MIKONOS: Er Srbija, the national airline of Serbia, has commenced its first direct flight service on the route from Belgrade to Mykonos, an exclusive Greek island.

The airline reported an impressive capacity utilization rate of 97% for this inaugural flight, indicating strong interest from passengers.

Boško Rupić, the Director of Commercial and Strategy at Er Srbija, noted that the launch fills a significant gap, as previous travelers had to transfer through Athens to reach Mykonos.

Rupić highlighted that this new connection makes Mykonos the seventh destination in Er Srbija's regular flight schedule to Greece.

Furthermore, with an additional five charter destinations in Greece, the total reaches twelve, underscoring Serbian citizens' affinity for travel to this region.

He remarked on the consistent demand for direct flights to Greece and indicated that the company is continually analyzing potential new routes.

The national carrier will operate flights between Belgrade and Mykonos twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

The first flight was celebrated with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting before boarding the passengers and crew, utilizing an Embraer E-195 aircraft.

Travelers were treated to branded Plazma cookies, water, and a commemorative certificate celebrating the inaugural flight.

Upon arrival in Mykonos after a flight lasting one hour and fifty minutes, the crew and passengers were welcomed by representatives from the local airport and Nikola Nedeljković, the Serbian Ambassador to Greece.

Ambassador Nedeljković pointed out that over one million Serbian tourists visit Greece each summer season, emphasizing that this direct flight not only facilitates access to Mykonos but also to the entire island grouping.

Nedeljković expressed pride in the successful landing of a Serbian plane on Mykonos, noting the significance of this route being established, given past travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the isolation experienced in the 1990s when Serbian flights were grounded.

He added that the Serbian state repatriated over 4,000 individuals during the pandemic through the national airline, further highlighting its role in safeguarding travel connections.

In addition to Mykonos, Er Srbija plans to operate flights to Sardinia and Tbilisi for the first time in its history this year.

There are also plans to reestablish direct flights between Belgrade and Geneva.

The airline’s most popular May destinations included Tivat and Podgorica in the region, while Western Europe saw high demand for flights to Paris, Zurich, Barcelona, and Milan.

In the Euro-Mediterranean zone, Istanbul, Larnaca, and Athens were favored routes.

Mykonos is renowned as one of the most celebrated Greek islands, situated in the heart of the Aegean Sea, known for its luxurious appeal, golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lively nightlife.