Air Serbia is launching a new direct route to Shanghai, marking a significant opportunity for both the airline and Serbia, as well as the wider region. Boško Rupić, the Director of Commercial and Strategy at Air Serbia, highlighted that connecting Belgrade with Shanghai, a city with a population of 34 million, will boost the number of Chinese tourists visiting Serbia. He noted that Chinese tourists often visit multiple countries, making this route an important link not only for Serbia but for the entire Balkan region.
The direct flights between Belgrade and Shanghai will operate twice a week, with departures from Belgrade on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and from Shanghai on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Rupić also shared plans for the summer season, revealing that flights to Florence will begin in April, with direct flights to Sardinia and Mykonos starting in June. He emphasized the high demand for these routes, adding that tickets are already on sale and that the airline expects these new destinations to be popular for vacationers.
The general director of Air Serbia, Jirži Marek, expressed high expectations for the new Shanghai route, noting that this is a historic moment for the airline. Shanghai marks the fourth long-haul destination for Air Serbia, joining New York, Chicago, and Guangzhou. Marek described this new route as one of the most sought-after long-haul destinations, which had previously been underserved from Serbia.
Reflecting on the airline’s recent achievements, Marek shared that Air Serbia transported a record 4.44 million passengers in 2024, marking the highest number in the airline’s nearly 98-year history. He expressed optimism about exceeding this figure in the upcoming year.
Marek also provided updates on the fleet, announcing that Air Serbia expects to receive its fourth wide-body aircraft for long-haul routes in January, which will also feature special EXPO livery. Regarding the purchase of new Embraer E-195 E2 aircraft, Marek confirmed that Air Serbia is currently working with the first generation of Embraer aircraft and is planning to transition to the newer generation in the future, as it offers advanced technologies.
Looking ahead, Marek shared that Air Serbia plans to further strengthen its presence in China, with a focus on its existing destinations of Guangzhou and Shanghai. The airline is also working towards securing approval for direct flights to Beijing. In North America, Air Serbia is considering opening direct flights to Miami and Toronto, although no confirmed timeline has been set.
For the summer, Air Serbia will continue to expand its route network with the return of flights to Florence and the introduction of new lines to Mykonos and Sardinia. Although they have not yet secured a slot for Ibiza, Marek emphasized that this destination will eventually be added to their network.
With these new routes and fleet enhancements, Air Serbia is positioning itself for continued growth and is committed to expanding its offerings to both leisure and business travelers across a global network.
