UPDATE: Er Srbija and SMATSA have just announced a historic achievement—1 million passengers served in 2025. This landmark milestone was reached with flight JU 331 arriving from Zurich to Belgrade on December 12, 2025, marking a significant moment in the region’s aviation history.
The achievement signals a robust recovery and growth in both domestic and regional air travel, following the challenges of recent years. Er Srbija’s pivotal role in advancing Serbian and regional air traffic is underscored by this record, highlighting the airline’s continuous collaboration with SMATSA to meet the evolving demands of modern aviation.
Upon entering Serbian airspace, the flight’s air traffic controller congratulated the crew, informing them that their flight was the millionth service managed by SMATSA this year. Captain Vesna Aleksić shared this exciting news with passengers, making the moment even more memorable as they celebrated a historic record in the skies.
“Leading the crew on this millionth flight is an incredible honor. This milestone is not just a number; it symbolizes our dedication and ongoing progress,” said Captain Aleksić. “This success reflects passenger trust and the hard work of our teams, as well as Serbia’s growing prominence in European aviation. I hope to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams in aviation.”
Slobodan Kurćubić, Director of the Terminal and Airport Control Sector at SMATSA, emphasized the importance of this achievement for both the organization and Er Srbija. “It is a privilege to be part of a team achieving such historic results. This day is vital for SMATSA and the broader aviation community, confirming our capacity to meet complex demands.”
Throughout 2025, Er Srbija has experienced a surge in nearly every key operational category. By December 8, the airline had transported over 4.3 million passengers, reflecting a 3.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Additionally, the total number of flights rose by 4%. Notably, more than 2.1 million passengers traveled to and from Belgrade, with departures from the capital increasing by 4.1%.
August 2025 marked the busiest month ever recorded, with an unprecedented 206 round trips on August 1 alone, serving over 21,800 passengers in a single day.
Simultaneously, SMATSA continues to solidify its position as a leading service provider in the region and ranks among the top ten in Europe. The organization reported a 6% increase in air traffic in 2025 compared to the previous year, with over 110,000 takeoffs and landings at Serbia and Montenegro airports.
The ongoing growth of air traffic is attributed to an increasing demand for air traffic control services, technological advancements, and continuous modernization efforts. During the peak season, the organization recorded over 4,100 flights daily and managed up to 265 operations in one hour at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport.
The joint achievements of Er Srbija and SMATSA highlight Serbia’s rising status as an aviation hub and contribute significantly to the further development of regional and European aviation networks.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, all eyes will be on Serbia to see how it navigates the future and maintains this upward trajectory in air travel.
