History of Aviation

Due to its strategic location at the crossroads of European and global transport routes, Belgrade has witnessed centuries of rich and turbulent history. This dynamic spirit is equally reflected in the city’s aviation heritage, which spans more than 150 years — from the early experiments of the 19th century to the development of today’s civil and military aviation.

From Kalfa Manojlo to Modern Airports

The first recorded attempt at flight in Belgrade dates back to 1841, when Kalfa Manojlo attempted to fly a homemade “flying apparatus.” Although unsuccessful, this symbolic event marks the beginning of aviation interest in the region.

Over the decades, Belgrade became the site of numerous flight demonstrations that captured public attention. The first powered flight over the city took place in 1910. In the years that followed, Belgrade evolved into a vital hub for both civil and military aviation in the Balkans.

Airfields and Airports

Throughout its aviation history, Belgrade has hosted more than ten airfields and airports — each with its own role and legacy. From the first military airfield at Banjica, the early civilian hub at Dojno Polje near Zemun, and the Pančevo and Surčin airports, to the military base at Batajnica and smaller sport airfields like Lisičiji Jarak, Ečka, Vršac, and Smederevo–Radinac.

These facilities have supported a wide range of activities — including airmail, military training, sport flying, and commercial passenger transport. While many of the early sites no longer exist, their legacy lives on in Belgrade’s infrastructure and aviation culture.

Industry and Legacy

Belgrade was once home to major aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities. Companies such as Ikarus and UTVA played a key role in the Yugoslav aviation industry. Even today, aircraft and helicopters are produced and serviced in Serbia, particularly for military and agricultural use.

Monuments and memorials across Belgrade honor the pioneers and fallen heroes of Serbian aviation — from Mihajlo Petrović, the first Serbian pilot killed in combat (Balkan War, 1913), to airmen who perished during the NATO bombing in 1999.

Museum of Aviation – Belgrade

The central institution preserving the aviation heritage of Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Belgrade is the Museum of Aviation – Belgrade, located next to Nikola Tesla Airport. The museum houses a collection of over 200 aircraft, along with thousands of documents, uniforms, instruments, models, and archival materials of national importance.

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