Air Serbia plans to continue expanding its network next year after scheduling nine new routes in 2026, which sees it further strengthen its presence across Europe and North America. The airline’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said the carrier anticipates launching up to six additional destinations in 2027, alongside an estimated half a million extra passengers generated by EXPO 2027 Belgrade, which will take place from mid-May to mid-August next year. “We are very flexible and will introduce new routes wherever we identify a viable market opportunity. For next year, I am confident that our network planning team will propose an additional five to six new destinations. There may also be a number of specialised routes related to EXPO. We are already in contact with the EXPO team to assess any such requirements, including the potential for dedicated charters”.
Mr Marek believes the specialised exhibition will generate approximately 500.000 additional passengers arriving by air. “Out of the estimated three to four million visitors expected to attend EXPO, not all will arrive by air. A significant share will consist of local visitors, repeat attendees and travellers from the region who are likely to come by car. As a result, we estimate that up to half a million passengers will travel specifically by air for the event”. He added, “However, the impact should not be viewed solely within the three-month duration of EXPO. The event is already being actively promoted, with around 500 delegates recently visiting Belgrade in preparation, and similar visits expected every three to four months. Moreover, based on the experience of previous exhibitions in Astana and Lisbon, EXPO will generate lasting demand well beyond its official run. We are well positioned to capture this additional traffic and grow in line with that demand”.
Air Serbia’s CEO recently noted that “there are clear opportunities across the wider Balkan region” for further growth, “including markets such as Bulgaria and Romania, which are still not fully connected to our hub”. Commenting further on the event, Mr Marek said, “Two of our aircraft have been fully branded in the EXPO livery, while all aircraft feature EXPO decals. In addition, headrest covers will carry EXPO logos, and the event will be promoted through articles in our in-flight magazine. This forms part of our platinum sponsorship of the exhibition, reflecting the strong synergies between the airline and the event, as we will often serve as the passengers’ first point of contact with EXPO”.
I hope they announce the new routes for the entire year like they did in 2025 for 2026.
ReplyDeleteOn their place i would instantly launch Yerevan. The influx from Iran might be huge, just like Budapest and Vienna were in the 90's.
DeleteCurious to see if these will be more long haul or mainly regional additions.
ReplyDelete9 new routes this year, six new routes next (and it's likely to be more) is a lot.
ReplyDeleteI’m more interested in the “specialised routes”. Could this mean charters to Asia or the Middle East?
ReplyDeleteCharters to Dubai?
DeleteThey flew charters to DXB during the expo there :)
DeleteCairo (fourth times a charm), Yekaterinburg, Dublin, Miami and Yerevan.
ReplyDeleteI don’t see Tokyo or Seoul happening at all. Tel Aviv will still be too risky.
These sound plausible
DeleteThank you, wise sir.
DeleteWhy there is still no Indian destinations? Surely there is demand.
Delete^ oh no, not this again
DeleteWhat about Helsinki? Would it not be worth another try now that they have E190s and E195s.
DeleteIs there demand for Yekaterinburg ?
Delete@09:08 give it a rest mate
DeleteYekaterinburg is 1.000km further away than Nizhny Novgorod. They cant make that flight without crew layover. It would be by far the longest flight served with a single aisle plane and it probably would not fit into any flight wave. I dont think it makes sense at this point
DeleteIt's surprising to see that they didn't go for HEL this year.
DeleteThe Baltics is also a gap in the network for JU.
Difficult to predict what they may add. I never would have guessed Tromso and Seville for this year.
ReplyDeleteI wish EXPO was in winter, so it won't make everyone's holiday more expensive. Or just wasn't.
ReplyDeleteFair point. Prices will probably go up a lot next summer. They did mention earlier that they do plan to add frequencies on key routes during expo so hopefully there will be sufficient capacity.
DeleteBasically people should book their summer travel plans for next year early.
Delete@anon 09:20
Delete+1
That's how I book my summer vacation in February. Combo Booking and Air Serbia promo fares. Vacation for three persons for a price of two.
Exactly. The promo fares they have been offering the last 2 years around February are some of the best. One can find real bargains and especially if travelling with a family it's worth it.
Delete500,000 extra pax just for expo is a lot but realistic. Some here were saying millions.
ReplyDeleteThat looks more realistic than millions by air.
Delete3 to 4 millions visitors expected so mostly from the region probably on day trips.
It will be interesting to compare actual passenger numbers with these projections once the event begins.
DeleteThose 4 million include people from Belgrade, "locals" as Marek said.
DeleteIt will surely be more than 500k. And it will be surely more than 4 mil visitors
Delete@10:45 a bit confused?
DeleteIf they really want to tap into Romania and Bulgaria, they need multiple daily frequencies, not just a few weekly flights.
ReplyDeleteFew weekly is enough for a start. OTP I think is a good candidate for a 3rd daily, similar to what we will see with ATH this summer.
DeleteExcellent news. More growth ahead
ReplyDeleteThere is plenty of possible destinations on the table. I hope they will do the same strategy like for this year. Announce 6 new destinations in October, and then add few more. Anyways, great to see 9 new routes every year including long haul destinations.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteMe too. And it shows more proactive network planning. Not something we’ve always seen before.
DeleteThey should launch Cluj, it has potential.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing as more routes transfer to the E195s it will free up ATRs for new regional destinations.
DeleteThey definitely need more ATR
Delete@ anon 10:46
DeleteWith more and more E-jets they should be fine with the curent ATR fleet.
Cluj fanboy good morning
DeleteCrazy how many new routes they have planned. Let's say it is six next year that's 15 routes in 2 years.
ReplyDeleteThey have momentum
DeleteMany more routes with small frequencies. I applaud the progress they are making, however, they need to actual implement densification instead of just talking about it to buld Belgrade into a proper hub.
DeleteThey are densifying the network. This summer many routes have frequency increases. Soma routes like Athens and Vienna with 4 extra weekly flights.
DeleteWe have to wait until December, that's a long wait. I hope we get some more of those six routes. I don't know which cities they'll be in
ReplyDeleteThey will drop hints. They hinted at Tenerife in like April 25.
DeleteBT will launch LJU-TFS next winter
DeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDeleteNot convinced about the Romania and Bulgaria angle. Those markets already have strong links to Western Europe and may not rely on Belgrade.
ReplyDelete+1 there is very limited point to point demand. Few Romanians actively wish to fly to Belgrade with any great frequency.
DeleteIt depends on the frequencies and schedules, not just the direct connectivity. LCC's have a decent network out of secondary cities in both countries but frequencies and/or schedules might not be convenient for some travellers.
DeleteWould like to see more long haul expansion
ReplyDeleteBig plans, but also big expectations. 2027 will be a crucial year for them.
ReplyDeletethey seem to be building a narrative around 2027.
DeleteAir Serbia is clearly thinking bigger
DeleteBig plans but bad timing with complete uncertainty surrounding us all! Seems nobody on this blog is considering actual reality!
DeleteBig plans but bad timing with complete uncertainty surrounding us all! Seems nobody on this blog is considering actual reality!
DeleteAha so for example air Baltic adding new flight from Ljubljana, as announced today means they are not considering actual reality? The world doesn’t just stop because there’s uncertainty. If everyone waited for “perfect timing”, nothing would ever get done. Aviation has always operated in cycles of instability and recovery yet airlines and airports continue to plan, invest and grow precisely because they have to think long-term. Saying “nobody is considering reality” is simply not true. These plans are built on demand forecasts, market analysis and risk assessment not blind optimism. If anything, standing still in uncertain times is often the bigger risk. So no, it’s not about ignoring reality it’s about understanding that reality includes uncertainty and moving forward anyway.
DeleteI’d expect more focus on secondary European cities now.
ReplyDeleteSuch as?
DeleteBilbao could be a good addition.
DeleteIn my opinion, if they're going to announce 6 new routes, I don't see Bilbao. If they announce 9 or 10 like this year, then yes.
DeleteOr MUC!
DeleteThey should also look at strengthening frequencies on existing strong performers instead of only chasing new destinations.
ReplyDeleteThey are already doing that this year.
DeleteThey are already doing that this year.
DeleteEXPO could act as a launchpad for routes that might otherwise not be viable initially.
ReplyDeleteExpo will forgotten by europe in a flash. If even people outside of Serbia know about it in any great number. Its not a full EXPO also, and 2027 looks like its gonna be 'eventful'
DeleteThe key question is sustainability after August 2027.
ReplyDeletebaba vanga in full swing
ReplyDeleteHuh?
DeleteAirlines plan in advance. I don't see what's baba vanga about it.
DeleteDidn't they target a frequent flyer programm for March 2025? It's 24th already :)
ReplyDeleteExpected around mid to late April. Delay relating to one of the main suppliers for the new frequent flyer program being based in conflict impacted region at the moment.
DeleteI am eagerly waiting for that credit card, hopefully it allows for a free lounge access at certain tier.
Delete@EX-YU Aviation: so you're saying they managed to rely on a Middle Eastern vendor for their loyalty program once again despite all the internal development efforts? My God, they made a FF program look like it's rocket science... I can't even begin to imagine how much money they've left on the table all these years because they can't get their act together when it comes to customer loyalty...
DeleteIs it just me or does it seem they have resolved their pilot shortage? The extra routes they announced for this year seem to have come as a result of them securing pilots
ReplyDeleteThey have picked up pilots from Smartlynx after it went bankrupt last year and solved the issue.
DeleteHot take, but summer seasonal Batumi service would be great. It is currently entirely dependent on Istanbul connections(except for the weekly airbaltic services to Riga), is 20-25 minutes closer than Tbilisi and has a large Russian population. + It's a holiday destination and Batumi airport serves parts of northern Turkey, too.
ReplyDeleteInterestigly I looked Batumi last year, it's very cheep for accommodation. There are JU flights to Tbilisi but going forward to Batumi is a bit tricky. There are also W6 flights to Kutaisi from BUD, IDK would it be mire convinient. Nevertheless Batumi summer flights could be a hit.
Delete*convenient.
DeleteIts a weird old city, but quite fun!
Delete