The Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton has issued a public call for the allocation of subsidies for airlines willing to establish a base or launch new routes from Tuzla Airport in a bid to improve the city’s air connectivity and boost tourism in the region. The initiative seeks to attract airlines to operate routes that have not been served for at least twelve months. Targeted destinations include those in Austria, Germany, France, the Benelux region, Sweden and others deemed strategically important for tourism development. The overarching goal is to enhance the region’s accessibility and stimulate economic growth through increased tourist arrivals.
The local government has allocated 615.000 euros in subsidies for the first year of operations (2025), increasing to one million euros annually from 2026 to 2028. Airlines will receive six euros per arriving passenger. This per-passenger subsidy model is designed to incentivise airlines to maximise passenger loads and maintain consistent service. Eligible applicants must hold a valid EU Air Operator Certificate (AOC), operate aircraft with a minimum of 180 seats and have an established online ticket sales system. Interested airlines are required to submit applications electronically within five days of the public call’s publication, which is today, followed by a hard copy submission within fifteen days. This call has been distributed via email to at least three potentially eligible airlines.
Applications will be assessed based on factors such as the number of aircraft to be based at Tuzla International Airport, the number of new routes proposed, and the speed of implementation. Upon the expiration of the electronic submission deadline, a Commission will review, evaluate and rank the submitted applications in accordance with the conditions and criteria outlined in this public call. The evaluation process will be completed no later than two days from the date of application opening. Based on the Commission’s recommendation, the Tourist Board of Tuzla Canton will issue an official decision on the outcome of the public call, within three days of receiving the Commission’s recommendation.
This subsidy program follows previous efforts to enhance Tuzla’s air connectivity, including a 2023 initiative that saw Greek carrier Lumiwings briefly operate from the airport before ceasing operations due to low demand and subsidy disputes. The current program comes following talks between Tuzla Airport and Wizz Air over the latter’s potential reopening of its base in the city after its closure in September 2023.
