VTOL in the Republic of Serbia –Regulatory Framework and Challenges

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.

To the Director of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, Mirjana Čizmarov, on January 5, 2026, a recognition plaque was presented during the ceremonial Christmas concert marking the 35th anniversary of the successful operation of Prince Aviation. The recognition plaque, awarded as an expression of gratitude for exceptional cooperation, trust, and long-standing partnership, was presented to Director Čizmarov by the co-founder of Prince Aviation, Slobodan Stričević, and the company’s director, Srđan Kragojević. The awarded plaque represents a confirmation of the Directorate’s many years of dedicated work aimed at strengthening the civil aviation system, through continuous support and open dialogue with aviation entities across the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia announces that, from 1 January 2026, it will introduce systematic alcohol testing of flight and cabin crew, placing Serbia among the first countries in the region to implement this measure in full. This measure enables the application of ARO.RAMP.106 under the Regulation on the Conditions for Air Operations, which incorporates Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 into national legislation. The legal basis for this measure is set out in recent amendments to the Air Transport Law (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 19/25). Alcohol testing will apply to flight and cabin crew of both national and foreign operators using airports in the Republic of Serbia. Tests will be carried out by trained and authorised aviation inspectors in accordance with national law and ARO.RAMP.106. Under the Air Transport Law, a zero-tolerance policy applies to alcohol among aircraft crew. Alcohol levels will be measured using certified and calibrated breath-alcohol testing devices suitable for evidentiary use. Where a crew member refuses testing or returns a positive alcohol test, the inspector will temporarily prohibit the performance of the duties and inform the competent authorities. Testing will normally be conducted on board the aircraft. Data on completed tests will be recorded in a centralised EASA database. All aviation stakeholders in Serbia, including EASA, have been informed of the introduction of this procedure. Available data indicate that Serbia is among the first countries in the region to introduce alcohol testing of aircraft crew, strengthening aviation safety and consistency with European practice.

The Director of the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, Mirjana Čizmarov, participated on 11th December 2025 in the meeting of the members of the Founding Committee of JAA TO (Joint Aviation Authorities), held in Amsterdam. During the meeting, which is traditionally held on an annual basis, the results achieved in the previous year, key challenges, and strategic directions for 2026 were discussed.

Service of Serbia to gain insight into the Service’s operations and capabilities as it plays a key role in the national system for aircraft search and the rescue of persons in civil aviation. During the visit, the Mountain Rescue team presented their rescue operations setup, specialized equipment, and training programs. Particular emphasis was placed on the procedures used in aviation emergencies, as well as on the Service’s ability to respond promptly and coordinate with other institutions within the national search and rescue system. Cooperation between the Directorate and the Mountain Rescue Service was formalized in 2018 through an Agreement on the engagement of Mountain Rescue teams for aircraft search and the rescue of persons in civil aviation. The Agreement was concluded in accordance with a Government Decree defining the primary participants in the national search and rescue system: the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the Mountain Rescue Service, and the Emergency Management Headquarters. These activities reflect the Directorate’s continued efforts to enhance civil aviation in Serbia through regular cooperation and the exchange of experience with all entities involved in aircraft search and the rescue of persons in civil aviation.