FlyBosnia will expand its route network with the introduction of a second destination in the Middle East following Kuwait. The Saudi-backed carrier will commence operations between Sarajevo and Riyadh on June 3. Services will operate on a daily basis, departing Sarajevo in the evening, before returning the following day in the early morning hours. Tickets have been put on sale with return fares starting from 520 euros. FlyBosnia has a three-tier fare structure. Its basic (lowest) fare includes only seven kilograms of carry-on luggage, the standard fare includes fifteen kilograms of checked-in baggage, while the flexible ticket entails twenty kilograms of luggage. The airline will compete directly against Saudi carrier Flynas on the route, which will commence operations to Sarajevo on June 2.
Following a protracted process, FlyBosnia obtained flight permits from Saudi authorities earlier this week. The new route to Riyadh joins Kuwait City, which will launch from Sarajevo on June 4. In addition to the two cities, the airline has outlined a number of destinations as part of its initial expansion phase including Jeddah, Bahrain, Beirut and Amman in the Middle East, as well as London, Frankfurt, Rome and Dublin in Europe. "We will continue expanding our network as our fleet grows", the carrier noted. It had hoped to already be operating revenue flights to a number of destinations, however, "Due to the high demand for airport slots, as well as airspace congestion, the drafting of our schedule is taking longer than expected", it said recently.
FlyBosnia took delivery of its second leased Airbus A319 aircraft, registered E7-FBB, last week. The sixteen year-old jet was formerly operated by Finnair, Donavia and Rossiya. It has the capacity to seat 150 passengers. The airline will take a further two A319s in "the coming quarters". "These aircraft will enable FlyBosnia to progressively expand its destination network as it builds up to a planned eight-member fleet by 2023", the company said. FlyBosnia has also received an IATA airline designator code - 6W.
| Destination | Launch date |
|---|---|
| Riyadh | JUN 03 |
| Kuwait City | JUN 04 |
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I'm curious to see if their Riyadh flights will overfly Syrian airspace. Can anyone deduce this from the flight time?
ReplyDeleteFlight time from Sarajevo is 4.30. To Sarajevo 5.10.
DeleteThere really isn't a need for a plane taking off from SJJ to overfly Syria in order to get to Saudi Arabia.
DeleteTrue I just checked.
DeleteDublin should do well for the Croatian diaspora from Slavonija.
ReplyDeleteLet's just hope they do launch those European destinations. So far it's just Middle East.
DeleteI agree, like i think it’s a shame Bosnia is located in Europe. So it’s kinda strange they are only flying to the middle east.
DeleteYeah, they sure will fly to Sarajevo, then drive back to Osijek. Nice four-hour drive via mountain roads. Not to mention the cost of the roadtrip to, e. g., Osijek
DeleteMountain roads where exactly? The road from the Croatian border to Zenica is quite ok actually, and then there is a highway from Zenica to Sarajevo.
DeleteThey should really try and paint both of their aircraft the same.
ReplyDeleteThe baggage policy is quite restrictive. Most airline allow 8 kilos of luggage and at least 20 kilos for checked bags.
ReplyDeleteIt's Bosna, they are not going to be strictly enforced. Same with Wizz in Tuzla.
DeleteI wonder what their on board service looks such as catering. As far as I'm aware Sarajevo does not have a catering facility at the airport.
DeleteThis is extremely strange baggage policy, especially having in mind that they are mostly after Arab families coming with lots of children and staying extended period of time. FlyBosnia should have started with generous baggage allowance, after all their prices are starting are 520 eur!
DeleteIs there a weekend break in Sarajevo market from Arab peninsula?
Možda idu baš na tu loptu. Kao - neka plate.
DeleteAnd everyone here was sceptic about FlyBosnia. I am looking forward to their first European destination. Bravo Bosnia!
ReplyDeleteCan you blame us? I'm still not sure how profitable it is to have two planes sitting at the tarmac for almost a month.
DeleteThose two planes side by side look nice. Well done FlyBosnia!
ReplyDeleteThey already have more capacity than B&H Airlines did!
ReplyDeleteWe do, don't we?
DeleteYes but JA used to have at least Amsterdam and Istanbul in network.
DeleteWeren't Zurich and Copenhagen the last destinations they flew to?
DeleteThe Riyadh fares are much cheaper than Kuwait City. Why?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the taxes and handling fees are cheaper or maybe they got a better deal. FlyBosnia is owned by a Saudi company.
DeleteIt's all part of Saudi Arabia's goal to be more friendly towards the outside world. They are really trying hard, God bless their souls but I doubt anyone in his right mind would go there.
DeleteDon't think it's related to that as it is still impossible to enter Saudi Arabia unless you get a business visa or are going for Hajj. They still don't issue tourist visas. They will start at the end of the year but it will be for countries like Australia, US, UK... not for Bosnian passport holders.
DeleteI notice they definitely don't have a business class cabin since no business class seats are on sale (it's not even an option).
ReplyDeleteThat's surprising. Since they are flying into places like Saudi and Kuwait one would expect that they could have some premium passengers.
DeleteThose premium passengers usually holiday in the south of France and Italy during the summer, not Sarajevo.
DeletePlease please start some European routes!
ReplyDeleteFlynas: SJJ-RUH (2. June) 295€
ReplyDeleteRUH-SJJ (2. June) 665€
FlyBosnia: SJJ-RUH (3. Juni) 261€ RUH-SJJ (3. Juni) 261€
Well done 6W (FlyBosnia). They are much more affordable.
DeleteBut in my opinion Flynas has a better schedule. Unless FlyBosnia plans to offer transfers to Saudis through Sarajevo onward to Europe, the 1.20 departure and 5.30 arrival isn't ideal.
DeleteFor almost half the price, I think it's worth the inconvenience.
DeleteAnd the funny thing is Flynas is a low cost airline!
DeleteOn that particular date Flynas is full from Riyadh, that's why it's so expensive. Especially since it's their inaugural. Otherwise price difference is 20-40 euros.
DeleteAnd also on Flynas you have a more favorable baggage policy. They actually offer the industry standard of 20 kilos of checked in luggage.
DeleteOh and Flynas has a business class and their oldest A320 that will be flying the Sarajevo route is 5 years :)
Delete11:54, an they have already built a reputation as they are older airline. Seems like FlyBosnia will struggle for success
Delete5+ hours in an all economy A319 with no PTVs, no wifi, no possibility of seat selection online or purchase of additional luggage... Good luck.
ReplyDeleteAnd not to mention that they have Turkish Airlines with their award winning service which is offering flights as well. Then there are also flydubai and Aegean.
DeleteWhat are the prices like on flyDubai and Aegean for Saudi Arabia from SJJ?
DeleteHas anyone used them?
Well, they are really affordable, so it's understandable to have such service on board
DeleteWell done!
ReplyDeleteTwo destinations that will definitively be used by the local population in Bosnia. Especially in summer so people can enjoy to the beautiful 50C heat in the fun filled city state of Kuwait.
ReplyDeleteOvdje su u pitanju turisti iz Saudijske Arabije i Kuvajta koji dolaze u Bosnu, a ne bosanski turisti koji idu tamo.
DeleteWhat the hell are you talking about nobody is going to visit sauidi arabia. 80% of the population they even don’t have money to fly to those destinations and if they have the money they would use it for EU destinations to visit their family!
Delete@AviationEUROPE: It's sarcasm bro, I get that some people from the region do actually visit the Gulf, either for work or pleasure, but it's still dominated by the Arabs, 80-20 is the best case.
DeleteIt's time to start putting a more comprehensive timetable together!
ReplyDeleteSoon they will schedule Bahrain and Jeddah. I think they will give up on Beirut.
DeleteYes I think Beirut and Amman won't go ahead.
DeleteSo they are going to wait till winter to launch European destinations?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteI'm really interested to see how Dublin will work out.
ReplyDeleteAnd could it have any impact on Croatia Airlines' Dublin flights.
DeleteHighly doubt it. If Flybosnia ever launches Dublin flights,
DeleteGreat and it's nice to see that Sarajevo Airport has also updates its website. It looks good.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is Jeddah will be added to the system next.
ReplyDeleteIs there a chance to see 6W doing long-haul flights from SJJ to JFK or YYZ one day?
ReplyDeleteBoth PRN and SJJ have huge potential for long-haul routes.
None of exyu airports have huge potential for longhaul flights. Only 3 exyu airports with some longhaul potential are BEG, ZAG and DBV
DeleteA two-aircraft fleet yet they look completely different. Great branding. Hope the next one will have a 3rd kind of livery.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely. Doesn't give off a very good look with each aircraft in a different livery.
DeleteOh and also it might be time to remove the EYOF stickers off the A319.
DeleteGood to see things are moving in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI bet not even 5% of the bosnian population will travel to those destinations. When yugoslavia fell apart everyone moved to Europe, US, Australia and canada great that the arabian like to
ReplyDeleteCome visit but they should think about their own people in Bosnia and Europe. I live in The Netherlands and lot of people want to visit bosnia but they complain that there is no direct flight from Amsterdam to Sarajevo and that they would love to visit
I am pretty sure they would fly first to AMS if there was enough demand, and they could get a decent slot. These planes are intended for tourists with several thousand Euros to spend in a week. They come with families and need transportation, decent lodging, meals, tourist guides, etc. The management of the airlines have to make sure they make money with these planes. Obviously, they cannot make money with ticket sales. They sell packages and make money on hotels, etc. In contrast, AirSerbia/Croatia/Montenegro do not have to worry about making money. Tax payers will make up for their losses. Finally, why do you care how many Bosnians will fly with these planes? I want these planes to bring as many tourists as possible. I will fly with Wizz instead.
DeleteDude you can literally fly from Brussels to Banja Luka or from Eindhoven to Tuzla, it's not like you have to take two layovers.
Delete