Today the High Representative, accompanied by the mayors of Mostar, opened the Mostar airport to civilian traffic after it was out of use for more than six years.
Following the landing of two planes operated by Croatia Airlines and Air Bosna, High Representative Carlos Westendorp, Mayor Safet Orucevic and Deputy Mayor Ivan Prskalo cut the ribbon at the entrance to the airport building.
“Airports stand for normality,” said the High Representative. “Mostar and the surrounding region need jobs and this airport will help to provide them by encouraging investment and promoting tourism.
“The airport is – as Dayton makes clear – a city asset for the whole of Mostar.”
The reconstruction of the airport was largely financed by the European Union, SFOR and IFOR troops provided security, while the negotiations leading up to the opening were held by the OHR.
The High Representative expressed his hope that the airport will be “a fine example of unification and cooperation in Mostar” and that the Bosniak members of the joint Airtport Authority will soon return to the meetings.
After Sarajevo and Banja Luka, Mostar is the third airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be open to civilian traffic.