Serbia & XiamenAir Ink Strategic Deal for Direct China Flights

Serbia and Chinese carrier XiamenAir signed a strategic cooperation agreement at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, establishing a formal framework to evaluate direct long-haul passenger flights to Belgrade Airport while pioneering an overseas agricultural initiative that introduces Serbian raspberry products to international flights.

The pact follows two years of detailed feasibility assessments between aviation regulators, trade officials, and airline executives examining passenger and cargo demand at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. As Belgrade strengthens its position as the premier aviation gateway in Southeast Europe, the collaboration with XiamenAir—which operates more than 200 aircraft across an international network of over 400 routes—marks a significant milestone in expanding travel, commercial exchange, and culinary tourism between China and the Balkans.

The Local Trend Revealed: Aviation Expansion Meets Agro-Tourism

The partnership between Serbia and XiamenAir stands out for combining international route development with direct agricultural trade. Formalized in Xiamen during the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, the memorandum establishes four key pillars: commercial aviation, passenger tourism, agricultural export, and bilateral trade.

Cooperation Metric	Operational Scope & Details
Aviation Partner	XiamenAir (Fleet exceeding 200 aircraft; 400+ domestic & international routes)
Primary Destination Gateway	Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), Serbia
Long-Haul Aircraft Type	Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Existing European Destinations	Amsterdam (AMS), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), London Heathrow (LHR)
Preparatory Assessment Timeline	Two years of passenger flow, cargo demand, and market feasibility studies
Delegation Exchange	XiamenAir technical delegation visited Serbia earlier in 2026
Flagship Agricultural Project	First overseas agricultural initiative in Serbia focused on local raspberries
In-Flight Culinary Integration	Serbian raspberry juice introduced aboard XiamenAir flights; promotions for Serbian wine, honey, and plum-based spirits

The discussions evaluate deploying XiamenAir’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to establish scheduled connections with Belgrade, adding to the airline's established long-haul European operations serving Amsterdam, Paris, and London. A high-level XiamenAir delegation visited Serbia earlier in 2026, meeting with government ministers, Chinese chamber of commerce representatives, and Serbian agricultural producers to inspect logistics and cold-chain infrastructure.

While final route launches remain subject to operational scheduling, traffic rights, and aircraft rotations, the agreement directly bridges transport logistics and consumer exposure. Under the project, XiamenAir is establishing its first overseas agricultural program in Serbia centered on premium raspberry farming, serving Serbian raspberry juice on commercial flights while promoting Serbian honey, artisan wines, and traditional plum-based beverages across its global lounges and consumer channels.

Cultural and Environmental Value: Empowering Rural Growers and Heritage Travel

The collaboration creates valuable cultural and economic dividends that extend far beyond airline passenger manifests:

Direct Support for Family Raspberry Cooperatives: Serbia ranks among the world's leading raspberry producers, centered around Arilje in western Serbia. By integrating local raspberry harvests directly into airline catering supply chains, the initiative channels export revenues straight into rural family farms and sustainable processing cooperatives.
Preservation of Authentic Balkan Gastronomy: Promoting indigenous delicacies—from mountain meadow honey to barrel-aged plum spirits (šljivovica)—safeguards centuries-old culinary heritage and supports small-scale distillers and beekeepers across the Šumadija and Morava valleys.
Low-Impact Rail Integration: Travelers arriving at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport can connect directly to Serbia’s modernized rail system. The high-speed Soko train links central Belgrade to Novi Sad in just 36 minutes, allowing international visitors to tour Danube wine cellars and the Petrovaradin Fortress with minimal environmental impact.
Decentralized Regional Tourism: Direct air links encourage inbound travelers to venture past urban centers into UNESCO-protected monastic reserves, such as Studenica and Sopoćani, helping preserve regional cultural monuments and support rural homestays.

Visitor Insider Tips: Exploring Serbia Like a Local Expert

For travelers planning a journey to Serbia as connectivity expands, these local insights ensure a rich and seamless trip:

Optimal Travel Windows: Visit during May–June or September–October. Autumn brings mild 20°C (68°F) daytime temperatures, grape harvests along the Fruška Gora wine route, and uncrowded visits to the dramatic Danube gorge at Golubac Fortress.
Belgrade Neighborhood Etiquette:
- Dorćol & Skadarlija: Wander the cobblestones of Skadarlija for live starogradska acoustic music. When toasting with traditional plum rakija, maintain direct eye contact and say "Živeli!"
- Monastery Etiquette: When visiting Serbian Orthodox monasteries, cover shoulders and knees; women often wear headscarves in inner sanctuaries, and photography is generally restricted inside candlelit fresco chapels.
Local Culinary Specialties You Must Try:
- Ćevapi & Kajmak: Sample grilled minced-meat kebabs served inside warm somun bread, topped with a generous dollop of salted clotted cream (kajmak).
- Gibanica: A flaky, layered pastry filled with fresh cow's cheese and eggs, traditionally eaten for breakfast with thick drinking yogurt.
- Peka / Sač: Slow-roasted lamb and potatoes cooked under a heavy bell-shaped cast iron lid covered in live coals, typical of western Serbia.
- Fresh Raspberry Desserts: Savor artisan raspberry tarts and fresh fruit syrups in cafe gardens across Arilje and Užice.
Hidden Sanctuaries Beyond the Capital:
- Zemun's Millennium Tower (Gardoš): Explore this atmospheric Austro-Hungarian quarter on the Danube for panoramic sunset views and fresh river-catfish stew.
- Uvac River Meanders: Venture south to witness the dramatic serpentine river canyon of Uvac Nature Reserve, home to the protected griffon vulture.
- Tara National Park: Hike the Banjska Stena viewpoint overlooking Lake Perućac and dense pine forests, an ideal eco-trekking retreat.
Currency and Transport Essentials: The local currency is the Serbian Dinar (RSD). While cards are widely accepted in Belgrade hotels and restaurants, carry cash for open-air green markets (pijaca) and countryside bakeries. Licensed taxi stands at Belgrade Airport use fixed-price vouchers issued at the official transit counter in the arrivals hall.

Tourism Outlook: Strengthening Balkan Cross-Continental Links

The memorandum between Serbia and XiamenAir highlights a broader structural transformation in Southeast European tourism. Belgrade Airport has systematically expanded passenger handling capacity, positioning itself as a central transit node linking the Western Balkans with East Asia.

Supported by mutual visa-exemption arrangements between China and Serbia in effect since 2017, the prospect of scheduled XiamenAir Boeing 787 services opens streamlined access for leisure travelers, business delegations, and academic exchanges. By tying aviation infrastructure directly to rural agricultural promotion and regional cultural tours, Serbia is constructing a sustainable, balanced tourism model that benefits both metropolitan centers and traditional farming communities.