Presentation of the EU funded business plan for the restructuring of the Mostar International Airport was organised on Friday 7 March 2013 in Mostar City Hall. Representatives of the local business community also attended the presentation of the business plan.
To help in opening the perspective, both for the Airport and the wider area of Mostar, including the pilgrimage centre of Medjugorje, the consultants assigned by the EU have explored the situation and suggested a three-phase approach:
1. The first phase included preparation of a comprehensive gap analysis, aiming to address all issues preventing the Airport from obtaining the permanent license for its operations and restricting its future development.
2. In the second phase, the consultants have produced the business plan, the marketing plan and the financial plan for the Airport for the next 30 years.
3. The third phase explores options and scenarios for restructuring of the ownership of the Airport, and relevant tender documents.
In his opening statement Ambassador Peter Sorensen, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH/EU Special Representative said: “Mostar International Airport is one of the many parts of the BiH transport infrastructure that has benefited directly from EU Assistance. The airport was re-opened in 1998 with considerable support by the EU”.
Ambassador Sorensen also mentioned future plans for the Airport, emphasizing its economic significance and possible development.
“The studies show that the potential growth of the Airport is above 1.5 million passengers per year over a 30 year period. The local and regional tourism potential, including the pilgrimage centre of Medjugorje, is the foundation for this overall growth potential”, said the Ambassador, emphasising that if used in a good way, the airport could become a source of employment for people in this region, as well as a source of economic prosperity.
Mayor of Mostar City, Ljubo Bešlić thanked Ambassador Sorensen and the EU for all the help given to Mostar and the Airport stressing the Airport’s significance for the city and the region.
“Further development of Mostar Airport is the opening of a big window into the world, and all the possibilities that Airport enables are extremely important for the future of this region”, said Bešlić.
Mostar International Airport is facing challenges in ensuring provision of its permanent license, long term sustainability of operations and future expansion and development.
The EU has already invested around 4 million Euro in the post-war rehabilitation and restart of the Airport, mainly in construction and equipping of the air traffic control tower, the facility of the Civil Aviation Directorate of FBiH at the time.
The studies prepared by the consultants have shown the perspective for sustainable and profitable development of the Airport, the region and the city of Mostar.
