EX-YU Aviation News

First major inbound charter from Egypt lands in Belgrade

2026-10-20T10:30:00.000+02:00

Belgrade Airport welcomed the first large organised charter group from Egypt earlier this month, with 163 passengers arriving from Cairo on October 9. The flight was operated by Egyptian carrier Sky Vision Airlines using an Airbus A320 aircraft as part of a corporate incentive trip organised by Montenegro-based tour operator MTS, in cooperation with Balkan Infinity Travel and Egyptian travel agency Wastco Travel. The visitors spent five days and four nights in Serbia visitng Belgrade, Novi Sad and Zlatibor, as well as a corporate conference and gala dinner.

The charter was operated as part of a triangular service linking Cairo, Belgrade and Podgorica. On October 9, the aircraft operated Cairo - Belgrade - Podgorica - Cairo, while the return rotation on October 13 followed the Cairo - Podgorica - Belgrade - Cairo routing. The operation also carried 143 passengers from Belgrade and Podgorica to Cairo. According to the organisers, the project involved complex arrangements, particularly securing flight permits and visas for all 163 Egyptian visitors, with support from the Serbian Embassy in Cairo and relevant government institutions. MTS, which has operated charter flights between Cairo and Podgorica for several years, believes the successful programme could pave the way for further organised tourism and corporate travel from Egypt to Serbia.

Pula Airport eyes new routes and domestic links

2026-10-20T09:00:00.000+02:00

Pula Airport is seeking to strengthen its domestic air connectivity, particularly with Split and Dubrovnik, as part of Croatia's upcoming Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme. The airport's newly appointed acting Managing Director, Marko Ražem, said improving links between Croatia's coastal airports and the country's interior would be among his priorities, with a particular emphasis on developing sustainable year-round services. Speaking to the local “Glas Istre” newspaper, Mr Ražem noted there was considerable potential for domestic flights beyond seasonal tourist demand, including business, administrative and personal travel. He highlighted the lengthy road journey between Pula and southern Croatia as an opportunity for air transport to provide a more practical alternative.

The airport intends to present its case for improved domestic connectivity as Croatia prepares its next Public Service Obligation (PSO) tender, which has been delayed. The new four-year programme was originally due to commence at the end of March 2026, but the government failed to launch the tender on time, resulting in a temporary suspension of several domestic routes. The tender is now expected to be launched in early 2027, approximately nine months behind schedule.

The airport is also targeting a return to its pre-pandemic passenger traffic levels by 2028. Pula handled approximately 777.000 travellers in 2019, compared to 554.000 last year. Mr Ražem said the airport was pursuing a strategy focused on diversifying its airline partners rather than relying heavily on a single low cost carrier. Its preferred traffic mix would comprise approximately 30% to 35% low cost operations, 35% traditional airlines and 30% charter services. Prior to the pandemic, Pula was served by 36 airlines offering flights to 67 destinations. The airport believes it can restore a comparable level of connectivity by the end of 2028, provided its development plans are successfully implemented.

The airport is currently negotiating with several airlines, including low cost, legacy and charter operators, with some discussions reportedly at an advanced stage. Particular attention is being paid to reducing seasonality and encouraging services outside the peak summer months through cooperation with local tourism stakeholders and incentive measures. On the infrastructure front, new computed tomography security screening equipment is expected to become operational during the first half of December, allowing passengers to keep electronic devices and liquids in their hand luggage, subject to applicable security regulations. The longer-term development programme also envisages a phased modernisation of the passenger terminal.

Air Serbia schedules new routes, plans to add four jets in 2027

2026-10-20T09:00:00.000+02:00

Air Serbia has today finalised its schedules and put tickets on sale for its new routes from Belgrade in 2027. The development follows yesterday evening’s announcement of plans to launch services to Cluj, Chisinau, Helsinki, Miami, Menorca and Yerevan. The carrier also intends on adding four additional aircraft to its fleet in 2027. "Our selection of new destinations is neither a lottery nor a game of roulette. We have a five-year development plan backed by extensive data and market insights, which are regularly updated. The launch of new routes depends on whether we have sufficient capacity available. If a destination is deemed profitable, there is no reason not to introduce it. Next summer, we will also strengthen our existing network by increasing frequencies on a number of routes”, Mr Marek said. He added, “Belgrade has already established itself as a regional hub. Our presence across the former Yugoslavia and the wider Balkans is significant, with a substantial number of passengers connecting through Belgrade to reach more than 100 destinations".

Destination	Launch date
Yerevan	28.03.2027
Helsinki	01.04.2027
Miami	20.05.2027
Cluj	31.05.2027
Chisinau	03.06.2027
Menorca	16.06.2027

Click on link for flight details

Flights to the Armenian capital will initially operate three times per week, increasing to four from mid-June. Air Serbia will compete directly with FlyOne Armenia, which is launching its own service between the two capitals this December. Together, the carriers will offer seven weekly departures in each direction on a city pair that has never previously had a scheduled air link. Menorca will become Air Serbia’s ninth destination in Spain, further expanding its presence in the country following the introduction of three new routes this year alone. Miami will mark the sixth consecutive year in which Air Serbia has added a new destination to its long-haul network. The airline will serve Florida’s largest city twice per week.

Chisinau, with four weekly rotations, will join the carrier’s network six years after it originally planned to introduce flights to the Moldovan capital. The route was initially due to launch in 2020 but was shelved following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Helsinki, with three weekly flights, will return to Air Serbia’s network following a seven-year absence. The Finnish capital was last served in March 2020, when flights were suspended at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequently never reinstated. Having launched in June 2019, the original service lasted less than ten months. Cluj, in northwestern Romania and the country’s second-largest city by population, will be served four times per week and will become Air Serbia’s second destination in the country, complementing its existing Bucharest operations. Cluj Airport is a base for Wizz Air and is also served by Swiss, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, among legacy carriers. Romania's national airline TAROM also connects the city with Bucharest.

Commenting on Air Serbia's fleet expansion, Mr Marek noted, “Following the addition of three Airbus A320s and one Embraer E195 this year, we have now secured two further A320s and another Embraer for delivery in 2027. We are also in the final stages of negotiations for an additional Airbus aircraft. Altogether, we expect to welcome four more aircraft next year”. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, one of the incoming jets is expected to feature a special centenary livery. The CEO concluded, “There is no doubt that 2026 will be our most successful year to date. Passenger numbers have increased by 6% so far, while revenue is also growing. The outlook for October, November and December remains very positive”.

Air Serbia launching six new routes including Miami

2026-10-19T19:39:50.471+02:00

Air Serbia will introduce six new routes next summer season including flights to its latest long-haul destination - Miami. The carrier's CEO, Jiri Marek, announced this evening on the "RTS" public broadcaster that Air Serbia will add Yerevan in late March, Helsinki from April, two weekly flights to Miami from May, Cluj in Romania in late May, as well as Chisinau in Moldova and Menorca in Spain in June. As a result, the airline will now serve nine destinations in Spain and three in the United States, while entering the Moldovan market for the first time. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, October 20.

Air Serbia has been considering nonstop flights between Belgrade and Miami since 2023. Miami could benefit from several sources of demand, including the sizeable diaspora from the former Yugoslavia in Florida and the wider southeastern United States. Miami's position as a major gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean would also provide opportunities for connecting traffic, particularly through an existing interline agreement with American Airlines, which operates an extensive network from its Miami hub. The city is also one of the world's leading cruise ports, offering potential demand from passengers travelling from Southeast Europe to join Caribbean cruises.

Air Serbia launched flights between Belgrade and Helsinki on June 1, 2019, marking its entry into the Finnish market. The route initially operated three times per week using Airbus A319 aircraft and was intended to cater to both point-to-point demand and connecting passengers travelling between Finland and Southeast Europe via Belgrade. However, services were suspended in March 2020 following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and have not resumed since.

The Serbian carrier first announced plans to introduce nonstop flights between Belgrade and Chisinau in February 2020, initially scheduling four weekly services to the Moldovan capital as part of a wider network expansion that summer. However, the launch was cancelled following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting restrictions on international travel. Although the route subsequently appeared in the airline's future schedules, services never materialised.

The Serbian airline has previously confirmed the launch of Yerevan flights. It will face direct competition from FlyOne Armenia, which plans to introduce operations between the two capitals this December. FlyOne recently extended its initial schedule past the winter season into next summer. Air Serbia will now serve three capitals in the Caucuses with Yerevan complementing Tbilisi and Baku.

Menorca will become Air Serbia’s ninth destination in Spain. The Spanish market has been one of the airline’s best performers this year. The second largest of Spain’s Balearic islands will join Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Seville and Tenerife. On the other hand, Cluj becomes Air Serbia’s second destination in Romania after Bucharest.

Belgrade Airport registers busiest September

2026-10-19T18:06:24.271+02:00

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport handled 962.032 passengers in September, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.3%. The number of commercial aircraft movements increased by 3.5%. During first three quarters, Belgrade Airport welcomed 7.278.044 passengers, representing growth of 7%, or 477.610 additional travellers, compared with the same period last year. In a statement, airport operator VINCI, said, “Belgrade Airport confirmed its dynamism and role as a regional hub, with strong performance on routes to Western Europe”.

Belgrade’s largest airlines by scheduled seat capacity, September 2026

FlyOne Armenia boosts Belgrade service

2026-10-19T13:30:00.000+02:00

Low cost carrier FlyOne Armenia will increase frequencies between Belgrade and Yerevan during the 2027 summer season. The service, which is scheduled to launch on December 15 with two weekly flights, will increase to three weekly from April 1, with the introduction of an additional Thursday rotation complementing the existing Tuesday and Friday services. The airline put tickets on sale for the upcoming summer season late last week. The schedule for this winter can be found here.

GP Aviation to cut Pristina flights, temporarily suspend Ljubljana

2026-10-19T10:30:00.000+02:00

GP Aviation is reducing frequencies on several routes from Pristina during the upcoming winter season, while temporarily suspending flights to Ljubljana. The carrier has cancelled a number of departures to Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia during November and early December, although the affected routes will continue operating or resume later in the season.

The most significant reduction concerns Ljubljana, where the airline will suspend its weekly Monday service for five consecutive weeks, from November 9 until December 7, with the last flight before the break scheduled for November 2 and operations resuming on December 14. Services to Munich will also be reduced, with departures on November 17, 19, 24 and 26 cancelled. The airline will continue operating flights to the Bavarian capital on other days during this period.

Additional reductions affect Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Basel. GP Aviation has cancelled its evening departures to Stuttgart on November 21 and 28, while maintaining its morning service on both dates. The carrier has also removed its afternoon Dusseldorf flight on November 20, although its morning departure remains scheduled. On the Basel route, the morning service on November 27 has been cancelled, while the evening flight will operate as planned.

Air Serbia to unveil 2027 network expansion tonight

2026-10-19T09:00:00.000+02:00

Air Serbia is expected to unveil its network expansion plans for 2027 this evening, with the carrier anticipated to announce several new routes, including one long-haul service. The upcoming announcement will provide an insight into the airline's growth strategy for next year, which will be marked by the specialised EXPO 2027 exhibition in Belgrade and the centenary of aviation in the country. The expansion will come against the backdrop of persistently high fuel prices and rising operating costs across the aviation industry. Air Serbia has already scheduled some frequency increases across its existing network for next year, although these are yet to be fully finalised at this early stage.

Air Serbia's CEO, Jiri Marek, has already confirmed that a new intercontinental destination is planned for next year, although the airline has yet to disclose which market it will serve. "What I can reveal is that there will be a new long-haul route, but I will not yet reveal which one", Mr Marek said last month. The carrier has previously identified a destination in China, Miami and a potential winter leisure route among its long-haul opportunities. On its medium-haul network, Air Serbia has confirmed plans to introduce flights to Yerevan, which would become its third destination in the Caucasus region after Tbilisi and Baku. The airline has also identified opportunities in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, although the relatively lengthy flying times have been highlighted as a challenge when compared to shorter European routes, where aircraft can perform multiple rotations per day. Air Serbia has additionally pointed to opportunities for further expansion in Southeast Europe, particularly in markets such as Bulgaria and Romania.

This year, Air Serbia is adding twelve routes to its network, representing its largest expansion since 2023. The airline has also made a noticeable effort to reduce the seasonality of its operations by introducing destinations outside the traditional peak summer travel period. These include Tenerife in Spain and Tromso in northern Norway, which are aimed at capturing leisure demand during the autumn and winter months. The strategy is intended to support more balanced aircraft utilisation throughout the year, while reducing the carrier's reliance on the peak summer season. The airline has also demonstrated its willingness to adjust its network in response to changing market conditions, including the introduction of new services from Niš to Vienna and Malta following Ryanair's withdrawal from both routes.

Number of routes introduced between 2019 and 2026

Based on its preliminary schedule filings, Air Serbia has so far planned between approximately 1.000 and 1.244 weekly flights during the 2027 summer season, from April until the end of September, depending on the month. This represents an increase of between eighteen and 136 weekly flights compared to the corresponding months this year, with the strongest growth currently scheduled for April. All routes operated during the same period in 2026 have been retained in next year's preliminary schedule, with the exception of Guangzhou, which is currently filed until March 26, and the seasonal summer service to Gothenburg. However, further changes to the schedule are highly likely at this early stage, particularly following the announcement of new destinations.

The airline's expansion plans for 2027 will also be shaped by EXPO 2027, which will take place in Belgrade from May 15 until August 15. As the exhibition's official airline partner, Air Serbia expects to benefit from increased inbound travel demand and has previously indicated that it is considering dedicated charter operations for specific markets. The carrier has estimated that the event could generate approximately half a million additional air passengers.

Wizz Air to discontinue five Tuzla routes this winter

2026-10-18T09:00:00.000+02:00

Wizz Air is set to discontinue five routes from its Tuzla base during the 2026/27 winter season, with the affected services also absent from the airline's schedule for next summer. The carrier will end flights to Gothenburg on October 21, followed by Maastricht and Berlin on January 8, Bratislava on January 9 and Cologne on January 10. The changes represent a further reduction in the low cost airline's network from Tuzla, less than a year after it reopened its base at the airport. All five routes were introduced or reinstated following the carrier's return to the city in December 2025, with several having operated for less than a year.

In addition to the route cancellations, Wizz Air is reducing frequencies on its Malmo service from four to two weekly flights, although operations will continue throughout the winter season. From mid-January until the end of March, the airline will maintain services from Tuzla to Basel, Dortmund, Hamburg, Malmo, Memmingen and Hahn. As previously reported, Wizz Air has also announced the introduction of flights between Tuzla and Baden Baden from March 24, 2027, marking the route's return following a three-and-a-half-year hiatus. The service will operate twice per week. The latest network adjustments follow earlier reductions at Tuzla, including the discontinuation of flights to Beauvais in August and the seasonal suspension of services to Larnaca.

The changes come as Tuzla Airport prepares to lose its only other scheduled carrier for the winter season. As previously reported, Pegasus Airlines will discontinue flights between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport and Tuzla on October 23, despite originally planning to maintain a weekly service during the winter months. The Turkish carrier is scheduled to resume operations on April 2, 2027, with one weekly flight. Its withdrawal follows AJet's exit from the same route in June, leaving Wizz Air as Tuzla's sole scheduled airline for most of the upcoming winter. Chair Airlines has scheduled four flights from Zurich during the holiday period, on December 18 and 24, as well as January 1 and 4, before restoring its seasonal flights from March 25.

The network reductions also come amid renewed scrutiny of the financial incentives provided to Wizz Air by the Tuzla Canton authorities. The Tuzla Canton Tourist Board has a subsidy agreement with the airline, with approximately 614.000 euros allocated to the programme for 2026. Following discussions with Wizz Air, the cantonal government ordered an audit to determine whether the agreement was achieving its objectives of improving connectivity and encouraging tourism. The government accepted the audit report last month, indicating that its findings would serve as the basis for potential adjustments to the subsidy model. However, neither the specific conclusions of the audit nor any revised contractual arrangements have been made public.

Wizz Air has a long and occasionally turbulent history at Tuzla Airport. The carrier launched flights to the city in 2013 and established its first base there in 2015, becoming the first low cost airline to do so in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It subsequently expanded its presence before shutting the base in September 2023, withdrawing its two stationed aircraft and discontinuing most of its routes. At the time, the airline cited operational difficulties, including persistent winter fog and aircraft utilisation challenges, as well as changing market conditions. The base was reopened in December 2025, with two aircraft stationed at the airport by March this year and a series of new routes introduced.

Lufthansa and Avianca: Sarajevo - Medellin via Frankfurt

2026-10-18T08:59:00.000+02:00

Trip Report

Written by Amar Hamzić

It was time for my second trip to Medellin recently, and this time I decided to fly with Lufthansa, after travelling with Turkish Airlines on my previous trip.

My journey started very early in Sarajevo, with the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt scheduled to depart at 06:25. One of the advantages of Sarajevo Airport is definitely its location and easy access from the city, so despite such an early departure I was able to wake up at around 04:30 and already be at the airport at 05:00. There were already a few passengers waiting at the check-in counters, since Lufthansa and Austrian usually share the same area in the morning for their Frankfurt and Vienna flights. As a Lufthansa frequent flyer, I was able to use the Business Class check-in counters, which are normally quite empty on these flights, so the whole process was very fast. My frequent flyer status also allowed me an additional checked baggage allowance of two pieces of 23 kilograms, in addition to the regular cabin baggage and personal item.

Everything went quickly and by around 05:15, I was already inside the Premium Lounge at Sarajevo Airport. The lounge was still quite empty at that time of the morning. The food selection was similar to what is usually available, with sandwiches, eggs, salami and different types of cheese. There were also some sweeter options, including croissants, tiramisu, panna cotta and similar desserts. I went for a small breakfast and then took my coffee outside to the open terrace. For me, this is by far the best part of the lounge. It offers an excellent view of the apron and the active runway, and especially during busier times of the day I really enjoy arriving earlier and spending some time spotting aircraft from here. Soon enough, it was time for boarding.

Breakfast in Sarajevo Premium Longue

Amazing view from Longue terrace

Sarajevo - Frankfurt

Lufthansa LH1547

Aircraft: Airbus A321-231, D-AISO

Scheduled departure: 06:25

Actual departure: 07:09

Flight time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Boarding was done through the jet bridge and the flight was almost completely full. I counted only a few empty seats, so I would estimate the load factor at around 95%. From conversations around me, it seemed that quite a few passengers were members of the American diaspora connecting in Frankfurt towards both the east and west coasts of the United States. There was also a large group of Medjugorje pilgrims continuing onwards to Spain.

Once boarding was completed, the captain informed us that due to foggy conditions at Frankfurt Airport our departure slot had been delayed and we would need to wait at least another 30 minutes before starting the engines. The clearance from ATC eventually came around 45 minutes later and shortly after 07:00 we started taxiing. We finally took off at 07:09.

The flight itself was very smooth and uneventful.

Lufthansa FlyNet was working well, including the free messaging option available to Miles & More members. As usual on Lufthansa short-haul flights, every passenger received a small bottle of water and the Lufthansa chocolate. The crew also passed through the cabin with the paid service trolley, offering the usual selection of snacks, sweets and drinks. Lufthansa is also marking its 100-year anniversary, and there was an interesting brochure in every seat pocket presenting some of the most important events from the airline's history. I started noticing these brochures on flights sometime around June or July and I assume they will probably remain onboard until the end of the year. In any case, it was a nice way to pass some of the time during the flight.

Sarajevo - Frankfurt flight

We landed in Frankfurt with a slight delay, but fortunately on runway 07C. This meant a significantly shorter taxi compared to arrivals on the more distant runway 07L/25R, which can sometimes add quite a bit of time before reaching the terminal. We arrived at a B gate, while my connecting flight to Bogota was leaving from the Z concourse, used for non-Schengen long-haul departures. After around ten minutes I reached security, where I found an extremely long line.

As a Lufthansa frequent flyer, I normally receive access to the Fast Lane at Frankfurt Airport regardless of the length of the connection. However, even with the Fast Lane this time it took almost 50 minutes to clear security. The checkpoint appeared quite understaffed and this was also exactly the time when many European flights were arriving and passengers were connecting to the first major wave of long-haul flights towards North America and Asia. Luckily, I was in no hurry as I had almost five hours between the flights.

Train towards Z and A gates

Approximately one hour after landing, I finally reached the Lufthansa Lounge at the Z gates. This is one of my favourite Lufthansa lounges, together with the Panorama Lounge at the A gates in the Schengen area. One of the main reasons is the excellent view over the airport and the active runways. During my stay I managed to have both breakfast and lunch. The breakfast selection included eggs, sausages and spinach, while later there were dishes such as mac and cheese, meatballs and chicken wings, together with a nice selection of desserts. There was also a special Oktoberfest section in the middle of the lounge, where they occasionally brought out festival-related finger food, including pretzels, meatballs and potato salad, which can also be seen in the photos. I also used the opportunity to take a shower. There was around a 30-minute waiting time, but I always appreciate having the possibility to freshen up before or after a long-haul flight.

Lunch in Frankfurt Lufthansa Longue

Special Oktoberfest meals in Lufthansa Longue

Always amazing to be able to take a shower on such long trips

The time passed surprisingly fast and by around 14:00 I was already at the departure gate, which was only about a three-minute walk from the lounge. There was also a gaming area next to the gate, so I managed to play two matches of FIFA while waiting for my boarding group.

D-ABPS

Frankfurt - Bogota

Lufthansa LH542

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, D-ABPS

Scheduled departure: 14:45

Actual departure: 14:55

Flight time: 11 hours 10 minutes

Soon it was finally time to board what was probably the part of the trip I was looking forward to the most: Lufthansa's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft, D-ABPS, was almost brand new, having been delivered to Lufthansa in September 2025, and the condition of the cabin definitely reflected that. I was seated in 18J, a window seat in the first Economy Class row directly behind Premium Economy. The seat provided additional legroom and I had paid approximately 70 euros extra to reserve it. It proved to be completely worth it. The seats directly in front of me were empty and could not recline into my space, which made the seat even more comfortable.

The aircraft itself felt extremely fresh and modern, and the new Allegris cabin made a very noticeable difference compared to some of my recent Turkish Airlines flights on the A330, Boeing 787 and A350. During boarding, Premium Economy passengers were served a glass of orange juice. Since there were some glasses left over after several passengers refused them, the crew simply offered the remaining drinks to passengers sitting in the first rows of Economy Class, which was a nice touch.

Shortly afterwards we pushed back and departed almost exactly on schedule.

Each seat was equipped with both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, while there was also a shared power socket located between the seats. A printed menu for the flight was provided, although the same menu had already been available through the Lufthansa app around one week before departure.

Service started with a small package of pretzels and a drink. I went for a glass of sparkling wine, while my travel companion chose Lufthansa's Avionic Aperitif, a drink Lufthansa often serves both onboard and in its lounges. To me, it tastes a little like Campari Spritz and Jägermeister had a child.

Allegris seats, first row behind Premium Economy

Blanket and pillow provided on each seat prior to boarding

Menu including drinks and food selection

Lufthansa Avionic Aperitivo: sparkling water; sparkling wine

Very useful addition for devices on the new seats

Soon afterwards the first main meal was served. I selected the teriyaki chicken, which was actually very good and tasty. Following the meal, the crew passed through the cabin once again offering coffee, tea and water. After that, it was time to relax and explore the entertainment system.

Lufthansa FlyNet worked throughout the flight and the free messaging option for Miles & More members was noticeably faster than on the earlier Sarajevo - Frankfurt sector. Messaging worked without any problems and it was even possible to scroll through social media and watch Instagram stories reasonably smoothly. The entertainment system itself was probably one of the weaker points of the flight. The selection of movies and series was considerably smaller than what Turkish Airlines offers on its long-haul fleet.

Quite delicious teriyaki chicken

At one point during the middle of the flight, the crew came through the cabin again offering another drink together with a choice of a sweet or salty snack. The sweet option was a chocolate bar, while the salty option was mixed nuts. The cabin crew were excellent throughout the flight. They were friendly and approachable and, compared with some of my recent Turkish Airlines flights, the service felt somewhat more personal. The toilets were also kept very clean throughout the entire flight.

Before landing, another drink service was carried out followed by a second meal. I chose the meatballs, after which coffee and tea were offered once again. Soon afterwards we started our descent towards Bogota.

Meatballs, potatoes and veggies

We landed almost exactly on time, into a very rainy and already dark Bogota. After leaving the aircraft, we spent around 30 minutes passing immigration. Since our final destination was Medellin, we then had to leave the international part of the terminal and enter the domestic departures area for our connecting flight. Security was very fast and I was also able to access one of the lounges in the domestic terminal.

The lounge was not particularly large and the food selection was quite limited. At this point, however, I was already too tired to eat anything, so a bottle of water and some time simply sitting down and relaxing was more than enough. Not long before boarding I made my way towards the gate.

At least nice fruit selection in Bogota Longue

It is quite annoying that flights on all screens on Bogota Airport are listed in alphabetical order, and not in departure time order

Bogota - Medellin

Avianca AV9242

Aircraft: Airbus A320-214, N688TA

Scheduled departure: 21:25

Actual departure: 21:42

Flight time: 1 hour

Boarding was organised strictly by groups, with passengers called according to their seating zones. Despite the flight being completely full, passengers cooperated very well and boarding the A320 was completed surprisingly quickly.

The flight itself was incredibly short. Although the scheduled flight time was around one hour, the actual time in the air was only around 28 minutes, making it probably one of the shortest flights I have ever taken. The closest comparisons that come to mind are Croatia Airlines flights between Zagreb and Sarajevo when operated by the A319 or A320, or Air Serbia's Belgrade - Sarajevo service when it is not operated by an ATR. Another interesting part of the flight was the approach into Medellin. The aircraft appeared to be fully lined up with the runway already at approximately 15,000 feet and from there we essentially continued straight towards the airport. This is something I do not see very often when flying in Europe.

The landing itself was quite hard, although this was understandable considering the heavy rain in Medellin. It is currently the rainy season in this part of Colombia and the weather conditions were far from ideal. There was no service in Economy Class during such a short flight. Passengers in the three Business Class rows received a bottle of water, but nothing was served in Economy. Considering that the flight spent very little time above FL210 and there was also some turbulence, I found this completely understandable. After landing, everything went extremely quickly. Within around ten minutes I had already collected my baggage and was able to get a taxi towards the city centre.

Finally arrived to Medellin

Overall, this was a very positive travel experience. The highlight was definitely Lufthansa's almost brand-new Boeing 787-9 and the Allegris cabin, which I found very comfortable, especially with the extra-legroom seat. The service on the Lufthansa long-haul flight was also excellent, with a very friendly crew, good meals and reliable onboard Wi-Fi. The weaker entertainment selection was probably the most noticeable disadvantage compared with Turkish Airlines. Another small negative point is that Lufthansa does not provide an amenity kit to Economy Class passengers on a flight of this length. Considering that Frankfurt - Bogota is more than eleven hours, even a basic kit with an eye mask, toothbrush and socks would have been a welcome addition. Apart from that, everything worked very well. The only significant delay was caused by the morning fog in Frankfurt, while the long-haul flight operated almost exactly on schedule.

Overall, Lufthansa left a very positive impression, and travelling on the new 787-9 made the journey significantly more comfortable than I expected.

Some Medellin views at the end

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

EX-YU Aviation News unveils refreshed website

2026-10-17T09:11:25.435+02:00

EX-YU Aviation News has introduced a redesigned website, offering readers a cleaner, more modern and user-friendly experience. The new look has been developed to make browsing easier, improve readability and provide clearer access to the latest aviation news from across the former Yugoslavia. The updated homepage features a more streamlined layout, improved navigation and dedicated sections for news from individual markets, allowing readers to find the content most relevant to them more easily.

Among the additions is a new dark theme, which readers can activate or deactivate using the appearance toggle at the top of the website. The redesign also places greater emphasis on visual content, including historical aviation photographs, new route launches and trip reports.

Another addition is the 100 Years of Aviation section, celebrating the people, aircraft, airlines and milestones that have shaped the region's aviation industry. The feature comes as countries across the former Yugoslavia prepare to mark a century of commercial aviation in 2027, with EX-YU Aviation News looking back at the industry's rich history and development over the past hundred years. The section will continue to grow over the coming months.

While the website's appearance has changed, its content and publishing schedule remain unchanged. Readers can continue to expect the same coverage, analysis and updates they have come to rely on.

As with any change, the new look may take some getting used to, and readers’ patience is appreciated as any teething problems that may arise are resolved.

Air Serbia enters hotel business forty years after predecessor

2026-10-17T09:00:00.000+02:00

Air Serbia has begun construction of a new hotel opposite Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, adjacent to its new headquarters building, which is also under development. The airline recently obtained a permit from the relevant authorities, with work on the foundations of the future hotel already completed. The project represents the second phase of a wider complex being developed by the carrier, which includes its new headquarters and an additional office building planned for a later stage. Valued at 9.3 million euros, the five-storey hotel will cover 8.396 square metres and feature 152 rooms. The ground floor will comprise a lobby and reception area, retail space, a gym for hotel guests, administrative offices, storage facilities and technical rooms. The upper floors will accommodate the hotel's 152 rooms, providing a total capacity of 304 beds.

The hotel project also includes the construction of an energy facility, internal access roads, landscaped areas and an outdoor car park with 75 spaces, six of which will be reserved for people with disabilities. The development will also incorporate geothermal heating technology. Air Serbia is the project's investor, while Belgrade-based Delta Rest, part of one of Serbia's largest business groups, Delta Holding, is providing financing. Delta has an extensive hotel portfolio, including several properties in Belgrade, such as the Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Radisson Collection and Holiday Inn, as well as the InterContinental, which is scheduled to open by the end of the year. The group also owns the InterContinental hotel in Ljubljana. Air Serbia and Delta Rest concluded a financing agreement for the project this June.

The development comes exactly four decades after Air Serbia’s predecessor, JAT Yugoslav Airlines, first ventured into the hotel business in 1986 with the acquisition of Hotel Slavija in central Belgrade. The eighteen-storey property underwent a major renovation, completed in September 1987, after which the airline opened a new ticket office, a duty-free shop, a casino and a dedicated bus terminal providing transfers between the hotel and Belgrade Airport. In July 1988, JAT expanded its hospitality portfolio further by opening the newly built, seven-storey Hotel Slavija Lux across the street. The airline also acquired the Sunny Peaks Hotel on Kopaonik Mountain and the Duga Uvala Hotel in Pula, both of which were renovated and incorporated into package holidays offered through its tour operator, Air Lift. By the end of the 1980s, the airline had identified additional hotel acquisition opportunities in Zagreb, Ljubljana and Skopje, while also considering the purchase of several hotels outside Yugoslavia to accommodate its flight crews and passengers.

Work on Air Serbia's wider complex at Belgrade Airport is also progressing, with much of the airline's new headquarters, scheduled to open next year, already completed. The building is now awaiting connection to essential utilities, including water, electricity and sewage services. The four-storey headquarters will cover 7.985 square metres. The ground floor will feature an entrance hall with an exhibition area, training rooms, meeting rooms and a café. The upper floors will accommodate the airline's offices, which will predominantly feature an open-plan layout. The building will also include an accessible rooftop area designed as a bar and terrace, with seating for approximately fifty people.

The third and final phase of the development, which will follow the completion of the hotel, will involve the construction of an additional office building identical in size and design to Air Serbia's new headquarters. The building is scheduled for completion in 2030.

Wizz Air to launch new Tuzla service

2026-10-16T11:31:34.881+02:00

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Wizz Air will commence a new service between Tuzla and Baden Baden next year. It will mark the route’s return following a three-and-a-half-year hiatus. Services will commence on March 24 and operate twice per week. Further details can be found here. The airline had previously served the route from June 2018 until September 2023.

Air Serbia sells close to quarter of a million tickets in seven days

2026-10-16T10:31:35.586+02:00

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Air Serbia sold 234.420 tickets during its recent week-long promotional ticket sale, which ran from October 5 to 11 for flights from November 1 onwards. Of those, nearly 35.000 tickets were sold for the 2027 summer season. Tickets for Barcelona and Larnaca were most sought after, followed by Paris, Zurich, Podgorica and Tivat. Destinations within Air Serbia’s entire network were included in the sale. Air Serbia’s General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Boško Rupić, said, “We sold 234.420 seats in this promotional campaign, surpassing the results of previous campaigns, including the one in February. We are especially pleased that passengers used this offer for travelling in the next summer season. We will continue to provide them with the option to plan their trips at favourable terms”. The airline is expected to announce its line-up of new routes for the 2027 summer season sometime next week, which is tipped to include a new long-haul service.

Wizz Air evaluating Bilbao flights from region

2026-10-16T09:00:00.000+02:00

Wizz Air is considering the introduction of flights from its Balkan bases, including Belgrade, Skopje, Podgorica and Tuzla, to Bilbao as the northern Spanish city continues its efforts to establish new air links with the region. The carrier has identified opportunities for further expansion at Bilbao Airport, particularly from destinations in Central and Eastern Europe that currently lack nonstop services to the Basque Country. Speaking to the Spanish newspaper “Deia”, Wizz Air's Director of Routes, Samuel Ferrera, confirmed that the airline was evaluating additional connections, with the Balkans among the markets being considered. The development comes as Bilbao's local authorities seek to improve connectivity with Southeast Europe, having specifically identified Belgrade and Zagreb as potential new destinations.

Mr Ferrera said the airline had several routes under consideration as part of its continued expansion at Bilbao Airport. "We still have bases that are not connected to Bilbao, such as in the Balkans, where there is no point-to-point connectivity with Bilbao, and this is something we are not ruling out", he said. The executive noted that the carrier was examining a number of potential additions to its network. He added that Bilbao and the wider Basque Country were proving increasingly attractive to travellers from Central and Eastern Europe. Wizz Air expects to offer 1.4 million seats on thirteen routes from Bilbao in 2027, compared to around 600.000 this year.

Bilbao has been actively pursuing new air connections with the former Yugoslavia as part of a wider strategy to strengthen its international accessibility and diversify incoming tourism markets. In February, Bilbao City Council identified Belgrade and Zagreb among cities with potential for future nonstop flights. Earlier this month, Bilbao hosted the third edition of its tourism promotion programme, bringing together 42 tour operators from fourteen countries across Central and Eastern Europe. The event, held from October 6 to 10, included representatives from Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Organised by Bilbao City Council in cooperation with Wizz Air and Spain's national tourism organisation, the initiative aimed to strengthen commercial ties with travel companies and encourage the development of new visitor flows. A total of 567 business meetings were scheduled between participating tour operators and local tourism businesses, alongside familiarisation visits to Bilbao and the wider Basque Country.

Ryanair plans new Sarajevo routes as fresh airline subsidy tender opens

2026-10-15T18:00:00.000+02:00

Sarajevo Airport is preparing for further network expansion in 2027 following the launch of a new airline subsidy tender by the Sarajevo Canton Tourism Association. The public call, which will remain open until November 7, aims to encourage airlines to introduce new destinations, maintain strategically important routes and increase frequencies on existing services. The development comes as Ryanair prepares to expand its Sarajevo operations next summer, with the low cost carrier expected to introduce at least three new routes. Manchester, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca are tipped to be among the planned additions, although the airline has yet to officially announce the new services.

Ryanair is expected to serve around fourteen destinations from Sarajevo during the 2027 summer season, compared to eleven this year. The carrier has scheduled approximately 425.000 seats on its Sarajevo flights next summer, representing an increase of 28.3% on 2026, or around 94.000 additional seats. The expansion follows the airline's decision to suspend its Sarajevo operations during the upcoming winter season. Its planned growth next year is expected to be supported by the latest incentive programme.

The newly launched public call introduces a revised incentive structure designed to encourage airlines to establish new routes and maintain operations over longer periods. Carriers can apply for subsidies for destinations that have not been served by scheduled flights from Sarajevo in the preceding twelve months, routes included on the airport's strategic destination list, and existing services operating five or fewer weekly flights, subject to certain conditions. The programme also provides incentives for airlines establishing a base at Sarajevo Airport and those introducing long-haul flights exceeding six hours. Airlines must operate at least two weekly scheduled flights on eligible routes, use aircraft with a minimum capacity of 100 seats and maintain services for at least eight consecutive weeks.

Under the new subsidy model, airlines will receive a combination of fixed monthly payments and variable incentives based on the number of arriving passengers. The fixed component ranges from 5.000 euros per month for carriers operating one or two eligible routes to 50.000 euros for those serving ten or more. Airlines establishing a base at Sarajevo Airport will be eligible for 75.000 euros per month. Additional payments range from one to three euros per arriving passenger, depending on the number of routes operated, rising to four euros for airlines establishing a base. The programme also introduces loyalty bonuses for year-round services and additional payments for airlines exceeding 50.000 arriving passengers. The structure is intended to reward carriers operating larger networks and maintaining services throughout the year.

Sarajevo has increasingly relied on airline incentives to support its network development and attract new carriers. The Sarajevo Canton Tourism Association has invested more than 5.1 million euros in subsidising air services over the past two years, with an additional 1.8 million euros earmarked for this year. The latest tender forms part of a broader incentive programme covering the 2027 - 2029 period, although the current public call relates specifically to operations in 2027. The available funding will depend on the Canton’s budget allocations, while successful applicants will be selected following an evaluation of their proposed routes and operating plans.

Belgrade and Air Serbia to host major IATA conference in 2027

2026-10-15T17:55:38.191+02:00

Belgrade and Air Serbia will host the 2027 edition of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Wings of Change Europe conference, one of the continent’s leading aviation industry events. The gathering, which typically attracts over 300 delegates, brings together airline executives, airport representatives, government officials, regulators and aviation experts to discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing European air transport. Belgrade was announced as the host city today during this year’s conference, which is taking place in Brussels, and is being attended by Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek. Recent editions have been held in Brussels (2025), Rome (2024), Amsterdam (2023) and Istanbul (2022). The conference traditionally addresses issues such as airline competitiveness, sustainability, regulatory developments, infrastructure and connectivity. IATA has promoted this year's gathering as bringing together more than 350 aviation industry leaders and stakeholders. The 2027 edition will take place on October 26 and 27.

Air Serbia has worked to secure Belgrade as the host city of a growing number of high-profile international aviation events in recent years, including the IATA Aviation Day Southeast Europe in 2023, the CAPA Airline Leader Summit World & Awards for Excellence in 2024, the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Directors General meeting in 2025 and the European Regions Airline Association’s (ERA) Regional Airline Conference in 2026.

Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President Europe at IATA, said, "We are pleased to bring our flagship Wings of Change Europe aero political event to Southeastern Europe for the first time. The value of aviation for Serbia and the Balkans is key, and connectivity must be further enhanced to ensure greater competitiveness. 2027 will mark Air Serbia’s 100th anniversary, and we intend this upcoming Wings of Change 8th edition to celebrate and actively contribute to the airline’s history and successes". Mr Marek noted, "We are honoured that IATA has recognised Air Serbia and Belgrade as the hosts of Wings of Change Europe 2027. This event offers a unique opportunity to welcome the most influential decision-makers in the aviation industry and present Serbia as an attractive destination, an important regional hub, and a market with significant potential for further development of air transport. We look forward to working with IATA and all our partners to organise a successful conference in Belgrade".

Air Serbia CEO, Jiri Marek, accepts hosting duties on behalf of the airline for 2027 edition

TUI schedules Ljubljana launch

2026-10-15T10:30:00.000+02:00

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TUI fly Deutschland has scheduled and put on sale its new service between Dusseldorf and Ljubljana, three weeks after initially announcing the new route. Flights will commence on May 4 and operate three times per week with the Boeing 737-800 and MAX 8 aircraft. It faces no direct competition on the route. Further details can be found here. Flights between the two cities were last maintained last year by Eurowings. As previously reported, TUIfly Belgium will launch services between Brussels and Ljubljana from March 28 next year, with details available here.

Zagreb Airport faces challenging winter as growth loses momentum

2026-10-14T14:00:00.000+02:00

Zagreb Airport has recorded its third consecutive monthly passenger decline with traffic falling 3.3% in September, continuing a slowdown that began in July. The airport handled 455.530 passengers during the month, while its growth rate for the first nine months of the year has narrowed to just 1.1%. The latest figures come as Croatia Airlines reduces capacity during its fleet transition. Passenger numbers at the airport are expected to decline again in October, before recovering gradually in November, with December likely to see little change compared to last year.

Zagreb Airport has attracted notably fewer new routes this year. So far in 2026, the airport has secured four new services, including Warsaw Modlin, Tel Aviv and Beijing via Bucharest. This compares to six new routes in 2025 and ten in 2024. During 2026, the airport has also lost four routes, three of which were operated by Croatia Airlines. Several factors have contributed to the slowdown, including rising fuel prices, which have made airlines more cautious about launching new services, Croatia Airlines’ stalled network expansion and increases in nearly all of Zagreb Airport’s core charges and fees.

Zagreb Airport is looking to return to stronger growth and has launched a new incentive scheme, with airlines having until December 31 to apply. The new model significantly lowers the entry threshold for incentives compared to the previous scheme, under which Ryanair was the sole beneficiary and airlines were required to generate a minimum of 35.000 passengers per year. This change is expected to make the scheme more accessible, particularly for smaller markets and airlines considering lower-volume routes. Another key difference lies in the programme’s duration and flexibility. The earlier model ran over a five-year period, whereas the new scheme is limited to four years but introduces mechanisms that reward stronger early performance. Airlines exceeding 100.000 or 150.000 passengers in the initial years can secure continued incentives without needing to meet annual thresholds.

Under its new Growth Incentive Model, Zagreb Airport excludes a defined list of destinations from eligibility, as these are considered either sufficiently developed or not strategically prioritised under the scheme. Despite Wizz Air’s interest in Zagreb, the airline said in July that airport-related costs remained the main obstacle to establishing a base in the Croatian capital. However, it did not rule out launching flights to Zagreb and confirmed that discussions were ongoing. Zagreb Airport is considering reopening its old terminal building, which has not handled commercial passenger traffic since 2017, for use by low cost carriers.

Based on currently filed seat capacity on scheduled flights, Zagreb Airport is expected to record an overall capacity increase of 1.8% in November, driven primarily by Ryanair, which will offer just over 17.000 additional seats, as well as Air China’s new service and capacity increases by Austrian Airlines, KLM and Air Serbia. December is currently projected to remain largely flat, with around 100 fewer seats than during the same month last year. Capacity reductions by Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are the main factors weighing on growth during the final month of the year.

Skopje Airport holds talks with Wizz Air CEO

2026-10-14T13:30:00.000+02:00

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The General Manager of airport operator TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, met with Wizz Air’s CEO Jozsef Varadi at Skopje Airport yesterday to discuss the airline’s future development in the country. The talks focused on the existing partnership between the two companies, recent investments at Ohrid Airport, future development plans for both Skopje and Ohrid airports, and Wizz Air’s commitment to the Macedonian market. According to TAV Macedonia, the executives also discussed potential new routes and joint promotional activities aimed at strengthening the airports’ route networks and supporting further traffic growth. Attending the talks were also Wizz Air’s Network Officer East, Andras Szabo, and TAV Macedonia’s Marketing Development and Revenue Director, Vladimir Gramatikov. During the first three quarters of the year, Wizz Air accounted for over 60% of Skopje Airport’s passenger traffic.

Japan holds talks with Air Serbia

2026-10-14T10:30:00.000+02:00

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The Japanese Ambassador to Serbia, Akira Tsutsumi, has held talks with Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek. The two discussed Air Serbia’s current operations and opportunities for future growth on the Japanese market. The Serbian carrier had previously said its long-term long-haul expansion plans include Japan. In a statement, the Japanese Embassy noted, “The Ambassador held discussions in Japanese with Mr Marek, who previously studied in Japan and continues to maintain close ties with the country. The two exchanged views on Air Serbia’s current operations and opportunities for future cooperation with Japan”.

Currently, Japan’s JAL codeshares on Qatar Airways’ service between Doha and Belgrade, while ANA has its codes on Lufthansa flights from Munich and Austrian Airlines’ service from Vienna to the Serbian capital. ANA will further expand its codeshare connectivity during the 2027 summer season by adding its codes onto Lufthansa’s Frankfurt - Belgrade service.

Hong Kong Airlines secures approval for Belgrade and Zagreb flights

2026-10-13T14:00:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong Airlines has secured regulatory approval to operate scheduled flights from Hong Kong to Belgrade and Zagreb as part of a wider application to amend its operating licence. The carrier recently received approval from Hong Kong's Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA), permitting it to operate passenger, cargo and mail services to both cities at unrestricted frequencies. The amended licence is valid until March 24, 2028. Belgrade and Zagreb are among numerous destinations included in the airline's extensive list of authorised routes, covering cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia. Within the region, the airline has also been issued permits for Bucharest and Budapest flights.

The inclusion of Belgrade and Zagreb does not necessarily indicate that Hong Kong Airlines intends to introduce flights to either city. Airlines frequently secure traffic rights for a wide range of destinations to provide greater operational flexibility and accommodate potential future network expansion. Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service carrier established in 2006 and based at Hong Kong International Airport. Formerly owned by Hainan Airlines’ parent company, the HNA Group, the carrier operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising of A320, A321 and widebody A330 aircraft.

Hong Kong was one of Belgrade’s busiest unserved destinations in Asia prior to the launch of flights to Guangzhou in 2024, which is located just 120 kilometres northwest of the city. On the other hand, the Croatian Embassy in China recently held discussions with Cathay Pacific regarding the carrier’s potential launch of seasonal flights to Croatia. In a statement, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said, “Seasonal flights from Hong Kong could represent a logical first step. Before the pandemic, Croatia welcomed around 40.000 visitors from Hong Kong each year, compared to approximately 10.000 today”. It should be noted that Cathay Pacific also holds valid permits to launch flights to both Belgrade and Zagreb if it wishes to do so.

PHOTOS: Belgrade Airport rail link enters final stretch

2026-10-13T13:32:19.816+02:00

Construction of the railway line connecting Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport with the city's main railway station is progressing, with work now underway on the final seven kilometres of the 18.3-kilometre route. Meanwhile, the first of nine new trainsets (pictured above and further below) that will operate on the line has been assembled in China.

Construction of the railway is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with testing expected to begin in early 2027 ahead of its planned opening in March or April. The line, which will be dedicated exclusively to passenger services, will accommodate trains travelling at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. Preparatory works for the new railway station at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport have been completed, with construction of the facility now underway.

The new service will make the following stops: Beograd Centar (the city's main railway station) - New Belgrade (connection to the high-speed Novi Sad rail link) - Tošin bunar - Zemun - Altina - Zemun Polje (connection to the high-speed Subotica rail link) - Singidunum - Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport - Surčin - National Stadium (EXPO 2027). Trains are planned to operate every thirty minutes, with frequencies increasing to every fifteen minutes during peak periods.

In parallel, a new roundabout and access road are being constructed near Air Serbia's new headquarters and the Aviation Museum. The infrastructure will provide a direct connection between the motorway and the future airport railway station, allowing passengers to access the facility without using the main road leading to the airport terminal, thereby helping to reduce congestion.

A factory acceptance ceremony for the new electric multiple-unit trains was held yesterday at the CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles manufacturing facility in Changchun, China. A total of nine trainsets, each capable of accommodating 380 passengers, have been ordered for the new service. The first is scheduled for delivery next month, with all nine expected to arrive in Belgrade by March 2027.

Croatia Airlines pushes back A319 retirement

2026-10-13T10:30:00.000+02:00

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Croatia Airlines has postponed the complete phase-out of its Airbus A319 fleet until late November. The carrier, which had originally planned to retire the aircraft type next week as part of its transition towards a single-type fleet, will now retain the 144-seat jet in service throughout the remainder of October and into November, albeit with very limited utilisation. During November, the aircraft type is scheduled to operate just twelve flights, equivalent to six return services. These are currently planned for November 1, 5, 16 and 27, with the final flight scheduled to take place on November 27, operating the morning return service between Zagreb and Vienna. Further schedule changes remain possible.

Wizz Air suspends select routes, cuts frequencies across EX-YU markets

2026-10-12T14:00:00.000+02:00

Wizz Air is scaling back its planned operations for the 2026/27 winter season, reducing previously scheduled capacity by at least 5% as it responds to rising operating costs and uncertainty across the aviation industry. This will also impact its operations in markets across the former Yugoslavia.

Wizz Air will temporarily suspend flights between Belgrade and Madrid during the upcoming winter season. The route, which will operate three times per week in November and December, will be paused from January 8 until March 29. The carrier launched services between the two capitals on October 28 last year and competes directly with Air Serbia. During the January - August period, Wizz Air carried 45.137 passengers on the route, achieving an average cabin load factor of 90.8%. Several other services will see frequency reductions, generally ranging from one to two weekly flights, primarily between January and March. The cuts suggest the airline may temporarily withdraw one of its four Belgrade-based aircraft during the quieter winter months. Among the affected destinations are Dortmund, Beauvais, Bergamo and Barcelona. As previously reported, Wizz Air will also discontinue flights between Belgrade and Friedrichshafen at the end of the summer season.

In Skopje, Wizz Air will suspend flights between the Macedonian capital and Larnaca for the entire winter season, having already halted operations on the route for much of the summer. The final service will operate on October 23, with flights scheduled to resume on March 31. Unlike last winter, the airline will no longer serve Lyon, a route it has since discontinued. A number of other destinations will see frequency reductions from January onwards, generally ranging from one to two weekly services. Among the affected routes are Baden Baden, Stuttgart, Prague, Madrid, Hamburg, Friedrichshafen, Bari, Stockholm, London Luton and Bologna, the latter being reduced to just one weekly flight for part of the winter.

Similarly to Skopje, Wizz Air will suspend flights between Tuzla and Larnaca for the winter season, having already halted operations on the route for much of the summer. Services are scheduled to resume on March 30.

In Pristina, Wizz Air will reduce planned frequencies on several of its upcoming new routes, which are scheduled to launch in December. Services to Hahn, Hamburg and Malmo will operate twice per week instead of the initially planned four weekly flights, while Berlin will see frequencies reduced from three to two weekly services.

Eindhoven Airport will be temporarily closed to all flights and air traffic from February 1 to July 19 next year for major runway renovations and infrastructure upgrades. This will result in the suspension of flights from the Dutch city to Belgrade and Skopje. Flights to the Macedonian capital will operate from Maastricht instead from March 29.

The network adjustments come amid continuing tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up fuel prices and placed additional pressure on airline profitability. The low cost carrier is reviewing its network and adjusting capacity in an effort to protect yields and improve financial performance. Further changes remain possible.