Industry

In 2024, Air Serbia carried 4.44 million passengers

Air Serbia carried a total of 4.44 million passengers on scheduled and charter flights in 2024, up 6% compared to the previously-record-setting year 2023. The company operated 47,022 flights from its hub in Belgrade, as well as two other international airports in Serbia – Niš and Kraljevo, up 4% year over year.

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When it comes to cargo traffic, last year, the Serbian national airline transported over 7,144 tons of cargo, up 25.14% year over year, marking the best cargo result since the company started operating under its current name.

Air Serbia’s fleet saw strong growth last year. Out of a total of 27 aircraft, three are wide-body jets, fourteen are narrow-body and there are also ten turboprops. The company’s third Airbus A330-200, registered as YU-ARD, with special EXPO 2027 livery, arrived in Belgrade in early October and joined Air Serbia’s operations on 18 October on a charter flight between Belgrade and Tokyo. This was the Serbian national airline’s longest non-stop flight time-wise.

During the past year, Air Serbia continued to expand its network. For the first time, scheduled flights were introduced to Mostar and Guangzhou in the People’s Republic of China, while the direct route between Belgrade and Nice was restored after several years. Some of Air Serbia’s most sought-after destinations in 2024 within the region and nearby surroundings were Tivat, Podgorica, Istanbul, Athens, Vienna, and Ljubljana. In Western Europe and the Euro-Mediterranean region, the most popular destinations included Zurich, Paris, Larnaca, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Milan, London, and Rome.

In terms of long-haul routes, Air Serbia operated flights in 2024 from Guangzhou in the East to New York and Chicago in the West. Aligning with its strategic goals and the company’s aspiration to further develop long-haul traffic, a new scheduled destination between Belgrade and Shanghai was introduced to the network at the beginning of 2025.

Aiming to provide passengers with an enhanced customer experience and service, in March 2024 Serbia’s national airline officially changed its ground handling operator at Belgrade Airport. Instead of Belgrade Airport Company, aircraft handling, passenger and baggage check-in, and boarding for the national airline’s flights were taken over by Menzies Aviation, one of the leading global ground handling service providers.
 
Air Serbia’s Premium Lounge at Belgrade Airport welcomed over 86,000 passengers in 2024, with July being the busiest month, recording over 9,200 guests. The Serbian national airline is also preparing a new, more modern Premium Lounge, set to open soon at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

Air Serbia’s achievements were recognized globally in 2024, earning the airline a place in the ATW Hall of Fame alongside the world’s most prestigious carriers. The renowned American magazine Global Traveler named it the best airline in Eastern Europe, while its commitment to customer experience was acknowledged by the specialized portal AirHelp, which ranked Air Serbia 10th on its annual list of the Best Airlines in 2024.

Towards the end of the year, for the first time in the company’s history and in collaboration with the Union of the Blind of Serbia, Air Serbia introduced emergency procedure instructions in Braille on its planes. This initiative aimed to make travel more accessible for blind and visually impaired individuals and encourage them to fly. The partnership with the Union of the Blind of Serbia underscores the national airline’s commitment to social responsibility and improving the quality of life for all citizens.