Dubai's low-cost carrier flydubai has launched its inaugural flight to the Serbian city of Belgrade, its 46th destination. The airline will operate four flights a week on this sector.

Located at the convergence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, Belgrade is both the capital and the largest city of Serbia.

The new route is flydubai’s 12th destination in Central and Eastern Europe, a region key to the pioneering airline’s development strategy,  said a statement from the airline.

The debut flight to Serbia's White City, Belgrade FZ713 took off from Dubai at 7.10pm on Tuesday (November 22) and landed at Nikola Tesla Airport at 11.55am (local time). 

The new route marks flydubai’s entry into Serbia and further strengthens its international route network which currently spans 46 destinations in 27 countries across the GCC, Mena, the Indian Subcontinent, Asia and the fringes of Europe.

The one way fares from Dubai-Belgrade start at Dh800 ($218), while on return, Belgrade to Dubai the price starts at €170 ($231).

Speaking at an official press conference attended by top Serbian government officials including Jelena Marjanovic, Assistant Minister of Economy and Regional Development, flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: "Tthe UAE is now connected to a destination that appeals to a wide variety of travellers, and we are thrilled to provide a low-cost, direct connection to one of the world’s most exciting destinations."

"The new route will enable UAE’s leisure and business travellers to enjoy and experience the city’s many attractions.We also hope the new flights will help the 5,000-strong Serbian community in Dubai to visit friends and family back home more often.”

Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador for Italy and Serbia, said: the new link will play a big role in developing business and tourism relations between the UAE and Serbia.

"Belgrade is a city with a great deal to offer its visitors but it is also important that Serbian nationals now have a high-quality, low-cost option to visit the UAE," he noted.

Jamal Al Hai, ESVP Communications and International Affairs, Dubai Airports, and member of the UAE Parliament, said: "The UAE is always open to new opportunities and from today we can look forward to working more closely with Serbia."

With a population of 1.7 million, Serbia is one of the world’s fastest growing cities and has fostered strong tourism and financial sectors.

It is also the regional base for a large number of regional MNCs (multi-national companies) including AXA, Intel, Motorola, Kraft Foods, Microsoft, Unilever, P&G amongst others.-TradeArabia News Service