Air Serbia Launches Flights to Albania

"This new service will provide customers from Tirana increased travel options and enhanced connections through our Belgrade hub to 38 business and leisure destinations across the Balkan region, Europe and the Mediterranean," Air Serbia's chief executive Dane Kondic said.

Known formerly as Jat Airways, Air Serbia was rebranded in October 2013, after the company entered a strategic partnership with Etihad Airlines.

Under the agreement, Etihad acquired a 49-per-cent stake in air carrier and management rights for five years.

 The Republic of Serbia retains the remaining 51 per cent and holds five of nine monitoring committee seats in the company.

The new route brings the number of foreign destinations reached by direct flight from Tirana to 20, TIA noted in a press release.

 "We are very pleased to be launching this route," TIA's Chief Executive Officer Rolf Castro-Vasquez said.

"We believe the benefits will include stimulation of commercial trade between Albania and Serbia, and bring an additional value to our airport and the economy in general," he added.