Amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict, Air Serbia has witnessed a remarkable surge in demand from Chinese travelers. The recent airspace closures have caused unprecedented disruptions to global air traffic, prompting many to seek alternative routes. This surge in bookings is particularly notable for the overnight service from Guangzhou, which landed in Belgrade with passengers who had originally booked with Emirates and Qatar Airways but chose Air Serbia as their preferred carrier. The conflict's impact on travel plans is evident, with some travelers rebooked onto Air Serbia by their original airlines and others purchasing new tickets independently. The destinations these passengers are heading to include the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Greece, with some long-haul travelers originating from as far as Australia. Fares on Air Serbia's flights from Guangzhou and Shanghai have skyrocketed due to the high demand and limited availability, further highlighting the impact of the Middle East conflict on global travel. The Association of Serbian Tour Operators (YUTA) reports that several tour groups booked on Qatar Airways and Emirates/Flydubai remain stranded in Tanzania (Zanzibar), Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Thailand. Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Flydubai have resumed limited services through a narrow airspace corridor from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including a Flydubai service to and from Belgrade. However, these are primarily repositioning or evacuation flights, and the majority of the network remains suspended. Chinese tourists stranded in Europe due to Middle East flight suspensions are also turning to Air Serbia as an alternative. A tourist from Hangzhou, who was in Stockholm, managed to purchase a ticket to Zurich and then travel with Air Serbia to Guangzhou via Belgrade, noting the significant increase in fares on Chinese carriers since the start of the week.
