Wizz Air will retain its Belgrade base throughout the upcoming 2026/27 winter season after the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate officially postponed the implementation of new rules governing foreign carriers’ operations by six months at the request of the country's Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure. In the amended Rulebook, the Directorate states, “For services operated by foreign air carriers which, on the date this Rulebook enters into force, begin and end in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, the provision of Article 3(4) of this Rulebook shall apply to applications for approval relating to traffic periods beginning on or after March 28, 2027”. The revised implementation date coincides with the start of the 2027 summer season.
The amendment was published in Serbia’s Official Gazette yesterday and enters into force today. The contentious Article 3(4) states, “Where an international agreement permits the airlines of the contracting parties to operate scheduled public air services using third- and fourth-freedom traffic rights, approval shall be issued for flights that begin and end in the territory of the state that authorised the foreign air carrier, or within the territory of the European Union where the carrier concerned is an EU air carrier”. Its implementation would prevent Wizz Air from having its four aircraft stationed in Belgrade.
Commenting on the development, Wizz Air's Chief Corporate Officer, Owain James, said, “This is the right outcome for our fantastic colleagues at Wizz Air’s Belgrade team and, above all, for Serbian passengers ahead of the coming winter season. Wizz Air stood firm because we believed these measures were misguided and incompatible with Serbia’s international obligations. We engaged with the Serbian authorities and European institutions, and the EU concluded that Wizz Air’s position was correct". He added, "We are also extremely grateful for the tremendous support shown by our customers, more than 25.000 of whom signed the petition in support of our Belgrade base. We are pleased that common sense has prevailed, but it is essential for Serbia’s future connectivity and for fair competition that the suspension of these measures becomes permanent, so that we can continue investing in Serbia and provide our Serbian customers with affordable air travel throughout summer 2027 and beyond”.
Wizz Air will still face the same measures next year, unless further changes or delays are applied. As reported yesterday, 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.
At least something
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm very glad Wizz had to get nervous.
Delete^ Why? What was the point? And once you have allowed the base to continue for another winter, it becomes even harder politically to close it.
DeleteNo one wanted this base to close, there is no commercial sense.
Deleteso the sense was bullying them? wow
DeleteWizz Air and other LCCs, especially Ryanair, regularly bully airports and their own employees.
DeleteThere is no other way for JU to compete withthem. Especially with jetfu prices being that high!
DeleteThey cancompete with better service andmore destinations.
Delete12:44
DeleteYou are already warned not to write same nonsensenes. Jet fuel is hitting hardest ULCC with lowest ticket prices, which are exactly W6 and FR. It's so easy to understand with a bit of common sense. But that doesn't stop you repeating stupidness like a broken record.
Delete^ Actually no, High jet fuel prices hit hard airlines with no hedging and airlines with aircraft fleets that are old tck. Burning 15-18% more fuel than the competition is very painful.
16:28
Delete+1
JU is still profitsble so who is hurting?
Delete@16:28
DeleteAnd you know, of course, who is hedging and who doesn't, right? You are some kind of Analyst, knowing everything? JU doesn't, but everyone else does? Even if they did, it is spent long time ago. War in ME started 8 months ago, no one had any more hedged fuel more than 6 months. So, spare us
@18:47
DeleteSure it is!
@18:56
DeleteAlmost all serious airlines in the planet hedge against fuel fluctuations. Including W6.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-airlines-have-hedged-against-fuel-price-increases-2026-09-03/
Anonymous 18:56
DeleteWizz has even hedged for 2028.
All but JU. They don't even need hedging, they're buying directly from its owner, government of Serbia.
DeleteSure, Wizz hedged until 2050 actually
^ I think I'll trust Reuters over an anonymous poster. Thank you very much!
Deletehttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-airlines-have-hedged-against-fuel-price-increases-2026-09-03/
haha, I mean great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us updated. This site had all the info on this. That's why I visit every morning :)
ReplyDelete+1
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DeleteWell tha saga continues. But at least they will be here for winter.
ReplyDeleteTrue. This is not really a victory for Wizz Air. They have simply been given another six months.
DeleteYes, they may prepare W routes in time.
DeleteThis is hilarious and embarrassing for we know who that pushed this..
ReplyDelete*Cough*JU*cough*
I wouldn't be surprised if Wizz expands even more now.
Doubt Wizz will rock the boat, especially this winter.
DeleteWizz actually has less flights this winter than last from Belgrade. But it would be cool if they added some new routes.
DeleteMaybe we will see more flights around Christmas. W6 and JU have been in a war for years now, they know it's Air Serbia behind this. I am sure that at least next summer they will respond.
DeleteMaybe we see them add VLC-BEG now that they have a base there.
@9.13 they had to shrink 5% throughout their network (not including the new bases)
DeleteThey are cutting so much in Romania outside Bucharest. These are the cuts published this week:
DeleteBanesa-Bergamo cancelled
CLJ-NYO
CLJ-LIS
CLJ-OSL
CLJ-BLL
CRA-FCO
CRA-ATH
CRA-BCN
CRA-BLQ
CRA-TSF
IAS-IST
IAS-PRG
IAS-LCA
Seems like Romania is seeing softer demand since Animawings is also cutting and reducing.
CLJ-VIE
CLJ-FRA
CLJ-SKG
CLJ-ATH
IAS-SKG
TSR-ATH
OTP-TLV
They exapnded way too much this summer at the worst time to expand (cost wise). It's not a coincidence that Ryanair did not expand this summer.
Deletebut new base in Brasov
Delete@9.30 Ryanair has NO new aircrafts to expand. they are shifting capacities around
DeleteI'd much prefer to have Ryanair obviously.
Delete9:11
DeleteOnly embarrassing is you. They didn't expand last 4 years, yet they won't now. They expanded in OTP, BUD, SKP, but there's no JU there. Force is too strong at BEG
They didn't expand? From January 2025 until today they launched Friedrichshafen, Alicante, Madrid, Grenoble, Alghero, Palermo, Chania, Pisa. And you really need to calm down. I have never seen someone so emotionally charged by an airline. I can tell you now everyone in the industry knows this was JU's doing because KPIs on routes where they compete with Wizz are not good
DeletePS
DeleteFriedrihsafen is closed already, that’s how new routes are successfully beaten by JU
because JU flies to Friedrichshafen lol
DeleteNo, but flies to ZRH, MUC LOLLOL
DeleteLOL LOL as if FDH has something to do with MUC. Why didnt they beat them at Memimingen.
DeleteFDH didnt work for them also the first time when there were no MUC flights. Some people here
DeleteBecause they have no clue how to earn money, except copy successful JU routes. I expect Las Palmas or Lanzarote around the corner, since JU started TFS. What's stoping them flying Helsinki, Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin, Bratislava, Bremen, Nantes, Bilbao, Genoa? Oh, wait....
Delete@Anonymous15:38
DeleteSMFH...
@15:38 what nonsence.
DeleteDouble 18:43 Any argument, or just desperate smfhing?
DeleteThe same thing that's stopping JU from flying there
Delete@18:59 the idea that airlines 'copy' is just daft and childlike.
DeleteActually, JU will fly there. Just wait few more days.
DeleteI wonder if this whole saga impacted on their winter sales.
ReplyDeleteFrom BEG I mean
Delete90% of people in Serbia probably had no clue this was going on.
DeleteMore like 99%
DeleteHad there been no elections in Serbia soon, you can be sure, they would have enforced the new rule
ReplyDeleteQuite possible.
DeleteI would really like this decision to be annuled and not only ostponed.
There will be another elections in 6 months, and that will decide permanent solution.
Delete09:59
DeleteSome people here, can't restrain themselves.
Some people understand it better than others. ProEU group will call an election in 6-9 months after the cleanup is done. Once in power, they will follow guidance from FRA/BRU on flag carrier.
Delete^
DeleteI thought this saga had nothing to do with our flag carrier but with W6 not following some rules in its BEG base.
So you are saying all this is about JU?
No, I am saying some people can't figure out sequence of steps in the next 6-9 months
DeleteYou said "Once in power, they will follow guidance from FRA/BRU on flag carrier"
DeleteWhy would Frankfurt or Brussels have anything to do with JU?
What are you talking about?
Ignorance is bliss
DeleteYou must be very blissful then!
DeleteWhat’s the point of postponing it to 27.03 …… They will suspend it for sure.
ReplyDeleteJust a way not to admit defeat. They will likely quietly suspend the rule indefinitely.
DeleteDefeat?? EU didn't come out with any conclusion, because no ground for it. Because, if there is, W6 would already held press conference to announce their "victory" over evil DCV. This is just a favour for W6 to give some time to organise new scheduling. I don't feel sorry for them
Deleteboth Wizz and EC have said they will issue a statement. The only side actually playing dead throughout this entire saga is the CAA and their politically appointed management.
DeleteWe are waiting for that EU slap/reprimand/statement (whatever you were announcing) for a very long time now. (Yawn) Yet, they're still playing dead
DeleteWell article has been updated with Wizz statement and it does seem like they got a slap from the EU
Delete"the EU concluded that Wizz Air’s position was correct".
They was correct, but still they HOPE that suspension will become permanent. Don't you see contradiction?
DeleteThe EU must have scolded them lol
ReplyDeleteI think this gives away where the pressure came from. If everyone was completely confident about the legality of the new rule, why postpone it immediately after discussions with the European Commission?
DeleteIf EU scolded them, rule would have been cancelled and not postponed.
DeleteMore like EU managed to cozy up to Serbia to get its airline a 6-month extension. I guess we can expect some donation to Serbia.
DeleteBoth EU and W6 are playing dead. It's clear to everyone they're defeated. Everyone but you
DeleteDefeated? Lol you can't make this stuff up. It is the CAA that has not implemented what they announced. And if you missed the news both Wizz and EC have said they will issue a statement. The only side actually playing dead throighout this entire saga is the CAA and their politically appointed head.
DeleteMaking up? You should read article again to find out that decision is just delayed, not retracted. Nowhere is said that CAA rule is against Open Skies agreement, as you and W6 imagined for so long time. So, yes, you're all defeated.
DeleteTruly an embarrassment for whoever thought this would be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteWizz has been based in Belgrade since 2011. It is extraordinary that after fifteen years somebody suddenly decided this operating model was a problem.
DeleteFor 6 more months only
DeleteSo basically the problem has not been solved, just postponed by six months. We will be having exactly the same discussion again in March.
ReplyDeleteThey are not going to shut them down so close to Expo and just before summer.
Deletetold you it will silently dissapear as if nothing has happened (seen with Ć-lend). Congrats and good news for customers!
ReplyDeleteIf you know to read, nothing is disappeared. Surely customers are delighted to have so huge delays and cancelations.
Deletewhat delays and cancelations
DeleteEvert day's
DeleteDude we are talking about W6 here, not ASL.
DeleteNo, we are writing about W6, worst European company. Not about 2nd best in Eastern Europe
Delete^ LOL dude!
DeleteHope you don't actually believe what you are posting. 🤣
LOLLLLL...??!? You're loling whenever you are out of arguments? Or I wrote something funny to you? Is it possible that you know absolutely nothing about aviation and you are still here on aviation blog?
DeleteIt is very funny thinking that JU has fewer flights canceled or delayed compared with Wizz.
DeleteDude keep up the comedic postings!
What did EC say?
ReplyDeleteGood news for passengers and for Belgrade Airport.
ReplyDeleteFor passengers this is excellent news. Wizz disappearing as a based carrier would have reduced competition significantly.
DeleteThis looks like a compromise reached after the Brussels meeting. Serbia gets more time while Wizz keeps operating normally for another season.
ReplyDeleteAt least common sense prevailed for now. Removing one of Belgrade's largest airlines overnight would have meant less competition and higher fares.
ReplyDelete+1
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DeleteKada bi Wizz Air trebao da sredjuje ljetni red letenja?Vidim da je Ryanair objavio.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy Wizz tickets until the end of 2027
DeleteTo je copy paste starog ljetnog reda letenja,mijenjat ce to 100%
DeleteThe wording is quite clever because it protects existing operations temporarily without completely abandoning Article 3(4).
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the best short-term outcome. Passengers keep their flights, staff keep their jobs and the authorities get additional time to negotiate.
DeleteThe interesting question now is whether Wizz will continue expanding Belgrade for summer 2027 or freeze growth until there is a permanent solution.
ReplyDeleteThe Commission's eventual position will be far more important than today's amendment. If Brussels concludes that the restriction conflicts with the ECAA Agreement, the whole rule may need to be reconsidered anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it's not...
DeleteIt already happened.
DeleteThis whole saga has been handled very poorly. Airlines plan seasons far in advance, not a few weeks before rules are supposed to change.
ReplyDeleteI still don't understand what changed after fifteen years of Wizz basing aircraft in Belgrade.
ReplyDeletesomebody needed a narative to create a buzz or somebody felt the competition
DeleteSomebody is using advantage over the others, as a EU company. That's not fair competition. 20 other airlines fly FROM EU towards Serbia normally, but only one is insisting on privileged position. As well as all other discounts, supports, incentives etc. While all other don't.
DeleteThe advantages W6 has over JU is a modern fleet and prices that a lot of people in Serbia want.
DeleteNothing to do with the EU.
Other non EU countries have zero issues with allowing EU carriers basing aircraft and hiring locals for ights to the E.U.
I don't think Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Georgia, UK, Armenia, Morocco, Jordan, Switzerland, Moldova are all crazy and our directorate is logical.
Seems like it is the other way around.
Anonymous 17:11
Delete+1000
Other non EU countries may or may not have their own rules and that's irrelevant, of course. Serbia is making its own and we are discussing about them. By the way, UK demand their own AOC, but you know that ok.
DeleteI work for foreign company, but we don't use vehicles registered in USA or Germany. They have to be registered in Serbia. Simply as that?
Why lie? UK does not require a local AOC for flights to the EU, only for flights outside the EU.
DeleteJust like everyone else. Didn't you know that?
And what all the other countries of Europe do is definitely relevant.
We shouldn't be striving for limiting travel options like say Belarus. The other European countries are much better examples.
That's utter nonsense. Why there are no W11, W12, W13 in Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Georgia, UK, Armenia, Morocco, Jordan, Switzerland, Moldova to fly from one each other? I would add Israel, UAE, Island.
Delete^ Do you even understand what we are talking about here?
DeleteIf the regulation is legally sound, why postpone it? If it isn't, why keep it at all?
ReplyDeleteObviously it is not legally sound.
DeleteOf course it is, otherwise it would be retracted premanently. Extra time is given due to EU kind request. They will go bankrupt this winter anyway
DeleteW6,? LOL!
DeleteSo every six months we will be back to this?
ReplyDeleteDoubt it. Directorate will just quietly suspend this rule.
DeleteNo, it will not happen because people in Directorate will not be anymore there
DeleteExactly. Wizzair are here to stay.
DeleteSure they will be. And Wizz will not survive this winter, due to high jet fuel cost. Ask Mr. O'Leary, he knows
Delete^ Sure thing buddy! 😆
DeleteYou forgot LOL, because no other argument
Delete@01:36 you are really that mad?
Delete^ He is. He hopes that W6 will go bankrupt for years now.
DeleteAnd yet they keep adding flights, aircraft and bases all over Europe. So he is furious.
Wizz must be relieved
ReplyDeleteSo they gave them 6 more months to register in Serbia.
ReplyDelete20:48
DeleteThis!
lol not happening
DeleteNo need for Wizz to register in Serbia.
DeleteThe ministry would just have to admit that they don't want to ever join the EU and be done with all this theatrics. 🤷♂️
Spineless pricks.
ReplyDeleteiznenadjenje
Delete@11:39 useful comment?
DeleteTresla se gora, rodio se mis.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliantly said!
DeleteDiplomatic way to make the original problem disappears.
ReplyDeleteMarch is far away and who knows all what could happen until then.
Could this be an attempt by DCV to try to advance to second transitional period same as Montenegro?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not. Montenegro has not been transitioned to second phase. It was just suggested they could potentially
DeleteEnough with Wizzair, what's going on with the big announcement by Air Serbia planned for the end of the month?
ReplyDelete