FlyBosnia obtains AOC, readies for launch
The Sarajevo-based start-up FlyBosnia has been issued an Air Operator's Certificate by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation, enabling it to commence commercial operations. The airline's sole Airbus A319 aircraft has so far performed a number of test flights between Sarajevo, Tuzla and Banja Luka. FlyBosnia's CEO, Chris Gabriel, said, “This is the final stage in the approval process which allows FlyBosnia to start operations. This is a very significant milestone for FlyBosnia, and also for the people and country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the result of many months of hard work and dedication by the entire team and, on behalf of the shareholders, may I both congratulate and thank each and every FlyBosnia team member for their tireless efforts in making this dream become a reality”.
The company said it will review numerous charter requests over the coming weeks and will begin applying for slots at various airports. The airline, set up by Saudi Arabia's Al Shiddi Group, will initially link Sarajevo with Riyadh, although Mr Gabriel has said other destinations will include both points in the Middle East and Europe, such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome and Moscow. "Once our schedule is confirmed, the FlyBosnia website and agent network will go live, enabling our customers to fly and experience Europe, the Middle East and the natural beauties of Bosnia and Herzegovina via affordable direct flights”, the CEO added.
Shiddi Tourism, which forms part of the Al Shiddi Group, denied media reports this week that FlyBosnia will launch scheduled flights on January 31, noting instead that, "We will announce schedules and flight times on our official website soon". The company added, “We look forward to launching FlyBosnia's commercial operations and being the carrier of choice in connecting the Bosnian diaspora with their families here at home in Bosnia and Herzegovina". To date, the Saudi Arabian conglomerate has committed in excess of twenty million euros in start-up capital to FlyBosnia. The newly established airline currently has some twenty cabin crew personnel and eight pilots in its ranks.
Photo courtesy of Darko Vučić
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