Air Vallée suspends Mostar

Air Vallée scraps Mostar as B&H’s ATR returns to the fleet

The Italian airline Air Vallée, which was supposed to operate two weekly flights from Abruzzo Airport near Pescara on Italy’s eastern coast to Mostar, has cancelled its services after operating only the inaugural service. Earlier in the year an agreement was reached between local authorities and the airline for Air Vallée to operate a total of 52 flights until the end of October. There was even a pre contract in place for services to continue throughout the winter season.

No official reason has been given behind the suspension. Flights between the two cities were operated by B&H Airlines at the end of last year’s summer season with much success. As a result, Mostar will not see scheduled services this summer although the airport enjoys numerous charters, catering exclusively for pilgrims visiting Medjugorje. Late last year the Bosnian national carrier expressed interest to expand operations out of Mostar, with proposals for the airline to set up a mini hub at the airport with daily feeder runs to Sarajevo. These plans, however, did not materialise.

Meanwhile, B&H Airlines’ second ATR72, which has been sitting in Germany for the past several months, made a comeback in Sarajevo yesterday and will resume operations for the Bosnian carrier soon. It is believed that the Bosnian government paid outstanding debt on the aircraft’s lease enabling it to return. The aircraft is much needed as has been demonstrated over the past few days. B&H was forced to cancel all of its flights on both Sunday and Monday as its sole operating ATR72 travelled to the Belorussian capital Minsk. Operations are set to resume today with two flights to Istanbul.