ACI EUROPE yesterday called for decisive policy action to safeguard the continued and sustainable development of air connectivity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the country progresses towards deeper integration within the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) and the wider Pan-European aviation market.

During his visit to Sarajevo, ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec held meetings with representatives of different levels of government and institutions.

Across these meetings and discussions, he highlighted the remarkable performance of Sarajevo International Airport – the country’s major gateway. Passenger traffic at the airport now stands 28.6% above its pre-pandemic (2019) level, while air connectivity has increased by an impressive 40% over the same period. This has contributed to Bosnia and Herzegovina recording the third-best connectivity performance among non-EU+ countries. Together, Sarajevo International Airport and the other airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina contribute around €300 million to the country’s GDP.

Beyond these immediate economic benefits, Jankovec pointed to the strategic importance of aviation for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future.

At the federal and cantonal levels, discussions focused on ensuring institutional support for Sarajevo Airport’s strategic infrastructure projects, including the relocation of fuel storage facilities, reconstruction and extension of the runway, additional terminal, hangar and parking capacity, improved landside traffic organisation and, importantly, the protection of land and development corridors necessary for the airport’s long-term expansion.

Sustainability, decarbonisation and access to European financing instruments for renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects were also highlighted as integral elements of Sarajevo Airport’s future development.

Against this backdrop, ACI EUROPE identified four priority actions needed to safeguard aviation’s role as a critical engine of economic development, connectivity and European integration:

1.  Abolish the tax levied on each departing passenger

2.  Secure competitive traffic and connectivity incentives to attract and retain airline capacity

3.   Support Sarajevo Airport’s long-term development through its new 2028-2048 Master Plan

4.  Accelerate the implementation of EU aviation legislation under the ECAA Agreement

The visit also marked a further strengthening of cooperation between ACI EUROPE and Sarajevo International Airport. As a reflection of Sarajevo’s growing position within the European airport community, Sarajevo will host ACI EUROPE’s Aviation Security Committee in 2027, bringing together representatives of airports and the wider European aviation industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina.