The Civil Aviation Directorate Reminds Operators: Responsible Drone Use Is Essential for Aviation Safety The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia emphasizes the importance of the responsible use of unmanned aircraft, noting that such operations constitute an important segment of overall aviation safety. The rapid development of this sector of aviation and the continuous increase in the use of unmanned aircraft further underline the need for responsible operator conduct and compliance with the applicable regulations. The Republic of Serbia continues to record a steady growth in unmanned aircraft operations — more than 3,000 citizens have passed the operator examination, over 850 unmanned aircraft have been registered, and more than 120 operators are actively conducting operations in accordance with flight approvals granted by the Directorate. Operators of unmanned aircraft should be aware of potential risks and take all necessary measures to control and mitigate those risks, maintain situational awareness, carrying out thorough pre-flight preparations, monitoring the operational environment, and complying with regulations and operational airspace restrictions. The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia continuously works on promoting and improving the safety culture within the aviation community, as well as the responsible and conscientious use of unmanned aircraft, reminding all stakeholders that aviation safety comes first.

A seminar on aviation safety, organised by the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, was successfully held on 17 April 2026 in Novi Sad at the premises of the Sports Association of Vojvodina. The event brought together a large number of representatives of the aviation community with the aim of providing participants with a more detailed overview of the current regulatory framework, while also while also enabling them to refresh and further enhance their professional knowledge. Particular emphasis throughout the seminar was placed on the exchange of opinions and professional experience, as well as on fostering open dialogue regarding the challenges that aviation professionals encounter in a day-to-day basis. The programme featured presentations covering several key areas of civil aviation, including air transport operations, aerodromes, airworthiness, aviation personnel, air traffic management, and aviation security. Representatives of the Railways, Air and Maritime Accident Investigation Centre of the Republic of Serbia also contributed to the seminar by presenting the relevant regulations and rulebooks governing this field, together with analyses of accidents and incidents recorded in the previous period. The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia will continue to organise similar professional events aimed at further improving aviation safety and supporting the continued development of civil aviation in the Republic of Serbia.

On 17 March 2026, the Director of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, Ognjen Babic, participated in the forty-fourth (special) Plenary Session of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) in Madrid, as well as in an ad hoc meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation of ECAC Member States. At the Plenary Session, opened by Benito Núñez, Secretary General for Air and Maritime Transport of the Kingdom of Spain, amendments to the ECAC Statutes were discussed, particularly those relating to the procedure for the election of the President, Vice President, and members of the Coordination Committee. During the ad hoc meeting of Directors General, discussions focused on the election of new members of the Coordination Committee, the possible expansion of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ECAC activities planned for 2026, and other current issues of civil aviation imortance. Participation in these meetings reflects the continued active role of the Republic of Serbia within ECAC and its commitment to strengthening cooperation in the field of civil aviation at the European level.

At its session held on 5 March 2026, the Government of the Republic of Serbia, acting on a proposal from the Management Board of the Civil Aviation Directorate, appointed Ognjen Babic as Acting Director of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia. Тhe Government appointed Verica Jecmenica as Deputy Acting Director at the same session.

In accordance with Article 34a, paragraph 1 of the Law on Public Agencies (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 18/05, 81/05–corrigendum, and 47/18), the public is hereby informed that the selection procedure for establishing employment for an indefinite period will be conducted for the following positions, to which the following application codes have been assigned: Inspector for transport activities - helicopter pilot, application code: JK-OPS-001 Airworthiness Adviser, application code: JK-AIR-001 Regulations Adviser, application code: JK-LEG-001 Driver, application code: RM-OOP-001 Examiner for the field of corporate law, application code: JK-ONP-001

In accordance with Article 34a, paragraph 1 of the Law on Public Agencies (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 18/05, 81/05–corrigendum, and 47/18), the public is hereby informed that the selection procedure for establishing employment for an indefinite period will be conducted for the following positions, to which the following application codes have been assigned: Inspector for transport activities – helicopter pilot, application code: JK-OPS-001 Airworthiness Adviser, application code: JK-AIR-001 Regulations Adviser, application code: JK-LEG-001 Driver, application code: RM-OOP-001 Examiner for the field of corporate law, application code: JK-ONP-001

A two-day SES 2+ workshop began on 26 February at the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, as part of the 2026 Support to State Programme. The Support to States policy is a EUROCONTROL initiative to provide customized support and expertise to national aviation authorities, aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving the implementation of European regulatory standards and requirements. The workshop focuses on the new Single European Sky regulatory framework, and the introduction of the new substantial amendments to the current regulatory system. Its purpose is to outline the key changes under these new legislation acts and to help lay the groundwork for its harmonization and transposition into the national legislation of the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro. Participants include representatives from the Directorate, the Civil Aviation Agency of Montenegro, and SMATSA Ltd., who will review the principal regulatory amendments and discuss the next steps in implementing the new framework.

The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia is hosting the annual Central Data Distribution Region (CDDR) meeting of the international Cospas-Sarsat programme, held from February 3 to 5, 2026, at the SMATSA Area Control Centre premises. The international Cospas-Sarsat programme is a non-profit, intergovernmental organization that operates a global satellite system for detecting and locating activated distress radio beacons, forwarding this information to the relevant search and rescue coordination centres. Since its inception, the system has assisted in saving more than 50,000 lives worldwide. The annual meeting in Belgrade has gathered representatives from CDDR member states, including France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and Tunisia, confirming the significance of the event and Serbia’s active role in the international search and rescue system. The gathering was opened by the Director of the Directorate, Mirjana Čizmarov, who emphasized that hosting the meeting in Belgrade represents a token of recognition and trust, as well as a confirmation of the Directorate's capacity as the competent authority for the organization and coordination of the national search and rescue system. Following her remarks, David Poudevigne, Head of the French Mission Control Centre (MCC), addressed the participants, reminding them that Cospas-Sarsat is a living, dynamic network and that such meetings foster productive and substantive discussions. During the three-day event, participants will have the opportunity to discuss operational and technical issues, exchange experiences, and harmonize activities aimed at further improving the efficiency of international cooperation in the field of search and rescue systems.

As part of the development of new technologies and air mobility concepts, Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft represent a new technological category that requires appropriate regulatory oversight. Given the innovative nature of these aircraft and the specifics of their future operational use, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia is continuously and intensively working on preparing a suitable national regulatory framework. This process is based on the constant monitoring of European regulations, guidelines, and regulatory practices, as well as coordinated cooperation with all competent authorities and institutions at both national and international levels. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is currently establishing a regulatory framework for VTOL aircraft, covering requirements for aircraft certification, operations, crew training, and integration into existing airspace. To prepare for the introduction of VTOL aircraft, the Republic of Serbia has amended its air transport and pilot training rules by incorporating the relevant European Commission regulation into national legislation. This provides the legal framework for the operation of this type of aircraft. Parallel to the adoption of the relevant regulations, communication has been established with VTOL aircraft manufacturers in order to become familiar with the certification requirements applied by the competent authorities in the countries where these aircraft are produced, considering that these involve new technologies and standards. Additionally, the Directorate's inspectors have undergone specialized training by participating in international seminars and workshops, to enable them to effectively handle anticipated cases related to this type of aircraft. These activities by the Directorate are conducted in accordance with international standards and recommended practices, to ensure the timely response of the Republic of Serbia to the challenges and opportunities arising from this new generation of aviation technologies.