Etihad Airways is anticipated to renew flights between Abu Dhabi and Belgrade this 12 months, marking the Emirati provider’s return to the Serbian capital after virtually six years. Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, advised EX-YU Aviation Information final month the airline was in discussions with Etihad over its potential comeback. “They’re dealing with some capability constraints, however there’s clear curiosity on each side”, Mr Marek famous. Final week, Serbia’s President, throughout a state go to to the United Arab Emirates, added, “I imagine we’ll have a brand new Belgrade – Abu Dhabi route launched by Might. And it received’t be a low value provider, however Etihad, which is without doubt one of the world’s greatest airways”.
Etihad final served Belgrade in October 2020. In 2019, it carried 114.256 passengers on the Abu Dhabi – Belgrade route, attaining a median annual load issue of 87.2%. The robust efficiency was partly pushed by its partnership with Air Serbia, which fed a big variety of Europe-bound passengers via Belgrade. Though Etihad discontinued the service in the course of the pandemic, the 2 airways have since reinstated their complete codeshare settlement. Within the post-Covid interval, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launched flights between the UAE and Serbian capitals, however the service was discontinued final summer season following the closure of the funds provider’s Emirati unit. Wizz Air is unable to function flights between the 2 international locations utilizing its European Air Operator’s Certificates.
Etihad Airways has considerably expanded its community over the previous 12 months. For 2026, the provider has scheduled the launch of fourteen new routes, together with Bucharest. Final week, Etihad introduced it could add Luxembourg to its community from October, turning into the primary Gulf provider to serve the nation. Nevertheless, delays in new plane deliveries have compelled Etihad to postpone a few of its deliberate new route launches. The airline has additionally been wet-leasing plane from different carriers, together with GetJet and Air Seychelles.
Etihad’s return to Belgrade in 2026 would see it re-enter a unique market than the one it left virtually six years in the past. Flydubai now maintains seventeen weekly flights between Dubai and the Serbian capital, whereas carriers similar to China Southern Airways and Hainan Airways additionally present long-haul connectivity. Moreover, Air Serbia has expanded its community to the Far East. Etihad beforehand carried a notable variety of China-bound passengers on its Belgrade service. From April, Royal Jordanian Airways will add additional switch choices to the Center East, whereas Qatar Airways now dominates the Australia – Serbia journey market.
