The Tuzla Canton Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Transport has announced plans to launch a public tender for subsidies to airlines to launch new flight connections from Tuzla Airport. A total of €615.000 will be made available to promote flights to destinations such as Eindhoven, Hahn, Vienna, Berlin, Malmö, and Gothenburg. The Tuzla Canton government is expected to approve this proposal next week, after which the tender will be published. Airlines will then have 15 days to apply.
The initiative is seen as an important measure to promote tourism in the region and strengthen the local economy. Minister Almir Žilić stated that establishing connections between the Tuzla Canton and cities in the European Union will significantly increase tourist arrivals and have a positive economic impact. This approach is also being followed in other countries in the region, as well as in the EU, where financial incentives are offered to encourage airlines to establish new connections.
According to rumors, the tender could be targeted specifically at Wizz Air. The airline had closed its base at Tuzla Airport in 2023, but recently announced plans to launch a new service between Vienna and Tuzla starting in mid-June. These flights could also benefit from the subsidies. Tuzla Airport has also been in talks with Wizz Air about possible new connections to Malmö and Gothenburg. Since closing its base, Wizz Air has maintained its presence in Tuzla, albeit with significantly reduced flight frequencies, resulting in a sharp decline in passenger numbers.
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to bring new airlines to Tuzla in the past. In November 2023, the local government allocated €1,27 million to encourage an airline to establish a base at the airport. The Greek airline Lumiwings was the only applicant and stationed an aircraft in Tuzla, but was forced to cease operations within a month due to disputes over subsidy payments and weak demand. A subsequent tender also attracted no applications.
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