Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport handled its third millionth passenger of the year last Sunday, November 11. The result has been achieved almost a full month ahead of last year when Serbia’s busiest airport welcomed its third millionth passenger on December 9. The lucky passenger is believed to have come on a Jat Airways flight from Berlin. Last year marked the third busiest in the airport’s history as it saw 3.124.633 passengers pass through its doors. This year, however, Nikola Tesla Airport is expected to surpass its 1987 record of 3.311.951 passengers.

With the exception of Lufthansa, all airlines operating flights to the Serbian capital have seen their passenger numbers increase in 2012. On the other hand, this year has also seen the departure of Malev and Spanair due to bankruptcy. Next year the airport will bid farewell to Air France and Niki which will suspend flights due to restructuring but will welcome Wizz Air’s second aircraft to be based at the airport. Pegasus Airlines, which was denied rights to launch flights to Belgrade earlier this year, has applied for a permit once again. According to the “Aviokarta.net” portal, the airline intends to inaugurate four weekly flights from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport from February 2013. Next week the airport will welcome Qatar Airways as its newest customer.

Meanwhile, Niš Constantine the Great Airport handled 23.166 passengers by the end of October, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year. Numbers are set to climb as Darwin Airline launches flights from Zurich and Geneva later next month. Furthermore, the Italian based Mistral Air will launch flights from Trieste to Niš from April 26, twice per week.