Air Srpska

Air Srpska was the national airline of Republika Srpska (RS), the Serb-majority entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was established as a joint venture between Jat Airways, the Serbian flag carrier, and the Government of Republika Srpska. The airline's inaugural flight took place on 29 January 1999, connecting Banja Luka with Belgrade. Its operations were based in Banja Luka, the administrative centre of Republika Srpska. Air Srpska served a small regional network. From Banja Luka it flew to Belgrade, St. Gallen/Altenrhein in Switzerland, Zurich and Vienna in Austria. The fleet consisted of two ATR 72-202 aircraft leased from Jat Airways. The airline used the IATA code R6, the ICAO code SBK, and the callsign "Air Srpska". The carrier ceased all activities in 2003, when Jat Airways decided to withdraw from the partnership. After its closure, the Government of Republika Srpska announced plans to create a successor airline, Sky Srpska, probably based on the remains of Air Srpska. Information about the new company was scarce, but it appeared likely that it would take over the routes of its predecessor as well as other former regional flights. Air Srpska therefore represents an early attempt to provide air links for Republika Srpska, and its brief existence reflects the difficult aviation environment in the post-Yugoslav period.

Air Srpska was created as the national airline of Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was founded by Jat Airways, the flag carrier of Serbia (then part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), and the Government of Republika Srpska. The airline's inaugural flight took place on 29 January 1999, operating between Banja Luka and Belgrade. This route linked the main city of Republika Srpska with the Serbian capital and reflected the close political and economic ties between the two. From its base in Banja Luka, Air Srpska operated a modest regional network. Destinations included Belgrade, St. Gallen/Altenrhein in Switzerland, Zurich and Vienna in Austria. The fleet was composed of two ATR 72-202 aircraft leased from Jat Airways. The airline used the IATA code R6, the ICAO code SBK, and the callsign "Air Srpska". The airline's existence was short. In 2003, Jat Airways decided to withdraw from the partnership, and Air Srpska ceased all activities. After its closure, the Government of Republika Srpska announced the creation of a new airline, Sky Srpska, probably based on the remains of Air Srpska. Information about the new company was not plentiful, but it appeared likely that it would take over the routes of its predecessor as well as other former regional flights. Air Srpska thus remains a brief chapter in the aviation history of Republika Srpska, illustrating the challenges of establishing a viable carrier in the region after the Yugoslav wars.

• Air Srpska founded by Jat Airways and the Government of Republika Srpska.

• Inaugural flight between Banja Luka and Belgrade on 29 January 1999.

• Air Srpska ceased all activities in 2003 when Jat Airways withdrew from the partnership.

• Government of Republika Srpska announced plans for a successor airline, Sky Srpska.

National flag carrier of Republika Srpska, operating a small regional network from Banja Luka.

• Passenger airline services

  Scheduled regional passenger flights from Banja Luka.

1. 1Air Srpskawikidata.org
2. 2Air Srpskafr.wikipedia.org