While in previous years the Tuzla airport broke records in the number of transported passengers and the number of airlines, this year the picture is completely different. There are currently only three destinations in the summer flight schedule of this airport.
Once upon a time, this runway was filled with airplanes and passengers. The record in the number of transported passengers was also broken. Today it is mostly empty. Only three destinations are current.
It is still uncertain if and when the number of lines from the Tuzla airport will be increased, which is in an unenviable situation since Wizz Air closed its base. From the beginning of June, charter flights to Antalya start and, compared to the previous year, the number of lines has doubled, the director of the Airport confirms for BHRT.
DŽEVAD HALILČEVIĆ, director of Tuzla International Airport
“From two to four weekly departures. In addition to the existing Free Bird, which increased from two to three departures, we also have a fourth from the new company Tailwind, which will operate on Saturdays.”
As for regular flights, there are currently only three Wizz Air routes, for Dortmund, Memmingen and Basel. Intensive negotiations are underway with interested airlines and the introduction of new lines, the results should be known by autumn, and the problem, Halilčević adds, is on a global level.
DŽEVAD HALILČEVIĆ, director of Tuzla International Airport
“Given that Wizz Air has a large number of aircraft on service, about 50, and all other airlines are also affected by this. We expect that by autumn these aircraft will begin to return from service, new ones will arrive and that the balance will be reached .”
While the negotiations are ongoing, and jobs are not threatened at the moment, the SDP is requesting the holding of a thematic session of the Assembly, stating in the request that they require answers.
“Data on the number of transported passengers and the number of flights in February, March and April indicate that the situation is alarming and that the airport is about to be closed.”
ŽARKO VUJOVIĆ, President of the Tuzla Canton Assembly
“Tuzla Airport is one of the strategic companies and we will certainly support all the efforts of the management and their authorities.”
Long-time journalist Zlatko Dukić sees the problem in two political currents at different levels, so the clashes also affect the citizens.
ZLATKO DUKIĆ, journalist
“These problems are not solved because the higher levels of government are not in the best of relations with the lower, cantonal ones, and that is then charged with interest.”
And while the Tuzla airport and its employees are waiting for better days, the hope remains that the development of strategic companies will be the primary goal of decision makers, instead of fighting and shifting responsibilities.
