Low-cost airline Ryanair is making another attempt to compete with competitor Wizz Air in Tuzla. From the beginning of November 2022, non-stop flights to Memmingen and Stockholm-Arlanda will begin. The market entry failed last year because the regional government had opposed it.

It is no great coincidence that Ryanair has chosen two routes that Wizz Air already serves. In Stockholm, the Irish use Arlanda Airport while the competition flies to Skavsta. Last year, the regional government refused the relevant permits because they wanted to protect the only major customer, Wizz Air.

The regional government refused to sign a corresponding contract with Ryanair, so that the low-cost airline had to cancel the planned flight offer and withdraw it from sale. However, they did not want to break the wire to Ryanair and announced at the time that the conditions would be renegotiated. They made no secret of wanting to protect Wizz Air in a way. At that time there was no other airline offering regular scheduled flights from Tuzla.

“We are delighted to add Tuzla to our growing network of over 225 airports in Europe, Middle East and North Africa thanks to the efforts of the new management team who have recognized the benefits of having Europe's largest and most reliable airline at the airport. These new Tuzla routes now offer the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina access to the largest airline and most diverse route network in Europe. We look forward to growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming years and to announcing more new and exciting routes for next summer,” said Ryanair Route Development Chief Ray Kelliher.

Tuzla Airport is also looking forward to Ryanair. Airport boss Dževad Halilčević said: “The entire team at Tuzla Airport sees this as a historic event for its development. Tuzla Airport has thus gained importance and improved its position compared to other airports in the region. With the arrival of Ryanair at Tuzla Airport, the network of destinations is expanding. Passengers will have more choices when planning their trips, justifying Tuzla Airport's major role in connecting Bosnia and Herzegovina to the rest of Europe. We expect a long-term and successful cooperation with the new airline”.