EX-YU Aviation News

Air Serbia doubles Sarajevo operations

2026-11-09T12:43:50.819+01:00

Air Serbia is increasing frequencies between Belgrade and Sarajevo during the upcoming summer season, with the carrier to maintain two daily flights between the two cities, up from the usual daily service. A new morning departure from Belgrade, departing 06:30 on Mondays Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays and at 17:25 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, will be added from May 22. The return services depart Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital at 08:00 and 18:55 local time, arriving an hour later. An ATR72-600 will be used on the route. The development comes following talks between the CEOs of Air Serbia, Jiri Marek, and Sarajevo Airport, Dino Selimović, in Belgrade last week. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation New recently, Mr Marek hinted at a significant capacity increase within the region.

Commenting on the additional daily rotation, Mr Marek said, “Sarajevo is one of the most important destinations in our region, with stable and consistent demand throughout the year. By increasing the number of flights, we aim to meet our passengers’ needs and further strengthen connectivity between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. More frequencies will provide travellers with greater flexibility for both business and leisure travel, while also offering improved connections to numerous destinations across our network". On the other hand, Mr Selimović noted, "I am extremely pleased that Sarajevo and Belgrade, the capitals of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia, will be better connected than ever before. I am delighted that Air Serbia is responding to passenger demand by increasing its services to two daily flights and further strengthening Sarajevo’s international connectivity. I believe this decision will contribute to closer economic, tourism and cultural cooperation between our countries. Regional connectivity creates new opportunities, brings people closer together and contributes to building a more successful shared future".

Sarajevo Airport welcomes two millionth passenger

2026-11-09T10:30:00.000+01:00

Sarajevo Airport handled its two millionth passenger of the year yesterday, November 8, reaching the milestone two days earlier than in 2025. It marks the second consecutive year Bosnia and Herzegovina’s busiest airport has surpassed the two-million passenger threshold. This year’s milestone traveller, Anesa Lončarić, arrived on a Lufthansa flight from Miami via Frankfurt.

To mark the occasion, Ms Lončarić was presented with a return ticket to one of Lufthansa’s destinations, a voucher for the airport’s duty-free shop, as well as tickets for two people to ride the Trebević cable car and visit Sarajevo’s City Hall.

The milestone follows Sarajevo Airport’s busiest October on record, during which it welcomed 189.472 passengers, an increase of 4.4% on last year. Over the first ten months of 2026, the airport handled 1.973.069 travellers, up 1% year-on-year.

Air Serbia begins fleet planning for 2027/28 winter

2026-11-09T09:00:00.000+01:00

Air Serbia plans to introduce three Airbus A320 aircraft and an Embraer regional jet into its fleet next year, while continuing the retirement of its remaining Airbus A319s. The airline is also considering expanding its ATR72-600 fleet beyond the current ten aircraft to support further regional growth. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, the carrier's CEO, Jiri Marek, said negotiations for the third A320 were now effectively complete, while fleet planning for the 2027/28 winter season was already underway.

"I think it's 99% secure. For next year, three A320s will be coming, while one Embraer is already secured as well. That's what we are planning for the season", Mr Marek said. Air Serbia will simultaneously continue replacing its older narrowbody equipment. "After the season, there will be two additional A319s leaving the fleet. We are already contracting aircraft that we will receive in the winter season of 2027/28", the CEO noted.

The airline is also reconsidering the long-term size of its ATR fleet. Having completed the renewal of its turboprop aircraft with ten ATR72-600s between 2022 and 2024, Air Serbia is evaluating further additions as it seeks to strengthen connectivity across Southeast Europe.

In contrast, no immediate changes are planned for the airline's four-strong Airbus A330-200 fleet, with the carrier instead focusing on optimising utilisation and potentially increasing frequencies on existing intercontinental services.

The CEO also indicated that Air Serbia was satisfied with its current wet-lease arrangements, which involve airBaltic and Bulgaria Air contracts extending until October 2027. However, the carrier could gradually take more flying in-house as its pilot resources improve.

"At the moment, I think we have stabilised the portfolio with two operators. The contracts are valid until October next year, and we are satisfied with that", he said.

"I think we are finally moving out of the period where our new pilot resources were usually only replacing retirements, because we have a lot of senior teams who were still from the JAT period. We are starting to see that we can also grow our pilot portfolio. In that case, if the market does not grow strongly, we will definitely take more operations back in-house".

Mr Marek stressed that future fleet decisions would remain dependent on market conditions, including aircraft leasing costs. "As market conditions continue to evolve, we remain attentive to opportunities that may arise within the aircraft leasing market and will continue to approach fleet planning with flexibility and agility. We have proved several times that we are flexible and agile", he concluded.

Wizz Air discontinues two Belgrade routes

2026-11-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Wizz Air has made further changes to its network, affecting its Belgrade base. The low cost carrier has discontinued its seasonal winter service between Belgrade and Grenoble, which launched in January. The route operated once a week until late March and will not return for a second season. As a result, the carrier now maintains two routes from Belgrade to France, serving Beauvais and Nice.

The carrier has also discontinued services between Belgrade and Madrid, having initially suspended flights only for the winter. It has now removed flights for the coming summer as well. Wizz Air launched the route between the two capitals on October 28 last year, competing directly with Air Serbia. During the January - September period, Wizz Air carried 50.520 passengers on the route, achieving an average cabin load factor of 90.3% over the first three quarters of the year.

As previously reported, Eindhoven Airport will be temporarily closed to all flights from February 1 to July 19 next year for major runway renovations and infrastructure upgrades. This will result in the suspension of Wizz Air’s services from Belgrade to the Dutch city throughout the closure. While the airline will introduce flights to Maastricht from select cities as an alternative, no such service is currently planned from Belgrade.

During the 2026/27 winter season, which runs from October 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027, Wizz Air currently has 712.634 seats scheduled across 3.002 flights to and from Belgrade. The airline will operate 720 fewer flights and offer 175.700 fewer seats than during the previous winter, representing a 19.8% decrease in available capacity.

Swiss and Ethiopian Airlines: Ljubljana - Comoros

2026-11-08T08:59:00.000+01:00

Trip Report

Written by Matjaž Nose

After accumulating close to 80,000 miles in my Miles & More frequent flyer account, it was time to redeem them for an award ticket. My objective was to escape the late-autumn fog of Slovenia in favour of a destination where the climate demands sunscreen rather than winter layers. For this late-October getaway, I selected one of the least-known and least-visited nations in the world: the Comoros.

This choice was largely facilitated by an excellent premium award redemption offered by Ethiopian Airlines and its Star Alliance partners. For 75,000 miles and a modest €155 surcharge, I secured a multi-segment business class itinerary from Ljubljana to Moroni, the capital of the Comoros. The outbound routing comprised a Ljubljana - Zurich segment with Swiss (operated by airBaltic), followed by a Zurich - Milan - Addis Ababa - Moroni journey with Ethiopian Airlines. The return routing included Moroni - Addis Ababa - Brussels with Ethiopian Airlines, concluding with a final leg to Ljubljana operated by Brussels Airlines.

The following trip report provides a review of the outbound journey from Ljubljana to Moroni, including the inflight products and the airport lounge experiences in Ljubljana, Zurich, and Addis Ababa.

These are the flights I took:

Ljubljana (LJU) – Zurich (ZRH)

Flight number: LX2275 (Swiss, operated by airBaltic)

Flight date: October 22, 2026

Aircraft type: Airbus A220-300

Aircraft registration: YL-ABC

Departure time: 14:50

Arrival time: 16:05

Scheduled block time: 1h 15min

Seat: 2F

Zurich (ZRH) – Addis Ababa (ADD) via Milan (MXP)

Flight number: ET737 (Ethiopian Airlines)

Flight date: October 22, 2026

Aircraft type: Boeing B787-9

Aircraft registration: ET-AXK

Departure time: 21:00

Arrival time: 07:20 +1

Scheduled block time: 9h 20min

Seat: 4A

Addis Ababa (ADD) – Moroni (HAH)

Flight number: ET825 (Ethiopian Airlines)

Flight date: October 23, 2026

Aircraft type: Boeing B737-8 MAX

Aircraft registration: ET-BCU

Departure time: 10:00

Arrival time: 13:50

Scheduled block time: 3h 50min

Seat: 3L

It was drizzling when I locked my car at the P3 parking lot of Ljubljana Airport and headed toward the airport building, just a few minutes away on foot. The check-in counters for my Swiss flight to Zurich were already open. Within minutes, I was given three boarding passes for the upcoming flights to Africa, and as a business class passenger, I was also invited to visit the airport business lounge.

Upstairs from the check-in area and to the left are the security checkpoints; I was airside in no time. I then walked through the duty-free shop and headed straight to the airport lounge located on the other side. At about 1 pm, this small lounge was packed, so I had to sit outside on the terrace to eat something and drink a coffee. The lounge was stocked with standard cold dishes, soups, and desserts, while Slovenian wine and beer were also on offer. Although the lounge, located in the airport's Schengen area, has a nice outdoor terrace, it is really small. The airport will definitely have to find a solution to enlarge the lounge or build a new one as soon as possible, especially since new airlines are expected next year, including United Airlines.

Ljubljana Airport

Check-in area

Ljubljana Airport lounge

My Swiss flight to Zurich was operated by airBaltic. We boarded on time at gate A3. The seat configuration in both business and economy class on airBaltic's A220-300 is 2-3, though the middle seat is blocked in the business class cabin. There were three business class passengers on the LX2275 afternoon flight to Zurich. Before departure, we were given a small bottle of water and refreshing tissues. After the 14:53 push-back, we were airborne at 15:04. Soon after take-off, we were served a cold meal: creamy beetroot and cucumber salad, pieces of chicken, and slices of orange for dessert. Drinks were available for free as well. As a farewell gesture, we were offered small "Swiss" chocolates. This first flight of my "Comoros expedition" was the shortest one. We touched down at 15:57 after a 53-minute flight. After arrival, I had to clear immigration. Going through the e-gates, it was basically a walk-through.

Ljubljana-Zurich flight operated by airBaltic

My next flight departed at 9 pm, so I had to kill a few hours. The best location to do so was the Swiss Business & Senator Lounge in the non-Schengen area (E gates), which was very close to the boarding gate for my next flight, E27. The lounge is spacious, featuring dedicated work and rest areas, comfortable seating, and a wide selection of hot and cold dishes, snacks, and drinks. An added bonus is the open terrace, which offers great views of the airplanes parked below. I really enjoyed my time in this lounge.

Zurich Airport

Swiss Business & Senator Lounge at E gates

The backbone of the Ethiopian Airlines wide-body fleet consists of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-8 aircraft, featuring distinct business class (branded as "Cloud Nine") seating configurations in either a 1-2-1 or 2-2-2 layout. Regional African routes—as well as select European destinations such as Istanbul and Athens—are serviced by Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, while the domestic network is primarily operated using Dash 8-400 turboprops.

The flight from Zurich to Addis Ababa was operated by a seven-year-old Boeing 787-9. The Cloud Nine cabin comprised 30 seats configured in a 2-2-2 layout, utilizing the Collins Aerospace Diamond Parallel seats. Boarding commenced strictly on schedule, following the aircraft's day-long layover in Zurich. Upon seating, passengers were provided with a premium pillow, a blanket, noise-cancelling headphones (located in the adjacent storage compartment), a complimentary bottle of water, slippers, and an amenity kit. Prior to departure, the cabin crew offered hot towels alongside a choice of welcome beverages, including juice and champagne.

The initial segment to Milan was moderately occupied, with the business class cabin at approximately 50% capacity. Following a brief 30-minute hop to the capital of Lombardy, through-passengers remained onboard while additional travellers embarked. With the cabin now nearing full capacity, the aircraft pushed back at 23:30.

Before takeoff, the cabin crew distributed printed dining and beverage menus and efficiently took orders. The dinner service commenced approximately twenty minutes after midnight. The main course—a grilled salmon fillet was my choice —was well-executed and paired excellently with a selected Ethiopian red wine. A vanilla ice cream dessert concluded the meal service, after which the seat was converted into a fully flat bed for the night.

Complimentary Wi-Fi vouchers were provided to all Cloud Nine passengers, bypassing the standard US$25 full-flight connectivity fee. The smooth flight conditions allowed for an extended period of rest, concluding with a morning coffee and pastry service prior to arrival. The aircraft landed on schedule at 06:35 local time.

Business class cabin of B787-9

Starter on Milan – Addis Ababa flight

Main dish (salmon fillet)

As the aircraft was assigned a remote stand, a dedicated premium bus transferred business class passengers directly to the terminal. Passengers also benefited from priority security clearance and access to the Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge. Near the lounge entrance, a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony was being hosted; the freshly brewed coffee provided an excellent introduction to the lounge experience. The expansive lounge featured multiple dedicated zones, including private rooms, a bar, relaxation areas, and shower facilities.

A significant logistical advantage for business class travellers is the utilization of Gate A12, positioned almost directly opposite the lounge entrance. This arrangement eliminated the need to walk to the flight's original departure gate. Instead, premium passengers for various connections boarded through Gate A12, where dedicated Cloud Nine buses escorted passengers directly to their respective aircraft.

Arrival to Addis Ababa airport and transfer to the terminal

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Entrance to the Sheba Lounge

Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge

A12 boarding gate for business class passengers

The final leg of the journey to Moroni was operated by a Boeing 737-8 MAX, which was parked at a remote stand. The Cloud Nine cabin features a 2-2 seating configuration; notably, the only other occupant in the business class cabin was an Ethiopian Airlines employee, whereas the economy class cabin appeared to be near full capacity. Ethiopian Airlines operates a daily service between Addis Ababa and Moroni, occasionally deploying wide-body Boeing 787-8 aircraft to meet demand. Other carriers serving this archipelago—located between Mozambique and Madagascar—include Kenya Airways (to Nairobi), Air Tanzania (to Dar es Salaam), EWA Air (to Mayotte), and Air Madagascar, with no other major international airlines operating routes to the islands.

The aircraft pushed back precisely at 10:10 for the three-hour flight to Moroni. Prior to departure, pre-departure beverages—including a choice of champagne or orange juice—and hot towels were offered, followed by the distribution of printed menus. The culinary experience began with grilled tiger prawns as a starter. For the main course, I selected the Ethiopian national dish, traditionally eaten with one's fingers—marking my first experience dining without utensils aboard an aircraft. The dish consisted of doro wat (a spicy chicken stew), minced beef in a savory sauce, mixed vegetables, and injera, a traditional sourdough flatbread with a signature spongy texture made from teff flour. The meal was exceptional and concluded with a selection of Ethiopian wine and a cup of black coffee.

At 13:40, the outlines of Grande Comore (Ngazidja), the largest island of the Comoros, came into view. Minutes later, the aircraft touched down at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport. This smaller airport utilizes remote parking positions exclusively, requiring passengers to walk to the arrival hall. The terminal houses two baggage conveyor belts and was highly congested. The immigration process was straightforward, as a visa-on-arrival is available to most nationalities for a cash fee of €30. Unfortunately, my checked baggage did not arrive on the conveyor belt and was delayed until the following day, requiring a return trip to the airport for collection.

Boeing B737-8 MAX bound for Moroni

Moroni International Airport

Overall, the flight experience with Ethiopian Airlines was highly enjoyable, naturally enhanced by the premium business class service. For travellers interested in experiencing the airline's product without flying to the African continent, Ethiopian Airlines operates several fifth-freedom routes within Europe utilizing Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft. Notable city pairs include Zurich–Milan, Vienna–Copenhagen, Stockholm–Oslo, and Geneva–Manchester. For instance, a round-trip ticket between Milan and Zurich, including checked baggage, is frequently available for approximately €133.

To conclude, a few words on the destination itself. The Union of the Comoros comprises three primary islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. The nation also claims a fourth island, Mayotte; however, following independence from France in 1975, the residents of Mayotte voted to remain an overseas department of France. The local population speaks Comorian, a language closely related to Swahili, while French serves as the primary foreign language for administration and tourism.

The Comoros remains an economically developing nation with minimal tourism infrastructure. Environmental challenges are prominent, and waste management is a visible issue throughout the islands. Nevertheless, the archipelago offers remarkable natural beauty, particularly on Mohéli, the smallest island. Mohéli is renowned for its pristine sandy beaches, exceptional snorkeling opportunities, and vital sea turtle nesting sites.

On Grande Comore, where the capital city of Moroni is situated, the primary attraction is Mount Karthala. Standing at 2,361 meters, this active shield volcano represents the highest point in the Comoros. A guided trek to its summit is widely considered the definitive highlight of any visit to the main island.

Lac Salé, Grande Comore

Grande Comore island

Baobab tree, Grande Comore

Mount Karthala (volcano), Grande Comore

Badjanani mosque, Moroni, Grand Comore

Transfer Grande Comore-Móheli

Móheli island

A turtle heading back to the ocean, Itsamia, Móheli

Ylang-ylang (perfume tree), Móheli

Dried octopuses, Móheli

Mongoose lemur, Móheli

Sunset from the balcony of my accommodation in Nioumachoua, Móheli

Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com

United CEO reveals Croatia Airlines as his favourite carrier

2026-11-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has named its Star Alliance partner Croatia Airlines as one of his favourite carriers, saying one of the group’s smallest members is consistently willing to help United test new technology. Speaking on the “Cheeky Pint” podcast, Mr Kirby noted that United and Lufthansa are the alliance’s two largest members before singling out the Croatian carrier. “One of my favourite airlines is Croatia [Airlines]. They’re small, around twenty aircraft, it’s a great country and the people are awesome. I like the CEO. It doesn’t drive a ton of economic value, but when we try to do new stuff, like if we want to do new technology stuff, they’re one of the smallest and they raise their hand every time. And so, I appreciate that”, Mr Kirby noted.

Croatia Airlines has repeatedly emphasised the value of its Star Alliance membership. Its outgoing CEO, Jasmin Bajić, recently noted, “All the work is done within the framework of Star Alliance. We joined twenty years ago and are the smallest airline member. But we have to reach and maintain certain standards to be part of the alliance, and I am proud that Croatia Airlines has done that for two decades. Compliance with these standards and the associated technology is really important to us and gives us a platform for success. It allows us to be competitive. And, of course, there are innovations at an alliance level which we can access and there is added value for our passengers in terms of connectivity and rewards”.

Mr Bajić also added, “This alliance enables us to provide substantial capacity to Star Alliance hubs, offering access to a wider array of destinations than our standalone operations could do. While overseas markets play a significant role in Croatia Airlines’ overall traffic, we prioritise efficient connections through our Star Alliance and codeshare partners”.

United began operating its own flights to Croatia in 2021, when it launched seasonal services between Newark and Dubrovnik. It expanded its Croatian network this summer with the addition of seasonal flights from Newark to Split. The two airlines have also had a codeshare agreement since 2013, with United placing its UA code on selected Croatia Airlines services, including Zagreb - Dubrovnik and flights linking Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik with major European hubs. United will further expand in the region next year with the introduction of flights to Ljubljana.

A muddy take-off, a $10 DC-10 and a pilot’s last flight

2026-11-07T08:59:00.000+01:00

100 Years of EX-YU Aviation

As we approach the 100th anniversary of civil aviation, EX-YU Aviation News will be publishing a series of articles exploring the key events, milestones and individuals that have helped shape the development of aviation across the former Yugoslavia over the past century.

Written by Veljko Marinković

Take your hats off, gentlemen, we’re taking off!

At last, February 15, 1928, had arrived, the day of the first domestic flight in the history of EX-YU aviation. A reporter for the magazine Naša krila recorded the event at Belgrade Airport in Bežanija as follows.

“Crowds of curious onlookers had gathered around the Potez 29, but at a respectable distance from the ‘bird’, which was eagerly awaiting its first passengers, a group of journalists.

“At around nine o’clock, we entered the comfortable cabin. The propellers began to spin, raising clouds of dust around the aircraft. Sitting beside our pilot, Striževski, was Tadija Sondermajer, director of Aeroput.

“The loud rumble of the engines grew stronger, and the aircraft began to move along the ground. We taxied a little longer than usual, as the muddy terrain slowed us down. Mud splattered in all directions beneath the aircraft’s wheels.

“We are taking off! And then, after a turn, the aircraft disappeared briefly into the clouds, heading towards Zagreb. There we have it! The first domestic air route between Belgrade and Zagreb has been inaugurated”.

Arrival of the first aircraft on the first scheduled domestic flight in Zagreb, 1928

It is interesting to note that the first passengers travelling from the Belgrade side of the Sava towards Bežanija (today’s New Belgrade) crossed the river by boat at 6:30 am and were then driven from the beach to the airport in Bežanija. At the entrance to the airport building, passengers were greeted by rather unsettling posters bearing two messages. One read, “Rest assured, every 50 kilometres there are signposts directing the aircraft”. The other read, “A good pilot can always land on the nearest flat stretch of land”.

Heavy rain and strong winds were forecast for the morning of the most important flight in the history of EX-YU aviation. The gloomy winter weather meant that the first take-off was never captured in photographs. The aircraft set off along the Sava River valley, using the river as its most reliable guide.

The reporter for Politika continues with his own observations.

“Our Potez 29, an air limousine, is preparing to take off. It is eight metres long and four metres high, dark blue on the outside and beige inside, with five very stable armchairs. By the entrance to the lavatory is a washstand with a mirror, a basin and washing powder, a bottle of water, a towel and cologne.

“The journalists travelling as passengers have already been photographed, but alas, Striževski cannot start the engine. The mechanics help from outside by turning the propeller, but the stubborn aeroplane remains silent… The first flight brings the first delay, ‘for technical reasons’”.

Passengers embarking on the first Zagreb - Belgrade flight, 1928

“A second Potez is pulled out of the hangar (Aeroput had only these two aircraft at the time), and the packages, pilot’s chart and seats are transferred. At precisely 9:05 am, rather than at 8 am as originally scheduled, the engine of the second aircraft responds obediently to Striževski’s first attempt, and the entire hangar echoes with its sputtering roar”.

After a two-hour flight and several circuits over central Zagreb, where the two slender spires of Zagreb Cathedral stand out against the skyline, the aircraft’s wheels touched the ground. A formal but warm welcome had been arranged in Zagreb. The weather was better there, making photography possible. After a short rest, the pilots set off on the return flight, carrying a group of Zagreb journalists.

The flights continued daily. Records show that the first female passenger in the history of domestic aviation in Yugoslavia was the charming Miss Gubec, who flew from Zagreb to Belgrade on February 21. She received a warm welcome in Belgrade from representatives of Aeroput and the press.

Welcome ceremony at Zagreb, 1928

Two weeks after the historic flight, the first traffic report was issued. During the first fifteen days, most seats on the aircraft were occupied each day, and demand was so high that passengers were asking for additional tickets.

In this brief overview of the early days of our civil aviation, it is worth recording the first impressions of passengers as well.

“You can move about even while the aircraft is in flight, without stumbling or falling. The aeroplane glides smoothly in a straight line from the moment it reaches its cruising altitude.

“But when the aircraft reaches an altitude of 500 metres, you, as a first-time flyer, feel a slight cramp in your stomach. It is airsickness, much like seasickness.

“However, if you grit your teeth and tense the muscles in your arms and legs, you will feel the sickness pass. Put a little ether under your nose, perhaps drink a glass of water, and settle comfortably into your armchair.

“Below you, the ploughed fields glide past. You glide above them like a butterfly. You are no longer a human being, but an angel. You begin to imagine things far more eternal and far more authoritative”.

Aeroput was officially founded on June 17, 1927. It was established at a time when interest in aviation had grown enormously thanks to the remarkable achievement of pilots Tadija Sondermajer and Leonid Bajdak, who flew from Paris to Bombay and returned triumphantly to Belgrade.

Passengers and crew on JAT's B727, marking the 50th anniversary of the Belgrade - Zagreb route, 1978

With the outbreak of the Second World War, flights between Belgrade and Zagreb were suspended. JAT resumed flights on the route in April 1947 and continued operating them until August 1991. After 23 years, Air Serbia re-established the air link between Belgrade and Zagreb in December 2014. The flight was operated by an Airbus A319 named after Serbian tennis player Novak Djoković.

09:10 to Yuma - The delivery of JAT’s first Jumbo

After 18 months in McDonnell Douglas’s production halls and a slight delay caused by an employees’ strike, the first Jumbo in JAT’s fleet was finally ready for delivery. The DC-10-30, registered as YU-AMA, was JAT’s first wide-body aircraft and marked a new chapter in the airline’s history.

Following a test flight, a certification flight and a zone flight by JAT pilots, YU-AMA was ready for its fourth flight, the delivery flight. Its destination was Yuma, Arizona.

Official handover ceremony of JAT’s first wide-body aircraft, 1978

Yuma was where the aircraft would officially be sold to JAT. The reason was purely financial. At the time, California imposed a 6% tax, while Arizona’s rate was just 3%. McDonnell Douglas therefore conducted its transactions in Arizona, allowing the purchase to be completed under more favourable tax conditions.

And so, on December 10, 1978, at 09:10, YU-AMA took off for Yuma to complete the formalities of its acquisition. All 282 seats in the cabin were still protected by plastic covers when the powerful engines roared to life. The pilots shared their impressions with journalists from Yugoslav newsrooms, offering a glimpse into the capabilities of JAT’s newest aircraft. Among the details that stood out was the DC-10’s impressive fuel capacity. It could carry enough fuel, they noted, to fly all the domestic routes JAT operated across Yugoslavia at the time without stopping.

JAT's first DC-10, YU-AMA, during production » YU-AMA takes off on its maiden flight on September 16, 1978, lasting 5 hours and 35 minutes, 1978

At 11:20 local time, McDonnell Douglas Corporation officially transferred ownership of the DC-10-30, bearing LN 259/MSM 46981 and registration YU-AMA, to Jugoslovenski Aerotransport (JAT), headquartered on Birčaninova Street in Belgrade, for the sum of $10. Yes, ten dollars. The agreed purchase price and terms of the sale were kept confidential. The aircraft’s value at the time was estimated at around $30 million, with approximately 25% of the purchase price reportedly paid through the export of Yugoslav goods to the US market.

This also helps explain why JAT ultimately abandoned its initial plan to purchase the competing Boeing 747SP. According to Terry Waddington’s book McDonnell Douglas DC-10, an article in Aviation Week & Space Technology announced in June 1977 that JAT intended to order Boeing 747SPs, to the consternation of McDonnell Douglas salesmen who had campaigned vigorously. John Wallace, famous for the “hams for DC-9s” deal with the Yugoslavs, and R.E.G. Davies, manager of market research, quickly headed for Belgrade to do some serious legwork. Their efforts were successful and, on July 18, JAT signed a contract for two DC-10-30s.

After the purchase was formally completed, the captain accepted the aircraft’s key in a symbolic handover. Shortly afterwards, the JAT crew took off from Yuma and flew back to Long Beach. The following day, December 11, 1978, the same flight crew, captains Slobodan Tanasković and Živko Jerinić and flight engineer Dušan Mijatović, received clearance for take-off with eight cabin crew members on board. The captain applied full thrust, and the DC-10 lifted off, bound for Belgrade. A joke from the cockpit lightened the moment. They should keep an eye on fuel consumption now that JAT was paying for it.

JAT's second DC-10 YU-AMB test flight, before delivery and during production (the second aircraft in line, behind the Swissair DC-10), 1979

On that delivery flight, the JAT crew set a record for the longest nonstop flight by the type. The first “Jumbo” bearing a YU registration, the DC-10 YU-AMA, completed a nonstop flight of 11 hours and 22 minutes before touching down at Belgrade Airport. At the welcoming ceremony, the aircraft was named after the great scientist Nikola Tesla. The ceremony was hosted by Jovan Pejnović, the top student at the “Kata Pejnović” elementary school in Smiljan, Tesla’s birthplace. In honour of the scientist, spring water from Smiljan was served instead of champagne. A second aircraft, YU-AMB, was delivered in 1979 following the same procedure. Captains Bojan Bogataj and Miloje Cicvarić were in command, and the aircraft was named Edvard Rusjan, after the Slovenian aviation pioneer. His brother, Karlo, was the godfather.

JAT ad for new aircraft in fleet, 1979

Between 1978 and 2005, JAT operated a total of eight McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft, with up to five in service at the same time. Two were purchased new, YU-AMA (72,436 total flying hours) and YU-AMB (75,691 total flying hours). They were followed by YU-AMC and YU-AMD, which were dry-leased. Additional aircraft were leased from other airlines to meet seasonal demand. These included TU-TAL, OO-SLA (nicknamed Slavica), OO-LHA and N107WA.

In 1990, JAT’s DC-10 fleet set a remarkable European record for daily aircraft utilisation, with four aircraft averaging 13 hours and 22 minutes in the air each day. The final DC-10-30, YU-AMB, named Edvard Rusjan and later City of Belgrade, was withdrawn from service on June 24, 2005, bringing an end to an important chapter in EX-YU aviation history.

Branivoj Brane Majcen, famous JAT and Adria pilot

It was a cloudy, rainy spring day in 1977. At 10 am, an Inex-Adria Aviopromet DC-9 took to the skies on a route from Belgrade to Titograd via Sarajevo, then on to Ljubljana via Sarajevo before returning to Belgrade, again via Sarajevo.

This was a new charter service operated by the company on Tuesdays and Thursdays. What made this flight different was that Captain Branivoj Brane Majcen was at the controls for the last time in his long flying career. He was a doyen of aviation and one of the best-known aces of EX-YU aviation.

Captain Brane Majcen after the last flight of his career, Ljubljana Airport, 1977

By the time he made his final landing at Ljubljana’s Brnik Airport, Captain Majcen was one of Yugoslavia’s aviation record-holders, having accumulated 19,652 hours in the air and flown the equivalent of 177 times around the Earth. Few pilots had led as exciting and eventful a life as Majcen, who was born in Celje in 1917 and was now sixty. At the ceremonial reception held in front of the aircraft named Ljubljana, Captain Majcen was welcomed by practically all the employees of Slovenia’s Adria Airways.

Captain Majcen began his flying career as a glider pilot and later became a military aviator, taking part in combat operations during the Second World War. His instructor at the military aviation school was Milisav Semiz, who would later become one of JAT’s finest pilots. His wartime service took him as far as Benghazi, Libya. From there, as a trained Hurricane pilot, he took part in the liberation of Yugoslavia in 1944.

He remained in uniform until 1948, when, like most JAT pilots, he began flying the routes of the newly established national airline. He spent 14 years with JAT, flying in challenging conditions and helping lay the foundations of civil aviation in the former Yugoslavia.

Captain Branislav Majcen (first form the left), F/O Opačić and JAT first stewardess Dragica Pavlović Njanja in front of JAT DC-3 aircraft, 1948

In 1954, he served alongside pilots Semiz and Opačić on a Convair 340 during Tito’s visit to Burma. He also served as a crew member aboard a DC-6B during Tito’s visit to India, Indonesia, Burma, Syria and Ethiopia.

One of the most significant moments in Captain Majcen’s career was the successful landing of a burning DC-3 without injury to any passengers. The captain was decorated for this achievement. It was a Friday, June 10, 1951. The DC-3, YU-ABE, was operating a service from Belgrade to Frankfurt via Zagreb and Munich. On the return flight from Frankfurt to Belgrade, before reaching Munich, the cabin suddenly filled with smoke at an altitude of about 1,500 metres. The crew soon discovered that a package in the baggage compartment between the cockpit and the passenger cabin was on fire. In an attempt to extinguish the fire, flight mechanic Vaso Vorkapić tried to throw the burning package out of a cockpit window. As he carried it over Captain Majcen’s head, he accidentally set the captain’s clothing on fire. The passengers did not notice the danger until Captain Majcen entered the cabin, his clothing ablaze, trying to put out the flames. Through extraordinary effort, professionalism and training, the crew managed to avoid power lines and a hill and bring the burning aircraft down in a nearby field. In an interview with the Belgrade-based magazine Ilustrovana Politika, Captain Majcen emphasised that he regarded June 10, 1951, as his second birthday.

The heroic crew of JAT’s DC-3 YU-ABE: Mechanic Vorkapić, Captain Majcen and First Officer Nikolajvčić, 1951

In 1962, Branivoje Majcen co-founded Adria Aviopromet (later known as Adria Airways). Together with fellow pilot Karel Rankel, he helped train Adria’s pilots and later assessed their knowledge and proficiency.

Captain Majcen once again made his mark in the history of civil aviation in the former Yugoslavia as a member of the crew that set a Yugoslav record for flight duration on what was also considered the longest nonstop flight of its time. In June 1963, Karel Rankel, who had captained the first aircraft to land at Brnik Airport, operated Adria’s first transatlantic charter flight aboard a DC-6B. The flight was operated with two flight crews, with Captain Branivoje Majcen in command of the second. The flight from Shannon, Ireland, to Toronto, Canada, lasted 13 hours and 22 minutes.

Captain Branislav Majcen at the end and beginning of his flying career

Over the radio, air traffic controllers bid farewell to Captain Majcen and wished him a long and happy retirement. The crews of all Yugoslav aircraft in the air at the time joined them in bidding him farewell. At exactly 14:08, the DC-9, YU-AHJ, touched down on the runway at Brnik Airport, marking the end of a highly successful flying career. Captain Majcen passed away in Ljubljana in 1995 at the age of 78.

Sources:

· JAT inflight magazine: JAT Review and JAT New Review, JAT News

· There was once a JAT, Simišić Jovo, 2022, 2025

· Politika newspapers and magazines

Yugoslav museum to mark 100 years of EX-YU aviation

2026-11-06T13:30:00.000+01:00

The Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade will kick off celebrations marking 100 years of commercial aviation in the former Yugoslavia with a three-part lecture series beginning on Tuesday, November 10. The series will explore what the museum describes as “the exciting history of Yugoslav air transport, including the ups, downs and global successes of local airlines”. All three lectures will be delivered by Dr Ilija Kukobat, a research associate at the Institute for Contemporary History.

The opening lecture, “On the Wings of Enthusiasm and the Yugoslav Idea: Aeroput Air Transport Company, 1927 - 1948”, will be followed by “From Regional to Global and Back: JAT Yugoslav Airlines, 1947 - 2013”. The final lecture is titled “Why did socialist Yugoslavia have multiple airlines? JUSTA, Adria, Pan Adria and Aviogenex”. The lectures will take place on three consecutive Tuesdays at 18:00 in the museum’s cinema hall. Admission is free.

Dr Kukobat earned his doctorate in 2023 from the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy with a dissertation on air transport in Yugoslavia from 1945 to 1992. He previously worked at Belgrade’s Museum of Aviation and has authored and co-authored several works on Yugoslav aviation history. Since 2024, he has served as editorial secretary of the journal "History of the 20th Century".

Turkish Airlines marks Sarajevo and Ljubljana milestones

2026-11-06T10:35:12.833+01:00

Turkish Airlines has marked thirty years of service to Sarajevo and twenty years of operations to Ljubljana.

The carrier launched its Istanbul - Sarajevo route in 1996 with two weekly flights and now operates up to 21 weekly in summer and fourteen in winter. Turkish Airlines’ General Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eyup Kars, said, “We are proud to have contributed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s global connectivity, international visibility and growing tourism potential”. Sarajevo Airport noted, “Over the past three decades, Turkish Airlines has carried millions of passengers between Sarajevo and Istanbul, strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international air links and supporting the growth of its tourism sector. Through its extensive network, the airline has helped introduce travellers from around the world to the country’s natural beauty, rich history and cultural heritage”. This year, Turkish Airlines is Sarajevo Airport’s third-largest carrier by available seat capacity, behind Ryanair and Pegasus Airlines.

In Ljubljana, where Turkish Airlines began operations in 2006, passengers were offered baklava and Turkish delight to mark the anniversary. The route operates up to eighteen times per week, handling well over one million passengers so far. Ljubljana Airport CEO, Juergen Deischl, said, “What began in January 2006 with just three weekly flights has become one of Ljubljana Airport’s most important international connections, linking Slovenia through Istanbul with Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In 2023, we welcomed the one-millionth Turkish Airlines passenger at Ljubljana Airport. A powerful reflection of how far this partnership has come. Twenty years behind us. The next chapter starts now. Congratulations to everyone at Turkish Airlines, and thank you for being such an important part of the Ljubljana Airport story”. This year, Turkish Airlines is Ljubljana Airport’s second-largest carrier by available seat capacity, behind Lufthansa.

Air Serbia reveals first plans for landmark 2027 celebrations

2026-11-06T09:00:00.000+01:00

Air Serbia is preparing an extensive programme to mark 100 years of commercial aviation in 2027, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator among the attractions planned for its dedicated Expo pavilion. The celebrations will also include special aircraft liveries, a documentary and a commemorative book, alongside further enhancements to the airline’s Elevate frequent flyer programme and onboard product. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, the carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said the centenary would provide an opportunity to celebrate its history while showcasing its future development.

"We will have a pavilion at Expo. We should receive the keys in the next couple of days. The pavilion will be dedicated to 100 years of aviation, with a lot of activities. We will have OEM weeks, where different aircraft manufacturers will have events", Mr Marek said.

One of the planned attractions will be developed in cooperation with Boeing. "What I can already disclose is that that for the opening of the pavilion, we will have a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator for a couple of days, together with Boeing. Boeing played a significant part in 100 years of our history".

The CEO also confirmed plans for two aircraft to carry special centenary liveries, although further details are being kept under wraps. "We will have two aircraft in special liveries for the centenary. We will have a documentary movie. We will have a book. There will be many things. I don't want to disclose too many now", he said.

Mr Marek emphasised that the celebrations would recognise the broader history of aviation in the region. "We are very well aware of our legacy. We are very well aware of the people throughout those 100 years and what they did in this region, and we are proud of it. We are paying attention not to prefer any particular period, but to really cover these 100 years of aviation in this part of Europe".

Meanwhile, the airline's Elevate frequent flyer programme is gaining members at a faster rate than initially anticipated. The carrier expects to surpass 200.000 this week, compared to its original forecast of 280,000 within the first twelve months.

"The dynamics are definitely much faster, which is very positive. It might be one of the reasons why we have had double-digit growth from July. Up to the end of June, we were growing 3%, and from July it has been more than 10%. That kind of corresponds with the launch of the frequent flyer programme", Mr Marek explained.

The airline intends to introduce further functionality, including dynamic redemption, family accounts and co-branded bank cards. "Soon we will introduce the so-called dynamic reward system. You will no longer need to call the call centre when you want to use your points. Either you have enough points to fully pay for the ticket, or you pay partly with points and partly with another form of payment".

He added, "One of the next important milestones for the Elevate program will be the introduction of a co-branded payment card in partnership with Banca Intesa. The card will provide members with additional opportunities to earn points through their everyday spending while further enhancing the overall value proposition of the program. We are working closely with our partner on the final implementation phases and look forward to introducing this new benefit to our members”.

Air Serbia also intends to expand the programme through partnerships with other airlines, although this remains a longer-term objective. "The airlines are contacting us. They are willing to start. But we need to first properly build all the phases that we have before allowing other airlines to participate. The difficulty is that the majority of systems are still mileage-based, not spend-based. But definitely, it's a direction we want to go".

The CEO believes Elevate could ultimately become an important source of revenue for the carrier. "That's the intention. That's also the reason why we introduced it as a kind of virtual currency. You can buy the last seat on the plane with points at that price. Basically, ours is a spend-based system. The more you spend, the more you get".

In parallel, the airline is continuing to improve its onboard catering, having recently introduced new meal cycles on short-haul flights. Air Serbia is also preparing to relocate to its new headquarters near Belgrade Airport ahead of Expo 2027. The development includes a hotel, which will be operated by an external hotel chain. "It's going pretty much according to plan. We are confident that we should be able to move in before Expo. The hotel has also received the construction permit recently, and construction is going according to plan", Mr Marek concluded.

Air Serbia targeted in latest Europe-wide hoax threats

2026-11-05T16:04:54.009+01:00

An Air Serbia flight from Belgrade to Bucharest was among at least eighteen services across Europe reportedly affected by bomb threats today, marking the second such wave this week. Flight JU102 landed safely in the Romanian capital, where authorities carried out checks in accordance with applicable security protocols. The threat was subsequently deemed unfounded, and the Embraer E190 aircraft returned to normal operations. Other airlines to have been targeted today include Aegean and Aer Lingus, as well as multiple flights operated by Finnair, Iberia, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines and Ryanair.

Sarajevo Airport sees busiest October on record

2026-11-05T13:30:00.000+01:00

Sarajevo Airport registered its busiest October by handling 189.472 passengers, representing an increase of 4.4%. During the January - October period, the airport welcomed 1.973.069 travellers, up 0.9%, or an additional 17.532 customers. The airport is expected to surpass the two million passenger mark this week.

Sarajevo’s largest airlines by scheduled seat capacity, October 2026

Air Serbia registers double digit growth in October

2026-11-05T10:22:12.144+01:00

Air Serbia achieved its most successful October since the company was established, carrying 449.986 passengers on scheduled and charter flights. The figure represents an increase of 15.5% on the same month last year. During October, a total of 4.607 flights were operated from Belgrade, Niš and Kraljevo airports, which is 11.9% more than in October 2025. At the same time, the average passenger cabin load factor reached 84.2%, an increase of four percentage points compared to a year earlier. From January through the end of October, Air Serbia operated 44.395 flights, representing a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and handled 4.250.451 travellers. The average passenger cabin load factor stood at 79.3%, up from 78.5% in the previous year.

Commenting on the result, the carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “The fact that we carried more than 4.25 million passengers during the first ten months of the year demonstrates that Air Serbia continues to deliver the best results in its history. By the end of October, we had already reached 93% of the total number of passengers carried throughout the whole of 2025, when Air Serbia transported 4.57 million passengers. These results confirm the continuously growing demand for Air Serbia flights and the success of our network development strategy. We remain committed to further improving Serbia’s connectivity with key markets, providing passengers with even more opportunities for direct travel”.

Croatia Airlines readies for new leadership after nine years

2026-11-05T09:00:00.000+01:00

Croatia Airlines is preparing for its first change at the top in nine years as it nears the end of its Airbus A220 fleet renewal and grapples with mounting losses. Jasmin Bajić, who has led the airline since 2017, will step down on December 5 after tendering his resignation on Wednesday, citing health reasons and retirement. A new management board is expected to be appointed within a month. The incoming leadership will inherit an airline that carried 103.000 more passengers in the first nine months of 2026 than a year earlier, yet recorded almost three times the net loss per passenger.

Croatia Airlines carried 1.66 million passengers between January and September, up 7%, while its net loss widened from 20.9 million euros to 64.7 million euros. That equates to a net loss of approximately 39 euros per passenger, up from thirteen euros a year earlier. The operating loss per passenger also more than doubled, from around fourteen euros to thirty euros. Passenger revenue rose 6%, slightly slower than passenger numbers, while total expenditure increased 18%. The carrier lost fifteen million euros in the peak July - September quarter alone, compared to 2.9 million euros during the same period in 2025.

The competitive landscape has also changed considerably since Mr Bajić took over. In its 2017 annual report, Croatia Airlines put its share of passenger traffic at Croatian airports at 27%. Its Chief Commercial Officer, Slaven Žabo, put the carrier’s passenger share at 14.1% in 2024. The airline has since reported gains in 2025 and again in the first nine months of 2026, when its passenger growth outpaced the 2% increase across Croatian airports. Ryanair nevertheless remained the country’s largest airline, handling close to 4.1 million passengers in 2025 compared to Croatia Airlines’ 2.04 million.

The switch to an all-A220 fleet will be the most visible legacy of Mr Bajić’s tenure. Croatia Airlines had taken delivery of thirteen of its fifteen A220s by the end of October, with one more due before year-end and the final aircraft expected in the first quarter of 2027. The airline says cumulative delivery delays across the order have reached 73 months, complicating schedules and raising the cost of operating multiple aircraft types during the transition. Its two remaining A319s are currently scheduled to make their final flights on November 27.

The handover also comes midway through a state recapitalisation. Croatia Airlines received a 35-million-euro cash injection earlier this year, while the sale and leaseback of two spare engines generated a further 25.7 million euros. Cash and cash equivalents stood at 20.4 million euros at the end of September, and a further 35-million-euro state instalment is planned for early 2027.

The first summer under new leadership will offer an early measure of what the fleet renewal can deliver. The airline is already carrying more passengers and regaining some ground in Croatia. The next management board’s task will be to decide where the new aircraft can earn their keep, after a summer in which higher traffic and revenue still left the carrier with a substantially larger loss.

Croatia Airlines CEO resigns

2026-11-04T15:15:02.970+01:00

Croatia Airlines CEO Jasmin Bajić has submitted his resignation for health reasons and will retire. Mr Bajić will step down on December 5, with new management to be appointed within a month.

Mr Bajić has led Croatia Airlines since 2017 and joined the carrier in January 1995. Before becoming CEO, he held a series of management roles spanning corporate strategy, fleet and network planning, and finance. He was elected to the International Air Transport Association’s Board of Governors in 2024 for a three-year term.

The leadership change comes as Croatia Airlines completes its transition to an all-Airbus A220 fleet. The carrier reported a net loss of 64.7 million euros for the first nine months of 2026, up from 20.9 million euros a year earlier, and warned of further pressure during the final quarter amid weaker seasonal demand and ongoing fleet renewal challenges.

EU reports on EX-YU air transport progress

2026-11-04T13:48:26.894+01:00

The European Commission has published its annual progress reports for those aspiring to join the European Union, giving an assessment of what each candidate and potential candidate has achieved over the last year, as well as a set of guidelines on reform priorities, including air transport. Excerpts from the reports that concern aviation are outlined below:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The 2009 Law on civil aviation needs to be aligned with the requirements of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement (ECAA). The authorities should continue efforts to address the chronic lack of adequately trained and qualified staff within the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA), which increases the risks of safety oversight. Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted implementing legislation on air traffic flow management, aimed at further alignment with the EU acquis

Montenegro

As regards aviation, Montenegro has made considerable progress with regard to the implementation of the first transitional phase of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement. In April 2026, Montenegro adopted a new law on air transport followed by implementing legislation in May 2026 to align with the technical aspects of air traffic management and the Single European Sky (SES 2+) Regulation. When it comes to the issue of the joint air navigation services provider with Serbia, in March 2026, the government adopted a transition plan for 2026-2030 with the aim of reaching full compliance with the SES2+ and performance and charging schemes. Montenegro is required to establish a fully operational national air navigation service provider in compliance with the EU’s rules on ownership and control. The transition plan requires significant financial resources and a sufficient number of highly trained human resources for its full implementation.

North Macedonia

On aviation, further regulatory alignment following the 2025 European Common Aviation Area assessment visit is still needed. The IT system for certification within the Civil Aviation Agency was upgraded to comply with EU standards, and is expected to be regularly used upon the completion of the testing period. Further action is required to address the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’ s findings on the safety oversight of air navigation services. Independent functioning of the air navigation service provider needs to be maintained on a regular basis.

Serbia

On aviation, Serbia maintains a good level of alignment with the EU acquis. No progress was made in lifting the suspension of articles on the licensing of air carriers or in normalising the lower airspace regime over Kosovo. In March 2026, Serbia’s Civil Aviation Directorate introduced regulatory changes which would negatively impact the traffic rights for EU air carriers flying to and from Serbia and, in the Commission's view, be incompatible with Serbia’s obligations under the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement. In September 2026, the implementation of the changes was postponed to March 2027. Montenegro’s reform to establish a national air navigation service provider (ANSP), in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/2803, is expected to have implications for the current joint Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services (SMATSA) arrangement.

Kosovo

Air transport continues to face many challenges arising from Kosovo’s non-membership in several international civil aviation organisations. The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) still manages and coordinates the Kosovo airspace. Kosovo took measures to address institutional shortcomings of the Air Navigation Service Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority by recruiting and training specialised staff. Kosovo’s airspace saw an increase in passenger traffic during the reporting period. However, the persistent lack of revenue from airspace management remains a long-standing issue. While two outstanding issues remain to complete the first phase of the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement requirements, Kosovo has adopted nine additional second-phase aviation safety regulations. In August 2026, Kosovo’s Civil Aviation Authority signed two Working Arrangements with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under the ECAA framework, strengthening cooperation on aviation safety and data exchange.

Croatia Airlines prepares new online booking platform

2026-11-04T10:30:00.000+01:00

Croatia Airlines is preparing to introduce a new online booking platform aimed at simplifying ticket purchases and improving its digital passenger services. Based on Amadeus Reference Experience technology, the system will offer clearer fare comparisons, including information on baggage allowances and ticket change and refund conditions. It will also make it easier to purchase additional services such as extra baggage, seat selection and meals.

The website’s technical adaptation had been undertaken and key functions, including booking, reservation management, timetable searches and flight status, have largely been tested by the airline. Implementation of the payment system remains underway. The platform will also make it easier for passengers to continue the same flight search across different devices.

Croatia Airlines recently completed the introduction of a new passenger notification system for flight disruptions. Work on the project began late last year, with the system forming part of the carrier’s broader efforts to modernise its operations and improve the passenger experience.

Air Serbia eyes Ibiza, northern Spain and a return to Cairo

2026-11-04T09:00:00.000+01:00

Air Serbia is targeting further expansion across Southeast Europe, Spain and potentially the Middle East, although its main priority for 2027 will be increasing frequencies on existing routes rather than introducing a large number of new destinations. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, the airline's CEO, Jiri Marek, identified Ibiza, northern Spain and several Middle Eastern markets among future opportunities, while indicating that additional regional expansion would depend on increasing the size of the carrier's ATR fleet.

"Next year we announced only six new destinations, but we are planning to grow 15% to 20%. Our main focus for next year is increasing frequencies and increasing capacity on the current network", Mr Marek said.

He noted that Air Serbia's network, which has expanded substantially in recent years, now provides a strong foundation for further growth through additional services. "The network is already pretty wide. It just needs more depth, and any additional frequency in that kind of network automatically increases and multiplies connectivity".

The airline has announced six new destinations for 2027, comprising Cluj, Chisinau, Helsinki, Miami, Menorca and Yerevan. While the carrier will continue exploring opportunities further afield, Mr Marek highlighted the wider Balkan region as an important area for future development.

"After many years of waiting, we have now started to expand in the region. Chisinau and Cluj are what we always call the wider Balkan region, so there will definitely be more opportunities. At the moment, we are lacking capacity for that", he said.

The CEO explained that the carrier is reconsidering its previous strategy of maintaining a stable ten-aircraft ATR72-600 fleet. "For some time, we considered the ATR fleet to be stable at ten units, but now we see that we need to grow that fleet as well in order to support more regional expansion".

Air Serbia is also becoming more ambitious with the initial frequencies offered on new regional services. "We started a bit more bravely than before. We started both routes (Chisinau and Cluj) with four weekly flights. In the past, we usually started with two and then grew. But the network is already wide enough that it can sustain much higher frequencies", Mr Marek noted.

Elsewhere in Europe, the airline continues to examine opportunities in Spain, where it already has a growing presence. However, slot availability remains an obstacle at some airports. "There are destinations where we are still struggling with slots during the summer, for example Ibiza, which we would like to have. We are definitely also looking at Spain, a bit more in the north. There are some destinations with potential", the CEO said.

On the other hand, some frequently discussed Western European markets are not yet commercially viable for the airline. "We continue to evaluate opportunities such as Dublin and Manchester. However, current market conditions do not yet support their inclusion in our near-term network plans", Mr Marek explained.

The carrier also sees opportunities to restore services in the Middle East, provided that geopolitical conditions improve. "If the situation in the Middle East stabilises, we will definitely return to Cairo. Damascus and Beirut are natural choices to return to sooner or later as well", he said.

Central Asia remains another market under consideration, although aircraft availability and performance constraints currently limit the airline's ability to pursue opportunities in the region. "Central Asia is a bit challenging in terms of our current fleet capacity, but those are definitely markets we are looking at", the CEO noted.

Looking ahead to the 2027 summer season, the CEO indicated that another significant capacity increase within the region could be announced shortly, subject to securing airport slots. "The majority of summer changes have already been published in terms of frequencies. We are still fine-tuning things. But there will be one surprising, big capacity increase in the region. We are still waiting to receive the slots", Mr Marek revealed.

Prosecutors probe Belgrade Airport security lapse

2026-11-04T09:00:00.000+01:00

An Air Serbia flight bound for Moscow was forced to turn back to Belgrade mid-flight yesterday evening after a passenger, believed to be the country's former deputy prime minister, who also headed Serbia’s intelligence agency, reportedly boarded without completing the required security screening. The apparent lapse was identified after CCTV footage was reviewed. The aircraft turned back over Lithuania and landed in Belgrade shortly before 22:00 local time. Air Serbia said it returned the flight to Belgrade after airport authorities advised that one passenger required additional checks. The flight reached Moscow on Wednesday morning after all passengers and their luggage were screened again in Belgrade. The incident follows several security lapses at Belgrade Airport in recent years.

Belgrade’s Third Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office said today that a police report showed a security alarm had gone off as the passenger passed through screening, but that no follow-up check was carried out. Prosecutors said police had initially reported that CCTV footage showed the passenger passing through the security area accompanied by an officer from Serbia’s intelligence agency, the BIA, without completing the prescribed checks. The prosecutor’s office has ordered further checks and said it would ask police to obtain the footage, relevant records and witness statements.

Air Serbia boosts Split winter capacity

2026-11-03T13:31:45.517+01:00

Air Serbia will increase capacity on its Belgrade - Split service this winter. In addition to the previously announced increase from two to three weekly flights, the airline will deploy the 108-seat Embraer E190 aircraft on the route each Friday from February 5. The remaining two weekly services will continue to be operated by the 72-seat ATR72-600 turboprop. The E190 is also scheduled on select dates in November and December, including yesterday, November 2, and December 21. Further equipment changes remain possible.

Royal Jordanian puts Belgrade launch on hold

2026-11-03T10:30:00.000+01:00

Royal Jordanian has put the launch of its planned Amman - Belgrade service on hold, removing tickets from sale following several changes to its proposed starting date. The airline has not confirmed the route’s cancellation but says its introduction remains under review, with no revised launch date determined. In a statement to EX-YU Aviation News, the carrier said, “Royal Jordanian continues to review its network expansion plans, including the proposed Amman - Belgrade service. At this stage, bookings for the route are not available, and a revised launch date has yet to be determined”. The Oneworld member has modified its launch date several times, bringing the inaugural both forward and pushing it back in light of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The latest launch date for the two weekly service was set for March 31, 2027.

Croatia Airlines warns of tough winter

2026-11-03T09:00:00.000+01:00

Croatia Airlines has warned of further pressure on its operations during the final quarter of 2026 as seasonally weaker demand coincides with the ongoing transition to an all-Airbus A220 fleet. In its latest business report, the carrier identified aircraft delivery delays, maintenance constraints and spare parts shortages among its main challenges, alongside volatile fuel prices and limited scope to pass increased costs on to passengers. The warning comes as the airline prepares to take delivery of its final two A220s, while reporting a net loss of 64.7 million euros during the first three quarters of the year.

The Croatian carrier said, “In the final quarter of 2026, characterised by the transition to the winter timetable and seasonally lower demand for air travel, these risks could place additional pressure on the company’s operations”. It added that managing costs, maintaining operational stability and adapting to changing market conditions remain its key priorities.

The airline disclosed that accumulated delays to its Airbus A220 deliveries now amount to 73 months across the programme. The figure represents the combined delays affecting aircraft deliveries, rather than a postponement to any single aircraft. “Deliveries of new Airbus A220 aircraft to Croatia Airlines have already been postponed several times by the manufacturer. At present, cumulative delays for Airbus A220 aircraft amount to 73 months”, the company said. “Such uncertainty significantly complicates operational planning and creates substantial cost exposure”, it added. Croatia Airlines warned that deviations from the delivery timetable can reduce available capacity and result in flight cancellations, with knock-on effects on maintenance planning, resource allocation and network optimisation. It also noted that simultaneously managing three different aircraft types during the transition requires additional coordination and adjustments to operational procedures.

Despite these challenges, the carrier is approaching the completion of its A220 deliveries. Following the arrival of two A220-300s in October, Croatia Airlines had received thirteen aircraft from its fifteen-strong order, comprising two A220-100s and eleven A220-300s. A further A220-300 is expected before the end of the year, with the final aircraft scheduled to arrive during the first quarter of 2027. The new arrivals are being accompanied by the withdrawal of older aircraft. Two Airbus A319s, registered 9A-CTG and 9A-CTH, were returned to their owners last month. It now has two A319s in service, with their final scheduled operation being a return flight between Zagreb and Vienna on November 27. Neither aircraft is currently scheduled to operate any flights thereafter.

Flydubai schedules Skopje launch

2026-11-02T11:26:19.951+01:00

Flydubai will resume flights between Dubai and Skopje from April 1, 2027, over seven years after it suspended operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Services will be maintained three times per week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from Emirates Airlines’ Terminal 3 at Dubai Airport, enabling a smoother transfer experience.

Commenting on the service resumption, Flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “Connectivity is a key part of Dubai’s success as a global aviation hub. By linking markets that have limited direct air services with Dubai, At flydubai, we have always believed that connectivity unlocks opportunities for tourism, trade and cultural exchange. Over the years, we have connected many cities that previously had limited direct links to Dubai and the wider world. The return of Skopje reflects that continued commitment”. Jeyhun Efendi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and E-commerce at Flydubai, added, “Europe continues to be an important part of our network strategy. The resumption of flights to Skopje gives our customers greater choice and flexibility, while providing an attractive one-stop travel option for leisure travellers, business travellers and the Macedonian diaspora from Australia and Asia. Our operations will commence with a three-weekly service and we are confident that demand will grow as more customers take advantage of the attractive Dubai stopover offering while connecting beyond the city.”

Flydubai’s return to Skopje, which has been in the works for several years, mark’s the resumption of nonstop services between Macedonia and the Gulf. Further flight details can be found here.

Zagreb to start preparations for terminal expansion

2026-11-02T10:30:00.000+01:00

Zagreb Airport has said it will commence preparatory activities for the expansion of its main terminal building next year. It comes as the airport anticipates another record in 2027. Under Article 9.2.2(a) of the concession agreement, Phase 2A expansion works must begin within ninety days after December 31 of the first year in which that threshold is reached, which is expected next year. The subsequent triggers are 6.1 million passengers for Phase 2B and 7.3 million for Phase 2C, with the same ninety-day rule.

Phase 2A entails extending the terminal’s western boarding area and increasing capacity inside the building. Based on the concession agreement, the expansion requires three new departure lounges in the western boarding area, associated facilities and any necessary apron expansion, as well as internal reorganisation of terminal space to increase passenger capacity. The scope takes account of any improvement works already completed.

Air Serbia CEO outlines Miami, Toronto and Guangzhou plans

2026-11-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Air Serbia is seeing encouraging initial bookings for its newly announced Belgrade - Miami service, while considering growing its seasonal Toronto operations for 2027. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, the airline's CEO, Jiri Marek, said the strong performance of Toronto, particularly the unexpectedly balanced demand in both directions, had helped reinforce the carrier's decision to expand its North American network. The airline is examining the possibility of adding another weekly Toronto service next summer, while Miami is ultimately intended to operate on a year-round basis.

"I think it's still too early to tell, but surprisingly, the bookings are coming. They are coming more or less at a similar speed to Toronto when we announced it. We believe that it will work", Mr Marek said.

The CEO noted that Toronto's performance had played an important role in the decision to expand further in North America, particularly because demand patterns differed from initial expectations. "One of the key indicators for us was the performance of Toronto because a lot of things that happened there were quite different from what was expected and what any industry data was showing. The directionality, which held us back from Toronto for a very long time, actually didn't happen. I would even say there was almost no directionality. The flights were full in both directions, and that's something which is not visible on New York and Chicago. That encouraged us. We have the capacity and the data gives us confidence to test the market potential".

Although Miami is initially scheduled for the summer, Air Serbia intends for it to become a year-round route. "It's planned as year-round. All the new destinations, except Menorca, are planned as year-round. But at the moment we have put them on sale only for the summer because the million-dollar question is where fuel prices will be", Mr Marek explained.

The CEO warned that the continued rise in jet fuel prices, despite earlier expectations of a decline, could necessitate wider changes across the industry. "The majority of airlines that were hedged are seeing those hedges ending. Hedging at these prices is not very logical, which means that we expect ticket prices will need to go up, unfortunately. You can keep current prices for the short or medium term, but in the longer term, there needs to be some structural change".

Meanwhile, Air Serbia is examining the possibility of adding another weekly Toronto service during the summer of 2027, subject to slot availability, although no decision has been made. The route's strong performance has encouraged the airline to consider further opportunities in the North American market, with the carrier focusing on optimising its existing long-haul network rather than immediately expanding its widebody fleet.

Despite its continued long-haul expansion, Air Serbia is not currently planning to enlarge its four-strong Airbus A330-200 fleet. Instead, it intends to focus on optimising utilisation and potentially increasing frequencies across its existing intercontinental network. "We still have capacity on the current network. There might be some further optimisation during the winter if we are able to have some counter-seasonal destinations. If Miami works well, which actually has better seasonality in winter, there can be growth in frequencies", he said.

"We are living in a world which is super volatile in terms of geopolitics and fuel. Nobody knows how things will evolve. We are not worried about demand, but rather how fuel prices and the situation in the industry will evolve. With our current knowledge of the market and costs, we are stable. But if anything changes, we are able to react very quickly", Mr Marek added.

Elsewhere in its long-haul network, Air Serbia is reviewing the future of its Belgrade - Guangzhou service for the 2027 summer season following a substantial contraction in demand between Serbia and China. " We are currently reviewing the long-term performance and future development of the Guangzhou route. It's not related to Miami, and it's not because of fuel. Year to date, up to the end of September, there has been a 26% decline in the total market size between Serbia and China. It's impacting everybody, not only us, but also the two other Chinese carriers", Mr Marek said.

The airline reduced Guangzhou frequencies during the peak summer period in response to weaker demand. "There isn't really clear industry data, research or an answer as to what is behind it, but a 26% year-on-year drop in the market size is significant. We addressed that during the summer by going down to one weekly frequency", he explained.

Despite the decline, there have been some encouraging developments. "October performed very well, but in October you have the Canton Fair, so there is extra demand. We hope that Chinese New Year will again be strong, which is good because it has less seasonality. But next summer is still under question. We haven't taken a final decision yet. We will see how things evolve, but it will be driven by how the market size develops", Mr Marek concluded, in an interview conducted on October 30.