The aircraft, which is configured with 86 seats and will be leased between the busy summer months of June and September 2016, will allow Air Serbia to expand its flight network with non-stop flights to Hamburg in Germany and Kiev in Ukraine being introduced from its Belgrade base. In addition, the aircraft will be deployed on the carrier’s existing Belgrade – Sofia route.
The five times weekly Belgrade - New York JFK link will be operated using a leased two-class Airbus A330-200 and Air Serbia is currently considering lease options with Etihad Airways Partner airlines as well as with other external companies. The airline currently operates a fleet of 14 narrow-bodied and six turboprop aircraft.
Air Serbia, the national airline of the Republic of Serbia recently launched its very own theme song, titled “The Wings of Europe”, especially dedicated to the carrier and its passengers.
The route enjoys a long history with flights first being introduced between the two cities by Aeroput in February 1928 and latterly by JAT Airways from April 1947. However, the former Yugoslavian flag carrier closed the route in August 1991 as the first of the ethinic conflicts that lead to the breakup of the country began.
According to a study by Oxford Economics, Air Serbia is making a significant contribution to the Serbian economy. The combined direct, indirect and induced economic contribution to the Serbian economy is expected to be more than US$700 million in 2014.
Air Serbia, the national airline of Serbia, has reported positive developments for the five months since its launch in October 2013, outlining network and fleet growth and the creation of new jobs in Serbia.