Airports push to extend aviation tax moratorium
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Jan 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s four commercial airports—Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla, and Mostar—have joined forces in a bid to extend a moratorium on the €1.50 aviation tax for departing passengers.
The tax, according to EX-YU Aviation News, set to be reintroduced on April 1 after over a year of suspension, is charged to airlines, with 30% of the collected funds retained by airports and the remainder allocated to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA). Long-term growth
In a unified statement, Sarajevo Airport highlighted the group’s efforts: «Together with the other three airports, we have submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the BHDCA. This proposal seeks to extend the moratorium on the aviation tax to foster long-term growth in air traffic and improve the competitiveness of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s airports on both a regional and international scale.»
The joint submission includes statistical evidence and record-breaking passenger traffic figures from recent years to illustrate the positive impact of the tax suspension. The airports argue that maintaining the moratorium is vital for sustaining growth and attracting airlines.
Opposition to the tax
The BHDCA has defended the reintroduction of the tax, citing a significant drop in revenue during the suspension period, which has reportedly put the Directorate’s operations at risk.
However, critics, including major airline Ryanair, have voiced opposition to the tax. Ryanair, which recently announced five new routes from Sarajevo for the summer season, stated that removing the tax could lead to substantial investment, including the potential for basing two aircraft in Sarajevo.
«If the tax is removed, we would consider basing two aircraft in Sarajevo.» Ryanair representative
Balancing growth and revenue
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has clarified that the reintroduced tax will allocate a portion of the funds (30%) to the airports themselves. However, this adjustment may not be enough to offset the potential negative impact on airline partnerships and passenger traffic.
As Bosnia and Herzegovina’s airports await a decision, the proposal underscores the delicate balance between generating revenue for civil aviation authorities and maintaining an attractive environment for airlines and travelers. With summer travel around the corner, the outcome could shape the future of the nation’s aviation industry.
698,000 foreign tourists in 2024
In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced a notable increase in tourism. From January to December, Sarajevo alone welcomed over 698,000 foreign tourists, with total overnight stays exceeding 1,562,000.
In November 2024, the country recorded 124,899 tourist visits, marking a 17.6% increase compared to November 2023.
While comprehensive national data for the entire year is pending, these figures indicate a positive trend in Bosnia and Herzegovina's tourism sector.
