Medjugorje News: Italian Pilgrims Revive the Airport in Mostar, New Road Relieves Traffic
December 15, 2011 1 Comment
December 15, 2011 | MedjugorjeToday.tv
(By Jakob Marschner) – The Medjugorje boom in Italy brings much needed life to Mostar Airport where a new route to Pescara contributed to a successful 2011. More Italian destinations are announced for 2012 but the need of major investments to meet international demands is lurking on the horizon. In Medjugorje, a new local road is expected to relieve the town from traffic.
They come in bundles, in buses, by ferries and cars, and now they even bring an airport back to life. Medjugorje is booming among the Italians and the rush across the Adriatic Sea has effects that go beyond Medjugorje.
2011 will see Mostar International Airport more than double the passenger numbers of 2010 when 17,833 people took off or landed in the airport 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Medjugorje. By the end of November 2011 this number had been raised to 35,329 according to statistics from Bosnia and Hercegovina’s Directorate of Civil Aviation.
The year started out slowly with no passengers in February and 696 in March. In April, the airport was enhanced with new equipment that played prominently in that month’s rise to 2,193 passengers, followed by 4,029 in May.
Another turning point came on July 23 when Mostar mayor Ljubo Beslic signed a contract of nine flights from Pescara, Italy, the first one scheduled to arrive on September 17.
“I think that the realization of this project is of great importance for Mostar, but also for the whole region of Hercegovina. We have the possibility of international connectivity, since Pescara is well connected with other parts of Europe, especially when it comes to low-budget carriers, thus offering opportunities for cheaper travel” the Bosnian newspaper Dnevnik quoted mayor Beslic to say after signing.
New road to spare Medjugorje from traffic:
Once completed, the new road “will significantly unburden traffic in Medjugorje” director Marina Barbaric told local news portal Brotnjo Online on October 25. Mrs. Barbaric is heading the company overseeing the work, JP Broting of Citluk.
Read More: http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/3904/italian-pilgrims-revive-the-airport-in-mostar/
News, Visions of Our Lady
Anyone who has traveled to Medjugorje knows that the hardest part of getting there…. is getting there. With a revived Mostar Airport and new road to Medjugorje it is hoped that the convenience will open the door to some who might not otherwise visit. For many of us however, part of the experience is the journey. The difficulty and inconvenience is part of the spiritual sacrifice of a pilgrimage.