Plane from Berlin lands at Sarajevo International Airport, new direct route officialized

(Patria) - The first Eurowings aircraft on the Berlin – Sarajevo route landed at Sarajevo International Airport this morning, officially establishing a direct air route between the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the German capital.

Eurowings had previously established an air route on this route, which was operational until January 2020, when flights were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Upon the plane's landing, a symbolic water salute was held, while passengers and crew were presented with commemorative gifts as a welcome to Sarajevo.

The Director of Sarajevo International Airport, Dino Selimović, stated that the re-establishment of the direct connection with Berlin represents an important moment for Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- It is an exceptional honor and pleasure for us that, after months, I would say years, we have once again, as the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo International Airport, established a direct air route through Eurowings, as part of the Lufthansa group, with the capital of Germany. Berlin and Sarajevo share numerous common interests, and the new air route will further strengthen tourism, cultural, sports, political, and institutional ties, especially when we consider the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path. The capital of Germany and Germany as a country are certainly a point where Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to full membership in the European Union can be negotiated and accelerated - said Selimović.

He added that the new route will significantly ease travel for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina living and working in Germany, as well as for all tourists planning to visit Sarajevo and other destinations in BiH.

- We are extremely happy and proud that from today you can fly directly from Sarajevo to Berlin - he said.

- This will primarily depend on flight occupancy, but we expect the number of flights to increase during the summer season. We believe there will be year-round interest for passengers to travel between Berlin and Sarajevo - he added.

The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Germany, Damir Arnaut, traveled on the first flight from Berlin to Sarajevo. He reminded that the initiative to establish this route was launched back in 2022 at the tourism fair in Berlin, through the cooperation of the BiH Embassy in Berlin, Sarajevo Airport, and the Sarajevo Canton Tourist Board with Eurowings.

- This means a lot for both political and tourist connections between the two capitals and our Bosnia and Herzegovina with our greatest ally in the European Union, which is undoubtedly Germany. This route will also attract a large number of additional German tourists to Sarajevo, as well as the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Arnaut.

He added that the establishment of this air route shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina is "connecting with the right destinations and moving in the right direction."

The Head of the Department for Economic Affairs and Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in BiH, Arend Muller, stated that the relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany go far beyond political and economic cooperation.

- Above all, these relations are shaped by people, especially the numerous citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who live and work in Germany and represent a strong and important bridge between our societies. I am truly looking forward to our friendship being finally maintained again through an air connection between our capitals, Berlin and Sarajevo. We hope that this air route, along with existing connections such as the one between Sarajevo and Frankfurt, will contribute to further intensifying the good exchange between our countries - said Muller.

He also highlighted expectations that the new route will provide an additional impetus for economic cooperation, tourism, and cultural dialogue, as well as deepen mutual understanding between the citizens of the two countries.

The Mayor of Sarajevo, Samir Avdić, stated that the re-establishment of the direct connection between Sarajevo and Berlin is of great importance for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina living in Germany, as well as for the development of economic cooperation.

- The possibility for businessmen from Germany to connect with businessmen from Sarajevo and the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina to improve economic cooperation also adds a special dimension - said Avdić.

He pointed out that during the summer season, an additional flight on this route will be introduced, especially during the period of increased diaspora arrivals and the holding of the Sarajevo Film Festival, and added that Sarajevo is now connected by direct flights to 41 European destinations.

Flights on the Berlin – Sarajevo route will operate on Saturdays starting from May 9, while on Thursdays they will be available from July to mid-September. This is a regular air route that will further improve Sarajevo's connectivity with Germany, for both tourist and business travel.