Training for a pilot can cost more than one hundred thousand euros. However, even though the cost of education and training is very high, the salaries of pilots in the region are still nowhere near what airline pilots in Western European countries have. Although pilots can earn significantly more than most people, their salaries are still lower compared to their counterparts abroad.
The number of pilots from Bosnia and Herzegovina flying commercial flights is very small. The reason for the lack of a domestic airline is that we only have 15 to 20 pilots in the entire country.
AMIR BARALIĆ, captain and instructor of “Electra Airways”
We don’t have pilots, because everything we had that we trained at BH Airlines unfortunately left the country with the disappearance of the company. They fly all over the world and everyone asks if there will be room for them to come home one day.
The prices of pilot licenses are not small. Therefore, calling a pilot, even for entry licenses, requires a lot of sacrifice.
ALADIN MUJAGIĆ, member and flight instructor of “Aeroklub Bihać”
Sailboat licenses are the cheapest and most often people start with them. They range around 2000 euros, that’s from the beginning of the training to the very end. Each flying club has its own flight instructor and people usually start with gliders, in order to get a feel for what it’s like to fly a plane.
Commercial pilot licenses cost a bit more. It costs about 100,000 euros in European terms.
“Although the same 14 pilot tests are taken everywhere, our licenses are not compatible with those in the EU. Whoever decides to become a pilot, it is most profitable to apply in the countries of the European Union,” Baralic said.
“If you want to work seriously and professionally, it is best to go to EU countries, because they get their licenses, that is, they pass the EU license regulations. We are late for the latest acts because they are adopted automatically in the EU,” Mujagic explained.
The lack of a domestic airline justifies the small number of pilots in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But what are the reasons for the non-existence of a domestic airline?
“In high school and college, there is an aviation technician major. A lot of government segments and young staff, who would not leave the country, who would stay there, were attached to BH Airlines, there was also Fly Bosnia, there was no understanding for it either. Now we have understanding for both Ryanair and Croatia Airlines in Mostar, we can find money for everything, and we will close the domestic ones, that is not necessary,” Baralic added.
Bosnia and Herzegovina pilots are forced to fly for foreign airlines, although some would like to fly for domestic ones. That is why it is very uncertain whether the number of pilots will increase in the coming period.
