Belgrade charter issues persist

Friday, May 22, 2015

The fallout from the Serbian government’s decision to block one Egyptian (Nesma Airlines) and two Turkish carriers (Freebird Airlines and Corendon Airlines) from operating charter flights to Belgrade this year has continued to affect holidaymakers. Yesterday’s planned service between Hurghada and Belgrade was again cancelled, ruining holiday plans for over a hundred passengers. Tour operator Argus Tours says over 600 people have been hit by the government’s decision not to issue permits to the abovementioned carriers, labelling the move as protectionism over national carrier Air Serbia. Affected passengers have been offered alternative transport or a full refund. The Ministry for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure has said that Turkish carriers are creating unfair competition on the market. The Ministry insists that Air Serbia should be the primary carrier for Serbian holidaymakers. Tour operators have responded that Air Serbia does not have the required capacity to handle all of the holiday bookings already made.