Slovenian air traffic controllers warn of imminent risk in Bosnian airspace

The crisis stems from a March 21, 2025, enforcement order issued to EUROCONTROL, which halted all route-related payments to BHANSA — a move that cut off 90% of the agency's revenue. The freeze is directly tied to an ICSID arbitration ruling in favour of the Slovenian firm Viaduct, which is related to Republika Srpska’s unpaid debt. With the liability falling on the state, BHANSA has become collateral damage.

The Slovenian union warned that the situation could have severe safety and operational consequences not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina but also for Southeast Europe. "This isn’t just a legal issue — it’s a human and safety risk," said SSKL president Robert Stauber, stressing that mounting stress and pay cuts are affecting BHANSA staff's ability to perform safely.

If unresolved, the crisis may lead to airspace restrictions and flight diversions, which could heavily burden neighbouring airspaces, including Slovenia’s, already stretched due to the war in Ukraine.

Other countries, including Serbia and North Macedonia, have echoed Slovenia’s concerns in letters sent to BiH institutions, warning of potential cascading delays and operational chaos across Europe during the busy summer travel season.

BHANSA has already reduced staff salaries to maintain operations and avoid a complete shutdown of Bosnian airspace. The arbitration debt stands at 110 million Bosnian marks (approx. €56 million), increasing daily due to high interest penalties.