Air Serbia, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines handled a combined total of 90.142 passengers on flights between Belgrade and China during the first half of the year. Notable is the strong performance of the Serbian carrier’s Shanghai service, which has been in operation since January 11 of this year.
Naturally, Guangzhou had the most passengers, with four weekly flights operated by two carriers – Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines. Together they handled 44.694 travellers between the two cities. Over the six-month period, China Southern had 30.784 seats on the market, deploying its Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the route, while Air Serbia offered 26.680 seats, utilising its Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Last month, the Head of the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia met with Qianhong Zhu, Vice President of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Management, during which both sides emphasised the potential for growing frequencies between the two cities.
Belgrade – Guangzhou – Belgrade
Hainan Airlines welcomed 23.722 travellers on its flights between Beijing and Belgrade. The carrier, which maintains the route with its A330-300 aircraft, saw its passenger numbers dip slightly, by 2.7% or 666 fewer travellers. Its average cabin load factor stood at 80% over the six months. Air Serbia was this year granted permits to launch operations to Beijing but has so far not exercised those rights.
Belgrade – Beijing – Belgrade
Air Serbia’s two weekly service to Shanghai saw 21.726 passengers during the first half of the year. It represents an average cabin load factor of 84.7%, considered strong for a new long-haul route. “Flights between the Serbian capital and China’s business hub have maintained a high load factor, with growing interest that has further intensified during the summer season”, the airline recently said.
Belgrade – Shanghai – Belgrade
Serbia welcomed a total of 88.068 Chinese tourists during the first half of the year, representing an increase of 27.4% on the same period in 2024. Air Serbia is one of only eight European carriers currently operating flights between Europe and China.
