A formal decision on the future of Wizz Air’s base at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is expected this week, following changes made earlier this year to Serbia’s regulations governing foreign carriers. EX-YU Aviation News understands from several sources that the low cost carrier is expected to retain its Belgrade base throughout the upcoming 2026/27 winter season, which runs from October 25 until March 27. Wizz Air has told EX-YU Aviation News it will share an official communication in the "upcoming days". EX-YU Aviation News has also reached out to the the European Commission and the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate.
The development comes several days after the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Joint Committee met in Brussels last Tuesday and Wednesday, with the dispute over Wizz Air’s Belgrade base understood to have been discussed during the gathering. The issue was also addressed in bilateral talks between representatives of the European Commission and Serbia on the sidelines of the meeting. The European Commission has been examining whether the regulatory changes are compatible with Serbia’s obligations under the ECAA Agreement after being approached by Wizz Ai
In recent weeks, Wizz Air has submitted slot filings at select European airports covering both services originating in Belgrade and so-called “W” rotations operated from Budapest. Under such a pattern, an aircraft based in Budapest would fly to a European destination, operate a return service to the Serbian capital and then return to Budapest. This would allow Wizz Air to maintain parts of its Belgrade network without stationing aircraft and crews in Serbia. The simultaneous filing of both operating patterns provides the carrier with flexibility while awaiting a resolution to the dispute.
The dispute stems from regulatory changes introduced by the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate earlier this year, under which foreign carriers would be required to begin and end their rotations in their home country or another eligible state, effectively preventing Wizz Air from maintaining its four-aircraft base in Belgrade. The airline has described the measures as discriminatory and protectionist, arguing that they breach Serbia’s obligations under the ECAA Agreement. Serbian authorities have denied seeking to force Wizz Air out of the market or restrict foreign carriers, maintaining that the establishment of foreign airline bases in Serbia is not permitted while the country remains in the ECAA’s First Transitional Period. They have said foreign airlines may continue serving Serbia, provided their rotations originate outside the country.
Thankfully, let's hope this saga is finally laid to rest.
ReplyDeleteHopefully what's best for the people of the country and its economy will prevail over protectionism in 2026.
DeleteWhat's best for the people of the country and its economy is for everyone to play by the same rules, which Wizz hasn't been doing for the past 15 years.
Delete@10:52
DeleteI swear its like its always one same guy, the concerned taxpayer and "respect local rules and regulations" guy commenting on all of these articles.
Who's at fault for allowing Wizz to not "play by the rules" for the past 15 years if you can enlighten me?
To me, Wizz even being allowed into the market against the rules, and then continuing to successfully fly for 15 years isnt rule breaking, its precedent, set by OUR local regulator
I would not say he is the only guy. Most that understand the R&R should agree with Serbia law. We are not part of EU, and therefore Wizz has been able to use and observe the system due to luck of proper regulations, that do exist in the rest of the World.
DeleteWizz has been playing by the same rules it plays in Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Georgia, UK, Armenia, Morocco, Jordan, airlines such FR and US have been playing.
DeleteWhat changes in Serbia this year is that jet fuel prices more than doubled and JU can not compete with W6 fares and the travelers insistence on choosing Wizz over them.
@anon 11:27
DeleteAs Wizz and JU customer, I would like to see some proof / evidence regarding what you are saying about fuel prices, which affect both Wizz and JU equally.
^ You can just google the term jet fuel price and see the charts how much it has gone up vs a year ago.
DeleteAnd a big differentiating factor between the two is that JU has done zero fuel hedging.
From what I can see it is Wizz Air that posted a big loss and is cutting big chunks of its network this winter.
DeleteWith elections behind the corner, it would be another bad signal for the government if Wizzu left
ReplyDeleteHow can it be a bad signal if the government is enforcing it's own laws and regulations?
DeleteOh yes many votes are hanging in the balance waiting for the resolution of this situation.
Delete@9:32
DeleteSeriously? In the country of Serbia you talk about the govt. enforcing its laws? Please, you have got to be joking...
Bs argument, as these very regulations werent enforced for the past 15 years...thats no exception, its precedent
Even if we assume Serbian authorities have legal ground, which actually seems to be the case, they have not been enforcing its own laws for 15+ years. The move was not made to promote equality and the rule of law in Serbia, but to force Wizz out.
DeleteSeatbels buckeld up was not mandatory for 70 years, until year 2009. From 2009 on, you pay fine.
Delete1985 for the front.
DeleteWhilst certain neighbouring countries (read, Montenegro) smartly seek full entry into the ECAA in order to level the playing field with/in the EU, Serbia runs in the opposite direction. Meanwhile even in Africa there is a serious push to implement a continent wide open skies agreement. Sign of the times for us here i guess...
ReplyDeleteIf Wizz remains here normally, i.e. with the base, it would be ridiculous not to factor in the political implications and background of the decision, as elections are coming up.
+1
DeleteExcellent news if confirmed.
ReplyDeleteLets hope for the best!!
ReplyDeletewhat happens after March 2027? Allowing the base to remain for one winter season would only postpone the problem.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question
DeleteI suspect Wizz will retain the base for the winter while a permanent legal solution is negotiated with the European Commission.
DeleteA temporary exemption would not be enough. Wizz needs a long-term guarantee before it assigns additional aircraft or launches new routes from Belgrade.
DeleteThey didn’t for 5 years, of course they will not next year. JU is far too strong for them to develop
DeleteReducing during the EXPO is wild!
DeleteThis whole situation has been handled very poorly.
ReplyDeleteGood news for the more than 200 employees whose jobs have been uncertain for months. They should never have been placed in this position.
ReplyDeleteCompetition is essential.
ReplyDelete+1000
DeleteLet us not pretend Wizz is doing this out of charity. Belgrade is clearly profitable for them, which is why they are fighting so hard to keep the base.
ReplyDeleteOf course Wizz is motivated by profit, just like every airline. That does not change the fact that its presence benefits passengers.
DeletePassengers profit from it so who cares
DeleteWho is pretending that Wizz is doing this for charity??
DeleteOU clearly shows profit is not motiv for every airline.
DeleteAre you telling me JU isn't doing everything it does for profit?
Delete9:25
DeleteYou! Your Every other comment is about “poor 200 employees “. They would be fired tomorrow, if they would find cheaper labor force
@10.17 so your argument is Wizz Air is not profitable in Belgrade? They have maintained a base in Belgrade for 15 years to loose money right?
Delete@admin can you specify what routes are planned as W rotations?
ReplyDeleteI think Basel was one.
DeleteW rotations may work for a few routes, but they are not a realistic replacement for a four-aircraft base. The operational costs and complexity would be much higher.
DeleteAgree, just it's good to know, in terms of planning future flights, what Wizz could offer
DeleteWho cares about thier operational costs?? There are 26 other airlines at BEG, about no one cares also. If others are paying, so have to W6!
DeleteYou much be fun at parties.
Delete@10:38
DeleteYou are joking, right?
They probably are not. Just a bit lost
DeleteThe simultaneous slot filings show that Wizz was preparing for every possible outcome. Hopefully, the Belgrade-originating schedules will now be retained.
ReplyDeleteSerbia cannot promote itself as an aviation hub while making it more difficult for airlines to invest and base aircraft in the country.
ReplyDeleteGet an AOC.
DeleteWhy?
DeleteU2, FR and W6 in Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Georgia, UK, Switzerland, Armenia, Morocco, Jordan do not need a local AOC for flights to the EU.
What is so special about Serbia this year that is now required?
And why the ministry doesn't just say that it is now needed?
You are conflating two separate issues. Serbia is not claiming that Wizz Air, Ryanair or easyJet need a local AOC simply to operate flights between Serbia and the EU. The dispute concerns the permanent basing of aircraft and crews in Serbia while the country remains in the first transitional phase of the ECAA Agreement.
DeleteThe Ministry’s position is that this phase does not grant EU airlines full rights of establishment in Serbia, meaning their rotations should originate in the country where they are established. Wizz Air appears to interpret Serbia’s ECAA obligations differently. Comparisons with the UK, Switzerland, Morocco or Jordan are beyond stupid because those markets are governed by different aviation agreements, while Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia are at different stages of ECAA implementation.
There are two sides to every story. The European Commission should publish a clear interpretation of the ECAA rules instead of allowing this uncertainty to continue.
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether the petition and public pressure had any impact or whether this was resolved entirely through talks with Brussels.
ReplyDeleteThe winter season starts in less than a month. A final decision really cannot be delayed any further.
ReplyDelete1. Hopefully the official confirmation comes soon and includes details on whether all four aircraft, existing routes and current employee positions will be retained.
ReplyDeleteMožda svi čekaju rezultate izbora i post izborne kombinatorike ( za koju se nadam da je biti neće) ?
ReplyDeleteWhizz can easily fly these routes from their other bases. This is a non-issue.
ReplyDeleteSo it's better that current Wizz employees either lose their jobs or to move to "Wizz's other bases"?
DeleteYeah, they should base aircrafts at those bases just to fly to BEG.
Delete200 jobs is nothing for a country the size of Serbia. Making sure the playing field is even, the laws are respected, and companies pay their due into the national budget is far more important.
DeleteHahah, get real
Delete@10:57
DeleteStop spreading disinformation, Wizz has a local hiring entity, it pays the taxes on its employees salaries, and 200 above average paying jobs absolutely is notable for the local economy
Not to mention, playing field is all but even for aviation in a country such as Serbia. ALso who allowed Wizz to, as you say, not respect the laws, for "only" 15 years?
Some people just hate seeing local aviation professionals have options on who they are employed by.
DeleteThe market should absorb staff easily. Don't get me wrong I'm not against wizz, I just think there's so much unnecessary drama around this situation.
ReplyDeleteSaid like a true 'free marketer' although clearly not that free.
DeleteThe free market only works if it's free in both directions. We need to get rid of the servant mentality.
Delete+1
DeleteSome people just hate seeing local aviation professionals have options on who they are employed by.
DeleteThey only want them to be able to get a job by the state monopoly for its terms and salaries....
The moment Wizz decides to leave, it is the moment they are begged to stay.
ReplyDeleteDoes not seem like they are leaving.
Delete@09:47
DeleteIn that case they submit and should suck it up quietly.
Submit what? Did you read the article?
DeleteSubmit = submit to the new regulatory requirements. To accept them :-)
DeleteI'm no Wizz fan, but if this goes bad for them, then Serbian govt should be consistant and ban international trains that start and end their route outside Serbia and just stop in Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteSerbia has no international trains.
DeleteExcept the ol' Bar express.
DeleteAnd Subotica - Szeged, too :)
DeleteEnough with W6. When will JU announce new routes?? They said until the end of the month, which is about now
ReplyDeleteObey the rules or leave.
ReplyDeleteit doesnt look like the "ruler" is that strong
DeleteSo for you its ok that they use mika the mechanic to check planes because he is cheap but he dont have valid license to work on airport in Belgrade, but ok we keep mika he is cheap we dont mind for license and passengers and we work on our terms, because mika the mechanic is registered in bulgaria,, very funny, but you mix politics in facts.
ReplyDeletePa šta više čeka Wizz?Oktobar je za 2 dana,a oni se premišljaju.
ReplyDeletePa piše da baza ostaje. Nije na njima da li hoce ili nece nego da li ce im direktorat dozvoliti.
Deleteand then the same "drama" for next IATA season??
ReplyDeleteTelevisa presenta
Surprised no one is praising EC and ECAA for their openness in evaluating this case, their willingness to communicate with the public and their transparency in decision-making!
ReplyDelete