Air Serbia has announced the introduction of a new direct flight route connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport with the Serbian capital of Belgrade, Nikola Tesla Airport, with operations set to commence on Jan 11, 2025. This strategic addition to Shanghai's air network is poised to enhance international connectivity, serving as another gateway for Belt and Road Initiative partner countries and fostering enhanced trade, tourism and cultural exchange between China and Serbia.

The flights, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft, are scheduled to operate twice a week, departing from Belgrade at 00:45 am local time every Tuesday and Saturday and returning from Shanghai at 10:25 pm every Wednesday and Sunday.

This new route launch comes at a time of robust recovery in Shanghai's air travel market. Passenger traffic at the city's two major airports has surpassed 100 million in the first 10 months of the year, reflecting a remarkable 32 percent year-on-year increase and setting new records for daily passenger volume. Notably, inbound and outbound passenger traffic has experienced a significant surge, nearing 29 million passengers and marking a remarkable 103 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Shanghai's airports currently offer connections to 114 international destinations across 48 countries, with 58 of these destinations located in 33 BRI participating countries and regions. The addition of the Shanghai-Belgrade route further enhances the city's global connectivity, providing travelers with convenient access to key destinations while bolstering economic and cultural ties between China and Serbia.

Luo Bin contributed to this story.