The European Commission will discuss Serbia’s contentious changes to its aviation regulations with the Serbian authorities at a meeting of the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Joint Committee in Brussels on September 22 and 23, in talks that could prove decisive in determining whether the amendments comply with the country’s obligations under the ECAA Agreement. The outcome could have major implications for Wizz Air, which has warned that the new rules could force it to close its Belgrade base.
A European Commission official confirmed to EX-YU Aviation News that the matter will be raised directly with Serbia during the meeting. “The Joint Committee takes place in Brussels on 22 and 23 September. It will bring together all ECAA Parties, but the Commission services will also have bilateral meetings with each of the Western Balkan partners. The Commission will take the opportunity to discuss the matter with Serbian authorities at the Joint Committee”, the official said.
The Joint Committee is responsible for administering the ECAA Agreement and ensuring its proper implementation. Under the Agreement, where new legislation is introduced, the parties can consult on its implications through the Joint Committee, which can determine whether the legislation is in accordance with the Agreement or take other steps aimed at safeguarding its functioning. The upcoming talks are therefore expected to represent a key stage in the Commission’s assessment of the Serbian regulatory changes.
The European Commission began examining the matter earlier this year following a complaint from Wizz Air. At the time, Brussels told EX-YU Aviation News that it was in contact with the Serbian authorities “with a view to checking the compatibility of this Regulation with Serbia’s obligations under the European Common Aviation Area Agreement”.
The dispute centres on amendments to Serbia’s Regulation on Issuing Approvals to Foreign Air Carriers for the Operation of International Commercial Air Services, adopted by the Civil Aviation Directorate earlier this year. Under the amended provisions, approvals granted to EU airlines exercising third- and fourth-freedom traffic rights are limited to flights which begin and end within the European Union. Wizz Air argues this effectively prevents a foreign EU carrier from beginning its rotations in Serbia and therefore makes its current Belgrade base model unworkable.
Wizz Air currently stations four aircraft in the Serbian capital and has maintained a base in Belgrade since 2011. It has warned that unless a solution is reached, the based aircraft could be relocated from Serbia with the start of the 2026/27 winter season, beggining on October 25. The airline has stressed that it would not withdraw from Belgrade altogether but would instead attempt to retain as many routes as possible using aircraft based elsewhere, which would likely result in fewer flights and frequencies. Wizz Air is expected to make a final decision on the future of the base by the end of September, falling shortly after the Brussels meeting.
In a statement to EX-YU Aviation News, the Serbian Ministry for Construction, Traponsport and Infrastructure, said, “There is no intention to “force” Wizz Air out of Serbia or to restrict its, or any other EU carrier’s, right to operate services, either in terms of routes or frequencies. The issue concerns the so-called establishment of EU air carriers in Serbia, specifically at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Niš Constantine the Great Airport and Morava Airport in Kraljevo, as this is contrary to the Multilateral Agreement on the Establishment of a European Common Aviation Area (ECAA Agreement). Under the Agreement, Serbia is currently in the First Transitional Period, during which the standard arrangement is for foreign air carriers to commence their flights at a point outside Serbia and terminate them at a point within Serbia. Ultimately, the adoption of the new regulation removes the more favourable treatment previously afforded to one carrier compared to all others”.
They will not shut down their base at the same time as the elections. Wizz is safe.
ReplyDeleteWizz is in great danger. But not from Serbia, but from high fuel prices and bankruptcy
Delete@anon 09:36
DeleteThat is precisely why the Serbian side is putting pressure at a time when they are vulnerable. The base will likely remain, but both sides will have to make concessions. Wizz might withdraw from certain profitable routes where it competes with JU, while the CAD might "turn a blind eye" regarding specific regulations affecting the airline.
@0936 Wizz going bankrupt? Please. Give me a modern Wizz flight over an overpriced JU flight ex BEG any day. Can’t beat the price point and the crew I always find super nice
DeleteAh, the aviation industry’s new signature cocktail: equal parts record-high fuel, Pratt & Whitney engine confetti, and passenger rage, all served over a chilled recession. Cheers to bankruptcy court! 🥂✈️💥
DeleteThis was always going to end up in Brussels. You can’t sign the ECAA Agreement and then simply interpret it however you like when it becomes inconvenient.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that straightforward
DeleteIts is very straightforward and it has nothing to do with a base, because thats unrelated question. The new regulations prevents something as basic as W flights.
DeleteAnd you know right interpretation??
Delete@9.31 absolutely not true
DeleteSerbia is not fully ratified
DeleteSrbija moze da tumaci zna se sta pise .Nadam se da ce Srbija ispusiti
DeleteNaravno da se nadaŝ zlu pošto nikada ništa nisi napisao pozitivno. Država Srbija treba da se zašti od inostranih kompanija koje žele basu u našoj zemlji i da ubiru velike količine para. Dok su se EU i ostale nezavisne zemlje zaštitile od stranih kompanija da otvaraju baze na njihovim aerodomima, mi bi da ih dočekuje otvorenih ruku i da kažemo na izvolite i radite šta vam.je volja.. Moja puna podrška ovom zakonu koji postoji skoro u svim zemljama sa nacionalnim avio-kompanijama.
DeletePa samim time ako bi Wizz zatvorio bazu, vaša velika JU bi podigla cene u nebesa, pa ćemo onda videti ko će da ubira ogromne količine novca. Druga stvar, Srbija kao potpisnica otvorenog neba, može da leti neograničen broj letova po zemljama EU, bez odobrenja tih zemalja. Tako da razmislite šta pišete i samo se malo edukujte, nije toliko teško. Srdačan pozdrav
DeleteNe filozofiraj, nemas cime. EU kompanije itekako imaju prednosti ispred kompanija koje nisu iz EU i to su obilato koristile. Do sada…
DeleteAir Serbia ima jos 25 konkurenata samo na BEG, da ne pominjem jos 100 drugih destinacija po Evropi i svetu, tako da tvoja “logika” sa visokim cenama pada u vodu. Kao i ostale tvoje predstave
DeleteAko može Wizz imati bazu u Beogradu prema sporazumu, a pošto je sporazum recipročan, to bi trebalo značiti da bi AirSerbia mogla otvoriti baze po Hrvatskoj, Sloveniji i Grčkoj bez ikakvih teškoća.
DeleteI može bez ikakvih problema ali ima pravo da leti samo na BEG, INI i KVO.
DeleteTo je ta sitna prednost za sve EU kompanije nad kompanijama van EU. Nepravedna trzisna utakmica kojoj treba stati na put
DeleteMislim da nije beznacajno sto marketingom (prepoznatljiv brend u evropi) kao i niskim cenama, wizz stimulise povecanje broja stranih putnika koji trose novac u srbiji, dakle indirektna potrosnja, koja, siguran sam nije tako mala i meri se milionima. Air Srbija tesko moze da tu prazninu popuni....
DeleteAnonymous10:58 da li si stvarno ovo napisao i usporedio da AiRSrbia leti ka svim destinacijama sa Stranom kompanijom koja je stavila svoju bazu u Srbiju i pod registrovana svoje avione pod EU registracija? Tužno je da ne znaš neke osnovne stvari avioindustrije i njihove regulative. Čak si pomenuo i zakon otvorenog neba. Da li ti uopšte znaš šta bi to značilo u ovom slučaju? Srpske Aviokompanije nemaju pravo biranja svojih aviona i posade vam.aerodrom Srbije niti da prevozi putnike između gradova koji nisu deo direktne linije između Beograda i odabranog grada sa kojim je airserbia i ministarstvo za saobraćaj potpisalo sporazum.
DeleteWhat it seems, however displeasing to the average passenger, is that the Serbian authorities have a legal ground to do it.
ReplyDeleteWhy the additional privileges were given to Wizz and why are they trying to rescind them now is no legal, rather a political question.
No, they do not have it. And the DCA knows it.
DeleteExactly. The fact that this has been dragging on for months without EU quickly dismissing it and forcing Serbia to comply, means that the Serbian position is not unfounded. Now, what is the reason for this and what is Serbia trying to gain, that is much harder to guess with so little information. Is Serbia trying to force speed up of the agreement implementation, is it asking for opportunity for JU to open a base somewhere in EU, is it something else? I don't think that this is just about forcing Wizz out, that would be foolish. But, now, I might be mistakin'. Not like this government is known for their wisdom and strategic thinking...
DeleteReading this, I am not very optimistic that the EU will say otherwise than the Serbian government.
ReplyDeleteLets hope the base stays. I wonder how much hastle and money will be needed if the base is closed tens of thousands of already sold tickets need to be changed or refunded. What a total disaster of an action. Shameful.
ReplyDeleteI’m actually interested to see what the Commission says because Serbia’s argument also sounds logical. If Serbia is still in the First Transitional Period, why was Wizz allowed to base aircraft there in the first place?
ReplyDeletebecause their national legislation gave the right to establishment.
DeleteIt feels that the EC would be much more pushy if there was an actual breach of obligations from the Serbian side
Deleteit didn't. Jat Airways pointed out to that but no one was interested then.
DeleteCool, so JAT Airways could not stay afloat the way it used to be. What a shame.
DeleteSo basically we will know everything between September 22 and the end of the month. Could be a very interesting few days for BEG.
ReplyDeleteWizz closed Abu Dhabi base last year, claiming reasons such as environmental influence on engines. Now they are going back without a base, in worse geopolitical circumstances and same environmental impact on engines. In this case, Wizz routes can be operational without a base and same could be true for Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteIts not the point of being operational ...
DeleteWizz Abu Dhabi was not profitable, lets get over it. Many reasons , one of them they were denied rights to the indian subcontinent. BEG base is obviously profitable so they dont want to close it
So it's not the engines. Finally being more transparent.
DeleteSince when are civil aviation authorities of any country, be it UAE or Serbia or any EU country, expected to bend the rules so Wizz can be profitable?
@09.30 Um, so that people have choice? You know that competition is good for passengers, right? The fact is - WizzAir's chances of succeeding in AUH were purposefully destroyed. Our government is now doing the same so that JU can do whatever they want.
DeleteYes, let’s all protect foreign companies, so they can make fortune on our expense. What an idea…
DeleteIn your expense? Sure LOL
Delete@11:20 "so that people have choice? You know that competition is good for passengers"
DeleteBelgrade passengers already have plethora of choices including 2/3 of EU's largest ULCCs and number of full-service carriers. Key destinations already have competition. Wizz also indicated they won't leave Belgrade, with or without base, and most services can be operated without a base. When some airlines make a choice to leave the airport, such as AF or BA, civil authorities don't have tools to stop them so that "people have choice".
@14:40 i assume money is no object for you? because otherwise you wouldn't be in favour of reduced competition at the airport. 'Belgrade passengers already have plethora of choices' and lets hope wizz base stays to keep it even more of a choice for us.
DeleteNumber of airlines @BEG will be exactly the same before and after that meeting, so choices will continue. When FR decided to leave INI temporarily, those routes were announced by a competition, so the same could be expected if W6 drops some routes @BEG. You will continue to have a choice (unless you fly to places like JFK or SVO) but you never expressed any empathy for those passengers anyway, just for W6 passengers.
DeleteEverything mentioned @14:40 are undisputable facts. Still waiting for, at least partially reasonable, answer to this question: Since when are civil aviation authorities of any country, be it UAE or Serbia or any EU country, expected to bend the rules so Wizz can be profitable?
I’m no fan of Wizz but closing their Belgrade base would be completely counterproductive.
ReplyDeleteCounterproductive to whom? Most SNS voters don't travel by plane.
DeleteI think this will end with some legal wording being changed and everyone declaring victory.
ReplyDeletei na kraju svi slave
DeleteI suspect there will be some last-minute compromise right after the Brussels meeting.
DeleteCredit where it’s due. Very interesting that EX-YU Aviation got confirmation directly from the European Commission and from the Ministry.
ReplyDelete+1
Deleteif the Commission confirms Serbia’s interpretation, Wizz will have a major problem
ReplyDeleteYou mean Serbian consumers and those wishing to visit it and spend money will have a major problem.
DeleteWizz will just leave and keep the most profitable routes.
DeleteSerbian passengers will lose out financially and with connectivity
No one will lose anything, except huge delays and cancellations. W6 doesn’t have a single route that is not doubled from JU
Delete@11:55 'No one will lose anything' except those thousands of people who have paid for flights that might be changed or cancelled?
DeleteIt a win-win situation for Air Serbia. If the Commission confirms Wizz's interpretation, that would give Air Serbia the right to open bases in any EU or EU candidate country.
DeleteAnon 11:55 what about EIN, DTM, GNB? The rest that W6 was flying as the only airline, JU launched.
DeleteThose are secondary airports for AMS, DUS and GVA. And GNB is.new seasonal route which is questionable for next winter
DeleteThose are completely different cities 100+km away from bigger airports. You can call it secondary, but they obviously are far and different cities. According to that logic, TIV is secondary airport to TGD?
DeleteSome of us remember the days before Wizz arrived or had a big presence when TSR and BUD were useful low cost hubs to which we travelled. Hope we don't return to that era.
Delete@ 15:30
DeleteYou are new here? So low aviation knowledge in only one post. Secondary airports are Memmingen to MUC or Beauvais to CDG, or Hahn to FRA. And absolutely yes. TIV is a product of communist agenda, where every republic has to have at least two airports. That's also how Maribor and Ohrid are built.
Hopefully common sense prevails. BEG needs Air Serbia and Wizz competing strongly, not regulations which reduce capacity.
ReplyDeleteFR will close SKG base, why not W6 to close BEG. There's nothing to worry about. Air Serbia will grow up :)
ReplyDeleteI assume you are not a consumer in either SKG or BEG? :)
DeleteFor sure
DeleteSame rotations from other bases
DeleteWhat a petty talk by random anon..
DeleteSays a random Anon at 4am
DeleteI suspect Wizz already has a contingency schedule prepared using aircraft from Budapest, Rome, Vienna and other bases. They are not going to wait until September 30 to start planning this.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, but I think you overestimate that. They'll simply axe the routes that are not to bases and slowly return them if and when they can adjust schedules to serve them as W patterns. But it would be very sad if this were to occur to all but the most die-hard aviation patriots (and there are such people.)
Deleteespecially from Vienna
DeleteIt seems very strange that this issue has existed since the base opened in 2011 and only now, fifteen years later, someone suddenly decided it was a problem.
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is bizarre. Wizz has operated a base in Belgrade since 2011 and suddenly in 2026 someone discovers that it may not comply with the ECAA?
DeleteIt’s bizarre to change rules?? How about EU change rule about hand luggage fee after 35 years? Is it bizarre for you also?
DeleteNot the same thing, and you know it.
DeleteThe morning slots at BEG are the issue, JU wants to expand next year but has limited ground resources.
DeleteThat might explain why Vinci is silent - terminal expansion is not sustainable for this volume of operations.
If morning slots are issue, especially gates, then just move Wizz to remote stands and force them to start the day before 6am. Wizz has nothing against that as it will pay less taxes and fly one rotation per day more.
DeleteNot that simple mate.
DeleteOf course it's simple. W6 use gates only at BEG. What a silly arguments we can read around. From same desperate commenter
DeleteThis is probably one of the most important aviation meetings for Serbia in years. The result could shape competition at Belgrade for a long time.
ReplyDeleteIf Brussels sides with Wizz, this will be quite embarrassing for the Serbian regulator.
ReplyDeleteThe key issue is not whether Wizz stays in Belgrade. Of course it will. The question is how much capacity disappears if the base goes.
ReplyDeleteThink that number could be 50% as most of early morning rotations wont be possible; JU will not allow late evening inbound/early morning departure for all existing Wizz flights - that also affects later rotations.....will find out soon.
DeleteIf the country is still in a transitional period, then surely the transitional rules have to apply.
ReplyDeleteSo the government admits that since it took office in 2012 until this year 2026 it favourbly treated Wizz Air. That is 14 years that this very government has been favourably treating Wizz AIr? lol. I love how they act as if they came to power yesetrday.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteBrussels will probably come up with some wonderfully complicated legal compromise that both Serbia and Wizz will claim proves they were right :D
ReplyDeleteTrue, seems that they won’t take neither side
DeleteImho for W6 it’s mainly about the crew salary level. Having the base in LYBE it‘s by average cheaper than to maintain a base at the usual destinations where they are flying to from Belgrade. There are no bases in Germany, Spain, Austria. They could open „Belgrade Istok“ in Timisoara and use it as a parking space to start the rotations via Belgrade to the EU destinations.
ReplyDeleteThat's insanely unrealistic
DeleteIts sweetly insane.
DeleteThey are literally opening three bases in Spain in couple months.
DeleteOh, well that makes Belgrade 'isok' make sence then right?
DeleteWizz should remain with 2 planes in favor of JU. That is a fare decision.
ReplyDeletelol
DeleteFair in which terms?
DeleteIt is very interested that issues with base come up shortly after issues with belgrade -budapest rail link.
ReplyDeleteAs soon politics from eu allow passenger rail connection beg-bud, issues with wizz beg base will magically disapppear.
Rail link is extra points on elections...
Let's see am i wrong
You are very wrong on all levels.
DeletePossible.
Delete