Bosnia and Herzegovina Airlines is considering expanding its fleet this summer season. Following news, which surfaced yesterday, that the carrier plans to lease a Fokker 100, B&H Airlines has told EX-YU Aviation News that no firm decision has been made and that the airline is keeping all of its options open. The Bosnian national carrier is looking at a possible wet or dry lease of a jet engine aircraft. The F100 has been listed on global ticketing systems and scheduled to enter service for B&H from March 31, although no firm decision has been made whether this model will be chosen. All other aircraft being considered have a similar capacity to the F100, thus not impacting on ticket sales. The aircraft would be used on flights to Istanbul.
B&H Airlines last featured a jet engine aircraft in its fleet in February 2012. The Airbus A319, provided by Turkish Airlines, was withdrawn from service when the Turkish carrier pulled out of B&H’s ownership structure. In the past, the airline has also operated a Boeing 737-400. B&H is looking to enter the 2013 summer season with three aircraft - two ATR72s and a jet engine plane. Currently, one ATR is undergoing scheduled maintenance in Germany and should be ready to join the fleet this summer.
B&H Airlines plans to expand its network this summer season. It will introduce flights to Skopje from April 1 while there is a possibility that another destination in the region will be launched. The Bosnian carrier faces tough competition on its signature route to Istanbul this summer, making the use of the jet engine aircraft imperative to keep up with its rivals. This summer, Turkish Airlines will operate up to a record eighteen weekly flights between Istanbul and the Bosnian capital while the low cost Pegasus Airlines will inaugurate services to Sarajevo from February 28 and run the service five times per week. B&H maintains daily flights to Istanbul throughout the summer. Source; Ex-YU Aviation News