Authorities from Tuzla and Banja Luka have both said they are in discussions with Wizz Air regarding the potential stationing of an aircraft at their respective airports. However, the low cost carrier has yet to officially confirm these talks. Tuzla previously served as a Wizz Air base until September of last year, when the airline decided to relocate its two aircraft, citing a “changing economic environment” and “operational challenges caused by weather in the region”. This move resulted in the discontinuation of most operations from Tuzla, leaving the airport with almost no traffic at the time.
The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Transport of the Tuzla Canton government, Almir Žilić, stated, “Handling one million passengers at Tuzla Airport is well within reach in the near future. We are expecting new routes and the return of some former partners, and negotiations over stationing an aircraft are already underway. The base is anticipated to be reinstated soon. Wizz Air has announced discussions to resume base operations at Tuzla Airport next spring, which is excellent news for our passengers. I believe 2025 will bring significant growth and a major turnaround”.
Earlier this year, both local authorities and Tuzla Airport announced they were in discussions with Wizz Air regarding the reopening of the airline’s base. However, Wizz Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, Silvia Mosquera, firmly denied these claims in a statement to EX-YU Aviation News in April. At the time, Ms Mosquera stated, “This is not true. We have no plans to reopen the Tuzla base. There has been no official communication because there is no intention of resuming operations in Tuzla.”
The CEO of Banja Luka Airport, Valentina Kecman, stated that efforts are underway to secure a Wizz Air base at the airport. In a recent interview with RTRS, Ms Kecman said, “We have seen some positive developments with Wizz Air. They plan for their pilots to practice landings at Banja Luka Airport, which is typically a preliminary step before establishing a base at a specific location. The base was previously located in Tuzla and having it in Banja Luka would be highly beneficial for the airport and local communities, as it would lead to more flights and destinations”.
Wizz Air was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s largest airline by available seat capacity in 2023. However, following the closure of its base in Tuzla, the carrier slipped to second place ths year behind Ryanair, which launched operations to Sarajevo and maintains flights to Banja Luka as well. It plans to announce several new routes out of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital for next year. Wizz Air previously also maintained a base in Sarajevo, which it shuttered after less than a year in 2022.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry after reading the statements from the officials from Tuzla and Banja Luka
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteCry
DeleteGreat news. I hope that will be Banja Luka. That would be a great competition with Ryanair
DeleteNothing will happen.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteA couple of days ago several new routes were listed on the Wizz Air website from Banja Luka but they quickly removed it afterwards. Maybe those will be launched.
ReplyDeleteRouter from Tuzla and Sarajevo also appeared, so it doesn't have to mean anything . For Tuzla, all the routes that were there before when it was the base were visible, but also some new ones such as Oslo, Salzburg and Naples .
DeleteThat would be interesting. Let's see what happens.
DeleteDo you remember which routes were listed??
DeleteThey're probably just testing their IT systems.
DeleteAnd where will they find the planes for these bases? They will most likely have to cut elsewhere to make room for these.
ReplyDeleteBig news is that Wizz Air is moving flights from OTP to BBU. Seems like they are desperate to cut costs.
Exactly. Like with Skopje where they are launch new routes but discontinuing double that number.
DeleteThey would just need one extra plane.
DeleteThey don't have one extra plane. That's the problem.
DeleteThey are getting new planes every month. Over 30 A321neos have been delivered to them this year. I think they will reopen TZL base cause they are returning to all markets they closed or decreased, such at Chisinau and Varna.
DeleteSince when do training flights mean an airline will open a base? Maribor would then be a base for several airlines. What an absurd statement.
ReplyDeleteI LOLed when I read that
DeleteBizarre
DeleteYou need to watch the whole interview. Bizarre is a light word.
DeleteShe has a PhD but doesn't have any experience in the aviation industry. Despite this, they hired her as the director of Banja Luka Airport. This can only happen in the Balkans.
DeleteWhat topic did she do her Phd on?
DeleteNot sure, but she has a PhD in Diplomacy and International Relations.
DeleteI have more trust in Wizz Air's CCO.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteWell they are being pushed out by Ryanair in BiH so I don't think they will just sit down and take it.
ReplyDeleteWay things are going they will be overtaken by Pegasus soon too.
DeleteIt would be a life saver for Tuzla
ReplyDeleteI’ll believe it when I see it. Tuzla can’t afford another false start. Wizz Air needs to confirm their plans soon
DeleteFingers crossed 🤞
ReplyDeleteBanja Luka or Tuzla is a good way they can compete against Ryanair in Sarajevo and not give up the entire market to them.
ReplyDeleteTrue. They were number 1 airline in Bosnia and now they have just handed it over to Ryanair.
DeleteMore likely Tuzla is begging and throwing money at them to come back because they realised they're screwed otherwise.
DeleteBanja Luka deserves its own Wizz Air base! The airport has grown steadily, and this could attract more tourists and investments. Let’s hope these negotiations actually lead to something concrete
DeleteIf Wizz Air open a base in Banja Luka that would be a big shot in head for Tuzla
DeleteIts obvious now that they closed the TZL base because they needed those aircraft for other bases
ReplyDeleteTuzla base was closed well before engines became an issue.
DeleteTrue, but those issues began mounting in late 2023, so the base would've likely been closed regardless
DeleteImagine the power Wizz has in these negotiations if they are actually happening. I'm sure both airports would do anything to get them.
ReplyDeleteWizz will milk them both for all their worth.
DeleteTuzla is more likely considering Ryanair is present in BNX.
ReplyDeleteIf officials from Balkan announce something then it must be true...
ReplyDeleteExactly. Didn't Mostar 2 years ago also announce how Wizz Air is launching flights or a base and that and agreement with them had been signed? So much for that.
DeleteI doubt they will come back to Tuzla in the end but they will surely want to see how low the management will go to get them back
ReplyDeleteThe airport should first get those runway approach lights they have been promising for the past 10 years.
DeleteHopefully these talks result in a real comeback, but Wizz Air’s earlier denial makes me skeptical.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't hold my breath.
DeleteHaving a Wizz Air base in Banja Luka would be a game-changer
ReplyDeleteWhy did Wizz Air leave Tuzla in the first place if they’re already considering coming back?
ReplyDeleteWhether issues have been resolved haha
DeleteAt the time, Ms Mosquera stated, “This is not true. We have no plans to reopen the Tuzla base. There has been no official communication because there is no intention of resuming operations in Tuzla.”
DeleteHmm yes I wonder what about the weather challenges that forced Wizz Air to apparently leave Tuzla in the first place? Has the climate magically changed?
DeleteTuzla airport have a lot fogy days and they reroute aircrafts from Tuzla to Banja Luka often. Even Wizz wanted to reroute all aircrafts to Banja Luka for two weeks
DeleteThere are way too many airports and bases in and around Bosnia.
ReplyDeleteThere is not a single airline with a base in Bosnia.
DeleteExcept for OMO in the future.
DeleteTrue OMO will have SkyAlps seasonal base next year.
Delete@09:31 There Are literally zero 🤣🤣 Is 0 too many?
Delete9:31
DeleteImagine when Bihac and Trebinje open soon 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ryanair is stepping up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it looks like Wizz Air is playing catch-up. More competition will hopefully mean better prices and more options
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone fly from Tuzla with Wizz Air. Their quick exit last year would make me nervous about their long-term plans in Bosnia. Stability and reliability are key for passengers
ReplyDeleteBecause there is nothing else to choose from.
DeleteWizz Air is badly needed back in TZL.
Deletereally hope something comes out of this
ReplyDeleteDid he really say 1 million passengers are within reach at Tuzla!?!?
ReplyDeleteAnd the reality is they will have just over 200,000 passengers this year.
DeleteThey need more than just hopes and discussions.
DeleteTuzla must be kicking itself for letting Ryanair go. They would have made up Wizz Air's departure perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWith the reintroduction of the passenger tax next year, no airline is going to open a base in Bosnia.
ReplyDeleteThey will if airport takes on responsibility to pay the tax.
Delete^ that goes without saying
DeleteSo, airport will charge 1€ per passenger, to pay 1,5€ tax per passenger... I don't get this maths.
DeleteSo, airport will charge 1€ per passenger, to pay 1,5€ tax per passenger... I don't get this maths.
DeleteI see no reason why Wizz Air cannot station one plane in Tuzla and one in Banja Luka. It is obvious their management is incompetent . That is another reason they are failing as an airline.
ReplyDeleteGood that they'll consult you as an expert.
DeleteGood that it's more important for you to knock my opinion rather than having one yourself.
DeleteWhen you write things that makes no sense be prepared for the knock of reality. Wizz falling as an airline and their incompetent management, just laughable. But hey, anyways I don't have opinion and on the other side you're an expert. So why discuss it with me, explain everyone how to manage multi million dollar company.
DeleteI don't need to explain anything but the facts to you. For the six months ending in September 2024, their revenue is down 21 percent. In the business world, that is not good news.as a matter of fact it means the business is in trouble.
DeleteI'm glad you have an opinion but you obviously have no business sense. Probably because you have never run a business yourself.
I know really good what I'm talking about.
DeleteBased on your ability to read simple six months WZZ report you think that the company is failing and that the management is incompetent. Reading the numbers and understanding them is something you apparently don't comprehend.
Yes revenue is important, great observation, but it is not the only factor that determines a company outlook as I'm sure you do realize(or don't). If you dig more into the subject you can get a better clue. If you are still opposer, than on the other hand time will tell the best.
Take care.
By the way, NET profit is down 21% revenue is something different ;)
DeleteWizz Air has outstanding loans two times the amount of the cash they have (what they are so keen to refer in each and every comm they release) and no other assets owned whatsoever. They also have 50 aircraft grounded, unreliable schedule, frequent daily disruptions, huge turnover in staff (even in the management team) and questionable reputation due to all the things above.
DeleteBosnia needs better air connectivity overall. Whether it’s Tuzla, Banja Luka, or Sarajevo
ReplyDeleteCan't believe just like that Wizz handed over Ryanair the Bosnian market on a plate.
ReplyDeleteThey probably didn't expect SJJ to start offering subsidies left and right.
DeleteI am so happy Ryan jumped in in Sarajevo when Wizz left them. They must be regretting big time now when they see the huge passenger growth in SJJ.
DeleteI really hope Wizz Air reopens its base in Tuzla. The airport has been struggling since they left, and it’s frustrating having to travel to Sarajevo for affordable flights. Fingers crossed for 2025!
ReplyDeleteDidn’t Wizz Air already deny these talks earlier this year? It sounds like local politicians are just making promises to look good. I’ll believe it when I see the planes back on the tarmac. 🤔
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Wizz Air is unreliable. Ryanair is already stepping up in Bosnia, so maybe we should focus on supporting them instead of chasing after an airline that’s already abandoned Sarajevo and Tuzla.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteWhen I see the infrastructure of BNX then I have really huge doubts how in gods name they will establish a base there. I really hope that but I don‘t believe it.
ReplyDeleteConsidering BNX almost reached half a million without any airline having plane stationed at their airport, make more sense in some way for Wizz to make their base there. Also, BNX area has a much higher population and diaspora in it's catchment
ReplyDeleteThis logic makes no sense. Split Airport is not an airline base and it handles half a million passengers in a few weeks.
DeleteHow does your logic make sense to you then? Lmao, how do you even start with comparison between coastal city with huge popularity with cities in Bosnia where there is barely any tourism? Make sure t make sense then talk about logic
DeleteDodik+Orban=Wizzair?
ReplyDeleteI really don't think Orban dictates where Wizz Air should fly from.
DeleteAccording to the current geopolitical situation, it seems that Wizz Air mainly supports airports in regions where politicians align with the East (Russia), while Ryanair tends to support those where politicians are aligned with the EU, USA, and the UK.
DeleteOMG you have to be a troll
DeleteLOL what nonsense @anon 21.29
Delete21:29 damn you delusional
Deletei think they will stationate one plane in BNX and one in TZL, everyone happy
ReplyDeleteWhy not focus on Sarajevo instead? It’s the capital and has the infrastructure to support a larger base.
ReplyDeleteIt’s strange how Wizz Air keeps closing and reopening bases in Bosnia. Maybe they should focus on stability instead of short-term experiments
ReplyDeleteThey have not reopened any base in Bosnia. At least not yet. They have closed two.
DeleteThey opened a base in Tuzla (TZL) and then closed it. After that, they opened a base in Sarajevo and later closed it.
DeleteOpening a base and closing it = "keeps closing and reopening bases in Bosnia"?
DeleteI wonder if Ryanair will make Sarajevo a base down the line. Weren’t they supposed to announce some new routes out of Sarajevo this month?
ReplyDeleteI think they delayed announcement because of management change in Sarajevo.
Delete