Heavy snowfall triggers traffic collapse and flight cancellations across Bosnia

The severe weather and poor visibility have forced the cancellation of several international flights at Sarajevo International Airport, including arrivals from Frankfurt and Istanbul. While flights from Rome and Dubai managed to land, multiple departures to Frankfurt and Istanbul were scrapped throughout the afternoon.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Automobile Club (BIHAMK) has issued an urgent appeal to drivers, warning of extremely difficult conditions particularly in high mountain regions. A total traffic suspension is in effect on the Kladanj-Zivinice main road at Kotornica due to a tree falling under the weight of the snow.

Furthermore, a rockslide has slowed traffic on the Pale-Sarajevo road at Lapisnica, a location known for recurring geological instability. To manage the crisis, authorities have implemented a ban on heavy goods vehicles across several key mountain passes, including Crni Vrh, Han Pogled, Ivan Sedlo, Komar, and Romanija. On highways, digital signage is instructing drivers to limit their speeds to 40 km/h due to slippery surfaces.

The disruption extends to the state borders, where winter conditions in Croatia have led to a ban on trucks with trailers at the Izacic border crossing. Long queues of passenger vehicles have formed at numerous exits from the country, including Velika Kladusa, Gradiska, and Brod, while snow chains are recommended for trucks at major passes such as Karaula and Nisici. On the Jablanica-Blidinje route, only vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons are permitted. Officials strongly advise citizens to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary and remind all motorists that winter equipment is mandatory for any transit through the affected regions.