Tuzla International Airport

Early years

Tuzla International was once the largest military airport of the former Yugoslavia. The 350th Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron was active there for a time.

In the early 1990s, still within Yugoslavia and prior start of the Bosnian War, Yugoslav airliner Air Commerce performed commercial flights from Sarajevo and Tuzla to Austria and Switzerland.

It was placed under the control of the United Nations Protection Force in 1992, and from 1996 onwards it became the main hub for the Implementation Force (IFOR), which was charged with supervising the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1998, the canton of Tuzla turned Tuzla International to a civil airport. Tuzla International opened on 10 October 1998 as a civilian airport and military airfield. After the complete international military withdrawal, Tuzla International Airport began implementation of all technical requirements and standards imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Development since the 2000s

Finally, on 5 June 2008. Tuzla International Airport obtained Provisional Certificate for Public Use Airport in international air transportation valid for one year. After general audit implemented by authorized institutions of Civil Aviation in BiH, on 5 Jun 2009. Tuzla International Airport obtained Certificate for Public Use Airport in international air transportation with unlimited period of validity.

Terminal

The passengers' terminal building opened in 1998, provides a capacity of 350 passengers per peak hour. The terminal is equipped with one gate for arrival and departure, two check-in counters for registration of passengers, services for handicapped passengers, ticketing service as well as further passenger amenities and a border guard (SBS) control (24 hours) equipped with x-ray machines and customs control. Since passenger terminal has reached its capacity in 2015. Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has decided to allocate 2 million BAM (approximate 1 million €) in the year 2016 budget for initial plans and works for a new terminal building, while the Government of Tuzla Canton will secure 500.000 BAM for installation of new and improved approach lighting system (ALS). Many rent a car agencies have offices at the airport and the airport also provides long term parking for road vehicles.

Aprons

Tuzla Airport has three aprons, currently two in use: passenger aircraft apron with size 116 x 106 meters and cargo apron with approximately same size . Aprons are designed to service all classes of aircraft. Two medium size aircraft Boeing 737 or Airbus 320 family aircraft can be handled at the same time at passengers apron next to the terminal building. On cargo apron two Ilyushin Il-76 or Airbus 330 freighter can be handled at the same time in two parking positions, or an Antonov AN-124 Ruslan or Boeing 747 cargo in one parking position. Scheduled cargo operations to Istanbul will start in first quarter of 2016. with Turkish Airlines Airbus 330F. Tuzla International Airport has signed agreement with Turkish Airlines to service 130 cargo flights in 2016. The airport has mixed civil and military use and the airport is home to 3rd Helicopter Squadron of Bosnia and Herzegovina Air Force. Next to taxiway F, parallel with runway, there are 31 parking positions for helicopters Bell UH-1 or similar size.

Airport operating hours are from 03:30 to 24:00 LT for commercial air carriers and 06:00 to 17:00 LT for general/corporate aviation with a possible extension. Tuzla International Airport is ICAO classified as ILS CAT I.

Ground transport

Wizz Air provides transfer in a mini bus or coach to and from Tuzla Airport and Banja Luka City Centre (Central Bus Station) and Sarajevo City Center (Central Bus Station). This is a shared service. The bus transfer runs according to the flight timetable.