Serbia, Canada resume direct flights after 34 years

Direct flights between Serbia and Canada have resumed after 34 years.

Report's Balkan bureau informs that Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric made the statement at Belgrade Airport during a ceremony marking the departure of Air Serbia's first Belgrade–Toronto flight.

"Canada, an important destination on the North American continent, is moving closer to Serbia. This opens new doors to the world for Serbia. This flight restores air links between Serbia and Canada. I am very happy and proud that our national airline is resuming flights to Toronto after 34 years. This connects Serbia not only with one of the world's largest economies, but also with two important branches of our people. Let us not forget that thousands of people of Serbian origin, as well as representatives of various nations from this region, live in Canada, and they will now be closer to their homeland," he said.

The Serbian top diplomat is one of the first passengers on the newly launched flight, as he has departed for Canada with a delegation.

"This is the first official visit by a Serbian foreign minister to Canada in more than a decade. It means a new page is opening in relations between the two countries. I am going with goodwill, with a desire to renew perceptions of Serbia and present our efforts, values and what we have achieved over the past two decades," Djuric added.

Flights between Belgrade and Toronto will be operated twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.