Air Serbia - China Southern ink partnership MoU

NEWS FLASH

Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines have agreed to further enhance their commercial cooperation. Air Serbia’s General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Boško Rupić, and China Southern Airlines’ Director General of the Commercial Steering Committee, Wang Zhen, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Belgrade recently. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the companies will negotiate to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including, among others, a codeshare partnership, cargo operations, ground handling services, MRO, catering, lounge cooperation options within their networks, and more. “The Serbian and Chinese national airlines are exploring possibilities for further commercial cooperation that could potentially lead to a joint venture”, Air Serbia said.

The Serbian carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, "Air Serbia's strategic plans are closely linked with the development of operations to the People's Republic of China. For almost two years, we have been successfully operating flights to Tianjin, and on September 30, for the first time, we introduced a nonstop service between Belgrade and Guangzhou, while by the end of 2024, we also plan to commence a service to Shanghai. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with China Southern Airlines represents an important step in strengthening the relationship between our companies, as well as between our countries. Along with expanding commercial cooperation, which ensures even better connectivity between Serbia and China and opens up new opportunities for passengers, we are also considering a joint venture. Opportunities lie ahead, and we will strive to make the most of them wisely".

Han Wensheng, President of China Southern Air Holding Company, added, "China Southern Airlines has recently launched a new route from Guangzhou to Belgrade at the end of September, which will significantly enhance connectivity between China and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks a key step in China Southern Airlines’ commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative and a new starting point for its cooperation with Air Serbia. Looking ahead, China Southern Airlines and Air Serbia will work closely together to provide passengers with a more seamless and exceptional customer experience”.

So far, Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines have cooperated based on an interline agreement in the form of a so-called Special Prorate Agreement, which has provided additional travel options for passengers between Belgrade and Guangzhou via common points in the networks of both carriers.