Air Serbia is in talks with the government over the introduction of flights between Belgrade and Niš, which would make it its first domestic service. The Serbian Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Zorana Mihajlović, noted, "I expect Air Serbia to launch services to Niš in the coming period. We are currently negotiating these flights. Just yesterday I held talks with the CEO of Air Serbia, following a number of meetings regarding this matter, and the route will most likely be introduced this year. It goes to show we really want to develop Niš Airport".

In 2015, Air Serbia ruled out operations from Niš, noting that it was not in line with its hub-and-spoke business model. However, the company's strategy has since changed. Last year, Niš Airport's General Manager, Vladica Djurdjanović, said, "Since Air Serbia is building a hub in Belgrade, I do not think it is commercially viable for them to fly to Niš. We have never insisted on it, because we would have to subsidise the losses. Air Serbia would never achieve profitability on this route. As a result, Niš does not fit into their plans, but could be suitable to airlines which cooperate with Air Serbia".

Niš has seen days of protests after local authorities decided last week for Contantine the Great Airport to be managed on a state level, rather than a city level, for the first time since 2010. A final decision on the matter will go down to a vote in the local assembly next Tuesday. Those opposed to the motion believe the change in management is linked to the recent takeover of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport by France's VINCI and that Niš's passenger growth will be capped as a result. However, the government has denied such claims, insisting that it plans to continue to grow the airport's operations, maintain its three euro fee for handling, landing and passenger services, as well as invest in the expansion of the terminal building and new control tower. "This is being done simply because the city does not have the means to finance the planned expansion of Niš Airport. There are no limitations to the airport's growth, which will be visible once the Belgrade concession agreement between the Serbian government and VINCI is published following the financial close of the deal", Ms Mihajlović said. She added, "If we want Niš Airport to develop and compete effectively against Sofia, Skopje and Pristina, it needs further investment in a very short time-frame".

Niš Airport, which has seen triple digit passenger growth in 2017 for a second consecutive year after securing flights from Wizz Air, Ryanair and Swiss International Air Lines, recently began a six-month trial of its new instrument landing system (ILS), which provides guidance to aircraft approaching and landing in bad weather. Its usage will result in Niš being classified as a Category I airport by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This will be followed up with the construction of a new 27-metre control tower, with work on the ten million euro project to commence once matters relating to property rights are resolved. The final two projects the airport has set out to complete is the installation of approach lights, as well as a 3.5 million euro expansion of the terminal building, which will begin later this year and is scheduled for completion in 2019. In February, the Serbian government allocated 7.5 million euros for the development of Constantine the Great Airport this year. Niš Airport handled 84.894 passengers during the first quarter of 2018, up 28.2% on the same period last year. It anticipates welcoming 450.000 travellers in 2018 and has projected strong growth over the coming period, with up to 650.000 passengers expected in 2021.