Air Serbia recently launched new flights to New York from Belgrade. The five-time weekly flights started operating from June 23, 2016. The airline will serve the route with the help of an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured with 18 lie-flat seats in business class and 236 economy class seats. The flights services would be conducted on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Leading Middle East carrier Etihad Airways’ partner Air Serbia in a statement said the flight services on the new route is proving to be a key milestone. This will be for the first time that the airline would be operating widebody Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Moreover, the airline will also be reviving the direct New York-Belgrade route operated by its predecessor JAT Airways in 1992. Air Serbia has adopted the same flight numbers - JU500 and JU501 – earlier used by JAT Airways.
Sinisa Mali, Mayor of Belgrade and Chairman of Air Serbia, said, “Serbia is the only country in the region offering direct connectivity to New York through its national carrier Air Serbia. Apart from better connectivity, Belgrade is set to become a hub with more tourists flocking to the region. With the launch of new direct flights, it is also hoped that the country is ready to welcome more investors from North America. This would however become possible only when Belgrade Airport is upgraded with significant investments.”
Mali stressed the need for searching a partner for Air Serbia by 2016 end. He said that the upgrade currently required at Belgrade Airport include a new runway, cargo facilities, hotels, revamp of existing terminals and a new terminal.
Etihad Airways currently owns a 49 percent stake in Air Serbia as equity partner. Among other equity partners of UAE’s national carrier include Alitalia and Airberlin. The launch of New York service by Air Serbia would prove to be beneficial for long-haul customers as they can easily connect from Belgrade to several cities across Europe.
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