Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) has introduced a series of seasonal charter flights to Sarajevo, making it the newest regional airline to connect with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital. The charter service, which began on May 6, will operate on select dates throughout May, August, and September—specifically on May 12, 18, and 24; August 9, 15, 22, and 29; and September 5, 12, and 19—for a total of eleven flights this summer. MEA is using its Airbus A320 aircraft on the route, configured in an all-economy layout with 156 seats, in contrast to its typical business-heavy arrangement.
These flights are available exclusively as part of travel packages marketed in Lebanon. Multiple Lebanese tour operators are collaborating with MEA, with religious tourism—particularly Catholic pilgrimages to Medjugorje—serving as a primary motivator. Tour organizers are offering complete pilgrimage packages that include direct charter flights to Sarajevo, ground transfers to Medjugorje, and spiritual guidance programs.
In the past, similar charters operated through Mostar in cooperation with Croatia Airlines, but this arrangement has not continued into 2025.
Beyond pilgrimages, the flights have also fueled interest in leisure tourism, with Lebanese agencies promoting Bosnia and Herzegovina as a summer destination known for its natural landscapes, rich culture, and the ease of direct air travel. Sarajevo will be connected this summer to a wide range of Middle Eastern cities through both charter and scheduled flights, including Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Qassim, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Medina, Muscat, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv, Ex Yu Aviation news writes.
