Press statement

The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia achieved a significant milestone within the framework of the international Cospas-Sarsat Programme when Mr. Nikola Sarancic, Head of the Rescue Coordination Centre of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia and Chair of the ICAO EUR Search and Rescue Task Force (EUR SAR TF), presided over the 40th Meeting of the Joint Committee (JC-40) of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme. The meeting was held in Montreal on 2 June 2026. The meeting brought together representatives of the Programme’s founding states and member countries (45 participating states), representatives of international aviation organizations, aircraft manufacturers, and experts in the field of search and rescue. This achievement represents a notable international success for the Republic of Serbia, as it marks the first time that the Chair of the Joint Committee—the principal annual meeting of the Cospas-Sarsat Programme—has been held by a representative from a country other than one of the Programme’s four founding states: the United States of America, the Russian Federation, Canada, and France. A wide range of technical, operational, and programme-related matters were considered during the meeting, including the further development of the MEOSAR system, the advancement of standards for the implementation of the new Two-Way Communication service with beacon users, issues related to the operation of distress beacons (ELT, EPIRB, PLB, ELT(DT)), activities addressing the growing number of false alerts—particularly those associated with new ELT(DT) beacon technologies—as well as other matters of importance for the future development of the Programme. The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia will continue to actively contribute to the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of search and rescue, with the aim of improving aviation safety and strengthening the effectiveness of global search and rescue systems.

With regard to media reports concerning amendments to the regulatory framework in the field of civil aviation, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia wishes to emphasize that no air carrier has been denied the right to operate flights between the Republic of Serbia and the Member States of the European Union, nor the right to launch new routes in accordance with the applicable international agreements. The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia performs its responsibilities in a professional, impartial and non-discriminatory manner, in full compliance with national and international regulations, while ensuring respect for the principles of equal treatment and fair competition. It is important that the public be accurately informed that the regulatory amendments in question do not constitute a restriction of traffic rights, but rather an adjustment of the regulatory framework, which is applied equally to all air carriers operating in the market of the Republic of Serbia. The Directorate will continue to act in a transparent and responsible manner, in the interest of the safe, stable and competitive development of civil aviation in the Republic of Serbia.

On 30 May 2026, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia organized the ninth Aviation Medicine Refresher Training (AME Refresher Training), which was held at the Directorate’s premises. The training was attended by Aeromedical Examiners (AMEs), consultant physicians, and psychologists involved in the aeromedical assessment of civil aviation personnel, as well as numerous experts and medical professionals from across the region. At the opening of the event, the Director of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, Ognjen Babic, addressed the participants, welcoming them and expressing his hope that the seminar would be of great value in their future professional work. The training programme covered current topics in the fields of clinical and aviation medicine, with a particular focus on modern approaches and best practices. Participants from across the region had the opportunity to exchange professional experiences, enhance their knowledge, and obtain new information relevant to their continued work. Through activities such as this, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia continues to support continuous education in aviation medicine, with the aim of further improving aviation safety.

On this day, 113 years ago, Sergeant Mihailo Petrovic performed his first solo flight, becoming the first trained pilot in the history of Serbia. As a student of the Farman Flying School in the French town of Étampes, Mihailo Petrovic successfully took off on 29 May 1912 in a Farman aircraft and reached an altitude of 300 metres. With this achievement, he obtained International Pilot Licence No. 979, as well as Serbian Pilot Licence No. 1. In commemoration of this historic event and the beginning of Serbian aviation, 29 May is observed as Serbian Pilots’ Day. The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia extends its congratulations to all pilots across the country on Serbian Pilots’ Day and expresses its gratitude for their dedication, professionalism, and contribution to the development of aviation.

A delegation of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, led by Director Ognjen Babic, will attend the Airspace World 2026 conference in Lisbon from 26 to 28 May 2026. The conference is one of the most significant global events in the field of airspace management and the development of the future of air transport. The conference will bring together leading global and European institutions, regulators, and industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge and showcase the latest developments in Air Traffic Management (ATM), U-space systems, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Among other activities, representatives of the Directorate will attend an expert panel dedicated to the development of U-space systems and the integration of eVTOL operations into airspace. The panel discussion, led by representatives of the Spanish Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA), and the air navigation service provider ENAIRE, will provide a comprehensive overview of the institutional cooperation required for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into modern airspace. A special segment of the conference will focus on the Urban Air Mobility concept and the integration of eVTOL aircraft into complex urban and airport environments, featuring practical examples of implementation and the development of operational procedures across Europe. By participating in events of this kind, the Civil Aviation Directorate continues to follow contemporary trends and explore opportunities for further development of international cooperation and the implementation of innovative solutions in civil aviation.