Air Serbia Achieves Stellar Growth with 4.19 Million Passengers in 2023
Air Serbia, the national carrier of Serbia, recorded exceptional operational results in 2023, carrying 4.19 million passengers, marking a 53% increase from the previous year. This impressive figure represents the third-best performance in the airline's nearly 97-year history. The airline's significant growth is attributed to a 44% increase in flight operations, expansion to 23 new destinations, and its presence in 34 countries across four continents. Notably, Air Serbia inaugurated a direct service to Chicago, its second long-haul destination in North America.
2023 marked the first decade of Air Serbia's operations under its current name. Celebrating this milestone, the airline operated over 45,000 flights from its main hub in Belgrade and other international airports in Niš and Kraljevo. The year also saw the introduction of new uniforms for the first time in 10 years, reflecting a commitment to modernization and growth.
The airline expanded its global reach with flights to new destinations like Lisbon, Porto, Hamburg, Cairo, Catania, Palermo, and Naples. The resumption of flights to Chicago after a 30-year hiatus was a highlight, with over 25,000 passengers traveling between Belgrade and Chicago in the first six months. Air Serbia also increased its frequency to New York, offering up to 10 weekly flights to North America during the summer.
Jiri Marek, CEO of Air Serbia, emphasized the airline's role as a cultural and economic bridge, highlighting its focus on passenger satisfaction, service improvement, and network expansion. He acknowledged the challenges of 2023, including supply chain issues and weather conditions, but affirmed the airline's commitment to overcoming these obstacles in the future.
Air Serbia's growth strategy included new codeshare agreements with Qatar Airways and JetBlue, enhancing travel options and connectivity. The airline also conducted two significant cabin crew recruitment campaigns, reflecting its commitment to service excellence and employment growth.
The airline celebrated its decade-long operation with various initiatives, including new uniforms inspired by Serbian cultural heritage, the opening of a new retail shop, website modernization, and unique collaborations like a special postage stamp with the Serbian Postal Service.
In collaboration with Menzies Aviation, Air Serbia plans to enhance ground handling services at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport from February 2024. Additionally, the airline will operate on ten Public Service Obligation routes from Morava Airport near Kraljevo and Niš Constantine the Great Airport, ensuring connectivity across key destinations.
