Air Serbia launches Kiev service

NEWS FLASH

Air Serbia has marked the launch of its six weekly service to Kiev, which came exactly 42 years after its predecessor JAT Yugoslav Airlines introduced the route from Belgrade. Air Serbia's inaugural flight touched down to a water-cannon salute at Boryspil Airport yesterday evening, after which a group of airline representatives on board was greeted by a delegation of airport officials, as well as the Serbian Ambassador to Ukraine, Rade Bulatović. While the maiden flight was operated by an Airbus A319 aircraft, services will run with a wet-leased Adria Airways Bombardier CRJ900 jet. Air Serbia's CEO, Dane Kondić, said, "We are thrilled to introduce flights to Kiev, which is the perfect gateway into Ukraine, a vast country with a diverse tourism offering and a warm and friendly people. With six flights a week, including two services on the weekends, our passengers have plenty of choice and flexibility when travelling to Kiev, which is an important addition to our Eastern European network". Some 24.000 Serbian citizens visited Ukraine last year and a further 7.000 Ukranians travelled to Serbia. "We are confident these numbers will grow as a result of our new air connection. Air Serbia is continuing to widen its network reach and by doing so we look forward to improving air access for our guests and driving tourism growth in Serbia, which is one of our primary goals as the national airline", Mr Kondić added.