Air Serbia continues to view Miami as a strong candidate for future expansion. While recent focus has shifted toward the newly announced seasonal Toronto service for summer 2026, the airline says Miami remains high on its list of priorities in North America. “Growth in operations must stem from thorough analysis and realistic assessments that allow long-term planning and sustainable network expansion. Miami is the next point in North America where we see potential to expand our operations in the near future”, CEO Jiri Marek said. Should it materialise, the route would become Air Serbia’s fourth destination on the continent, after New York, Chicago and Toronto.
Speaking to the “Cord Magazine” about its long-haul operations, Mr Marek noted, “In the upcoming summer season, we plan to operate seven weekly flights to New York, three to Chicago, and two each to Toronto, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Every new route opens additional business opportunities, supports tourism growth and strengthens the links between markets, people and knowledge. The expansion of our long-haul network further consolidates our position on the global aviation map”. He added, “Connecting Serbia and Canada after more than three decades is a historic milestone – the result of strategic route development and a direct response to market demand. Toronto is one of the world’s major hubs, home to a large diaspora from across the region, and we are one of the few airlines in Southeast Europe to offer direct services to Canada, which will also host the FIFA World Cup next year. I believe we have chosen the right time and the right direction for development, as this decision goes beyond business considerations alone – it is driven by both emotional and economic synergy”.
Mr Marek noted there are several considerations that must align before a final decision can be made on services to new far-away destinations. “Long-haul development depends on a number of interrelated factors – from market potential to available resources. Market positioning and passenger trust are equally important in that process”.
Earlier this year, Emir Pineda, Director of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Miami Dade Aviation Department, said the new service from Belgrade could be announced by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Last month, the Serbian government approved the opening of a Consulate General in Miami, a move expected to support growing travel and business links with Florida.
I'm guessing winter 2026/27.
ReplyDeleteThis would fit with that timeline
Delete"Earlier this year, Emir Pineda, Director of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Miami Dade Aviation Department, said the new service from Belgrade could be announced by the end of 2025 or early 2026"
It makes sense to launch this route in winter when it is high season in Miami.
DeleteMost people travelling would originate in the US. High season for all MIA to Europe routes is summer.
DeleteSo my guess is this route will be launched for summer 2027.
Miami has huge potential with tourism, diaspora and connections into Latin America. Glad to see it's still on the agenda.
ReplyDeleteTo fill Miami, Air Serbia will need a strong partner in the US market. Codeshare with American Airlines would change everything.
ReplyDeleteAA almost immediately expanded their interline with JU when ORD was announced. The same will most likely happen when MIA is announced.
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/01/air-serbia-and-american-airlines-expand.html?m=1
A codeshare agreement is far more important than an interline.
DeleteWe need with AA the type of cooperation we have with JetBlue.
It would really help us in ORD too.
You're not going to get that level of cooperation with airlines in existing alliances and JV's. Even LOT as a Star Alliance member doesn't codeshare with "partner" UA and isn't in the TATL JV with its Star Alliance "partners".
DeleteB6 is great for JFK, not so much for ORD and definitely not MIA. The best JU can do is to widen its interline agreement with AA.
I like the ambition
ReplyDeleteWould Miami be seasonal or year round?
ReplyDeleteI assume similar as Toronto. They would start seasonal and then see how it performs.
DeleteMakes sense
DeleteMiami is all year round market with great connections to Latin America and Carribean.
DeleteKeep those long haul routes coming :)
ReplyDeleteEnough teasing, announce it already!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteConditions in the US market might change. Timing is everything.
ReplyDeleteIs Miami also hosting world cup next year?
ReplyDeleteYes it is
DeleteI wish fixing their cabins would be a higher priority for them. Flew on YU-APS two days ago and it was a sad experience, especially the state of the seats and seat pockets.
ReplyDeleteJU is not a serious world class airline, you just need to look at the condition of the longhaul fleet, it's shoddy at best.
DeleteIndeed, there is no point in expanding left and right if you can't maintain a decent level of onboard experience. Not to mention that YU-APS doesn't have ovens which is a problem if you have business class passengers (6 on our flight).
DeleteI flew with them on Oct 03 to JFK and It was lovely. No need to change much. I would say much better experience then with LH or LOT this year.
DeleteCan confirm Nemjee's words on YU-APS. Seats full of stains. Flight from a week ago.
Delete@Nemjee
DeleteAgree with you. The way a cabin looks is important as people often think, that the technical condition of the aircraft is likely to be similar as the condition of the cabin. After all, if savings are being made on the cabin, where else are savings being made? Especially when relying on foreign transfer passengers, it is imperative that the cabins are upgraded. And lets not forget, in Western Europe a Serbian carrier does not have the same reputation or value as a Swiss, German or French Carrier. Even we all know, that reality nowadays is different, still the general society still lives with this stereotype thinking.
Nemjee, YU-APS is A320 that can't operate nonstop flights to Miami or other long-haul destinations that are topic of today's news. We are used to your views of Air Serbia but at least align them to appropriate news topic if you can.
DeleteWonder if this means YU-ARC lease is being extended?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering on this one too.
DeleteIf they want to extend it why not fix the cabin and change the broken seats with the noes they bought specifically with that purpose?
DeleteJU already announced that YU-ARC is leaving the fleet in November 2026. That aircraft must be an operational nightmare for JU considering the difference in configuration and a cabin interior that is complicated to maintain.
DeleteMy bet is that YU-ARC will be replaced with 2 A330's, similar to the introduction of YU-ARD and -ARE.
Leasing YU-ARC in this sad state and then choosing not to fix things like broken seats, monitors and window shades was a mistake.
DeletePassengers not damaging the cabin would be a great start. Not just a JU problem but at other airlines as well. Sleeping on tables, feet in seat pockets, slamming overhead bins, forcefully trying to close overfilled lockers, using monitors at bulkhead seats as tables for drinks or to put up their feet, forcing IFE remotes with the cables into sockets just to name a few. The internet is full of pictures of passengers showing disrespect to public property and poor manners on flights. There is only so much JU can fix in BEG.
DeleteSeems to me that passengers only damage YU-ARC for some strange reason and to such a great extent.
DeleteWell, it isn’t damaged by itself, right?
DeleteMost of the broken seats, monitors and window seats where damages from its South African days. ASL should have fixed them.
DeleteReally? You were on the first flight after it arrived and concluded that in order to make this matter of fact statement?
DeleteYes I was. You clearly were not.
DeleteIndeed I'm sure you were ;)
DeleteAll 4 have had various levels of damage in the cabin. Some more some less.
DeleteYU-ARC doesn't have broken window shades nor damages from SAA days.
Actually YU-ARC does still have damaged from its SAA era.
DeleteSuch as?
DeleteBravo JU 🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
ReplyDeleteEuropean entry figures into the US declined in 2025, e.g., from Switzerland down 10.1% from January to October, with the decline in September and October at 18.1% and 17.7% respectively.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably another reason why JU put the brakes on here.
they won’t rush before everything aligns.
DeleteMiami is a smart complementary route to New York and Chicago. Totally different demand profile and seasonality.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI’ll believe it when tickets go on sale. Air Serbia loves “near future” announcements that take years to materialise.
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteRegarding destinations, JU has been very active in launching new routes so we can't criticise the airline there. This winter they've focused more on their existing network rather than opening new routes, which is another positive move. We also have a sneek peek into their plans for next summer which fall in line with earlier announcements.
DeleteThis expansion is great but long haul passenger experience needs improvement.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many Balkan expats across Florida.
ReplyDeleteMiami is expensive operationally. JU must be confident yields are high enough or rely heavily on transfer traffic.
ReplyDeleteThey have already said this route would be heavily reliant on transfers.
DeleteMIA is quite active in seeking new airlines, offering various forms of support from marketing to reduced fees for a certain period.
DeleteHow about focusing on boosting frequencies to Chicago first?
ReplyDeleteIf there was demand....
DeleteThey operate enough frequencies to meet demand.
DeleteORD could easily go with a 4th pw in the summer as demand is there. However, JU should look at boosting regional frequencies first to better support their long haul network. OTP, SKG, SJJ, DBV and SPU for example with morning and afternoon departures.
Delete^ Exactly!
DeleteMiami Airport seems very eager for this route. That’s a good sign for incentives and marketing support.
ReplyDeleteFlights to Florida would be gold for cargo — perishables, pharma, and tons of e-commerce flows.
ReplyDeletePlease don’t do 2x weekly again. Minimum 3–4 weekly to make it viable for connections.
ReplyDeleteGet real. All widebody destinations need time to start makey money and attracting passengers. 2 weekly is just ok at the beginning.
Delete***making
DeleteYou won't be making money by flying somewhere 2w.
Delete^ this is a load of nonsense I keep reading on here from certain experts. In fact, the vast majority of routes launched by European carriers are two weekly. Just this December almost all roites launched in Europe are 2 weekly.
Delete^ SMFH with the things people write in here...
Delete^ You keep shaking
DeleteAer Lingus Dublin-Tromso - 2 weekly
Binter Canarisas Tenerife-Bajadoz - 2 weekly
easyJet Stansted-Rovaniemi - 2 weekly
Wizz Air Venice-Bordeaux - 2 weekly
Wizz Air Venice-Kutaisi - 2 weekly
Norwegian Barcelona-Rovaniemi - 2 weekly
Wizz Air Venice-Tallinn - 2 weekly
SkyUp Chisinau-Tel Aviv - 2 weekly
Volotea Genoa-Madrid - 2 weekly
Wizz Air Wroclaw-Gran Canaria - 2 weekly
easyJet Bristol-Verona - 2 weekly
easyJet Southend-Zalburg - 1 weekly
Ryanair Birmingham-Salzburg - 1 weekly
Ryanair Wroclaw-Seville - 2 weekly
easyJet Edinburgh-Innsbruck - 2 weekly
And these are just new routes until 1-10 December. I wanted to write up all the 2 weekly launches this month in Europe for you so you could keep shaking but it would take me an hour since there are over 50.
ALL the routes you mentioned are shorthaul!
DeleteWe are talking about longhaul routes here.
Miami - Helsinki by Finnair is twice weekly. Miami - Stockholm by SAS is twice weekly. Both widebody long-haul.
DeleteLet’s see if they can handle the Toronto launch first.
ReplyDeleteThey have handled all the other ones fine, why wouldn't they handle Toronto?
DeleteI see Miami coming in summer season 2027. My guess would be they want to keep one long haul route every year and thats good for the airport and airline size of BEG and JU.
ReplyDeletePeak season for MIA is during the winter months (December to March). If going by earlier statements that MIA will be announced in late December/early January then launch will happen in the second half of 2026.
DeleteI think we will see JU slowly step away from the 1 long haul route per year with YYZ announced, MIA pretty much ready for announcement and Beijing recently granted approval.
I hope JU finds the right mix of leisure and VFR traffic for this one.
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia opening a FOURTH North American destination is quite impressive honestly.
ReplyDeleteWhy impressive? JAT flew 7 cities in Nort America some 30 years ago so Air Serbia has a lot of catchup to do.
DeleteYes it flew from a market of over 20 million people and a significantly larger tourism appeal. It had 18 domestic destinations alone. Incomparable
DeleteIt didn't fly nonstop to all of them, it was tag-on in cases like Montreal-Toronto or Chicago-Los Angeles.
DeleteAir Serbia this year is likely going to break JAT passenger record.
Miami is full of business travelers and wealthy leisure passengers. But resuming Tel Aviv is a must for this one.
ReplyDeleteRoutes such as TLV need to be timed for such connections. None of their previous MENA routes were timed for long haul connections.
DeleteSo Miami 2026/27. Washington DC and LA by 2030?
ReplyDeleteOh, and five new routes per year would mean an additional 25 by the end of 2030.
That would certainly take care of the Caucuses, middle east, north Africa.
Dream big!
Marek said that the only two remaining routes in North America that make sense are Miami and Toronto. They will turn to the East after that.
DeleteI am not sure if Tokyo or Seoul would be more profitable and demanding than LA, San Francisco, Washington, Atalanta or Dallas
Delete“Near future” for JU could mean late decade… 😅
ReplyDeleteI flew JU to JFK last month in J — surprisingly good service. They have actually improved on some things and overall a very good flight.
ReplyDeleteWhere are YU-ARC and ARD?
ReplyDeleteSorry I mean ARD and ARE
DeleteYU-ARD was damaged by a ground handling vehicle and has been undergoing maintenance since then. Considering the time it has been under maintenance, it is either extensive damage or the spare part needing to be replaced is out of stock. YU-ARE is on scheduled maintenance.
DeleteIt's over 6 months now, how serious was that damage?
DeleteThe aircraft is under maintenance since September. I don't know how you calculated 6 months.
DeleteThe aircraft was damaged last May.
DeleteNo it was not damaged in May. It flew throughout May and June.
DeleteYU-ARD was damaged either in May or early June. Since then it was parked in BEG until the MRO facility that JU is cooperating with in NAP had a "slot" to fix it. That was in September.
DeleteWhy it is taking the Italians this long to do it is up for speculation since no official update has been given.
Fingers crossed it won't be there for much longer.
^ A load of nonsense. You only need to check flightradar to see the aircraft was fully operational in May, June, July, August until mid September. Didn't miss a day. I'm really stunned at the amount to lying and fabricating some people allow themselves in the comments here.
DeleteYU-ARD wasn't fully operational for most of June.
Delete@15:26
DeleteFlightradar doesn't show YU-ARD operating at all in July, what are you talking about?
Ok, so now we know you don't have access to flightradar data.
DeleteYU-ARD operated
1-4, 10-14, 16, 19-23, 23-30 july.
So mich for that.
^ Oh you are making staff up now? LOL dude!
Delete^ I'm rrally wondering why you would make things up and lie? Seriously, this is a problem with many people commenting here. Pure fabrication written in such a way as if it is fact.
Deletehttps://ibb.co/bMM6LqHN
@16:19 stop embarrassing yourself.
DeleteWish they would consider Dallas too. Big Balkan community there and great AA hub for Latin America.
ReplyDelete+1000
DeleteI have the fear that Miami will become a victim of their plan to extend the new Toronto flight into winter.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a choice of flying non-stop, and having to stop over, it is easy to overlook the "unified product" and those better options.
ReplyDeleteI've flown JFK-BEG for the past 35 years, typically once every year, sometimes more often, and the song-and-dance routine with stop-over in some Frankfurt, Zürich, London, Warsaw, Vienna, Stockholm or some other hub was becoming a major hassle. You land at that hub in what's the middle of your night (on your body clock), completely deprived of meaningful sleep, and now you have to wander around that airport like a zombie for a few hours before you get your connection to BEG. By the time you arrive in BEG, it's usually 2pm at earliest, and your day is pretty much over.
Leaving JFK at 6pm on JU, I can get a few hours of nap time (or actual sleep, if in business class), arrive in BEG before 11 am, and have a full day ahead of me.
Not to mention that the price difference (JU is typically more expensive than a competing fare with a connection) ends up melting away when you add checked luggage fees (JU gives two checked bags, plus carry-on, for the lowest economy fare; others rarely give more than just one checked bag).
Since JU introduced JFK, I've been paying extra (and "suffering" their service) to avoid the hassle.
Great post, I absolutely agree, 100%!!! I have been flying transatlantic from mid 70's (yes I am that old) and nothing beats direct. Even with ZAG or LJU stopover, that Jat DC-10 flight was the best option. Going eastbound, even in lie-flat business seat, you have to wake up at some ungodly hour and then spend couple of hours at FRA, LHR etc and then be seated in a regular seat with middle one blocked on a second leg to Belgrade. Being in the same seat all the way to Belgrade, business or economy, is worth those extra bucks.
DeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t Lepa Brena live in Miami?
ReplyDeleteLet’s put it this way. If we are talking about presence of EX-YU people, they are more concentrated in Central than South Florida. St.Pete/Clw/Tampa, Orlando, Sanford. Orlando is number 1 in the States for the tourists on yearly basis, approximately 75 millions, but mostly U.S Market people. Miami, less than Orlando Area with EX-YU people, 1/3 of Orlando Tourists, some 25 million per year, but more interesting to other people outside of the States. Season in Miami, is not in August like in Europe, but during a Winter. It’s too hot in August and not informed people go that period. Good Connection with South America they say. What else? Florida is nice with two free Highways I-75 on the West Coast and I-95 on the East Coast. There are a lot of things to see in Florida, not only Miami. Orlando Airport well Connected, the flights from London mostly and English People, lately moved to Melbourne Florida Orlando Airport for cheaper cost. All Year round, there always someone will try to go there. Florida is nice.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Australia is not gonna happen in the near future.
ReplyDeleteI wish Air Serbia now focuses on Bangkok, Maldives, Dubai etc
ReplyDelete