Serbia launches first direct flight to New York

The first direct flight from the Nikola Tesla airport here to New York was officially opened on Thursday.

The new Air Serbia destination was ceremonially put to operation on June 23 by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, general director of Etihad Airways James Hogan, general director of Air Serbia Dane Kondic, and U.S. ambassador to Serbia Kyle Scott.

Vucic said that establishment of a direct flight is a sign of Serbia's dedication to open to the world.

"This flight means new life for the national carrier and for our country, and dedication of Serbia to open to the world. It also means establishing friendships with countries we couldn't have established in the past 25 years," he said.

This is the first wide-body aircraft for transport between Serbia and the United States, and the biggest aircraft in the fleet of Serbian national carrier Air Serbia, with 254 seats.

More than 15,000 tickets have been sold so far for the route.

"There can't be any cheaper flight for those who would like to reach New York from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro," Vucic said.

Ambassador Scott said former Yugoslavian national carrier had flights to New York, Chicago and other U.S. cities, and that this decision is good for both Serbia and the United States, their relations and tourism.

Among the first passengers of the new flight was the delegation of Serbian officials led by minister of construction and Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic, along with famous sportsmen, artists and businessmen.

The new flight will take passengers from the Belgrade Airport to New York directly five times a week. Endit