Sarajevo International Airport concludes critical runway infrastructure restoration

Slobodan Kadijevic, Executive Director for Development, stated that the completion of this infrastructure restoration constitutes one of the most significant capital projects at Sarajevo International Airport in recent years. "Due to the technical expertise and commitment of all involved parties, the project was executed successfully without compromising aviation safety or structural quality," Kadijevic noted.

The implementation presented unique organizational and operational challenges, as all activities were restricted to the airport’s nightly closure windows. Samra Pehilj, Director of the Development, Engineering and Standardization Department, explained the rigorous nature of the project. "This initiative necessitated months of preparation, meticulous planning, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Every night, all scheduled activities had to be finalized within a specific timeframe to ensure the runway was fully operational for morning air traffic," she said.

All works were required to conclude by 06:00, necessitating the removal of all heavy machinery and equipment from the maneuvering area. Furthermore, the runway underwent comprehensive inspection to ensure the total removal of any foreign object debris (FOD) that could pose risks to aircraft operations. Throughout the construction phase, the airfield ground lighting (AGL) system, specifically the runway centerline lighting, remained fully functional and undamaged, requiring extreme precision from all project participants.

The Civil Aviation Directorate of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHDCA) facilitated the project by providing necessary regulatory approvals and conducting continuous oversight. The Directorate provided significant support to the initiative and issued a positive assessment of the ongoing investments and infrastructure improvements at Sarajevo International Airport.