EditTrump-linked U.S. company advances major gas pipeline and airport deals in Bosnia
The company AAFS doesn't have experience in building pipelines or running airports, but Bosnia and Herzegovina chose its services without competitive tender
The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 25 March proposed awarding the construction and operation of the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline to the little-known American company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy.
This project would link Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia’s gas network and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the island of Krk, significantly reducing the country’s long-standing dependence on Russian gas supplies.
Bosnia and Herzegovina currently relies entirely on Russian gas delivered via the TurkStream pipeline through Serbia. The Balkan nation, with a population of about 3.5 million, consumes roughly 225 million cubic meters of natural gas each year. The new Southern Interconnection aims to change that by enabling imports of LNG, including substantial volumes from the United States, thereby enhancing energy security and diversifying sources away from Moscow.
The proposed pipeline stretches approximately 180 kilometers in total, with around 160 kilometers running inside Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would connect the Federation entity to Croatia’s infrastructure, providing a western route for gas that bypasses eastern dependencies. The government described the initiative as “one of the most important energy infrastructure projects for Bosnia and Herzegovina,” emphasizing that it would strengthen the security of gas supplies and the overall stability of the energy sector. The estimated cost stands at around 200 million euros.
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo highlighted the development positively, posting on X: “Great news today! The government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has approved draft laws amending the Southern Connection law, allowing a U.S. company to develop, build, finance, and operate the pipeline.” This move builds on earlier agreements in principle reached after Donald Trump returned to the White House, under which U.S. companies were positioned to lead the project.
Trump associates drive American involvement
Figures associated with Donald Trump’s political circle have played a visible role in advancing the project. Jesse Binnall, a lawyer who represented the Trump campaign in legal efforts following the 2020 election, and Joe Flynn, who also participated in related activities and whose brother Michael Flynn served as Trump’s first national security adviser, visited Bosnia this year to discuss the pipeline on behalf of AAFS Infrastructure and Energy. Binnall has described the meetings with Bosnian ministers as exploratory, aimed at assessing the potential project.
In statements, Binnall noted that AAFS is excited about the opportunity to explore how American private capital and expertise could contribute to strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s energy security and reducing regional dependence on Russian gas.
AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, incorporated recently in Wyoming, presents itself as a firm with decades of combined experience in energy, infrastructure, finance, and international project development, though it has no extensive public track record in large-scale pipeline construction.
The company’s involvement aligns with broader Trump administration priorities to promote U.S. LNG exports and diminish Russian energy influence in Europe, particularly in regions still reliant on supplies from Vladimir Putin’s regime. While much of Europe reduced Russian gas imports after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Bosnia has remained almost entirely dependent.
Beyond the pipeline, AAFS has expressed interest in related energy projects, including the potential construction of gas-fired power plants and expansion of additional gas infrastructure. These initiatives could further integrate U.S. LNG into Bosnia’s energy mix.
Broader U.S. investment push extends to airport concessions
AAFS has also proposed taking over the management of Sarajevo and Mostar airports through long-term concessions, promising significant investments to modernize facilities, increase flight connections, and boost passenger traffic.
For Sarajevo International Airport, which is owned by the Federation government, AAFS has offered a 30-year concession with the possibility of a 20-year extension. The company plans phased investments of approximately 250 million euros over the first five to seven years. Under the proposal, the airport would remain under BiH ownership, with AAFS paying about 1 percent of annual revenues to the government, plus 7 percent of pre-tax profit (around 2.5 million euros annually) to Bosnia’s budget.
Sarajevo Airport has shown strong growth, recording about 2.2 million passengers in 2025, up more than 22 percent from 1.8 million the previous year. Experts suggest that with major investments and new routes, the airport could reach three to three-and-a-half million passengers in the medium term, and potentially up to five million annually in the long run, bringing it closer to regional peers like those in Skopje or Pristina. Challenges remain, including a shorter runway, modest terminal capacity, lack of a strong home carrier, and occasional winter fog disruptions. A concessionaire with international reputation could help open new European destinations and reduce reliance on subsidies.
Mostar Airport, a smaller facility, handled around 72,000 passengers by 2025 and depends on subsidies, including a recent 1.75 million euro package from Croatia for route support and infrastructure upgrades. AAFS’s bid for Mostar has been forwarded to city authorities for review. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro remain the only Western Balkan countries the main airports of which are not under concession or private management.
The U.S. company has not publicly detailed its exact experience in airport operations, but it frames the proposals as opportunities to deliver more flights, cheaper tickets, and modernized infrastructure, benefiting tourism, the diaspora, and everyday connectivity.
Bosnia’s foreign ministry has noted that meetings with AAFS representatives reaffirmed a shared commitment to deepening cooperation, fostering investment, and expediting vital infrastructure projects. While the pipeline and airport proposals remain in various stages of assessment and parliamentary review – with public interest evaluations ongoing – the initiatives reflect a concerted push for American capital to address longstanding infrastructure gaps in the Federation entity.
The developments come amid complex regional politics. For instance, Joe Flynn’s efforts to reduce Russian gas dependence contrast with his brother Michael Flynn’s recent engagement with Milorad Dodik, the leader of Bosnia’s Serb Republic and a vocal Putin ally. Trump himself lifted U.S. sanctions on Dodik in 2025. Separately, Trump family members explored business opportunities in the region, including a proposed Trump Tower in Belgrade that faced obstacles.
Officials and experts stress the need for careful analysis, clear definitions of public interest, and transparent processes to ensure benefits for all citizens.
Sources: Sarajevo Times, HINA, AFP, Guardian, Gazeta Express
Caption: Sarajevo Airport has shown strong growth, recording about 2.2 million passengers in 2025, up more than 22 percent from 1.8 million the previous year. (Sarajevo-airport.ba)
Updated: March 26, 2026 - 12:37
