Belgrade’s main gateway, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, is entering a significant expansion phase as airlines introduce 15 new direct routes during 2026, strengthening the Serbian capital’s role as a growing aviation hub between Europe, the Middle East and North America.
The new connections are being launched by several carriers — including Air Serbia, Wizz Air, airBaltic, Eurowings and Royal Jordanian — expanding Belgrade’s network toward destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North America.
With these additions, the number of direct destinations served from Belgrade is expected to exceed 100 routes, compared with roughly 90 destinations currently available from the airport including seasonal services.
Return of long-haul flights to Canada
One of the most significant developments is the reintroduction of a direct intercontinental route between Belgrade and Toronto. The service will begin on 23 May 2026, operated by Air Serbia using Airbus A330 aircraft, with two weekly flights planned.
The route marks the restoration of a historic air connection between Serbia and Canada that had been absent for decades. It reflects strong travel demand from the Serbian diaspora in Canada as well as growing tourism and business links between the two countries.
Long-haul connectivity is particularly important for Belgrade’s ambition to position itself as a regional aviation hub connecting Southeast Europe with global markets.
Expansion across Mediterranean and European destinations
Air Serbia will introduce several additional routes linking Belgrade with major tourism and business destinations in Europe. Among the new routes are flights to:
• Santorini (Greece) starting 30 April, with two weekly flights
• Alicante (Spain) beginning 1 June, also twice weekly
• Seville (Spain) launching 30 September
• Tenerife (Spain) starting 27 October
• Tromsø (Norway) scheduled from 14 December
• Brač (Croatia) during the summer season
These routes aim to diversify travel demand beyond traditional business routes and strengthen Serbia’s connectivity with tourism destinations across Southern and Northern Europe.
Low-cost carriers expanding Mediterranean links
Low-cost airline Wizz Air is also expanding its Belgrade network with several new routes to Mediterranean destinations popular among leisure travellers.
New services include:
• Chania (Crete, Greece) starting 8 June with three weekly flights
• Pisa (Italy) beginning 9 June
• Palermo (Italy)
• Alghero (Italy)
The airline has also introduced seasonal winter flights to Grenoble in France, targeting passengers travelling to ski resorts in the Alps.
These additions strengthen Belgrade’s position as an accessible gateway for both outbound tourism and incoming visitors to Serbia.
Northern and Western Europe connections
Belgrade’s connectivity with Northern and Western Europe will also expand through several airline initiatives.
The Latvian carrier airBaltic plans to resume direct flights between Belgrade and Riga starting 30 March, operating two weekly flights using Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Meanwhile, German airline Eurowings will launch a new route between Belgrade and Cologne/Bonn from 17 June, also operating twice per week during the summer season.
These connections provide improved access to major European travel and business markets.
New Middle East connection after three decades
Belgrade will also gain a direct link to the Middle East with the introduction of flights between Belgrade and Amman, operated by Royal Jordanian.
The route is expected to begin in April 2026 with two weekly flights, marking the first direct connection between Serbia and Jordan in 34 years. The airline plans to operate the route using Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with 122 seats.
The new connection could strengthen business, tourism and diplomatic relations between Serbia and the Middle East region.
Belgrade positioning itself as a regional aviation hub
The rapid expansion of routes reflects growing passenger demand and a broader strategy to develop Belgrade as a regional aviation hub. Its geographic position — between Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia — allows airlines to use the Serbian capital as a transfer point connecting different markets.
Airlines and airport operators have increasingly focused on diversifying routes to reduce seasonal fluctuations in passenger traffic and improve aircraft utilisation.
The expansion also follows continued investment in airport infrastructure since the concession of Belgrade Airport to VINCI Airports, which has been upgrading terminals, passenger services and operational capacity.
Strategic impact for Serbia’s tourism and economy
Improved air connectivity has broader implications for Serbia’s economy. Direct international flights increase tourism inflows, support business travel and strengthen trade links with foreign markets.
For the Serbian diaspora, particularly in North America and Western Europe, new long-haul routes can also significantly reduce travel times and improve accessibility to the country.
If the announced routes are successfully established, Belgrade could consolidate its role as one of the fastest-growing aviation hubs in Southeast Europe, linking the Balkans with an increasingly diversified network of international destinations.
