Air Serbia is planning to further grow its long-haul network, with the possibility of operating up to eight wide-body aircraft as part of its long-term plans. Speaking to the Czech “Hospodarske Noviny” daily, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, “In the future, our goal is to operate up to eight wide-body aircraft, although this will depend on a number of factors. Our immediate plans include increasing frequencies to China and launching flights to Beijing. In North America, we are targeting new routes to Miami and Toronto. Toronto has a significant diaspora from our region, while Miami benefits from year-round demand. It is a key winter destination for affluent travellers, a segment that is also growing in the Balkans. Moreover, Miami serves as a major transfer hub, not only for the United States but also for South America and is home to many ocean-going ships with crew members from our region”.
Mr Marek noted that following further expansion in China and the US, the airline will look to Far East Asia, “Looking further ahead, we aim to launch services to South Korea and Japan, though these are part of a longer-term strategy spanning the next five years and beyond”, Mr Marek noted. In its recent annual report, the carrier identified one of its key priorities as exploring partnerships with other airlines to launch new nonstop long-haul routes, which it sees as essential for expanding its regional network and “reinforcing Air Serbia’s position as a regional leader”.
Air Serbia’s CEO noted that Belgrade Airport’s size could eventually become a bottleneck. “Belgrade Airport has undergone significant modernisation since 2019. While the main expansion has been completed, interior work is still ongoing. Once fully finished, the airport is expected to handle up to fifteen million passengers annually. However, passenger growth is already outpacing projections. With Expo 2027 approaching, the airport may soon become a bottleneck for further development. That said, such capacity challenges are common across Europe”, Mr Marek noted. He added, “For Air Serbia, Expo 2027 presents a major opportunity, as it is expected to attract a large number of visitors. Coincidentally, June 17, 2027, will mark Air Serbia’s 100th anniversary. We are exploring ways to leverage this milestone and align it with our presence at the Expo for maximum impact”.
