Ryanair to Bosnia in 2013? Mostar Airport

Mostar Airport is preparing for a busy 2013 with the potential arrival of both Wizz Air and Ryanair. Yesterday, both local and state authorities met with Wizz Air to discuss potential flights to the city. It has been proposed for the low cost airline to launch services to Mostar from Malmo and Dortmund. However, Italian tour operators and Pescara’s Abruzzo Airport are now insisting for Ryanair to take part in the action as well. Abruzzo and Mostar are set to sign a partnership agreement this Friday. The agreement entails the expansion of Mostar Airport, improvements to airport safety, the introduction of scheduled traffic and assistance with staff training.

The Italians have proposed for Ryanair to launch seasonal summer flights from Hahn (Frankfurt), Moss (Oslo) and Charleroi (Brussels). “We believe there would be considerable interest from the Bosnian diaspora for these services. As a result, the flights would be financially viable”, the Bosnian tour operator, which has been earmarked to sell Ryanair’s tickets, says. Furthermore, the Italians are anticipating the launch of the Pescara - Mostar - Sarajevo route next summer season. Italian tourists, visiting the spiritual Medjugorje sight, have greatly contributed to Mostar Airport’s recent impressive run in form.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second busiest airport handled 73.259 passengers in the first ten months of the year, an improvement of 144.4% on the same period last year. The airport believes the abovementioned partnership with Pescara Airport and the arrival of low cost airlines will see for an even better 2013. “We are looking forward to cooperating with our Italian partners. This year we found ways in which we can further improve our cooperation with Abruzzo Airport and the new agreement will allow 2013 to be even better and more successful than this year”, Marko Djuzel from Mostar Airport told local press. During this year, the Bosnian government abolished the compulsory passenger tax at Mostar Airport, making it more appealing to potential future customers.