Air Serbia to re-launch nonstop flights to U.S. after 24 years

Air Serbia recently announced it will be re-launching its first nonstop flights between the United States and Serbia after a 24 year absence. The flights between the countries operated until 1992 after which the operations on the route were stopped.

Media reports said that Air Serbia will start operating nonstop flights to New York JFK from Belgrade from June 2016. The flights on the route will be operated five-times per week. The airline will deploy an Airbus A330-200 aircraft to serve the two destinations. Air Serbia was formerly known as Jat Airways. UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways presently owns a 49 percent stake in the airline.

Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister of Serbia, while talking to the mediapersons said that it is indeed a proud and significant moment in Air Serbia’s short history that nonstop flights between New York and Belgrade are being re-introduced in June next year. He said that the move of the airline strongly testifies its commitment, ambitions and plan for future growth.

James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways and Air Serbia's Vice Chairman of the supervisory board, said, “The re-launch of the new service demonstrates that the airline’s partnership with Air Serbia is enduring and has further strengthened. The re-introducing of this transatlantic service will prove to be beneficial for the travellers from both the United States and Serbia.”

Earlier, Etihad Airways acquired a 49 percent stake in Air Serbia after getting the necessary regulatory approvals in 2014. The deal with Air Serbia will enable Etihad Airways to get a foothold in Europe with Belgrade as its important hub to expand its global network across the continent.