Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade handled 1,078,299 passengers in August 2026, marking a 7.4% year-on-year increase and setting a new record, according to airport operator Belgrade Airport. Passenger volumes exceeded one million for the second consecutive month after another record was recorded in July.
The increase in airport traffic reflects continued growth in aviation demand, with implications for airline capacity, airport infrastructure, tourism services and international connectivity.
Air Serbia Increases Passenger Volumes
National carrier Air Serbia transported 616,479 passengers in August, representing a 10% increase compared with the same month a year earlier.
Between January and August, the airline carried 3.26 million passengers, its highest total for the corresponding period. Its passenger load factor reached 83.6% in August, indicating the proportion of available aircraft seating capacity occupied during the summer travel season. The airport’s summer network covered 118 destinations, served by Air Serbia and other airlines operating from Belgrade.
Passenger Growth and Serbia’s Transport Sector
The increase in aviation activity contrasts with Serbia’s wider freight transport performance. National transport statistics recorded a 0.5% decline in freight tonnage during the first half of 2026. Passenger traffic at airports and freight volumes across the transport sector measure different activities and are not directly comparable. The figures nevertheless show contrasting developments in passenger aviation and goods transport.
Airport Infrastructure and Tourism Investment
Rising passenger numbers support demand for airport-related services, including terminal operations, airport retail, ground handling and hotels, alongside the wider tourism and business travel sectors.
Sustaining traffic growth will also place demands on infrastructure capacity and service quality. The economics of expanding airline networks beyond the peak summer season remain relevant as operators consider route additions and capacity requirements. Belgrade’s growing passenger volumes strengthen the commercial importance of its international air connections for tourism, business travel and logistics activity.
