Nordwind Airlines to launch Belgrade service

Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines plans to commence operations between Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and Belgrade as soon as it receives government approval. Flights are scheduled to start as early as this Sunday, however, it is unlikely the carrier will be granted the necessary approvals in time and, as a result, is yet to start ticket sales. Flights between Serbia and Russia are currently capped at two per week by each national carrier - Air Serbia and Aeroflot. Serbian and Russian nationals are permitted to enter each other’s countries but must travel on nonstop flights between the two capitals. Due to increased demand, Aeroflot is using its widebody Airbus A330-300 jet on one of its two weekly services on the route since early December until mid-January, while Air Serbia has scheduled charters to Moscow with its A330-200, as well as charters to St Petersburg to carry workers. 

Based on its inventory filing, as well as the schedule provided by Sheremetyevo Airport, Nordwind plans to operate one weekly flight to Belgrade, each Sunday, until the start of the 2021 summer season in late March. Flights will be run by its 168-seat Boeing 737-800 jet. The full schedule can be found here. Nordwind initially planned to commence operations to Belgrade during the 2020 summer season, however, the service never materialised due to the coronavirus pandemic. Once launched, Nordwind will become the third airline to fly between Sheremetyevo Airport and Belgrade. Meanwhile, low cost carrier Red Wings Airlines plans to restore flights from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport to the Serbian capital from January 18, 2021, however, these too are subject to government approval. 

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Russia was one of Belgrade Airport’s biggest markets. During the 2019/2020 winter season, up until the start of the global health emergency, flights between Serbia and Russia ran up to 34 times per week. Aeroflot maintained three daily rotations from Moscow, while Red Wings Airlines had three weekly services between the two cities. On the other hand, Air Serbia operated daily flights to Moscow, three weekly to Krasnodar and two weekly services to St Petersburg, although the latter was only maintained during the New Year and Christmas holiday period. The Serbian carrier was to launch its fourth destination in Russia, to Rostov-on-Don, this summer.

EX-YU Aviation News

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