How are rich Russians using Serbia as a way out to Europe?

Russian travelers hemmed in by airspace closures following the invasion of Ukraine are using Serbia as a backdoor route to visit resorts and cities across Western Europe.

Seat capacity between Russia and Serbia, where it has longstanding ties, surged by about 50% in the first week of March compared with pre-war levels. Onward travel to countries including France, Switzerland, Italy and Cyprus is up by almost two-thirds, according to ticketing trends specialist ForwardKeys.

Belgrade’s neutral stance over the conflict means flag carrier Air Serbia is able to serve Russia even though airlines in the European Union and Russia are barred by airspace bans from flying between the two regions. The operations provide a gateway into Europe for Russians who would otherwise have to detour via Turkey or the Persian Gulf.

Air Serbia didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The carrier has at least doubled capacity to Moscow and St. Petersburg since the war began last month, even adding a wide-body Airbus SE A330 aircraft previously used for flights to New York, according to a sales agent at Belgrade airport.

“We have become a hub, quite unexpectedly,” the agent said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “I don’t feel good about profiting from someone’s misfortune, but this is incredible. Almost all flights are fully booked, and the price of the ticket is no issue.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has pledged to remain neutral and retain ties to Moscow despite pressure on the ex-Yugoslav republic to participate in sanctions as it pushes to join the EU. The nations share cultural roots, including predominantly Slavic ethnicities and ties to the Eastern Orthodox church.