Air Serbia plans more destinations in China, eyes third A330
Air Serbia plans to introduce additional destinations in China once strict Covid-19 related measures and restrictions are lifted, with a possibility for the carrier to add its third wide-body aircraft as these limitations are eased. The airline plans to enter the Chinese market this October with a one weekly service to Tianjin, which is also limited frequency-wise by pandemic measures. "We have much bigger plans once Covid restrictions are lifted in China. We want to fly to Beijing and Shanghai in the future. These destinations so far are restricted by Covid regulations”, Air Serbia's CEO, Jiri Marek, told "Aviation Week". Hainan Airlines introduced a one weekly service from the Chinese capital to Belgrade last month, which is likely to grow to two per week from September or October, if Covid circumstances permit. Due to strict regulations, Hainan Airlines must make a stop in Dalian on the inbound service, before proceeding to Beijing.
Tianjin will become Air Serbia's first destination in China as it is unlikely the country will lift its travel rules and restrictions by October. Pursing a zero Covid strategy, China currently limits frequencies, destinations and caps cabin occupancy on flights as part of its measures to combat the virus. However, Mr Marek noted that Tianjin might remain in the network in the future. “The market is quite volatile and dynamic, you have to be flexible”, the CEO said. The port city of Tianjin, which is Beijing's main maritime gateway, has a population of 13.9 million people. It is the fourth most populous city in China and the twentieth in the world. It is also one of China’s largest trade hubs and is linked by a thirty-minute train journey to the country’s capital.
The current geo-political situation could benefit Air Serbia on its flights to China, as it is one of the few European carriers that is not restricted from overflying the vast Russian airspace. A lot of traffic flow between China and Europe is currently limited, Mr Marek said, and some routes remain complicated regarding closed airspaces over certain countries in the direction to Asia. “The geographical position of Belgrade opens new opportunities and route alternatives to Asia. Air Serbia is ready to explore them”, Mr Marek added. During the pre-pandemic 2019, China was the largest long haul market from Serbia based on OAG data, just outperforming the United States, which was followed by Canada. Shanghai and Beijing were Belgrade Airport’s two busiest unserved routes in 2019.
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