Wizz Air warns Serbia base closure threatens thousands of jobs, higher fares

Wizz Air is fighting to keep its base in Serbia open, warning that its closure by November would jeopardize thousands of jobs and make flights five to ten times more expensive. The budget airline's head of corporate, Andraš Rado, stated the company does not want to close the base, which has operated in Serbia for 16 years.

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In November, we are supposed to close the base, and we do not want to.

The dispute stems from changes to regulations by Serbia's Directorate of Civil Aviation in March 2026. Wizz Air argues these new rules effectively prevent its planes and crews from being based in Belgrade, undermining its low-cost business model in the country. The airline claims the changes are discriminatory, stifle competition, and benefit the national carrier, Air Serbia. Beyond job losses, Wizz Air anticipates fewer direct routes from Serbia, higher ticket prices, and poorer connectivity to European cities.

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We are taking all legal means and addressing all international actors, authorities in the European Union and Serbia, so that the base is not closed.

However, the Serbian Directorate of Civil Aviation refutes these claims, asserting that no airline is banned from flying between Serbia and the EU. They maintain the regulatory framework is being harmonized and applied uniformly to all carriers. Reports suggest the revised rules, while not explicitly mentioning foreign airlines' right to establish bases, detail the approvals required for international carriers operating in Serbia.

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The new rules practically make it impossible for the airline's planes and crews to be based in Belgrade, which is the foundation of their low-cost business model in Serbia.

Wizz Air has escalated the issue, contacting Brussels and seeking intervention from the European Commission. The Commission has confirmed it is reviewing Serbia's aviation regulations to ensure compliance with its obligations under the common European aviation area agreement. The airline is exploring all legal means and engaging with international bodies and authorities in both the EU and Serbia to prevent the closure. Rado also denied public allegations regarding problematic aircraft maintenance and safety, emphasizing adherence to all regulations.

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The changes are discriminatory, limit competition, and benefit the national carrier Air Serbia.