Serbia - Canada in “advanced discussions” over flights
The Canadian Ambassador to Serbia Kati Csaba has said the two countries are in advanced talks over the introduction of flights between Belgrade and Toronto, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Ms Csaba met with Serbia’s Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, last week where the two discussed the potential service as well as improving relations. “Enterprises from Canada have recognised Serbia as a good destination for investment in the energy and mining sectors. Economic ties would be further advanced with the introduction of nonstop flights between Belgrade and Toronto, which both sides are rigorously working on”, Ms Csaba said. She added, “These nonstop flights are of vital importance both for relations between Canada and Serbia to continue improving. as well as for the Serbian diaspora in Canada, which represents a significant link between our two countries”.
Serbia and Canada signed a new Air Service Agreement in late 2018, paving the way for flights. At the time, Ms Csaba said services would begin in either 2019 or 2020. “The Embassy is in talks with Air Serbia so we can gauge their interest and we believe the route has great potential. There is a large Serbian diaspora in Canada, but these flights would also be very useful for the business community”, the Ambassador said two years ago. This February she noted services could begin “one of these days”. Toronto's Pearson Airport confirmed in 2018 that it too held talks with Air Serbia over the resumption of flights between Belgrade and Canada's largest city. "We will continue to work with Air Serbia to find an opportunity to add Toronto Pearson as one of their newest travel destinations", the airport said.
Flights between Serbia and Canada were last operated eleven years ago by leisure carrier Skyservice, which has since gone bankrupt. During the 1970s and 1980s, JAT Yugoslav Airlines maintained services from Belgrade to Toronto and Montreal. Air Serbia’s predecessor, Jat Airways, conducted a study in late 2005 based on which it estimated it could carry up to 83.000 passengers to Toronto annually. The airline anticipated an average cabin load factor of 74% on a Boeing 767 and believed the flights would appeal primarily to diaspora travellers, as well as transfer passengers from the former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, western Romania, southern Hungary and the Middle East. The Serbian government recently said Air Serbia may use lower aircraft leasing rates to acquire an additional jet, although it did not specify the type.
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