Belgrade Airport readies for new long haul flights

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport will have three new long haul routes established this year, with Beijing having launched in July, Tianjin to come in October and Havana set to commence by the end of the year. Services to Chicago have been confirmed for April of 2023 and more far-away destinations are expected to come next year. The development of the airport’s long haul network is in line with its strategy to offer more far-away destinations as its infrastructure expansion nears completion. “We are convinced that the significant development of the airport will support the growth of passenger traffic, especially transfer traffic. The expansion will allow us to transform the airport into a new regional hub and will provide new opportunities for launching long haul routes”, the airport recently said.

Current and announced long haul routes from Belgrade

Among Belgrade Airport’s busiest unserved destinations are those on far-away markets. Air Serbia, which will play a key role in developing Belgrade’s long haul network, has said it sees more opportunities in Asia and North America, with Shanghai, Beijing and Toronto all of interest to the Serbian carrier. According to pre-pandemic data, these three were the busiest unserved routes from the Serbian capital at the time. Other top destinations included Chicago, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Guangzhou and cities in Australia. “The geographical position of Belgrade opens new opportunities and route alternatives to Asia. Air Serbia is ready to explore them”, Air Serbia’s CEO said earlier this month. Airlines launching new long haul flights to and from Belgrade are subject to fee reductions over a three-year period for each individual route based on the airport's incentive scheme.

Belgrade Airport's busiest unserved long haul destinations

Belgrade Airport sees Air Serbia as a key partner for its long haul network development. “Finding new markets and improving existing ones is of utmost importance if we want Belgrade Airport to become a point of reference in our region. We need to provide Air Serbia with the tools to offer new routes - especially long and medium haul routes - as part of its hub strategy. Air Serbia's excellent regional network, which connects Belgrade with all the countries in the region, is the foundation that allows us to build further growth”, the airport recently said. It added, “Our expansion program will increase airport capacity, with an additional 3.5-kilometre runway, a new pier, fifteen new gates, new aircraft parking positions, as well as the modernisation of 26.000 square metres of space and the expansion of the passenger terminal by an additional 47.000 square metres. All this will enable more flights during peak hours. We have no doubt this will contribute to Belgrade's success as a transfer hub”.

EX-YU Aviation News

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