The Sarajevo Canton (KS) Government has adopted the Tourism and Air Traffic Development Incentive Program for 2026, and three million BAM have been allocated for the strategic expansion of the international destination network.
These funds, planned in the budget of the Ministry of Economy of the Canton, represent a key mechanism for improving the accessibility of the Sarajevo Canton and stimulating overall economic growth through the synergy of the transport and tourism sectors, the Canton Government announced.
“The program directly builds on the continuity of record results and the strategic commitment of institutions to strengthen Sarajevo as a leading regional hub,” the statement said.
Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Nihad Uk emphasizes that continuous budgetary investments provide measurable effects that directly reflect on the stability of the domestic economy.
“The record number of passengers and the expansion of the destination network confirm that we have established a model that definitely positions Sarajevo as an unavoidable regional hub. Our commitment is clear: through systemic support and the opening of new markets, we are creating an environment in which Sarajevo becomes an even more accessible and competitive European destination. Each new line brings new opportunities for our hoteliers, traders and craftsmen, and I see the strengthening of the airport as a direct investment in a better standard of living for our citizens. I am proud that Sarajevo stands shoulder to shoulder with European metropolises today, proving that we have the knowledge and capacity for major strides,” said Uk.
The Cantonal Government also states that systemic investments are already yielding concrete results, which is confirmed by the summarized indicators for the first quarter of 2026.
“After ending 2025 with a record 2.2 million passengers, the upward trajectory has continued in the current year. In the first quarter, a 10 percent increase in the number of passengers was recorded compared to the same period last year, with a three percent increase in the number of air operations. The recently completed March stands out in particular, which, with 136,258 passengers served, became the busiest March in the history of Sarajevo International Airport, achieving a 22 percent growth compared to the same month last year,” the Cantonal Government announced.
In the coming period, the focus remains on subsidizing strategically important routes that generate the highest traffic, which is especially important before the start of the summer season, they point out in the statement.
“With the planned modernization and expansion of the Sarajevo Airport’s capacity by 2032, the Sarajevo Canton completes its ambitious development agenda with this program. The implementation, jointly carried out by the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance and the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton, will ensure that Sarajevo further strengthens its competitiveness in the broader European context in the coming years, using infrastructure modernization as a foundation for long-term economic development,” the Sarajevo Canton Government announced.
