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| Tuzla likely to become Wizz Air’s third operational base in the former Yugoslavia |
Low cost airline Wizz Air is considering opening a base in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s third largest city, Tuzla, following talks between the no frills carrier, the Federation Minister for Transport and Communication Enver Bijedić and officials from both the Tuzla canton government and the airport. It comes after the success Wizz Air has enjoyed in Tuzla since launching flights there in 2013. The low cost airline initially inaugurated services from Malmo to Tuzla on a seasonal summer basis in June last year. However, shortly after, the service was given a year long run and new flights from Basel and Gothenburg were introduced as well. Only a few weeks ago, Wizz Air launched services from Dortmund and Eindhoven to the Bosnian city.
However, Tuzla Airport is also seeking to boost revenue and achieve profitability in 2017. While not disclosing any details, the airport’s management hinted its current agreement with Wizz Air has not improved its finances, which is why it is looking to a reach a compromise with the low cost airline. “The ministry has insisted for Wizz Air to boost revenue so Tuzla Airport can function better in the future and improve its financial results”, Minister Bijedić said. It has not been revealed whether Wizz Air enjoys benefits at Tuzla Airport such as discounts or waived fees for handling, landing and other infrastructure use. The airport stressed it was seeking a solution which would not harm Wizz Air’s operations in Tuzla.
Recently, Wizz Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, Gyorgy Abran said, “Our presence in Tuzla demonstrates our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and we hope to further develop our operations in this market”. In the first half of the year, Tuzla Airport welcomed 53.053 passengers, a massive increase of 691% compared to the 6.706 passengers handled during the same period in 2013. If Wizz Air chooses to base an aircraft in the city it will ensure continued growth for the airport, which has been mostly deserted since opening its doors for commercial traffic in 2008. Wizz Air already has two bases in the former Yugoslavia, in Skopje and Belgrade respectively.
That\s great news for Tuzla but what about Sarajevo!?
ReplyDeleteWell I think they will tend to rather concetrate to Tuzla than to launch Sarajevo.
DeleteThey will probably never fly to Sarajevo. Approach and departure procedures there are somewhat "tricky"....
Delete@ TheBosnian
DeleteWizz Air will not be the first airline to SJJ with the A320 a/c if it opened any route from SJJ. The approach and departure procedures have no effect on whether they open flights from SJJ as it isnt an issue.
What a renaissance of Tuzla! Model for INI and other smaller and similar airports!
ReplyDeleteYesterday a friend of mine had to fly on OU to SPU and they took off at midnight in stead of 19.10!!!! The worst thing is that the representative of the airline was nowhere to be found and there was no information for the passengers who were supposed to fly.
ReplyDeleteI don't see why people are glorifying OU when they are just another classical Balkan airline.
Gothenburg, not Stockholm.
ReplyDeletePa šta želiš? Avion je kasnio zbog prethodnog leta i šta sad. Pusto pritužbi ni za šta...
ReplyDeleteНема везе, морали су да буду одговорнији!
DeleteMeanwhile Air Serbia has flown its 319 and 737 on the SPU route this last week........good passenger loads or a shortage of aircraft?
ReplyDeleteShortage of aircrafts
DeleteActually no, both flights had on average 95 passengers. Please do not spread misinformation.
DeletePinocchio - once again you rear your head and spread B.S. .... I thought enough with your crap and true to form, you pop up again with rubbish.
Delete2 A319 are not in service, YU-APD and ex A6-SAB, i call that shortage of aircrafts
DeleteYes Dusan but he was asking about Split flights and from the start the Airbus was supposed to operate the route on some days. However, since the route has performed well the Serbs have decided to increase the capacity overall.
DeleteRoute is not performed well. Air Serbia LF on SPU route is 69%, to DBV 63%. In July SPU flights have average of 94% and DBV of 95% LF. So if Air Serbia rally thing that LF of some 65% to Croatia in top season is good LF that something is wrong in your company. And I know what I am talking about because I work for CCAA. So my information are not from cousin or friend like you can read here as “relevant” information.
DeleteSo basically, if they were sending the ATR with a 100% LF you would be saying they're a great and profitable airline, right?
DeleteWhat's your point? The guy asked about JU's flights to SPU in July (this past week) and like you wrote:
Delete'In July SPU flights have average of 94% and DBV of 95%'
So obviously they will send larger aircraft to cater for this demand. Stop misusing the statistics just because you can't stand Serbia or its national carrier.
Anon @ 6.56pm ... I wouldn't worry abt how Air Serbia is performing. They hv more money than you can poke a stick at. They have the most successful airline in Etihad as their 49% shareholder. So things are fantastic. How are things at Croatia Airlines ? Any luck in securing a strategic investor since that titan of world aviation - Garuda - walked away ?
Delete@ Anonymous 6.56pm....Listen Air Serbia wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for Etihad. Serbia wouldn't even have (well maybe) if it wasn't for the Arabs. Serbian politicians couldn't do it on their own so they really should not be patted on the back. A few days ago, I also read an article where Mr Hogan was talking about Alitalia. His vision is to make Rome airport an Intercontinental Hub. Sorry to say, the dreams of Belgrade being an intercontinental hub have faded with this comment. You can google Alitalia news and you will see what I am saying is true. So who really knows what will happen with BEG and Air Serbia. Time will only tell.
DeleteIf the A319 is being flown with this minimum written of 65% CLF, that means that is more seats sold than available on the ATR. A mix of the ATR and the B733/A319 were scheduled for the route from day 1 of ticket sales. I dont see the point of this conversation.
DeleteAs for the AZ deal, it hasnt even being signed yet and the details havnt been published as it is still under discussion. There is a video link on youtube to the press conference a few days ago in Abu Dhabi upon the launch of FCO route, where Hogan touches on JU. Each aquisition in the EY portfolio will play its roles, and each airline is an important link to the EY chain. No talk of intercontinental hub for BEG was even mentioned. A few destinations across the Atlantic doesnt mean BEG is the next Heathrow!
AnonymousJuly 21, 2014 at 12:40 AM,
DeleteThere is no need for you to worry about BEG and Air Serbia. Keep your eyes on your own plate.
Also, what are your comments on this post you made last year?
http://imgur.com/Ymw4pDu
@Troll 12:40
DeleteHis vision is not to make Rome an intercontinental hub. For starters, Rome FCO is already a hub with many intercontinental services from multiple carriers. Etihad's vision includes increased focus on Linate plus many changes other than making FCO into intercontinental hub as you say. If Google is your source of industry info, you should not be spreading your wisdom on this blog.
You did not understand
DeleteAir Serbia in SPU 69%
Other airlines in SPU 94%
Air Serbia in DBV 63%
Other airlines in DBV 95%
So Air Serbia very low LF in SPU and DBV comparing to others.
Yeah because 90% of the airlines flying into SPU this time of the year are charter airlines or airlines that sell seats to tourist agencies. Of course they will be full.
DeleteA nentire week without Serbia related news on the blog. Admin, please, stop starving the trolls! :D
ReplyDeleteyour mom is the troll
DeleteThey wont fly to sarajevo beacause they cant get a compromise with the airport.
ReplyDeleteMarko, smiri se.
ReplyDelete