18 years later...

On its way to Belgrade

Today, Spanair will operate the first ever scheduled flight between Serbia and Spain after 18 years. The Barcelona – Belgrade service will mark the return of the once popular route, operated by JAT Yugoslav Airlines. Today’s special flight from Barcelona will carry with it many famous faces including Pasqual Maragall i Mira, former president of the Catalonian Government and the mayor of Barcelona for 15 years, as well as the CEO of Spanair and members of the Spanish press, the “Blic” newspaper reports . The Serbian Embassy in Spain has purchased tickets for Serbian students studying in Spain in order for them to be the first passengers on the maiden flight. The airline will organise a press conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Belgrade in the afternoon to celebrate the new service. Today’s flight is nonrevenue with standard flights beginning on Saturday.

Speaking at an economic forum in Belgrade yesterday, representatives of Spanair said that they chose to commence services to Belgrade because they see great potential and want to get in early. The airline says that Spaniards are world travellers and that Belgrade will be a popular destination. Similarly, Serbs hold Spain in high regard and Spanish holiday resorts have become a popular place for Serbian tourists.

Yugoslav Airlines began flights to Madrid and Barcelona in the late 1980s. They were terminated after economic sanctions were introduced in May 1992. Spanair will also commence services from Madrid to Belgrade on May 28. All flight details for the Barcelona and Madrid services can be found on the right hand side in the new route launches section.

On another note, Jat Airways will also celebrate today. The airline will resume flights to the Slovenian town of Portorož after 19 years.