PREMIUM
Qatar Airways launched its service between Doha and Belgrade in late 2012 and despite strong competition from other Gulf rivals vying mainly for transfer passengers, it has seen the fastest passenger growth on the Serbian market over the past few years. In 2019, the carrier handled 97.815 passengers on the route, registering an average annual cabin load factor of 74.3%. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, it is now in a position to take over some of Etihad Airways’ passengers after the Emirati airline discontinued flights to Belgrade, while the recent end to the blockade of Qatar by neighbouring Gulf states and Egypt has seen it return to several markets, some of which are of interest to travellers from Belgrade.
Qatar Airways passenger performance on Belgrade service by year
The airline’s passenger growth on the Serbian market has followed the evolution of its service over the years. Qatar Airways initially launched four weekly flights from Doha to Belgrade with a stop in Ankara. However, the airline was not issued fifth freedom rights to sell tickets between the Turkish and Serbian capitals. In 2015, the Qatari carrier moved its stopover to Sofia and boosted services to daily flights. Despite applying for fifth freedom traffic rights between Sofia and Belgrade, it was again denied permission by Serbian authorities to sell tickets between the two cities. In 2016, flights were brought back to four weekly but became nonstop with the A320. Eventually, the airline increased frequencies to daily and began utilising its larger 182-seat A321. In 2019, the carrier introduced an additional three weekly flights, for a total of ten, during the peak summer months. The coronavirus brought the carrier’s growth to a halt. Flights were suspended in March 2020 but resumed in July, with three to four weekly rotations maintained since.
Key to the airline’s growth strategy in Belgrade has been offering competitive transfer fares via Doha, as well as good cooperation with local tour operators for far-away markets. During 2019, the last normal year for commercial aviation, Shanghai was Qatar Airways’ top transfer destination, followed by Sydney and Melbourne. The airline has become the number one carrier with ethnic Serbian transfer passengers from Australia who visit friends and family back home. It pulled ahead of Etihad Airways in 2019 when the Emirati carrier significantly reduced its presence on the Australian market, downgraded its overall product and altered its departure times to Belgrade, while the Emirates - Flydubai transfer combination remains unpopular on the Australian market.
Qatar Airways’ top feeder destinations on Belgrade route in 2019
Qatar Airways’ top feeder destinations on Belgrade route in 2020
Although the coronavirus pandemic has stunted Qatar Airways’ growth in Belgrade, the airline’s past performance, along with its swift resumption of flights to the city following the global lockdowns have demonstrated its commitment to the market. With new opportunities presenting themselves, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha, which is projected to transform the Qatari capital into a popular destination next year, the airline is expected to keep its focus on the Serbian market in the years to come.