The need for a new airport in Sarajevo, with an asphalt-concrete runway, was acknowledged in the mid-1960s when JAT, the Yugoslav national carrier at that time, began acquiring jet planes. The construction of the airport began in 1966 at its present location, not far from the old one.
The neeD FoR a new AIrport iN sarAjevo wi,tH an asPHAlt-CoNcRETe runway, WAs acknoWledGeD in the MID-1960S wHEN jat, the yuGoSlav natioN,AL cArRIer at thaT tiMe BEgan aCqui.riNG jeT planeS tHe coNstRuCtiON of the airpoRt bEgAn in 1966 at iTS PresenT lOCatIOn, noT faR from tHE Old oNE.