Đorđe Ratkovica, former director of BHDCA and the one most responsible for Bosnia and Herzegovina controlling its airspace, has passed away

(Patria) - Đorđe Ratkovica, long-time general director of BHDCA, passed away at the age of 74, and his colleagues from this institution bid him farewell.

As they pointed out, Ratkovica was at the helm of BHDCA from 2003 until 2018 when he retired.

"During his tenure at the helm of BHDCA, this institution grew into a modern, efficient, and internationally recognized aviation authority. His knowledge, vision, and dedication were of key importance during the period of modern institutional development of BHDCA," they wrote.

According to them, in complex times and a challenging environment, he managed to combine professional standards with a vision of the future through his expertise, authority, and diplomatic approach.

Why is his name linked to the control of BiH's airspace?

"The crown of his professional career is certainly the successful implementation of the Strategy for the Development of the Air Traffic Management System in BiH (BHATM project). Thanks to his unwavering dedication and leadership skills, BiH took control of its airspace. This was not just a technical and technological triumph, but a historic act," they stated in the letter bidding farewell to Ratkovica.