AIRPORT IN TUZLA OPENED FOR PASSENGER TRAFFIC

( Editorial: --> 7432 ) TUZLA, Oct 10 (Hina) - The Tuzla airport was opened for passengers with the landing of the first aeroplane on Saturday. Bosnian Federation Prime Minister Edhem Bicakcic arrived to the opening with the first "Air Bosna" aircraft from Sarajevo. This airport will enable a quicker development of economy and science in the Tuzla Canton, Bicakcic said. The strategic plan for the airport is the development of freight traffic, which will enable us to become modern and independent, he stressed. The development of passenger air traffic in Bosnia-Herzegovina will in the future be largely stimulated, from the supervision of air-space, to the development of airports and national air traffic companies, Bicakcic said. The Tuzla airport was constructed in 1957 for use by the former Yugoslav army. As of May 1992, UN and NATO forces have been using the airport. Since the signing of the Memorandum on Understanding between the Tuzla-Podrina Canton and the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in September 1997, preparations have been in progress to enable it to receive passenger aircraft. A passenger terminal and complementary facilities have been constructed. Most of the works were financed by the canton government, but equipment was donated by the Frankfurt, Rome and Sarajevo airports. (hina) lml 101836 MET oct 98