Bosnia got a new flag carrier after the Civil Aviation Directorate (BHDCA) issued an air operator's certificate (AOC) for Fly Bosnia company.

The certificate was issued based on a procedure stipulated by Bosnia's Law on Aviation which the company successfully underwent.

Issuing of this certificate is one of the most complex processes and procedures that BHDCA conducts, the agency said. In accordance with its competencies, BHDCA provided support, assistance and understanding to the new company so it could meet the conditions to get the operator's certificate and start the operation.

BHDCA acting general manager said this was not only a step forward for the airline company but for the country and development of its civil aviation.

“BHDCA will continue providing support and assistance to the company, with an aim to develop the civil aviation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to maintain the achieved level of flight safety,” said Zeljko Travar.

Bosnia's first and only flag carrier BH Airlines, formerly known as Air Bosnia, lost the operator's licence in 2015 due to accumulated debts and, consequently, its accounts were closed while its two planes were frozen by the leasing companies through which they had been bought.

The government, its majority owner, decided to shut the company down in June 2015.