Belgrade - Frankfurt service marks 75 years

Written by Veljko Marinković

It has been 75 years since a 24-seater DC-3 twin-engine aircraft from JAT Yugoslav Airlines first touched down at Frankfurt/Main Airport. This historic event on March 21, 1950, inaugurated scheduled air service between West Germany and Yugoslavia. The launch of these flights was particularly significant as, following World War II, Frankfurt became the second Western city, after Zurich, to be directly connected by air to Belgrade and Zagreb. At the same time, JAT entered the ranks of major international and European carriers serving Frankfurt, joining the likes of Air France, KLM, SAS, Pan Am, British Airways, Swiss Air, and others, becoming the eighth foreign airline to establish such a route.

JAT DC-3 boarding for its first flight to Frankfurt » Belgrade Airport, March 1950

JAT Captain Momčilo Arsenijević and crew welcomed by JAT representative after landing of the first JAT DC-3 » Frankfurt Airport, March 1950

Following the signing of an agreement between the United States and Yugoslavia, nonstop flights were established. This enabled US carriers to fly over Yugoslav airspace and make both technical and commercial stops at airports across the EX-YU. In exchange, JAT was granted the rights to fly over Austria and US-occupied Germany, as well as land at two German airports and one in Austria. Following the completion of the new airport in Belgrade, the American carrier Pan Am began operations to the city in 1963 from New York via Frankfurt, although without fifth freedom rights to sell tickets on the Frankfurt -Belgrade sector.

JAT advertisement published in the German language. This is one of the JAT’s first-ever ads published in a foreign language » 1950

Right on schedule, the first JAT DC-3, designated JU350, took off from the old Belgrade Airport at 07:05. It passed through Zagreb and Munich before landing on the Frankfurt/Main runway at 12:02. An hour later, the return flight, JU351, departed from Frankfurt and arrived back in Belgrade at 20:00. While the stop in Munich was only for technical reasons (later included as a stop-over), the DC-3 aircraft required thirty minutes of handling in Zagreb. During the winter schedule, the return journey was scheduled for the following day, with flights running twice a week.

Frankfurt Airport timetable and route network, winter 1950/1951 (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

JAT promo poster for new flights to Frankfurt » 1952

It is interesting to note that JAT adjusted the time of departure from Belgrade to allow passengers to be transferred via Frankfurt to cities in Europe as well as to destinations in America or Asia with a minimal amount of time spent at the airport. At the time, a one-way ticket to Frankfurt cost $66 ($850 today), and a return ticket to New York via Frankfurt cost $848 ($10.924 today). The ticket had a one-year validity period, and it was much less expensive (by 30%) if the return flight was scheduled for 90 days after the original purchase date. The cost of the ticket covered the round-trip airfare, meals aboard the aircraft, bedding, and transportation by road from the place of landing to the final destination, plus 30 kg of free luggage. JAT stated that the time required to fly from New York to Belgrade was the same as the time required to drive to Split, which justified the establishment of these flights, which were mainly targeted at business travellers, even though the cost of tickets was very high at the time.

Passengers accompanied by JAT's First Officer after the inaugural JAT flight operated by Convair CV340 » Frankfurt Airport, 1955 (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

JAT advertisement regarding Frankfurt flights by Convair Metropolitan aircraft » 1959

The introduction of the modern Convair CV-340 aircraft led to the expansion of this route, even though only 123 passengers were flown to and from Frankfurt in its first year. Following the modernisation of its fleet, JAT developed a domestic network that funnelled passengers from various EX-YU regions to Frankfurt and beyond, connecting through Belgrade and Zagreb. This expansion led to an increase in frequency to three weekly flights, with the Ilyushin IL-14 also being deployed on this route. Passenger numbers continued to rise, and JAT introduced a one-day transfer service from Frankfurt to southern destinations such as Athens, Cairo, Beirut and Istanbul via Belgrade. A landmark moment came on April 4, 1963, when the Caravelle jet, nicknamed the "Sky Beauty", made its inaugural flight to Frankfurt, heralding a new era for the Belgrade - Frankfurt service. Along with the introduction of first class (previously referred to as tourist class), the operational dynamics of the route also evolved. Flights were no longer routed through Munich; instead, they connected via Zagreb, Zurich or Vienna, or operated from Belgrade to London via Frankfurt.

JAT Ilyushin IL-14 pictured at Frankfurt Airport, 1956 (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

Both the number of flights and the number of former Yugoslav cities with direct connections to Frankfurt am Main increased as commercial aviation in the country developed. By 1965, JAT had increased frequencies to Germany to fourteen weekly, including nine flights to Munich and five flights to, from the initial two flights per week between Yugoslavia and Germany. Due to all these factors, Lufthansa began operating flights to Belgrade as well. The German flag carrier operated its first service from Frankfurt to Belgrade via Munich and Budapest on August 26, 1967. The maiden flight, LH194, operated by the Boeing 727-030 "Europa jet" named Kiel (D-ABIG), had 165 Economy Class passengers and 12 Business Class passengers onboard. It initially maintained two weekly flights from Frankfurt and Munich. A year later, it extended its service to Belgrade from Dusseldorf as well, another city in West Germany. By 1972, Lufthansa became the leading foreign carrier at Belgrade Airport, and the second overall behind JAT, in terms of the number of flights and passengers carried. This was achieved by increasing the number of flights from Frankfurt and adding nonstop service to both Belgrade and Zagreb (in addition to one-stop flights).

Lufthansa inaugural flight, Boeing 727 (courtesy of Lufthansa) » Belgrade Airport, 1967

Lufthansa advertisement published in Yugoslav newspapers for new flights from Germany to Yugoslavia » “Lufthansa is now flying to Yugoslavia”, 1967

JAT and Lufthansa set up representatives and sales offices in Frankfurt and Belgrade respectively as flights were established. In Frankfurt, JAT ran its first city office at Am Hauptbahnhof 12's Pan Am office. JAT opened its very first office abroad at Frankfurt Airport in January 1952. Later, JAT's own city office (Stadtbüro) was inaugurated at Taunusstraße 35. From 1957 until the 1990s, the office was located in downtown Frankfurt at Goetheplatz 7. It's worth noting that luxury brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Bottega Verde now exist on the premises of the former JAT office. In the 1990s, JAT's new sales office was located in the Hochstraße 48, next to the Opera, where it would remain until its closure.

JAT's first office abroad » Frankfurt Airport, 1952

JAT desk at Frankfurt Airport pictured in 1990, celebrating 40 years of flights from Belgrade to Frankfurt (Source: Fraport AG Archives) » JAT office in Frankfurt downtown, the 1970s

Furthermore, Lufthansa's first Belgrade office opened in 1967 at the Hotel Excelsior (Kneza Miloša 5), and it was relocated to the Hotel Moskva in 1970. It is noteworthy to highlight that Mira Trailović, the head of the Atelje 212 theatre, opened the new office, and many actors and artists attended the formal ceremony. The Lufthansa office was temporarily moved to the Hotel Balkan, Prizrenska 2, in 1972 due to Hotel Moskva's renovation. Finally, a new sales office was established in 1981 in Belgrade city center, at Terazije 3 (together with an office at the Belgrade Airport).

Lufthansa office at Hotel Balkan alongside Belgrade Airport bus » Belgrade downtown, 1970s

Lufthansa Boeing737 CityJet at Belgrade Airport, the 1970s » Berlin and Belgrade mayors, Klaus Schulze and Branko Pešić, pictured in front of Lufthansa's Boeing 727 Europa Jet “Aachen”, Belgrade Airport, 1972

JAT ad in German: “Travel to Yugoslavia and enjoy the beauty of this country! - Just contact the nearest JAT representative and you’ll be taken care of as a welcome guest! Yugoslav Airlines (1966) » Article about JAT published in the German language (1974)

In the 1970s, JAT replaced the Caravelle jet with the larger DC-9s on flights to Frankfurt, while three days after it was added to the fleet, the first Boeing 727 (YU-AKA) departed Belgrade via Ljubljana to Frankfurt in 1974 (its second-ever international destination). In late 1974, an interesting event occurred at Frankfurt Airport. In an effort to foster a greener environment - a concern that remains relevant today - JAT pilots were awarded 15.000 German marks by Frankfurt Airport for successfully performing the quietest landing and take-off with the B727. In addition to flights via Ljubljana, JAT began offering nonstop flights from Belgrade to Frankfurt in 1975. At the same time, Lufthansa added two weekly flights, LH374 (Frankfurt - Munich - Belgrade - Sofia) with the Boeing 727, and increased the frequencies on flight LH360 from Frankfurt to Belgrade to three weekly, operated by the Boeing 737 City Jet.

Bird's-view of a JAT DC-9 and Volkswagen Beetle FRA service vehicle » Frankfurt Airport, March 1978 (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

JAT Boeing 727, Caravelle, DC-9 » Frankfurt Airport, 1970s (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

Lufthansa advertisement in Cyrillic published in Yugoslav newspapers “Lufthansa - a natural link between Yugoslavia and Germany » 1980s

By the end of the 1980s, both JAT and Lufthansa were operating daily flights between Belgrade and Frankfurt. In the 75-year history of this route, two dates stand out significantly. First, on August 15, 1985, JAT's YU-AND, the first Boeing 737 series 300 in Europe, landed in Frankfurt. The arrival of this "baby Boeing" drew considerable attention from the media, Lufthansa representatives, and aviation experts. As the number of Boeing 737s in JAT’s fleet increased, this model became the exclusive aircraft type serving the Frankfurt route. The introduction of the new Adriatic class, enhanced comfort, and the punctuality of the Boeing 737 led to a nearly 20% increase in passenger numbers on the Belgrade - Frankfurt sector. When more capacity was needed, Boeing 727s were deployed. In response to intensifying competition, Lufthansa launched a nonstop service from Frankfurt in the same year, eliminating stops along the way. The Lufthansa flight was scheduled to depart Belgrade around 1 pm, a time that has remained unchanged to this day. The second notable date is September 2, 1991, when Lufthansa’s blue and yellow Airbus A320 made its inaugural landing at Belgrade Airport as flight LH1444.

JAT fleet at Frankfurt Airport: DC-10, Boeing 737, DC-9, ROMBAC 1-11-500, ATR-42» 1990s

Lufthansa advertisement published in Yugoslav newspapers » 1988 (Courtesy of Lufthansa)

Regrettably, the sanctions imposed at the end of 1991 led to the first disruptions in flights between the two cities. When the sanctions were finally lifted, the first Lufthansa Boeing 737 from Frankfurt landed in the Yugoslav capital on October 24, 1994. Just four days later, the flight numbers JU350/351 reappeared on Frankfurt Airport's displays, heralding the arrival and departure of a JAT Boeing 737 (YU-ANV) from Belgrade. Notably, Lufthansa's commitment to the region never waned; throughout the sanctions period, its office in Belgrade remained open. Initially, both airlines operated three weekly flights, escalating to daily services in the summer of 1997. Unfortunately, flights were suspended again during the NATO bombing in 1999, but were resumed by the end of 2000.

Belgrade Airport departure board: Jat Airways JU350/LH59818 (codeshare) flight to Frankfurt (2006) » Lufthansa LH 376 to Frankfurt (June 16, 1967) » Lufthansa LH 3391 to Frankfurt (1995)

JAT Boeing 737-300 (YU-ANF) preparing for push-back » Frankfurt Airport, 1998 by Markus Balitas

Lufthansa advertisement published in Serbian newspapers » 1998 (Courtesy of Lufthansa)

JAT advertisement for flights between Frankfurt and Belgrade » 1998

Lufthansa solidified its presence in Belgrade in the new millennium, initiating overnight layovers at Nikola Tesla Airport in 2004. This move allowed for early morning departures from Belgrade, offering extensive transfer options via Frankfurt. In 2005, Jat Airways and Lufthansa entered into a codeshare agreement covering all their flights between Belgrade and Frankfurt, as well as Belgrade and Munich. By 2019, Lufthansa had become the leading transfer airline at Belgrade, managing a substantial volume of transfer traffic on its flights to and from the Serbian capital, notably through Frankfurt, and also to Munich.

First cooperation flight, Lufthansa/JAT to Frankfurt » 2005

Lufthansa Airbus A320 » Boeing 737-300 (D-ABXO) “Schwäbisch Gmünd”, 2005 » Flight LH1406, operated by a retro painted Airbus A321, celebrating 50 years of flights between Frankfurt and Belgrade, 2017» Belgrade Airport

Seventy-five years on, Frankfurt remains one of the busiest destinations from Belgrade. Both Lufthansa and Air Serbia have responded to growing demand by increasing their flight frequencies for the upcoming summer, according to preliminary schedules.

Air Serbia Airbus A319 (YU-APK) during day operations at Terminal 2 » Frankfurt Airport, 2023 (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

Lufthansa Airbus A320 » Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, 2023

Air Serbia Airbus A319 (YU-APD) during night operations at Terminal 2 » Frankfurt Airport, 2022 (Source: Fraport AG Archives)

Special thanks to Frankfurt Airport, Fraport AG Archives and Lufthansa

JAT Boeing 737, first time at Skopje Airport in new colors, promotional flight, 1996

95 years after the first flight, Air Serbia continues to maintain scheduled service between Belgrade and Skopje. This summer season, ATR72 aircraft depart Belgrade Airport Nikola Tesla to Skopje, fourteen times per week.

Air Serbia ATR72, at Skopje Airport, preparing for departure to Belgrade

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