Etihad Airways is expected to resume flights between Abu Dhabi and Belgrade this year, marking the Emirati carrier’s return to the Serbian capital after almost six years. Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, told EX-YU Aviation News last month the airline was in discussions with Etihad over its potential comeback. “They are facing some capacity constraints, but there is clear interest on both sides”, Mr Marek noted. Last week, Serbia’s President, during a state visit to the United Arab Emirates, added, “I believe we’ll have a new Belgrade – Abu Dhabi route launched by May. And it won’t be a low cost carrier, but Etihad, which is one of the world’s best airlines”.

Etihad last served Belgrade in October 2020. In 2019, it carried 114.256 passengers on the Abu Dhabi – Belgrade route, achieving an average annual load factor of 87.2%. The strong performance was partly driven by its partnership with Air Serbia, which fed a significant number of Europe-bound passengers through Belgrade. Although Etihad discontinued the service during the pandemic, the two airlines have since reinstated their comprehensive codeshare agreement. In the post-Covid period, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launched flights between the UAE and Serbian capitals, but the service was discontinued last summer following the closure of the budget carrier’s Emirati unit. Wizz Air is unable to operate flights between the two countries using its European Air Operator’s Certificate.

Etihad Airways has significantly expanded its network over the past year. For 2026, the carrier has scheduled the launch of fourteen new routes, including Bucharest. Last week, Etihad announced it would add Luxembourg to its network from October, becoming the first Gulf carrier to serve the country. However, delays in new aircraft deliveries have forced Etihad to postpone some of its planned new route launches. The airline has also been wet-leasing aircraft from other carriers, including GetJet and Air Seychelles.

Etihad’s return to Belgrade in 2026 would see it re-enter a different market than the one it left almost six years ago. Flydubai now maintains seventeen weekly flights between Dubai and the Serbian capital, while carriers such as China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines also provide long-haul connectivity, while Air Serbia has expanded its network to the Far East. Etihad previously carried a notable number of China-bound passengers on its Belgrade service. From April, Royal Jordanian Airlines will add further transfer options to the Middle East, while Qatar Airways now dominates the Australia – Serbia travel market.