Today, successful airports are no longer measured only by the number of passengers. How would you like Sarajevo International Airport to differ from other regional airports in five to ten years?
The number of passengers is an important indicator of success, but it is not the only one. Our vision is for Sarajevo International Airport to be recognized as one of the key drivers of the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We want to be much more than a transport infrastructure - we want to be a platform that connects people, ideas, investments and business opportunities.
When we talk about success, for me the real indicator will be the moment when companies make a decision to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina precisely because of its international connections, when we witness the growth of tourist arrivals throughout the year and when we can clearly demonstrate that the development of air connectivity contributes to the creation of new jobs, the strengthening of the domestic economy and the opening of new business opportunities.
Today, airports are not just points of arrival and departure. They represent the country's front door and one of the most important tools for the development of tourism, economy and international cooperation.
However, what makes Sarajevo Airport different from many other airports in the region is its special symbolic and emotional value for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This year we mark 30 years since its post-war opening, an event that marked the reconnection of our country with the world. For many citizens, Sarajevo Airport is not only a place of arrivals and departures, but a symbol of openness, connectivity and new opportunities. In one of the most difficult periods of our recent history, he represented Bosnia and Herzegovina's window to the world, and that is why I believe it is important that, while building its future, we do not forget its past either. It is this combination of development role, economic importance and deep connection with citizens that gives Sarajevo Airport an identity that sets it apart from other regional airports.
You often talk about attracting new airlines, but the question is equally important: what kind of companies do you want these airlines to bring to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
When we work on the development of new airlines, we think not only about passengers but also about the long-term economic effects. We want to attract companies from the fields of information technology, digital services, logistics, manufacturing with high added value, but also international companies looking for locations for regional offices and development centers.
Today, the availability of a destination is one of the key factors when making investment decisions. Time has become the most valuable resource, and direct air connectivity significantly affects business efficiency.
At the same time, we are especially pleased by the fact that low-cost airlines have opened Sarajevo to new markets. Thanks to cooperation with companies such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Eurowings and Transavia, we are seeing an increase in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and other Western European countries. This not only develops tourism, but also the international visibility of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tourism is the natural focus of any airport, but business travelers often bring a much greater economic impact. How do you see the role of Sarajevo Airport in positioning Sarajevo as a destination for international conferences, regional headquarters of companies and investment projects?
Business travelers play an extremely important role in the economy of any destination. However, no company will organize an international conference, open a regional office or implement an investment project if the destination is not sufficiently accessible.
That is precisely why the development of air connectivity is one of the foundations of the development of business tourism and the attraction of investments. When an international investor can travel directly to Sarajevo from London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Istanbul or other European centers, the attractiveness of the city for business activities increases significantly.
Our goal is for Sarajevo Airport to be an important partner in the development of Sarajevo as a regional center for business events, investments and international cooperation.
You said that the airport is the first and last point of contact for foreign guests with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, what do you want an investor or director of an international company to think in the first ten minutes after landing in Sarajevo?
I would like his first impression to be that he has arrived in a modern, organized and open city that understands the needs of international business.
The first few minutes often shape the perception of the entire destination. That's why we strive to ensure a fast, simple and efficient experience for every passenger. We want people to feel professionalism, safety, hospitality and quality of service.
Sarajevo has a lot to offer - from rich history and culture to exceptional human potential and business opportunities. The airport should be a place that represents these values in the best possible way, right from the first contact with our country.
At the ACI Europe Congress, you emphasized that Sarajevo has the potential to be much more than a regional airport. What does your vision look like?
I do not believe that Sarajevo can copy large European hubs such as Frankfurt or Istanbul. Our strategic advantage lies in something else.
We want to be the most important entry point for Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the leading airports in Southeast Europe when it comes to tourism, business travel and connecting the diaspora. Our vision includes the continuous expansion of the destination network, strengthening cooperation with leading European airlines and creating conditions for further growth in traffic.
At the same time, the development of terminal capacities, infrastructure projects and the future development of the cargo segment represent important elements of the long-term development strategy.
How much can the business community help the Airport attract new routes today?
It can help more than ever before.
Today, airlines do not only analyze the number of inhabitants or the number of tourists. They want to see the overall economic potential of the destination, business activity, tourism development and institutional support.
That is why I believe that the time has come for a joint approach. The airport, the business community, the tourism sector and institutions should act together towards airlines.
This is exactly the model of cooperation that has yielded excellent results in recent years. Thanks to the support of all levels of government, from the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, to our owner – the Government of the Federation of BiH and our line Ministry, the Government of Sarajevo Canton, the Ministry of Economy and partnership with the Sarajevo Canton Tourist Board, we have improved connectivity with numerous European markets and achieved significant results in the development of air traffic and tourism.
Each new airline brings far more than new passengers. It brings new business contacts, new investments, more tourist arrivals and added value for the entire economy.
If we were to have this conversation in ten years, what would you like to see the biggest change then?
Of course I would like to see new terminals, modernized infrastructure and even more passengers. However, if I had to single out one thing, then I would like to talk about how Sarajevo International Airport has contributed to the transformation of Bosnia and Herzegovina into a country that is desirable for living, investment, business and tourism.
I would like Sarajevo to be recognized as an attractive year-round destination, not just a seasonal tourist location. We have all the prerequisites for that - rich culture and history, natural beauty, winter and summer tourism, excellent geographical position and competitive prices compared to many European destinations.
If we can show that the development of air connectivity has made a significant contribution to this process, I will consider that we have achieved our goal.
And when we are talking about wishes for the next ten years, it would be nice to talk about how we see off the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team to another World Cup, along with new destinations, investments and a record number of passengers. Such moments always best show how important connectivity, mobility and openness to the world are for a country.
If you could bring only one international company and one new direct airline to Sarajevo in the next five years, which would it be and why?
A direct line from Sarajevo to a city in the United States - well, let it be United.
