Banja Luka Airport is in the process of negotiating four new routes for the upcoming 2025/26 winter season, which begins in late October. It comes as the airport registered strong growth during the first quarter of the year. “We are currently negotiating four new routes for the winter season. For now, I can't reveal which destinations are being discussed, as the agreements have yet to be finalised. However, Banja Luka has strong potential to expand its route network by adding destinations that are not only appealing to the diaspora but also important and attractive to local residents”, the acting CEO of Banja Luka Airport, Valentina Kecman, said. The four destinations are believed to be Istanbul, Copenhagen, Malmo and Hamburg.
The airport has seen strong passenger growth during the first quarter on the back of an increase in frequencies on existing services by both Ryanair and Wizz Air. It handled 88.653 passengers during the January - March period, up 47.1% on the first quarter in 2024. However, the figure is still down 5% on Q1 2023. During the ongoing summer season, Banja Luka Airport’s scheduled seat capacity is set to grow 18.2% to 357.060 seats. Ryanair will remain the airport’s largest carrier with 78.1% of the airport’s entire scheduled summer capacity. In addition, Banja Luka will boast regular charters to Athens, Antalya and Hurghada this summer.
Commenting on the airport’s goals for this year, Ms Kecman said, “We're expecting a busy summer season with up to ten daily flights, and all current indicators suggest we’re on track to surpass the 2023 annual record of around 460.000 passengers”. The airport plans the first major overhaul of its runway this winter, which will have no impact on traffic. “Emergency repairs are scheduled for May, while the full runway reconstruction is set to begin in October. The project is expected to be completed by March next year”, Ms Kecman concluded.
Good to see things back on track at BNX. Maybe IST/SAW is one of the new routes.
ReplyDeleteWizz used to operate Eindhoven and Malmo as well, so maybe any of those, although slots at Eindhoven are completely full rb
DeleteIt says in last sentence first paragraph
Delete"The four destinations are believed to be Istanbul, Copenhagen, Malmo and Hamburg."
That would be great if happened. She has done nothing for this summer. No Tivat flights, Belgrade only 2 pw
DeleteBravo BNX
DeleteMontenegro left BNX 2 years ago without interest of coming back. What she could do about it?
DeleteCopenhagen und Malmö are very close. It would be better to negotiate Malmö and for example Milano or Paris
DeleteWow that's a big share for Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteThe runway upgrade is long overdue.
ReplyDeleteWe might even see full service airlines coming in the future. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteLondon, Berlin, Istanbul and Antalya, maybe?
ReplyDeleteAntalya is already operated as a summer charter flight
DeleteGreat news!
ReplyDeleteNot so good news for JU though. But they should have increased connectivity from BNX to BEG.
They handle P2P passengers on their two weekly flights. So I don't think they care.
DeleteBNX traffic growth shows that there is plenty of demand for travel that JU could have routed through BEG.
Delete+1
DeleteAir Serbia can't see that there is a potential for connecting flights from BNX via Belgrade. When Ryanair can fill 737-800 10pw FMM BNX, Air Serbia could fill at least 5-6 pw BNX BEG
DeleteI think they need ATR426 for BNX and INI. Twice daily both destinations
DeleteThis airport will never reach its full potential while it is managed by political appointees like the current CEO.
ReplyDeleteAll state owned and operated airports are managed by politically appointed CEOs.
DeleteIn most cases they try to find someone who is actually from the industry. But not this lady.
DeleteThe fact that she was meeting up with a certain self proclaimed aviation expert and making deals with him tells me everything I need to know about her.
DeleteShe lost integrity and respect when she did that. She was fully aware of the charges and made conscientious decision to proceed. That is unacceptable.
DeleteI'm pretty sure one of the routes will be Istanbul Sabiha. Either with Pegasus or AJet.
ReplyDeleteIs there really a chance that TK might launch IST?
DeleteNo chance. TK said last year it had no plans to fly to BNX. It likely Pegasus or Sun Express.
DeleteGood. Hope it materializes.
ReplyDeleteIs the airport paying the 1.5 euro departure tax to BHDC this time around?
ReplyDeleteYes, as of April 1…
DeleteThey really need to expand the terminal ASAP.
ReplyDeleteBoth Copenhagen and Malmo?
ReplyDeleteYea, there is a large Bh diaspora
DeleteThis is speculation. She didn’t confirm which 4 destinations are in question.
DeleteThat's like flying to Surčin and Pančevo.
DeleteWhy not try for Edelweiss Air to Zurich. They were interested at one point.
ReplyDeleteThe number of leisure routes is impressive actually.
ReplyDeleteAnd just a year ago she said how they are targeting Istanbul, Athens, a destination in Spain and Cyprus. None have launched.
ReplyDeleteCan’t find such information anywhere. She was appointed in the end of the year.
DeleteTo je izjavila Natalija Trivić, ex CEO
DeleteAthens by Aegean as charters this summer.
DeleteAny chance we get an increase between bnx and beg by ju? Daily would be great or even 6 a week.
ReplyDeleteNo way, AS does not see BNX as a market at all, thus these two weekly flights with stupid timing, not suitable for transfer passenger nor P2P…
DeleteThat would make too much sense for JU.
DeleteEspecially considering that they have more than enough ATR capacity.
Sweet! I agree with the earlier comments, JU really missed an opportunity with this airport.
ReplyDeleteBanja Luka should really launch a route directly to the Netherlands, perhaps Rotterdam Airport with Transavia or Eindhoven with Wizz or Ryanair! This would be highly used!
ReplyDeleteIt's weird that Transavia is not showing any interest in BiH whatsoever.
DeleteBeHa airspace will be closed soon
ReplyDeleteAerodrom je demantovao da se radi o ovim linijama. Hocete li objaviti demant i izivniti se citaocima?
ReplyDeleteThe article does not claim that the airport has confirmed these destinations. Please read more carefully or use google translate to read in your language.
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