Air Serbia will begin international operations from the southern Serbian city of Nis with 12 international flights to European destinations.
Nis is about 220 kilometers south of Belgrade and the Serbian government is attempting to build air service, which it views as “in the public interest.” Consequently, it offered 600 million Serbian dinars ($5.7 million) in subsidies in order to attract airlines to this secondary airport. But only Air Serbia submitted a valid bid.
Service will begin later this year (specific dates not yet announced) and keeps Air Serbia under contract till 2023. Air Serbia plans twice weekly service between Nis (INI) and the following cities:
Austria
Salzburg
Germany
Frankfurt
Friedrichshafen
Hannover
Karlsruhe
Nuremberg
Hungary
Budapest
Italy
Bologna
Rome
Montenegro
Tivat (three times weekly, but only during the summer season)
Slovenia
Ljubljana
Sweden
Gothenburg
Nis serves only about 350,000 passengers per year. Three carriers, Ryanair, Swiss International Air Lines, and Wizz Air, currently serve the airport.
Air Serbia is 49% owned by Etihad Airways and 51% owned by the Serbian government. The airline has not yet reported 2018 financials, but was profitable in 2017…almost a lone bright spot in Etihad’s portfolio of airline investments.
Source; Air Serbia
