Low-cost carrier Wizz Air will start operations in Banja Luka from four European cities, with two weekly flights from Dortmund, Basel, Eindhoven and Malmo. Services will start on June 3. Wizz Air will be the second low-cost carrier to serve Banja Luka after Ryanair, which temporarily suspended all operations until mid-May due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The airline also plans to launch a new route to Banja Luka in Vienna in June. Wizz Air's entry into Banja Luka will coincide with Ryanair's launch of services to Zagreb, where it will open a base in September.
Banja Luka will become Wizz Air's third destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Banja Luka will become Wizz Air's third destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina after Tuzla and Sarajevo, both serving as the airline's base. The low-cost carrier will start operations from Dortmund to Banja Luka on June 3, from Basel on June 6, and from Eindhoven and Malmo on June 7. As a result, Basel, Eindhoven and Dortmund will be served by Wizz from all three cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Malmo will be operated from Tuzla as well as Banja Luka.
Banja Luka Airport handled 43.904 passengers in 2020, a decrease of 70,7% over the previous year. However, this was 3,9% better than the airport management expected.
"Before the pandemic, we discussed the possibility of an airline opening a base in Banja Luka. We'll see what happens after the pandemic. We also had discussions about launching an intercontinental service and, after this situation passes, we hope to resume these discussions. A Turkish carrier is also interested in cooperating with Banja Luka Airport. For us, it was important to open up to the world in 2019 and start a few flights. Now we need to look for new airlines and partners and expand our operational network. "