BANJA LUKA AIRPORT TO BE OPENED FOR CIVILIAN AIR TRAFFIC NEXT WEEK ( Editorial: --> 0886 )

( Editorial: --> 0886 ) SARAJEVO, 14 Nov (Hina) - The airport in Banja Luka will be opened for civilian air traffic next week, the office of the High Representative in Sarajevo said in a statement Friday. At a ceremony scheduled for 18 November representatives of Banja Luka airport will be given a temporary permit allowing them to start working. The permit, issued by the Bosnian Civil Aviation Board, will help create conditions for the beginning of commercial air transport. In this way, Banja Luka airport will become the first airport after Sarajevo airport to be opened for civilian air traffic in cooperation with the Stabilisation Force (SFOR). So far, three airlines have shown interest in flights to Banja Luka and it is expected that regular air traffic will be established soon. Airports in Tuzla and Mostar will soon be opened under the same conditions, the statement said. The airport in Banja Luka was built in 1991. It served for civilian air transport only for a short period of time. At the beginning of the war, the Bosnian Serb air force turned the airport into its stronghold which was operational until a no-fly ban over Bosnia- Herzegovina was imposed at the end of 1992. Banja Luka airport has been closed since 1992. (hina) rm , 141555 MET nov 97