New D Gate Opened at Nikola Tesla Airport

The Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia participated in the 26th and 27th Meetings of the Regional Search and Rescue Advisory Committee (RASARAC), held in Tirana on 5 and 6 May. The meetings focused on the activities of the working groups, national search and rescue systems, and developments within the EUROCONTROL and Cospas-Sarsat frameworks. Particular attention was given to measures aimed at reducing the number of false alerts generated by ELT emergency transmitters. Alongside representatives from Serbia and Albania, the meetings were attended by delegations from Montenegro, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Croatia, Slovakia and Bulgaria, including the representatives of observer states and international organizations. It was also confirmed that the Hellenic Republic has formally applied for full membership in the Committee. Since the establishment of the Committee, the Republic of Serbia has chaired Working Group 3, responsible for training and exercises in the field of civil aviation search and rescue. At the meeting, the Working Group reported on its activities to date, together with the plan for 2026. RASARAC was established in November 2016 at the initiative of the Republic of Serbia, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia and EUROCONTROL, in cooperation with regional partner states. The Committee currently comprises nine Member States, three observer states, and several International Civil Aviation Organization Member States participating in its meetings and considering future membership.

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.