After almost being destroyed during the war, the Sarajevo Airport was re-opened for the international civil ait traffic on 15 August 1996.
Consequently, today we are marking the thirtieth anniversary of that ceremony.
Former Yugoslav National Army seized the Airport in the night between 4 and 5 April 1992. After the Airport was plundered, devastated and destroyed, all civil flights were stopped. Those were difficult and uncertain days for the Airport that required total renovation before being re-opened for air traffic operations.
Reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Sarajevo International Airport has been so far one of the biggest projects in BiH. In spite of numerous hardships and obstacles, the Airport was reconstructed due to enthusiasm and selflessness of all employees, and for years now has been scoring great business success.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the post-war opening, we pay tribute to all the workers, partners and institutions who participated in the reconstruction and development of Sarajevo Airport. Their vision, courage and perseverance enabled the war-torn airport to become a modern company that today successfully meets the requirements of modern aviation.
Acting Director of Sarajevo International Airport Dino Selimović emphasized that this anniversary is an opportunity to recognize all generations of employees who have built the company and contributed to its development over the past thirty years.
“When Sarajevo Airport was reopened for civil air traffic in 1996, few could have imagined that three decades later it would become a modern and successful company that annually serves more than two million passengers and connects the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina with almost 40 destinations around Europe and the world. Today, Sarajevo International Airport is much more than a traffic infrastructure – it is a driver of development, an important partner to the tourism and economic sectors, and one of the key factors in the international connectivity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am especially proud of all the workers who, through their efforts, with knowledge and dedication we created the foundations on which today we achieve record results and realize development projects of strategic importance for our country.”
