China Southern Airlines, Asia’s largest carrier and the world’s sixth largest by capacity, has officially inaugurated its first scheduled flights between Guangzhou and Belgrade. The airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landed at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport this morning, carrying a full load of 296 passengers. The aircraft features 28 business class seats and 268 in economy.
The airline will operate two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, making it Belgrade’s second Chinese operator, following Hainan Airlines, and the first to use the Dreamliner for regular service to the city. China Southern Airlines and Air Serbia are reportedly working on a closer partnership, already having an interline baggage and ticketing agreement that allows seamless connections between their flights.
This new route enhances travel options for passengers, granting access to China Southern’s extensive network of destinations via Guangzhou, which has recently become China’s busiest airport after Beijing opened its second airport in Daxing. Guangzhou is a significant trading hub, strategically located on the Pearl River, and hosts one of the world’s largest trade fairs.
Belgrade now has scheduled air services to three cities in China: Beijing, Guangzhou, and Tianjin. The Serbian government is also in discussions with Xiamen Air for potential flights to Xiamen. From January to July, Serbia welcomed 79,761 Chinese tourists, marking a 72% increase from the previous year.
In addition, Air Serbia is set to launch its own flights to Guangzhou this coming Monday, operating twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, with plans to introduce flights to Shanghai in the near future. The Serbian carrier has been actively engaging with Chinese tour operators through a promotional roadshow throughout the country.
