Although the airline had initially planned to suspend the service only for the winter season, last week it also removed flights from sale for the 2027 summer season, signaling the end of the route, which was launched in 2010. TAROM currently maintains just two weekly flights between the two capitals and has operated between one and three weekly rotations over the past year, with a three month-suspension this summer as well.
The Bucharest – Belgrade route has recorded strong passenger growth over the past few years, although this has been driven entirely by Air Serbia. TAROM codeshares on Air Serbia’s existing eleven weekly services between the two capitals, as well as on flights from Belgrade to Stockholm, Ljubljana, Oslo, Podgorica, Tivat and Zagreb. In return, Air Serbia places its designator code and flight numbers on TAROM-operated services from Bucharest to Cluj, Iasi, Oradea and Chisinau, in addition to TAROM’s own Belgrade flights.
TAROM has been grappling with longstanding financial difficulties and remains in the midst of a state-backed restructuring program. In 2024, the European Commission approved EUR95.3 million in restructuring aid for the carrier, which has accumulated substantial losses and negative equity over the years. The airline recorded a loss of EUR37 million in 2025, while carrying financial debt of approximately EUR176.9 million.
The discontinuation of the Belgrade service contradicts TAROM CEO Bogdan Costas’ recently outlined strategy of developing Bucharest into a Balkan mini hub. In April 2026, Costas said: “We want to position Bucharest as a regional hub connecting Balkan destinations such as Belgrade, Cluj or Sarajevo with major hubs like Amsterdam, Paris or Madrid. We are also considering cooperation with smaller regional airlines, such as the one we have with Air Serbia”.
EX-YU Aviation’s coverage encompasses operational dynamics of airlines and airports in the region, changes in route networks, and industry-related events