Serbia’s national carrier Air Serbia is positioning itself for deeper regional cooperation as the airline continues expanding its route network and fleet strategy around Belgrade’s growing role as a regional aviation hub. The airline’s chief executive Jiří Marek said the company remains open to cooperation with other airlines and industry partners as the Balkan aviation market enters a new phase of consolidation and growth.
Speaking at a regional aviation conference in Belgrade, Marek said the airline is prepared to work with any partner capable of strengthening connectivity and expanding passenger flows through Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, which he described as the “centre of gravity” of regional air transport.
According to Marek, the Serbian capital has increasingly become the main aviation hub in the Western Balkans as the airport expands infrastructure capacity and airlines increase flight frequencies. The airport is currently undergoing additional expansion works, including the construction of new boarding gates in preparation for Expo 2027, a global exhibition expected to significantly increase international passenger traffic to Serbia.
The airline’s strategy reflects broader structural changes in the region’s aviation market. While many smaller national carriers in Southeast Europe struggle to maintain profitability or scale, Air Serbia has pursued a growth model focused on expanding routes, strengthening partnerships with aircraft manufacturers and leasing operators, and increasing the number of flights rather than simply deploying larger aircraft.
Marek suggested that such cooperation could involve a wide range of operational partnerships, including aircraft leasing arrangements, code-share agreements and joint route development. The airline already cooperates with several international partners in its fleet operations and network development as it continues modernising its aircraft mix.
The expansion strategy is closely tied to the development of Belgrade as a connecting hub between Europe, the Middle East and long-haul destinations. Over the past few years, the airline has gradually expanded its intercontinental network, including routes to North America and Asia. In 2026 the carrier plans to introduce several new destinations, further strengthening Belgrade’s role as a transfer point for passengers travelling across different regions.
Air Serbia’s network growth has been supported by steady increases in passenger traffic. The airline carried more than 4.57 million passengers in 2025, surpassing the historic record once held by the former Yugoslav carrier JAT and highlighting the strong recovery of regional aviation after the pandemic period.
Industry analysts note that Belgrade’s geographic position gives the airline a competitive advantage within the Balkan aviation market. Located at the crossroads of Southeast Europe, the airport allows efficient connections between Western Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and parts of Asia, making it an attractive hub for transfer passengers.
At the same time, the strategy of openness to cooperation reflects the realities of airline economics in a fragmented regional market. Partnerships allow airlines to share risk, expand networks without large capital investments and improve aircraft utilisation rates. For Air Serbia, collaboration with international partners could therefore play an important role in sustaining growth while maintaining operational efficiency.
The airline’s leadership argues that the continued expansion of Belgrade’s airport infrastructure and the growing passenger base create conditions for additional carriers and partnerships to enter the market. As long as traffic volumes continue to grow, Marek said, the presence of new airlines in the Serbian market should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive.
Against this backdrop, Air Serbia appears to be positioning itself not only as a national airline but also as a regional aviation platform capable of connecting multiple markets across Southeast Europe. With further network expansion and potential new partnerships, the company aims to reinforce Belgrade’s status as the primary air-transport hub of the Western Balkans.
