Dino Selimovic, Acting Director of Sarajevo International Airport, has met on Monday with Egypt’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Walid Haggag, to discuss the possibility of establishing a direct, scheduled air route between Sarajevo and Cairo.
The meeting focused on strengthening air connectivity between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt, with both sides highlighting opportunities to expand cooperation in tourism, trade, business, education, and culture.
Representatives of Sarajevo International Airport’s Aviation Services Department, Sead Čampara and Melika Kasalo, also attended the meeting.
Particular attention was given to Cairo’s role as one of Africa’s major aviation hubs and its potential to improve connections between Bosnia and Herzegovina and destinations across the African continent.
“A direct air route between Sarajevo and Cairo would not merely connect the two capitals; it would also open up opportunities for better connectivity between Bosnia and Herzegovina and numerous destinations across Africa. At the same time, it would improve accessibility to Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina for tourists, business travelers, and other passengers from Egypt and the wider African region,” Selimović said.
Sarajevo International Airport already has seasonal connections with Egypt through charter flights operated by Air Cairo to Hurghada. A regular service to Cairo could further support tourism, business travel, and transit connections between the two countries.
Visa procedures identified as a key challenge
The meeting also addressed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s visa regime, which participants identified as an obstacle to expanding tourism exchanges and establishing direct air links with promising markets.
Among the possibilities discussed were a temporary or seasonal visa waiver for Egyptian citizens or significant simplification of existing procedures. Proposed measures included digitalizing applications, improving electronic submission and processing, and shortening processing times while maintaining appropriate security standards.
Talks with EgyptAir planned for World Routes 2026
As a next step, representatives of Sarajevo International Airport plan to meet with EgyptAir representatives at the international aviation event World Routes 2026 in Frankfurt. The airport delegation intends to present the potential for establishing a direct Sarajevo–Cairo service.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their willingness to continue cooperation and coordinate further activities aimed at improving air connectivity, increasing passenger numbers, and strengthening economic, tourism, and friendly relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt.
