posed a threat to the Directorate’s operations.
The departure tax amounts to 1.5 euros per passenger. Last year, Ryanair halted operations from Tuzla when the airport came under pressure to begin applying this tax.
The Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH will initiate the procedure for reintroducing the passenger tax at the next session of the Council of Ministers.
