Turkish Airlines has begun talks with Banja Luka Airport over the potential introduction of flights to the city. The carrier’s representatives met with the airport’s General Manager, Natalija Trivić, in Banja Luka this week. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Turkey to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Talks between the two sides are set to continue in Istanbul next month. Banja Luka Airport last had scheduled flights to the Turkish city in the winter of 2007 when the now-defunct B&H Airlines maintained a one weekly service with its ATR72 turboprop aircraft. The last scheduled flight between Banja Luka and Istanbul was operated on January 10, 2007.
Commenting on its operations in the former Yugoslavia, the Turkish flag carrier previously said, "Turkish Airlines currently flies to every capital city in the region such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Podgorica and Ljubljana. Before we decide on introducing a new route within our destination network, our team of experts conducts a number of studies focusing on various aspects and taking into account the performance of our existing destinations, which also plays a deciding role in our network expansion. In addition, it is important to take note of various changes on the market and have initiative". Turkish Airlines, which currently maintains operations to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the city’s largest carrier with a total of 2.272 flight operations and 383.975 seats this year.
Turkish Airlines operates flights to all markets in the former Yugoslavia, serving the capital cities, as well as Dubrovnik and Tivat. The latter was added to its network last year. This coming winter season, Turkish Airlines will maintain a combined total of 4.927 flights to/from the region with total available capacity of 800.312 seats. Of those, it will have the most services to Belgrade, followed by Podgorica. It will have the same number of flights to Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Skopje, and Zagreb, followed by Pristina, Tivat and Dubrovnik. Banja Luka Airport handled a record 281.766 passengers during the January - July period, representing an increase of 64.6% on last year, which was its busiest. In July alone, the airport welcomed 51.649 travellers, up 15.7% on 2022 and an increase of 202% on the pre-pandemic 2019.
Well BNX has been a surprise for us all with its results, so no doubts that IST would be a success with 2-4fpw.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteGreat news for BNX. I hope we will see the flights soon and year around.
DeleteThis would be a great addition for both Banja Luka and Turkish.
ReplyDeleteIf these do start, I wonder if Turkish will operate the flights or would they hand it over to Anadolujet from Sabiha Gokcen airport.
ReplyDeleteI hope it is Turkish mainline.
DeleteHaving Turkish Airlines is also a good reference for attracting other airlines too.
DeleteSoon we will see RS Airlines flying direct to IST
Delete^ yes, it really worked out well the last two attempts at an airline.
DeleteLol!
DeleteTurkish, Pegasus or Anadolujet. That would be a great news
DeleteIMO once they get the A220, they should start flying to Maribor (close proximity to Graz) and Banja Luka.
ReplyDeleteRight now maybe A319 would work with both but it's highly questionable - unless they get paid to fly
They have just 6 A319s in their fleet.
DeleteAnd they are slowly phasing them out - A220 should be ordered soon-ish, they talked about it forever now
DeleteThey dont have A220. Neither they have ordered A220 so far
DeleteThey have delayed a massive order for 600 planes because of engine issues on so many new aircraft. It might come during the Dubai airshow in November.
DeleteI guess this rumour was connected with elections in Turkey.
DeleteThere has been a lot of chit chat about them choosing a regional jet - so either E290 or A220 - Dubai show this year could see them order A LOT of units
DeleteI hope they will order E195
DeleteIt makes sense that this would be their next destination in ex-Yu.
ReplyDeleteI'm expecting from TK to increase ZAG to 3 daily on secelcted days. Maybe not this winter, but very possibly by the beginning of summer 2024
ReplyDeleteIf they start Banja Luka, I don't think Zagreb will increase next summer. We will see. Hope they increase it and start BNX too.
DeleteWeird that they have more flights to Podgorica than Zagreb.
Deleteand not only Zagreb
DeleteZAG is not really that dependent on BNX, but no so sure vice versa.
DeleteCroatia is a Lufthansa stronghold, while Turkish focuses on Serbia, Montenegro. this isnt just point to point travel but frankfurt and istnabul serve as the main transfer hubs for ex-yu.
DeleteNot surprised with ZAG because of visa regime. With CG, SRB and BiH there are no visas for Turkey
DeleteIs it possible for these flights to start this winter?
ReplyDeleteMaybe yes, will be very nice!
DeleteIt would be possible but they are still negotiating.
DeleteIt will be a good alternative if Wizz pulls out of there. However, it is good that Ryanair is developing and Banja Luka is developing at a very good pace.
ReplyDeleteSteady pace. That's the best option for Bnx
DeleteAir Serbia sleeps so long time at BNX. They should wake up
DeleteWhat about Nis
ReplyDeleteThere are already flights between Nis and Istanbul with very decent fares and Turkish codeshares on those flights
DeleteNis flies from BEG bro
Delete^ Bro, you might want to check that there are already nonstop flights between Nis and Istanbul.
DeleteI speak for the city.
DeleteWhen you go to TK website, they don't offer any connections from Nis. Neither does Air Serbia (excluding JU network)
DeleteWell, I paid around $700 for the round trip ticket from Nis to Washington Dulles this April on Expedia…the only bad thing is a long layover in Istanbul on the way to US, on the way back is a few hours
DeleteThis looks promising, especially since they will have talks next month too.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteFingers crossed for a positive outcome.
ReplyDeleteBNX will be 10th, INI should come as 11th destination in ex-yu for Turkish airlines.
ReplyDeleteINI won't because AirSerbia is already flying.
DeleteI don't see much of the potential anymore for year around services in ex-yu.
Me neither. Banja Luka might be an opportunity left bur that's about it.
DeleteI always thought Split would be their next destination in EX-YU but Banja Luka does make sense since it can work year round. If flights to Istanbul from smaller cities with similar passenger structure like Nis and Kraljevo can work, then Banja Luka should too.
ReplyDeletedo you know how much those two routes cost?
DeleteINI-IST is actually full (don't know about KVO). There are even people transferring from Belgrade to fly from Nis to Istanbul.
DeleteEspecially since it is much cheaper than BEG-IST
DeleteThat will be great news! Personally from my observations B&H is a very big market for TK, PC, huge number of transfers, but also decent p2p.
ReplyDeleteAccording to my observations, the biggest (transfer) markets for TK are B&H, Georgia, Azerbaijan and the other Balkan countries. I also forgot Russia ;))
B&H is the largest transfer market for TK.
Delete@9.23 says Astro TV?
DeleteAnyone knows the occupancy on AirSerbia flights? Why they don't grow in BNX?
ReplyDeleteI would expect double daily on 2-3 days a week (like what they do in Niš) or a daily flights. I am sure it would work for transfers.
I've always wondered! Serbian people, Serbian airline.....
DeleteOrdinances perhaps?
I mean seat occupancy in BEG-BNX route.
DeleteAir Serbia is being pushed by BNX Airport and RS Government, but as Marek already stated - capacities and frequencies are more needed elsewhere / better utilised elsewhere.
DeleteIMO 90% LF.
DeleteCLF on BNX is great. I think the issue is that the yield is not great and that their limited resources is better used elsewhere. Still, I think the route could do with 1-2 extra flights a week.
DeleteI think they sell the tickets for the same price always, no? I hope they will release some of the ATR capacity now when they are introducing jets on the regional routes ć, so maybe we could see increase in BNX frequencies.
DeleteCurrent flights are almost unusable for majority of passengers from Banja Luka. Not good for transfers and even worse for P2P. If you drive through Croatia (highway) you will be under 4 hours point to point (BL to BG) even with busy border crossings, so one can manage the trip in one day (no overnight). Two days during the week with daily ATR72 connections would improve the picture dramatically (similar to what Zagreb has daily).
DeleteSerbia is still owner of Air Serbia, not Mr. Marek. I think Serbian ministry of transport and Serbian government don't want to increase number of flights between Banja Luka and Belgrade
DeleteThis would be a nice catch for Banja Luka airport. I'm a only concerned they will loose Wizz Air next winter.
ReplyDeleteRyanair is here 🙌
DeleteI wouldn't mind wizz leaving if ryain adds new routes. Way better for the price anyway
Delete+1
DeleteWizz routes out of Bnx are very busy even with A321.
DeleteThey need to come to Ohrid definitely, at least on a seasonal summer basis initially
ReplyDeleteI also think OHD would work well in summer.
DeleteI am even convinced OHR would work year round too! 2-3x weekly or something
DeleteI really hope they start flights. Come on TK!
ReplyDeleteThis would open up excellent transfer options
ReplyDeleteBasically a connection to the entire world.
DeleteIf this happens, Istanbul will be the best transfer option from BNX. I know some people from USA who travel through Istanbul. Air Serbia will loose BNX as a feeder for BEG.
DeleteBNX was never a feeder for BEG or JU. Apart from being operated just twice per week with an ATR, the times are not good for transferring
DeleteOnce upon a time Air Serbia had 5-6 flights a week BNX BEG. More than a half planes were transfer passengers. Now with two flights weekly, it is suitable for retired persons and some family visits.
DeleteHow many weekly flights does Turkish Airlines have to Sarajevo during the winter?
ReplyDelete2 daily
DeleteYes please!
ReplyDeleteThey could easily fly seasonally to Mostar too.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Tuzla?
ReplyDeleteWhat about it?
DeleteIs there potential for Turkish to start flying there?
DeleteThe airport is on the way to end all operations, so dreaming about Turkish is just a dream.
DeleteThey started negotiations with Trade Air.
DeleteYou can see there how serious they are.
True
DeleteWe knew that BNX would have better variety of airlines than TZL, but I never thought that it will ever surpass in the terms of destinations. So now we have two low cost and potentially two legacy carriers. Not bad at all.
ReplyDeleteVery good development
Deletebecause they dont charge 3€ tax as they should be
DeleteI see that Tuzla, Mostar and Banjaluka had a joint statement asking BHDC to terminate these taxes for the period of next 12 months.
DeletePlus, TZL charges 1 euro to each outbound passenger on the top of the ticket price. I have never seen this anywhere. What kind of cost is that?
DeleteCrazy. You have to actually go to a counter and pay them this separately??
DeleteBNX has already 2 legacy carriers
DeleteInfact 3, Air Serbia, Air Montenegro and Aegean
DeleteIt is not 3€ Tax. It is 1.5€ (3BAM).
DeleteAnd it seems this will be removed as they announced just now at the daily news. They want to ban this at least 1 year.
DeleteWhen will TK fly to OHD?
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that at least Pegasus hasn't launched these flights.
DeleteSeriously i think they aren´t flying there, cause Skopje doesn´t want to see their passenger numbers drop. Just looking from Tourist point of view, who wants to be in Skopje in Summer?
DeleteExcellent news!
ReplyDeleteWas not aware B&H Airlines used to fly this route.
ReplyDeleteThey literally tried everything.
DeleteB&H was owned by Turkish Airlines after all.
DeleteHow many passengers could Banja Luka have by the end of the year?
ReplyDeleteMost probably between 450-480k passengers. Wouldn't be surprised if it passes 500k in December. Those numbers are astonishing for an airport like BNX
DeleteThat's way too optimistic, 300-350 is the range
DeleteLmao check stats, BNX had 281k by July.
DeleteConsidering BNX is unlawfully not passing on the 3 euro tax to BHDC and therefore not charging it, it will probably become more interesting to airlines compared to other airports in BiH because it is more affordable.
ReplyDeleteThis might change for everyone, since Tuzla, Mostar and Banjaluka had a joint statement asking BHDC to terminate these taxes for the period of next 12 months.
DeleteIt's not 3 euro, its 1.5 euro (or 3 Bosnian Mark)
Delete3 KM, convertible mark, not Bosnian mark
DeleteWouldn't this impact JU?
ReplyDeleteNot really. JU has almost no transfers on this route because of the schedule and has been flying it just 2 weekly for years.
DeleteConsidering the amount of new companies from Turkey opening in Banja Luka, and their workers moving in, introducing IST-BNX with any of their airlines will be a smart move. Also, there's a huge potential for tourism for both countries. BNX will skyrocket in passenger numbers next year if they wisely choose potential destinations.
ReplyDeleteThey haven't brought a new airline in years so this would be a good development.
ReplyDeleteAt BNX every year they introduce new carrier.
DeletePolitical route
ReplyDeleteLOL how exactly???
DeleteAfter meeting of Orban, Vucic, Dodik and Erdoğan they introduced this route. I am expecting a new route from Moskov to BNX as well in the next days. But on the end hope this will work because it would be amazing for BNX.
DeleteDo you have a Cristal ball or did you see it in cards
DeleteI just wanted to contribute quickly to this. TK should consider Ohrid seasonal from IST to cater for P2P traffic and complement existing demand from SKP being twice daily. BNX seems to be a pragmatic move on their part. I guess it comes down to the homework and the normal methods Airlines use. As always love the blogs its my second time posting. Go easy on me! (p.s I am from rodney town area).
ReplyDelete@EX-YU Admin, can you compare LH and TK capacity in LJU?
ReplyDelete