The part-state Air Serbia is facing bankruptcy. The pandemic has finally brought the barrel to overflowing. She has the backing of the Serbian government: "It is clear that we will support our airline," said Finance Minister Siniša Mali. However, this is only possible if the airline can present a suitable restructuring plan.

This would have to meet all European requirements on state aid, otherwise not a cent would flow to the ailing company, so Mali. Although Serbia is not a member of the European Union, the Balkan state has to comply with EU regulations in order not to jeopardize its accession negotiations. For the second time in six years, the airline is being turned inside out. Among other things, employees are to be laid off and unprofitable routes discontinued in order to fly more economically into the future, such as the aviation portal exuaviation reported. Air Serbia is 51 percent owned by the state, and another 49 percent has been owned by Etihad since 2013.