Wizz Air has accused Serbian authorities of attempting to force the airline to shut its Belgrade base from November 2026, claiming planned government measures violate Serbia’s obligations under the European Common Aviation Area Agreement and unfairly protect the country’s state-backed national carrier.
In a strongly worded statement, Wizz Air said the measures amount to a deliberate attack on competition, consumer choice and connectivity. The airline argues that it has been a major investor in Serbia since 2010, carrying more than 14 million passengers and building a network of 29 routes linking Belgrade with 26 cities in 10 European countries.
According to the airline, the closure of its Belgrade base would have significant economic consequences, including the loss of more than 150 direct jobs and potential impacts on thousands of additional positions in tourism, hospitality and airport services. Wizz Air also warned that Serbian travellers could face fewer direct flight options, reduced competition and higher fares.
Owain Jones said the Serbian government must choose between supporting open markets and protecting a single airline through restrictive measures. He described the planned actions as illegal and called on the authorities to respect international aviation agreements and ensure fair market conditions.
The airline further argued that the dispute raises broader questions about Serbia’s alignment with European Union principles as the country continues its EU accession process.
At this stage, Wizz Air’s statement does not specify the exact measures being proposed by Serbian authorities, nor has a response from the Serbian government been included. The dispute therefore appears to remain unresolved, with the airline calling on both Serbian regulators and the European Union to intervene before any restrictions take effect.
If implemented, the measures could significantly reshape competition in the Serbian aviation market, where Wizz Air has been one of the country’s largest low-cost carriers for more than a decade.