Wizz Air warning Serbia again – Calling for urgent solving of regulatory dispute

Wizz Air has renewed its call on the Serbian authorities to urgently resolve a regulatory dispute which it says threatens the future of its Belgrade base. The airline claims that regulatory changes introduced this year have placed the viability of its Belgrade base at risk. It warned that the dispute extends beyond its own operations and could affect employment, competition, affordable travel, Serbia’s connectivity with Europe and international investors’ confidence in the Serbian market. The European Commission is examining whether the amendments to Serbia’s aviation regulations comply with the country’s obligations under the European Common Aviation Area Agreement.

Wizz Air’s Chief Corporate Officer, Owain Jones, reminded that Wizz Air had been investing in Serbia for more than fifteen years.

– We want to stay, grow and continue investing. However, investment requires fair rules and certainty. We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment and the opportunity to compete for Serbian passengers on price, service and network. Serbia should be attracting investment and improving connectivity, not putting both into question. The solution is simple: remove discriminatory restrictions and allow competition to work. Wizz Air has made its choice: we choose Serbia. Now Serbia must decide whether it chooses competition, connectivity and investment – he said.

Wizz Air said it remained prepared to engage in constructive discussions with the Serbian authorities, the Civil Aviation Directorate and European institutions in order to reach an urgent solution. It added the protection of a single company from competition benefited no one.

The Serbian Ministry for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, said recently that there was no intention to “force” Wizz Air out of Serbia or to restrict its, or any other EU carrier’s, right to operate services, either in terms of routes or frequencies. It noted that the airline’s Belgrade base was contrary to the Multilateral Agreement on the Establishment of a European Common Aviation Area.

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