Air Serbia Granted Permits to Launch Direct Flights to Beijing

Key Takeaways

• Air Serbia seeks final permits from CAAC for direct Belgrade–Beijing flights expected in late 2025.
• China removed COVID-19 entry tests in August 2023, simplifying travel and increasing direct flight demand.
• Air Serbia’s codeshare with Air China supports expanded network including Belgrade–Beijing and Tianjin routes.

Air Serbia Moves Closer to Launching Direct Beijing Flights: What Travelers and Stakeholders Need to Know

Air Serbia is on the brink of a major expansion in its international network, with direct flights to Beijing expected to launch soon. As of July 2, 2025, the airline has not yet started these flights, but it is in the final stages of securing the necessary permits from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This development follows Air Serbia’s successful entry into the Chinese market with its Belgrade–Tianjin route in December 2022. The move is seen as a strategic step for both Serbia and China, aiming to boost economic, tourism, and diplomatic ties. Here’s a detailed look at the current status, background, regulatory process, and what this means for travelers and the broader aviation industry.

Air Serbia’s Beijing Ambitions: Where Things Stand Now

Air Serbia has made clear its intention to expand its presence in China, with a particular focus on launching Direct flights between Belgrade and Beijing. While there has been no official public confirmation from either Air Serbia or the Civil Aviation Administration of China that these flights have begun, industry sources and regulatory updates suggest that the airline is very close to securing the final permits. This follows a pattern of growing cooperation between Serbia and China in the aviation sector.

The CAAC, which is responsible for approving all international flights to China, held its National Civil Aviation Work Conference in Beijing in January 2025. At this meeting, officials emphasized the importance of expanding international air connections and strengthening bilateral air service agreements. This policy direction supports Air Serbia’s efforts to add Beijing to its list of destinations.

Why Direct Belgrade–Beijing Flights Matter

Direct flights between Belgrade and Beijing are not just about convenience. They are a key part of Serbia’s strategy to deepen its relationship with China. For Air Serbia, this route represents a chance to tap into a large and growing market, while also supporting the Serbian government’s goals of increasing trade, tourism, and diplomatic engagement with China.

• Economic Impact: Direct flights make it easier for business travelers, investors, and tourists to move between the two countries. This can lead to more trade deals, joint ventures, and tourism revenue.
• Tourism Growth: China is one of the world’s largest sources of outbound tourists. Making it easier for Chinese travelers to visit Serbia could boost the local tourism industry.
• Diplomatic Ties: Improved air links often go hand-in-hand with stronger political and cultural relationships.

Background: Air Serbia’s Journey to China

Air Serbia’s connection with China is relatively new but growing quickly. The airline resumed flights to China after more than 20 years in December 2022, when it launched its Belgrade–Tianjin service using Airbus A330 aircraft. This was a major milestone, signaling Serbia’s renewed interest in building closer ties with China.

The success of the Tianjin route has paved the way for further expansion. Air Serbia and Air China renewed and expanded their codeshare agreement in early 2023. This partnership covers flights between Belgrade and Beijing (via Vienna) and Belgrade and Tianjin, with options for travelers to connect to other major Chinese cities. Codeshare agreements allow airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights, making it easier for passengers to book trips that involve more than one airline.

How the Permit Process Works

Launching a new international route, especially to a country like China, involves a complex regulatory process. Here’s a step-by-step look at what Air Serbia must do to get approval for direct flights to Beijing:

1. Application to the CAAC: Air Serbia must submit a detailed application to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. This includes proposed flight schedules, aircraft types, and safety documentation.
2. Bilateral Air Service Agreements: The airline must show that its plans comply with existing agreements between Serbia and China that govern how many flights can operate and under what conditions.
3. Slot Allocation: Air Serbia needs to work with airport authorities in Beijing to secure landing and takeoff slots. These are specific times when the airline is allowed to use the runway.
4. Coordination with Serbian Authorities: The Serbian Civil Aviation Authority must also approve the outbound flights and ensure that all international aviation standards are met.
5. No Overflight Fees: Serbia does not charge processing fees for overflight permits, but all regulatory and navigation requirements must be followed.

The CAAC’s focus on expanding international air links, as highlighted at its 2025 conference, suggests that the regulatory environment is favorable for Air Serbia’s plans.

Recent Policy Changes Make Travel Easier

Several recent changes in Chinese policy have made it much easier for airlines like Air Serbia to launch new routes and for travelers to visit China:

• End of COVID-19 Restrictions: As of August 2023, China has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements, including PCR and antigen tests. Now, travelers only need to complete a simple health declaration via China Customs. This has removed a major barrier to international travel.
• Simplified Visa Process: In September 2023, China made it easier to apply for visas by reducing the paperwork and speeding up processing times. This applies to travelers from Serbia and many other countries.
• Pet Travel: Air Serbia allows passengers to bring pets on flights to China, as long as they have the right documents and meet health requirements. The fee for transporting a pet between Serbia and China is €120 per flight segment.

These changes have made it much simpler and more attractive for people to travel between Serbia and China, increasing the demand for direct flights.

What Stakeholders Are Saying

Air Serbia’s leadership has been vocal about the importance of expanding into China. Ivana Miklja Mučalov, Manager of International Affairs & Alliances at Air Serbia, has stated that the airline is committed to making travel between Serbia and China easier. This is in line with the CAAC’s stated goal of increasing international air connectivity as part of China’s post-pandemic recovery.

Aviation analysts agree that direct flights between Belgrade and Beijing would fill a major gap in Central and Eastern Europe’s air links to China. They point out that this could lead to more trade, tourism, and investment between the two countries.

The travel industry is also watching closely. The removal of COVID-19 restrictions and the streamlined visa process are expected to boost demand for direct flights, making the route commercially attractive for Air Serbia.

Codeshare and Partnership Expansion

One of the key factors supporting Air Serbia’s Beijing ambitions is its partnership with Air China. The expanded codeshare agreement, renewed in early 2023, covers flights between Belgrade and Beijing (via Vienna) and Belgrade and Tianjin. This partnership allows passengers to book seamless trips between Serbia and several major Chinese cities, even before direct Belgrade–Beijing flights begin.

Codeshare agreements are important because they:

• Make it easier for travelers to book connecting flights on different airlines.
• Allow airlines to offer more destinations without operating all the flights themselves.
• Help airlines fill seats and improve profitability on long-haul routes.

Regulatory Environment: Favorable for Growth

The regulatory environment in both Serbia and China is currently very supportive of new international routes. The CAAC’s 2025 conference in Beijing emphasized the importance of expanding international air links and updating bilateral air service agreements. This aligns with China’s broader policy of reopening to the world after the pandemic.

Serbia’s Civil Aviation Authority is also working closely with Air Serbia to ensure that all regulatory and safety requirements are met. There are no fees for overflight permits, but airlines must still comply with all navigation and safety rules.

Practical Implications for Travelers

For travelers, the launch of direct Belgrade–Beijing flights will mean:

• Shorter Travel Times: No need to connect through other European or Middle Eastern hubs.
• Easier Booking: Direct flights and codeshare options make it simpler to plan trips.
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Passengers can bring pets, provided they meet entry requirements and pay the €120 fee per segment.
• Simplified Entry to China: With no COVID-19 testing and a faster visa process, travel is much less complicated.

Travelers should keep an eye on Air Serbia’s official website and the CAAC for the latest updates on new routes and entry requirements. For official information on Chinese entry rules and health declarations, visit the China Customs website.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The launch of direct flights between Belgrade and Beijing is expected to have a big impact on the aviation industry in the region. It will:

• Strengthen Serbia’s position as a regional hub for travel to and from China.
• Increase competition among airlines serving the China–Europe market.
• Encourage more business and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

Industry observers expect that Air Serbia will make an official announcement and launch its first direct flight to Beijing in the second half of 2025, once all regulatory approvals and operational preparations are complete.

Summary Table: Air Serbia–China Direct Flights (as of July 2025)

What to Watch For: Next Steps

As Air Serbia moves closer to launching direct flights to Beijing, here are some key things to watch:

• Official Announcements: Travelers and industry stakeholders should look out for press releases from Air Serbia and updates from the CAAC.
• Permit Approvals: The final step is getting the green light from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which could come at any time.
• Operational Readiness: Air Serbia will need to finalize schedules, crew training, and marketing before the first flight takes off.

Practical Guidance for Travelers and Businesses

If you are planning to travel between Serbia and China, or if your business depends on trade or tourism between the two countries, now is a good time to prepare:

• Monitor Official Channels: Check Air Serbia’s official website and the CAAC for the latest updates.
• Prepare Travel Documents: Make sure your passport and visa are up to date. Take advantage of the simplified Chinese visa process.
• Plan for Pets: If you plan to travel with a pet, gather the necessary health documents and budget for the €120 fee per segment.
• Stay Informed: Policy changes can happen quickly, so stay alert for new entry requirements or travel advisories.

Conclusion: A New Era for Serbia–China Air Travel

As of July 2, 2025, Air Serbia has not yet launched direct flights to Beijing, but all signs point to an imminent start. The airline is in the advanced stages of securing permits from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and recent policy changes in both countries have made the process smoother than ever. The launch of this route is expected to bring major benefits to travelers, businesses, and both countries’ economies.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combination of regulatory support, strong demand, and strategic partnerships makes the Belgrade–Beijing route one of the most anticipated new air links in Europe. Travelers and industry stakeholders should expect official announcements soon, with the first direct flights likely to begin in late 2025, pending final regulatory approvals.

For more information on Chinese entry requirements and the latest updates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, visit the official CAAC website.

By staying informed and prepared, travelers and businesses can take full advantage of this exciting new chapter in Serbia–China relations.

Learn Today

Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) → China’s government agency regulating aviation safety, permits, and international flight approvals.
Codeshare Agreement → An arrangement allowing airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights, expanding route networks.
Overflight Permit → Authorization required for an airline to fly over another country’s airspace during international flights.
Airbus A330 → Wide-body twin-engine aircraft used for long-haul international flights, like Air Serbia’s China routes.
Slot Allocation → Scheduled times assigned for landing and takeoff at congested airports to manage air traffic.

This Article in a Nutshell

Air Serbia is close to launching direct Belgrade–Beijing flights, enhancing China-Serbia ties. Final regulatory approvals are pending, with easier Chinese visa and travel rules boosting demand for this strategic route.
— By VisaVerge.com