Transavia France Cancels Belgrade Route Over Fuel Sanctions
Transavia France has canceled its planned Paris Orly to Belgrade Nikola Tesla route due to issues related to aircraft refuelling in the Serbian capital. The decision follows concerns about conducting business with NIS, Belgrade’s sole fuel supplier, which is subject to U.S. sanctions. The route was scheduled to launch in July 2025 but has been withdrawn from sale, according to Ex-Yu Aviation News.
While the airline cited “internal reasons” for canceling the route, sources confirm the primary concern was the risk of violating U.S. sanctions by engaging with NIS. The Serbian fuel provider is 50% owned by Gazprom Neft, a Russian oil company under U.S. and EU sanctions, with Gazprom holding an additional 6.15% stake. The U.S. imposed sanctions on NIS in January 2024 as part of broader measures against Russia’s energy sector. The implementation of these sanctions has been delayed twice, with the latest enforcement deadline set for April 28, 2025.
The Paris-Belgrade route remains served by Wizz Air and Air Serbia, operating from Paris Beauvais and Paris Charles de Gaulle respectively. However, Wizz Air, which bases aircraft in Serbia, has also faced operational challenges due to the sanctions. The airline has stopped refuelling in Belgrade following the U.S. announcement, further complicating its Serbian operations.
The impact of these sanctions underscores growing geopolitical tensions affecting airline operations in the region, particularly for carriers dependent on Serbian airport infrastructure and fuel supplies.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com