MAJOR PARKING PRICE DROP AT BANJA LUKA AIRPORT

Passengers flying out of Banja Luka Airport will now pay just five convertible marks (KM) per day for parking—a reduction of around 60% compared to the previous pricing. According to airport management, the decision aims to provide a more affordable and user-friendly service as the number of travelers continues to grow.

The newly adjusted pricing was published on the Banja Luka Airport website and has already taken effect. Under the new structure, parking a car for up to 60 minutes costs three KM. Any stay beyond an hour—whether a few hours or a full day—now comes with a flat fee of five KM, regardless of the number of days.

Valentina Kecman, Director of Banja Luka Airport, told Glas Srpske that the new prices mark a significant reduction from previous rates.

"Under the old pricing model, the first hour of parking cost five KM, and the price increased rapidly—10 KM for two hours, 15 KM for three hours or up to 24 hours, with each additional day charged at 10 KM. This was far too expensive for our users. It's unrealistic to expect passengers flying with low-cost carriers to pay such high parking fees. With the new pricing, we’re aiming to correct that,” said Kecman.

She explained that the price cut is part of a broader initiative to improve the airport’s parking payment system, which had long been a weak point.

“In the past, due to a malfunctioning payment system, long lines of vehicles would form at the airport entrance and exit, especially during the summer. Drivers sometimes waited up to an hour just to pay and leave. This was not acceptable for a modern international airport. That’s why we introduced a new automated system and significantly lowered the parking fees. Our goal is to relieve passengers of unnecessary stress about parking and make it accessible—currently the cheapest compared to other airports in the region,” Kecman emphasized.

She added that the airport management, which she has led for just over six months, is committed to making all services budget-friendly for citizens of Republika Srpska.

The airport parking lot was expanded last year and has sufficient capacity. Further improvements, including upgrades to the access road, are in the pipeline.

“In the first four months of this year, we served 40,000 more passengers than during the same period last year. Infrastructure development must follow this growth—that’s our priority,” Kecman noted.

The terminal building now features one automated parking payment machine, with a second one expected by the end of the month. Parking can also be paid via mobile phone—either through an app or SMS. Entry and exit are now managed by a camera system that scans license plates, eliminating the need for staff and reducing opportunities for manipulation.

Private parking lot owners near the airport, however, are concerned. One such operator from Mahovljani told Glas that the reduced airport prices will likely impact his business.

“I started this business four years ago and have done fairly well. I charged five KM per day for open-space parking and 10 KM for covered spots. I haven’t yet decided whether I’ll lower my prices in response to the airport’s move,” he said.