Wizz Air accuses Serbia of protectionist rules threatening Belgrade base

In a sharply worded public statement, low-cost giant Wizz Air has condemned Serbian authorities for regulatory changes it claims will force the closure of its Belgrade base from November 2026, potentially reducing competition and connectivity.

The events unfold just as the city gears up to host Expo 2027, an event expected to draw over 4 million visitors.

Wizz Air, which has operated in Serbia since 2010 and carried more than 14 million passengers, argues that amendments to aviation rules adopted in March 2026 effectively bar foreign (particularly EU) carriers from basing aircraft in the country. The changes, according to the airline, redefine operational authorisations in a way that limits rotations and makes sustained base operations commercially unviable for non-Serbian airlines.

“A calculated attack on competition”

In its official statement issued on3 June, Wizz Air said the measures represent “a calculated attack on fair competition, consumer choice, connectivity, and thousands of Serbian jobs,” while breaching Serbia’s obligations under the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement.

“Despite these contributions, Serbian authorities are now pursuing measures clearly designed to push Wizz Air out of Belgrade in an effort to shield the state-backed national carrier from legitimate competition – the same state-backed airline which has swallowed the equivalent of hundreds of millions of Euros of Serbian tax-payers’ cash,” the statement reads.

The airline warns that closure of its Belgrade base (currently supported by multiple aircraft and dozens of routes) would put over 150 direct jobs at risk, along with thousands more in tourism, hospitality, and related sectors. Wizz has informed the European Commission and is calling for the rules to be reversed.

Serbian response and broader context

Serbia’s Civil Aviation Directorate maintains that the regulatory updates are equitable, non-discriminatory, and apply equally to all foreign carriers. Officials have defended them as necessary modernisation rather than protectionism.

However, critics – including Wizz Air’s Chief Corporate Officer Owain Jones – see the timing as problematic. Belgrade is investing heavily in infrastructure ahead of Expo 2027 (15 May to 15 August 2027), including airport expansions, new gates, and urban transport links. The event is positioned as a major boost for tourism, international visibility, and the regional economy.

Belgrade will need more airline capacity, not less. With millions of expected visitors, affordable seats and diverse route options will be critical to the event’s success. Wizz Air has been a key provider of low-fare connectivity, helping drive tourism growth in recent years. Reducing options could lead to higher fares and capacity constraints precisely when demand peaks.

What’s next?

Wizz Air says its “Plan A” is full reversal of the rules to comply with ECAA commitments.

Protect competition. Protect connectivity. Protect consumer choice.
We call upon the Serbian authorities to reverse measures designed to UNLAWFULLY force Wizz Air out of Belgrade and to uphold their international obligations.
14 million passengers have travelled with Wizz Air… pic.twitter.com/MtPKtG9frq
— Wizz Air (@wizzair) June 5, 2026

Industry observers are watching for potential EU intervention, Air Serbia’s formal response, and any contingency plans from Wizz (which has previously adjusted bases in the region).

Airport authorities and tourism stakeholders may weigh in as Expo preparations intensify.

This dispute highlights a classic tension in emerging markets: balancing support for a national carrier with the benefits of open competition and foreign investment. For a Serbia aiming to showcase itself on the global stage in 2027, the outcome could shape not just airfares, but the country’s broader image as an open, investor-friendly destination.