Flight creation: Russia and Serbia are working on launching new flights

Serbia and Russia are working on launching new flights, the Ambassador of the Balkan republic in Moscow, Momcilo Babic, told Izvestia. According to him, this process is underway despite Western sanctions. The diplomat also noted an increase in the number of trips by Russians to Serbia. Russian tourists are interested in increasing the number of flights, thanks to new flights Belgrade will strengthen its role as a transport hub for Russian travelers, experts say. To which cities new flights can be launched, see the Izvestia article.

New flights from Russia to Serbia

Serbian and Russian authorities are working on launching new flights, Serbian Ambassador to Russia Momcilo Babic told Izvestia. According to him, this process continues despite Western sanctions.

— We are working on it, we are preparing new flights. I hope it will be. But we are under constant pressure from the West. We have hundreds of thousands of Russians coming to Belgrade," the diplomat said.

It should be recalled that after the start of the CIO, the EU completely banned flights of Russian airlines over its territory. Serbia has kept its skies open, but due to bans from neighboring countries, companies from the Russian Federation cannot operate flights to the republic. Therefore, flights are operated by Air Serbia.

At the same time, Belgrade is constantly under external pressure to completely stop flights with the Russian Federation. In particular, in March 2022, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke about this. At that time, Air Serbia operated only one flight from Belgrade to Moscow per day. Then their number gradually increased, flights to St. Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi began. Currently, there are only three flights a day between Moscow and Belgrade. Flights to other cities are operated only on certain dates. Therefore, an increase in their number could be another step in the development of air traffic between the two countries.

Russian tourists are interested in expanding flight programs, as there is a demand for travel to Serbia, both among classic tourists and business guests, Dmitry Gorin, vice president of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, told Izvestia.

"The potential for Russians to travel to Serbia may be much greater if air transportation is available," the expert noted.

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The number of Russian tourists in Serbia is gradually increasing. In 2023 alone, the tourist flow from our country to Serbia increased by 40% and almost reached the pre-pandemic 2019 level. Of the 2.4 million foreigners who visited Serbia in 2024, Russian citizens accounted for almost 185 thousand, second only to Turkey.

The visa-free regime, cultural proximity and the development of economic ties contribute to the growth of the number of tourists. Many employees who work remotely choose Serbia as a place of temporary residence.

Of the additional routes, flights to Novosibirsk, Volgograd, Samara, Krasnodar could probably be opened (with the resumption of airports in southern Russia). Flights to Vladivostok can also be discussed, says Milan Lazovich, program manager of the Russian Council on International Affairs (RIAC).

— New flights provide incentives for tourism and for trade and economic relations. Many Serbs work in Russia, including in the regions. Plus, Russian tourists have increased their interest in Serbia," the expert emphasized.

Serbia may become a new transport hub

Serbia is very interesting from the point of view of a transit country that connects Russia with other countries, including the European Union. Connecting flights are in high demand among our tourists traveling to other European countries. Belgrade is more convenient for connecting flights to other European countries than Istanbul or Dubai.

— The only issue that limits this is the relatively high prices for these flights in conditions of a small volume of transportation. If the airline is able to consider increasing the number of flights, this will lead to an increase in supply and price stabilization," Gorin said.

A round-trip plane ticket to Belgrade costs in the range of 70-90 thousand rubles, which is significantly higher than the cost of similar tickets to Yerevan or Istanbul. However, from a logistical point of view, this is more convenient, since the flight from Moscow to Belgrade takes only three hours. Accordingly, the flight to other European cities from Serbia will take less time.

Serbia occupies a unique position in Europe, as it refused to join the anti-Russian sanctions and continues to support cooperation with the Russian Federation. In particular, Alexander Vucic attended the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, despite threats from the European Commission and the closure of airspace.

Good relations with Russia are not only based on historical reasons, but also have a pragmatic basis. Belgrade receives natural gas from Russia at a discount, which contributes to the economic development of the country. At the same time, Serbia can become a transit hub not only for passengers. Belgrade has extended the contract for gas supplies from Russia via the Turkish Stream gas pipeline until the end of September.

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Earlier, the Nord Streams were disabled, gas supplies via the Yamal–Europe gas pipeline were stopped, and since January 1, Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian blue fuel. Therefore, gas supplies to the EU via the pipeline route continue only through the Turkish Stream. In particular, fuel is supplied to Slovakia and Hungary, which consider the protection of this route their priority. The then Deputy Prime Minister of the country, Alexander Vulin, announced his readiness to increase gas transit to Europe through Serbia at the end of 2024 in an interview with Izvestia.

In addition, Belgrade needs Russia's support to counter the external pressure exerted by the EU on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as in Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In February, the BiH court sentenced Milorad Dodik to a year in prison and a ban on holding public office. In March, the Prosecutor's office of Bosnia and Herzegovina demanded that the politician be detained. President Vucic called Dodik's sentence an attack on the entire Serbian people.