Sarajevo International Airport
by Zahid Krkic/News
Postwar
Civil Aviation in BiH was effectively relaunched by the publication
of the Civil Aviation Master Plan, drawn up by an EC/ICAO commission
and published in July 1996. The plan led to the first EC/ICAO project,
covering immediate priorities for air navigation services.Sarajevo
Airport was reopened to civilian traffic in August 1996. Since then,
the EC/ICAO project has been implemented in stages, allowing the progressive
restoration of BiH sovereignty over its own airspace.BiH has had to
win back recognition as a full member of the European air network.
This process has seen the reopening of air routes between BiH and Serbia
and Montenegro, integration in the European Civil Aviation Conference,
and the establishment of the National Search and Rescue Centre, in Banja
Luka in 2002.During 2003 the BiH authorities assumed full control of Sarajevo
Airport. In addition a BiH Civil Aviation Law was enacted in December
2003. BiH is now preparing to become a full partner with EUROCONTROL
and the European Joint Aviation Authorities.
Major dates in Civil aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
11 July 1996 |
Publication of the first BH Civil Aviation Master Plan. |
|
August 1996 |
Sarajevo Airport reopens for commercial traffic, the first BiH
airport to do so. |
|
11 September 1997 |
Signature of the MOU between the Council of Ministers and the International
Community and creation of the BiH DCA. |
|
October 1998 |
SFOR reallocates to the BiH DCA the whole of BiH’s upper airspace.
(FL4 330 up to FL 450) |
|
April 1999 till August 2001 |
First stage of the EC/ICAO project |
|
August 1999 |
First Civil Aviation Law with the legal establishment of the effective
role of FED.CAD and RS.CAD. |
|
27 January 2000 |
SFOR restores BiH’s commercial upper airspace, from FL 290 up to
FL 390, to BiH DCA. By agreement, air traffic control of this airspace is shared between FATCA of Belgrade and ATSA of Zagreb. A portion of “en route” charges is reimbursed to BiH. |
|
31 August 2001 |
Responsibility for intermediate airspace (FL100 up FL 290) is transferred
from SFOR to BiH DCA. CCL10 of Zagreb provides control within this airspace. (CCL as successor of ATSA) |
|
10 October 2001 |
Restoration of the upper airspace is extended to FL 410 |
|
November 2001 |
Signature and starting of the second stage of the EC/ICAO project,
called EC/ICAO OPAS project |
|
27 September 2002 |
BiH becomes a member of the ECAC |
|
Abbreviations: |
MOU-Memorandum Of Understanding DCA-Department of Civil Aviation SFOR-Stabilization FORCE FL-Flight level, (FL x 100 = thousands of feet, FL 330 = 33 000 feet) EC-European Community ICAO-International Civil Aviation Organization CAD-Civil Aviation Department FATCA-Federal Air Traffic Control Authority ATSA-Air Traffic Service Authority CCL-Croatia Control Limited OPAS-Operational Assistance ECAC-European Civil Aviation Conference SIA-Sarajevo International Airport company CARDS-Community Assistance for Reconstruction Development and Stabilization ASATC-Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Control. |
| 01
March 2004 |
BiH becomes a member of the EUROCONTROL |
Mostar
Airport
Mostar Airport is one of the keys to economic regeneration in the area. Due to its optimal geographical situation, it could provide all kinds of services for the region throughout the entire year. The Airport was rebuilt in 1998, mostly with European aid (the EU has invested four million Euros in the Airport during the last six years). Competence over the Airport has recently been transferred from Mostar Municipalities with a Croat majority to the City of Mostar. (The City took over competencies regulated by the Interim Statute, which was a precondition for further investment by the Federation Government, the Canton, and the City.) Currently, the City authorities together with their partners are working on fulfilling technical conditions for a successful hand-over of the Airport’s maintenance from SFOR to the City of Mostar.
Mostar Airport is one of the keys to economic regeneration in the area. Due to its optimal geographical situation, it could provide all kinds of services for the region throughout the entire year. The Airport was rebuilt in 1998, mostly with European aid (the EU has invested four million Euros in the Airport during the last six years). Competence over the Airport has recently been transferred from Mostar Municipalities with a Croat majority to the City of Mostar. (The City took over competencies regulated by the Interim Statute, which was a precondition for further investment by the Federation Government, the Canton, and the City.) Currently, the City authorities together with their partners are working on fulfilling technical conditions for a successful hand-over of the Airport’s maintenance from SFOR to the City of Mostar.
OHR, February 5, 2004