Airlines and airports across the former Yugoslavia are heading to Rimini in Italy next week for the Routes Europe development forum. Over 300 airlines, airports and tourist organisations will be in attendance to negotiate the launch of new routes or the expansion of existing services. Air Serbia, Air Montenegro, ETF Airways, as well as the airports in Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Kraljevo, Ljubljana, Niš, Ohrid, Podgorica, Pristina, Pula, Sarajevo, Split, Skopje, Tivat, Tuzla, Zadar, and Zagreb are among the aviation stakeholders from the former Yugoslavia taking part. A number of the airports will be represented by their CEOs, among others.
TAV Macedonia, the operator of Skopje and Ohrid airports heads to the event seeking new services to Helsinki, Amsterdam, Doha and Dubai, as well as additional operations to London. "The Scandinavian market has significant growth potential. Our goal is to encourage the development of new nonstop scheduled year-round routes to key EU destinations such as Copenhagen and Helsinki and to provide a stable and predictable environment for the already established routes”, the General Manager of TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, said.
Sarajevo Airport is seeking to further expand its portfolio of destinations as it works with authorities on a new programme and public call aimed at financially supporting the launch of new routes over the 2027 - 2029 period. Airlines are expected to be given the opportunity to apply for the tender and plan new services to Sarajevo from around September, with the airport already working to secure carrier participation.
Zagreb Airport is looking to fill existing gaps in its European network, as well as further develop its long-haul connectivity. “There are still markets in Europe that remain either unserved or underserved, and those are our priorities. When it comes to long-haul operations, the United States, China, India and Japan are the main unserved markets, and we are working on establishing direct connections with these”, the airport noted. Zagreb Airport is introducing a revised four-year Growth Incentive Model on June 1, with airlines eligible to apply until December 31. While the earlier model was designed exclusively to stimulate the launch of entirely new routes, the updated framework expands its scope to also support so-called “thin routes” - services operated by a single airline without competition.
Air Serbia is in the process of introducing ten new routes this year, however, it is looking to further expand in 2027, with up to six additional destinations on the cards for 2027. “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”, the carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said in late March.
Croatia’s fourth busiest airport, in Zadar, is negotiating the potential introduction of year-round flights by Ryanair as it prepares to open its brand new terminal later this month. The low cost airline has a seasonal summer base in the city. “Our goal is for our largest partner, Ryanair, to launch winter flights. We are in discussions with the airline, and there is a genuine commitment among all stakeholders involved to make this happen. However, we must take into account the structure of accommodation capacity in Zadar and the wider region, which is still dominated by private accommodation that is not available to the same extent as during the peak summer season. Increasing hotel capacity is what generates visitor demand in the winter period, as this is where business travel, conference tourism and other off-season events come into play”, the airport’s CEO, Josip Klišmanić, said. In 2025, Ryanair accounted for a whopping 81.9% of the airport’s total scheduled annual capacity, despite maintaining services only during the summer months.
Pristina Airport is looking to expand beyond its traditional high-demand European markets. “The recent launch of flights to Saudi Arabia marks just the beginning of our expansion strategy beyond traditional European routes. We are proactively targeting leisure markets, specifically in Spain and France, as part of our growth agenda. These destinations are well-suited to serve both outbound Kosovar holidaymakers and inbound tourists drawn to the Mediterranean’s rich cultural and leisure offerings. We are currently in active discussions with both low cost and scheduled carriers regarding seasonal leisure routes to Spain and France, and we are optimistic that these efforts will result in new services”, the airport said.
Slovenia has intensified efforts to improve its international air connectivity, not only through airline subsidy tenders but also by engaging in direct talks with carriers. Ljubljana is targeting new services to the likes of Barcelona, Berlin, Prague, Stockholm and Vienna. On the other hand, Hermes, the operator of Larnaca and Paphos airports in Cyprus, has been seeking service to the Slovenian capital. “Ljubljana benefits from high-yield leisure demand and strong business traffic driven by Slovenia's export oriented economy and key industries including automotive, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. Despite the strong demand base, the market remains underserved, offering clear opportunities for new routes and expanded air services”, the airport recently noted.
EX-YU Aviation News will be at the Routes Europe event and bring you the latest.
Interesting that Cyprus wants a Ljubljana connection... Wizz maybe?
ReplyDeleteIf Cyprus airways wouldn't change the CEO a few years ago both would already be operating
DeleteThat would be great!
DeleteCyprus Airways was interested a year or so ago
DeleteUnfortunately this is a major problem for Ljubljana. If there is no serious airline on the other market it is virtually impossible to get flights because there is no airline on the Slovenian side and very little LCC presence.
DeleteWizz would be possible
DeleteAmelia seemingly overexpanded, with their E190 fleet, so it could be a golden opportunity
DeleteOnly Croatia Airlines does not seem to have the need to attend. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts as well.
DeleteTheir space of interest ends in Minken and Vrankvurt. They are not interested in negotiating other services which could possibly take away passengers from Mutti hubs.
DeleteI assume you have to pay to take part. They don't want to waste money :D
DeleteIt is honestly beyond me. Especially at a time when they have so much extra capacity and could launch anything.
Delete@9:36 I agree. Company need to cut costs and one of the moves is not to go. They plan to make conference to promote famous book and to cut routes in new environment.
DeleteČačak, ko papagaj si! Previše od jednog perser, stvarno...
DeleteWhich airport is that in the pic?
ReplyDeleteNice looking collection of tales.
Ljubljana
Delete^ Thank you!
DeleteHopefully Skopje to get Amsterdam flights by KLM not Transavia again , and desperately Dubai.. I dont see any logic why they seek for Helsinki when the airport real need from that region is Copenhagen
ReplyDeleteBecause a large number of people from N.M around live in Finland.
DeleteIf you read carefully it says "key EU destinations such as Copenhagen and Helsinki". So they are into it
DeleteYes weren't there flights from Skopje to Turku by Wizz at some point?
Deleteyeh until Corona
Delete"Ryanair accounted for a whopping 81.9% of the airport’s total scheduled annual capacity, despite maintaining services only during the summer months."
ReplyDeleteI think this a record for an airline in ex-Yu with over a million passenger per year
Definitely a record
DeleteZadar becoming less dependent on Ryanair should be a strategic priority. 82% of capacity with one airline is a risky position.
DeleteWell if they are trying to negotiate winter flights with FR, it seems they want their share to grow even more.
Deletebut who will fly in winter to Zadar?
DeleteSarajevo’s subsidy program seems to be becoming a permanent feature. The question is whether routes can survive once incentives end.
ReplyDeleteOf course they can, those that couldn't were removed. Those that withstood the initial scepticism like Girona, Rome or Warsaw got increased even more.
DeleteOf course they can, those that couldn't were removed. Those that withstood the initial scepticism like Girona, Rome or Warsaw got increased even more.
Deletenumbers for Girona are not rosy
DeleteI can't see Ljubljana getting Vienna flights ever honestly...
ReplyDeleteWith Austrian's current fleet, it is looking highly unlikely.
DeleteWhy not? They operate 2x daily to KLU and GRZ which are even shorter than LJU.
DeleteCan't compare innercountry routes in Austria with Ljubljana.
Deletethe OS CEO just gave an interview recently where she admitted that these routes are not always profitable, but it is also a matter of supporting these regions.
But since she admitted this is the case, at some point in future she would get a call from Carsten Spohr to give him a better explanation why is she still running unprofitable routes. He only cares about his shareholders and not Austrian regions.
Austrian Airlines transitioned to an AIRail Klagenfurt/Graz–Vienna service utilizing the Koralm Railway (slashing Graz-Klagenfurt travel time) and integrating into the AIRail network. The latest information is that they will accelerate the transition to the rail connection due to the current price and fuel supply situation.
DeleteYou can plan that the VIE-GRZ/KLU routes will be cut shortly after the Semmeringbasistunnel opens. Similarly with what happened with LNZ and SZG.
DeleteWhy additional operations to London from Skopje when even Wizz is not flying daily
ReplyDeleteI think they are going after BA and want hub connections.
Delete0 chance
DeleteYou never know. I didn't think BA would fly to Tivat but they are launching it in two days.
DeleteTivat and Skopje are totally different markets. Skopje has almost no premium demand and will never see BA unless a third runway is built and even then I would believe Belgrade would ahead of line in the region. Skopje is a LCC route from London
DeleteMKD citizens need entry and transit visas for the UK, so as anon 9:30 said there's 0 chance.
DeleteSKP can not keep LH flights, not to think about BA
Deletewhat has BA to do with LH?
DeleteIs a premium demand to TIV a reason BA flies there? I would say it is rather a summer tourist destination.
Deleteof course its leissure destination
DeleteI thought Ljubljana would seek for flights to Tirana. It's an underserved destination from Ljubljana. Wizz Air should listen
ReplyDeleteno demand, get over it
DeleteI really hope airports around the region will look into attracting ITA. It is beyond me that a European carrier from such a market has such a big hole in its European network.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteWhat happened with that LJU
DeleteIsnt Ryanair the biggest airline in Italy?
Deletemaybe once they get their A220s
DeleteDoes anyone else have an issue with clicking on the comment section with their mouse?
ReplyDeleteWorks fine for me
DeleteYes, I do. Can't really move the mouse when you want to edit your comment
DeleteWish them all good luck! hope for some new routes
ReplyDeleteSo which new routes can we expect from Air Serbia? More leisure oriented routes like Tenerife and Tromso?
ReplyDeleteCluj and Chisinau boy will be warming up their keyboard.
DeleteI just have a feeling they will announce some winter seasonal Belgrade-Bangkok route. Let's see.
DeleteHelsinki, Manchester, Yerevan.
DeleteIasi as very popular pilgrim destination
DeleteOh give us a break
DeleteBremen, Dublin, Genoa, Bilbao. Try again Cairo, Marseille, Trieste,
DeleteOh its random list season :)
DeleteSarajevo Airport is seeking to further expand its portfolio of destinations as it works with authorities on a new programme and public call aimed at financially supporting the launch of new routes over the 2027 - 2029 period. Airlines are expected to be given the opportunity to apply for the tender and plan new services to Sarajevo from around September, with the airport already working to secure carrier participation.
ReplyDeleteIs this September 2026 for applications and then March 2027 for flight launch?
Yes. Maybe not necessarily March but January 2027 onwards.
DeleteI think a Ryanair base might be incoming.
DeleteI don't understand Iberia and ITA that they do not launch any flight to BEG although JU flies to so many destinatins in their countries.
ReplyDeleteHigher operating costs and lower yields.
DeleteIberia does not have bigger potential, higher yields or lower costs in Zagreb but they still fly there although seasonally.
DeleteIberia flies seasonally only to OTP from this year (millions of Romanians in Spain) , they do no fly to WAW.
It is not only the point of costs and yields, they have bug in their heads about Eastern Europe.
They are a business and part of a highly profitable airline group. They dont have a bug about anything.
DeleteLove the new look of site. Are there in plan some innovation regarding the content?
ReplyDelete6 news routes by Air Serbia to BEG is enough? I hopefull 10 like this year.
ReplyDeleteLast year they said they would introduce 5 in 2026 and here we are at number 10. And I think there might be at least one more in winter. We will see.
DeleteExpectations should be realistic.
DeleteTheir European network is already stunning.
Ljubljana still talking about Vienna, Prague and Berlin after all these years. The demand is clearly there, but execution has been the issue.
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam will be tough for Skopje to secure with slot constraints.
ReplyDeleteOr an airline that wants to commit to the route, which will not be KLC.
DeleteInteresting that Kraljevo is attending. Curious what exactly they are pitching given the airport’s performance so far.
ReplyDeletehaha true
DeleteWell the airport is very limited in attracting anything because it can’t handle a plane bigger than a turboprop.
DeleteThe airport is good and money laundering some people might argue
DeleteOhrid and Corfu seasonal?
DeleteKVO may pitch SkyAlps to Rome and Bergamo... SkyAlps has been stabilised now. No?
ReplyDelete