Airports and Flying Fields

BANJICA AIRFIELD – BELGRADE’S FIRST AIRPORT

The first airport in Belgrade was established on the Banjica military training ground toward the end of 1910. It became the site of several notable early aviation events, including public demonstration flights by pioneer aviators Simon and Maslenikov.

In 1912, a dedicated hangar was constructed to accommodate the Mercep monoplane. By 1914, the Banjica airfield had become home to the Serbian Air Force’s airplane squadron and its balloon unit. In February 1915, a flight school was established at the site, and that spring, a French squadron also began operating from the airfield, reflecting its growing strategic importance during World War I.

Following the end of the war, the Banjica airport continued to serve civilian purposes. Between 1918 and 1919, it was used for air mail services along several key routes, including Skoplje–Niš–Belgrade–Novi Sad and Belgrade–Sarajevo–Mostar. These routes were operated by the Air Force using Breguet XIV aircraft.

Today, the location of the historic Banjica airfield is occupied by the Military Medical Academy (VMA), one of the most important medical institutions in Serbia.

KALEMEGDAN – HISTORIC AVIATION SITE

On January 9, 1911, near the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, in the area stretching from the former Turkish bath (now home to the Belgrade Planetarium), the pioneering aviator Edvard Rusjan made his final flight. Tragically, his aircraft crashed during the takeoff attempt, making this location the site of one of the earliest aviation accidents in Serbian history.

Today, the same Kalemegdan area remains associated with aviation activities. It serves as a venue for parachuting and paragliding events and holds special significance for participants of the Edvard Rusjan Memorial Air Rally, who traditionally fly over the site of the crash as part of a commemorative flight path.

In addition, the area regularly hosts air shows featuring sports aircraft and ultralight aviation, preserving its legacy as one of Belgrade’s symbolic locations in the early history of flight.

KOŠUTNJAK – EARLY GLIDER EXPERIMENTS

In 1910, one of the earliest aviation experiments in Serbia took place on the slopes of Košutnjak, near the landmark known as “Hajdučka česma.” Bane Nušić, the son of renowned Serbian playwright and humorist Branislav Nušić, and aviation enthusiast Srbobran Stanojević launched themselves from a hill using a glider—a rudimentary, engine-less flying craft.

Their daring attempt marked an important chapter in the history of Serbian aviation, symbolizing the spirit of innovation and exploration that characterized the early 20th century. Though modest by today’s standards, these glider flights were among the first steps toward the development of powered flight in the region.

PINOSAVA VILLAGE – EARLY GLIDER TRAINING SITE

In 1932, on the western slopes of Mount Avala near the village of Pinosava, a gliding school was established by the Aero Club of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The school focused on training young pilots in the fundamentals of unpowered flight, using gliders launched by catapult from nearby hills.

Although the natural terrain provided suitable conditions for gliding practice, the site was short-lived. By 1933, the location was abandoned due to its relative remoteness and logistical challenges, and training activities were relocated to more accessible areas.

Despite its brief operation, the Pinosava gliding school played a role in the early development of aviation education in the region.

ZVEZDARA – GLIDER FLYING SITE IN BELGRADE

In 1934, the hillside facing the Danube near the Zvezdara Observatory became a training ground for the “Deveti” group, an early collective of aviation enthusiasts focused on glider flight. This informal activity soon gained recognition, and the site was officially designated as a flying field for engine-less aircraft.

Located near the “Beli Bagrem” Inn, the Zvezdara glider field became one of Belgrade’s key locations for unpowered flight, contributing to the growing popularity of gliding as both a sport and a step in pilot training during the interwar period.

PANČEVO – BELGRADE’S FIRST CIVIL AIRPORT

The airport near Pančevo, established in 1923, was intended as a temporary solution to serve Belgrade until the construction of a more permanent facility in Zemun was completed. Despite its provisional status, Pančevo quickly became a significant hub in early aviation history.

On March 25, 1923, the Franco-Romanian airline Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aérienne (FRANCO–ROUMEN) began using the airport as a stop on its international route from Paris to Constantinople (now Istanbul), employing SPAD biplanes originally designed for military use. Just a few weeks later, on April 14, regular airmail service was introduced. By September 9 of the same year, Pančevo airport also supported night flights, a notable advancement at the time.

However, the airport faced serious logistical challenges. The lack of a bridge between Belgrade and Pančevo made access difficult; passengers and cargo had to cross the Danube by ferry, limiting the airport’s practical utility for larger-scale operations.

Despite these limitations, the airfield played a vital role in aviation training. From 1939 until the outbreak of World War II, it was used by students of the Flight Academy of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Following the liberation in 1945, the site was repurposed as a military training ground. Between 1954 and 1966, it became the base for a squadron of S-51 helicopters, operated by the transport wing of the Yugoslav Air Force.

Today, the original Pančevo airport no longer exists. In its place are the facilities of the UTVA aircraft manufacturing company, including a grass runway used for test flights, sport aviation, and pilot proficiency training — maintaining the location’s enduring connection to flight.

ZEMUN–BEŽANIJA – THE FORMER “BEOGRAD” INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The original Beograd International Airport was built on a low-lying meadow known as Dojno polje, situated between Bežanijska Kosa and the left bank of the Sava River, approximately 2 kilometers south of Zemun. Extensive land reclamation work was necessary prior to construction due to the swampy nature of the terrain.

The decision to construct the airport was made in 1922, and it officially opened for air traffic on March 25, 1927. From the very beginning, it served as part of the international air network. The airport featured four grass runways ranging in length from 1,100 to 2,900 meters, laid out in various directions, and spanned an operational area of 319 hectares.

In 1928, the newly founded national airline Aeroput established its aircraft maintenance department at the airport. In 1931, a modern passenger terminal, a control tower, and a concrete apron were constructed. Just before the outbreak of World War II, night operations were introduced, along with up-to-date radio navigation equipment. In April 1941, the 51st Fighter Group of the VI Fighter Wing was stationed at the airport, tasked with defending Belgrade during the brief but intense April War. Pilots defending the capital took off from this very location.

During World War II, German forces upgraded the facility, constructing a 1,600-meter-long concrete runway (in direction 05–23) and taxiways—marking the first use of concrete in airport construction in Yugoslavia. The site became a German air base and was bombed several times by Allied forces.

After the war, the airport continued to serve both civilian and military functions. By the early 1950s, the concrete runway was extended to accommodate the largest aircraft of the time. However, with the development of New Belgrade, the location became unsuitable for airport operations. A decision was made to build a new, modern airport in the village of Surčin.

Following the relocation of JAT’s maintenance department to the new Surčin airport, the Zemun-Bežanija airport was officially closed in 1964. Today, only a few hangars near Tošin Bunar Street remain as silent witnesses to its aviation past.

The former airport grounds are now home to numerous key landmarks of modern Belgrade, including the Western City Gate (Genex Tower), sections of the highway and railway (Tošin Bunar Station), Bulevar umetnosti, the former JAT headquarters, the Slovak Embassy, the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, the Studentski grad university campus, and numerous residential blocks such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 41, 64, 65, 66, and more.

BEOGRAD–SURČIN – BELGRADE’S MODERN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

With the post-war expansion of Belgrade and the development of New Belgrade beginning in 1947, urban planners faced the challenge of relocating the city’s main airport to a more suitable area. By the mid-1950s, they selected a location known as “Crna čuka” (Black Hill), near the village of Surčin, approximately 18 kilometers west of the city center.

Construction of the new airport began in April 1958, and it officially opened on April 28, 1962. The facility was state-of-the-art for its time, featuring a 3,000-meter-long runway (direction 12–30), a 3,350-meter taxiway, a modern passenger terminal, control tower, spacious apron for aircraft operations, and advanced navigation and handling systems.

A maintenance hangar was completed in 1964, and the runway was extended by 400 meters in 1971. From 1977 to 1979, a new terminal building was constructed and the apron expanded to accommodate increased traffic. The runway underwent reconstructions in 1981, 1986, and again in 1996 to meet growing operational demands.

In 1986, a large hangar capable of housing the world’s largest aircraft was completed. Over the years, the airport evolved into a multifunctional aviation hub. It now houses the maintenance bases of JAT (Yugoslav Airlines) and Aviogenex, Area Air Traffic Control, Customs services, the Police Helicopter Unit, the Museum of Yugoslav Aviation, and multiple aviation training centers, including those operated by JAT and the Federal Air Traffic Control Administration.

Belgrade Airport regularly accommodates large aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400, Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, and Antonov AN-124 Ruslan. In 1997, Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) equipment was installed, enabling landings in low-visibility conditions (decision height of 30 meters and runway visual range of 400 meters). Portions of Category III ILS were also added, with plans to fully upgrade the system to allow for “zero visibility” landings.

A long-term development plan for the airport includes the construction of a second runway, a new terminal complex, a large duty-free zone, and a direct subway (urban railway) link to central Belgrade.

The airport’s theoretical capacity is approximately 7 million passengers per year. Its peak performance year was 1986, when nearly 3 million passengers passed through Belgrade Airport.

During the NATO bombing campaign in 1999, Belgrade Airport was hit twice by Tomahawk cruise missiles, resulting in significant damage to the terminal building, hangars, customs facilities, the air traffic control center, and the Museum of Yugoslav Aviation.

BATAJNICA AIR BASE (LYBT) – STRATEGIC MILITARY AIRFIELD NEAR BELGRADE

Batajnica Air Base is located between the towns of Batajnica and Nova Pazova, approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Belgrade. Construction of the airfield began in 1947, and it was officially inaugurated in 1951. Designed to provide direct aerial defense of the capital, the base has since become one of the most important military aviation centers in Serbia.

The airfield features two concrete runways and one grass runway, supporting a variety of operations. Several squadrons are stationed at Batajnica, making it a key component of Serbia’s air defense system. The base is also home to the Air Force Testing Center (Vazduhoplovno-opitni centar – VOC), the Training Center for the Air Force and Air Defense (Školski centar RV-PVO), and the renowned aircraft maintenance facility Moma Stanojlović Aviation Institute.

While primarily a military installation, Batajnica occasionally opens its gates to the public during air shows and military exhibitions, showcasing its aircraft and capabilities to civilian visitors.

During the NATO bombing campaign in 1999, Batajnica Air Base was one of the most heavily targeted military sites in Serbia. It was bombed 25 times and sustained extensive damage from a wide range of munitions. Despite the destruction, the base remained operational throughout the conflict. Brave Serbian pilots took off from its runways to engage waves of enemy fighters and bombers in defense of the capital.

LISIČIJI JARAK – BELGRADE’S MAIN SPORT AVIATION AIRFIELD

Lisičiji Jarak Airfield is located approximately 13 kilometers from Belgrade, along the road to Zrenjanin, on the right-hand side. During World War II, the area was utilized by the German Luftwaffe for military aviation purposes.

In the immediate post-war years, from 1947 to 1949, the site was used by the Yugoslav military. However, in 1949, it was officially repurposed as a sports airfield. Since then, Lisičiji Jarak has served as a hub for recreational and training activities, hosting members of Belgrade-based and regional aeroclubs. It remains a key site for training powered aircraft pilots, glider pilots, and parachutists, as well as for general sport flying.

The airfield features multiple grass runways, with the main ones oriented in direction 15–33. Its broad, open layout and convenient location have made it a favorite among aviation enthusiasts for decades.

One of the notable events traditionally held at Lisičiji Jarak is the “Edvard Rusjan Memorial”, a sport aviation competition honoring one of the pioneers of early flight in the region.

Additionally, the airfield has occasionally hosted aircraft from JAT’s commercial fleet when used for agricultural and economic aviation purposes.

VRŠAC AIRFIELD – PILOT TRAINING AND SPORT AVIATION HUB

Located just a few kilometers north of the town of Vršac and less than 100 kilometers from Belgrade, Vršac Airfield has a long and distinguished history in Serbian and Yugoslav aviation. The airfield was originally established in 1936, with the construction of its first hangar. In the following year, 1937, members of the “Deveti” group founded a glider center on the site, furthering early aviation development in the region.

Before the end of World War II, in April 1945, a glider training school was officially established at the airfield. In 1946, the Federal Aviation Center (Savezni vazduhoplovni centar) was founded and operated at Vršac until 1972, when it evolved into the JAT Pilot Academy—which remains the airfield’s primary user today.

The airport features a 1,000-meter asphalt runway (oriented 01–19) equipped with lighting for night operations, in addition to two grass runways. The airfield complex includes modern facilities for aviation education, a hotel for academy trainees, a full-service restaurant, training halls, and even a small-scale agricultural operation.

Vršac Airfield is primarily dedicated to pilot training and flight proficiency through the JAT Pilot Academy’s professional programs. In addition to education, the airfield serves as a base for JAT’s agricultural aviation fleet and regularly hosts aviation competitions, airshows, and various aeronautical events.

DIVCI AIRFIELD – A RECREATIONAL AVIATION CENTER NEAR VALJEVO

Divci Airfield is located near the village of the same name, approximately 12 kilometers east of Valjevo, on the route toward Belgrade. It is one of several regional sport aviation airfields regularly used by pilots from Belgrade and surrounding areas.

The airfield serves as a base for a wide range of recreational and training activities, including sport pilot instruction, glider flying, parachuting, powered hang gliding, and paragliding. It features a grass runway 1,146 meters in length, oriented in direction 08–26, offering suitable conditions for diverse types of light aircraft operations.

Divci remains an important location in Serbia’s network of airfields dedicated to general and sport aviation.

EČKA AIRFIELD – FROM LUFTWAFFE BASE TO MODERN SPORT AVIATION FIELD

Ečka Airfield is located near the village of Ečka, just southeast of Zrenjanin on the road to Belgrade. Less than 70 kilometers from the capital, the airfield today serves sport pilots and agricultural aviation operations.

Historically, this site played a significant role during World War II. It was home to a major Luftwaffe air base, often hosting several hundred aircraft at a time. At the time, the airfield was highly advanced, featuring concrete runways, taxiways, and caponiers (protective aircraft shelters).

After the war, in 1948, the base was systematically dismantled, with most structures destroyed down to the foundations. However, remnants of the past remain—vestiges of caponiers and fragments of taxiways can still be found in the nearby villages surrounding the former base.

In late 1996, a modern administrative building was constructed at the airfield, complete with a control tower and hangar. The current grass runway is aligned in direction 15–33, and there are plans underway to build a new concrete runway to support broader aviation activities.

Today, Ečka Airfield represents a blend of historical legacy and renewed purpose, serving as a regional hub for sport and utility aviation in northern Serbia.

SMEDEREVO – RADINAC AIRFIELD – LOCAL AVIATION HUB NEAR THE DANUBE

Smederevo – Radinac Airfield is situated about 4 kilometers southeast of the city of Smederevo, near the village of Radinac, along the road toward Ralja. Located approximately 50 kilometers from Belgrade, the airfield is an important site for local aviation activities.

Primarily used by sport aviation clubs, the airfield supports both initial flight training and ongoing pilot proficiency flights. It is also regularly utilized by agricultural aviation services. The airfield features a single 1,000-meter-long grass runway, oriented in direction 18–36.

Its proximity to Belgrade and central location within Serbia makes it a valuable resource for sport pilots and aviation professionals alike, contributing to the development of general aviation in the region.

ČMELIK AIRFIELD – ULTRALIGHT AVIATION NEAR STARA PAZOVA

Čmelik Airfield is located approximately 4 to 5 kilometers from Stara Pazova, in the direction of Golubinci. It has primarily served pilots of ultralight aircraft and powered hang gliders, making it a niche but active spot for recreational aviation in the region.

The airfield is managed by the Aero Club “Pegaz” from Stara Pazova. For more information, inquiries can be made via telephone at +381 (0)22 312-387.

As of now, the airfield is temporarily out of operation.

KOSTOLAC AIRFIELD (LYKO) – REGIONAL HUB FOR LIGHT SPORT AVIATION

Kostolac Airfield (ICAO code: LYKO) is designated for use by sport and amateur aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 5,700 kg. Flights are permitted under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) during daylight hours only.

The airfield is operated by the Aero Club “Ljuša Veličković,” based in Kostolac. The club is located on Kanalski put bb, and can be reached via phone/fax at +381 (0)12 240-551.

Kostolac serves as an important regional platform for light aviation enthusiasts, supporting pilot training, leisure flying, and general aviation activities in central-eastern Serbia.

VELIKI RADINCI AIRFIELD – LOCAL AGRICULTURAL & RECREATIONAL STRIP

Located near the village of Veliki Radinci in the Sremska Mitrovica region, this small grass airstrip primarily serves agricultural aviation and ultralight aircraft operations. It is occasionally used by regional aeroclubs for leisure flying and basic pilot training. Though modest in infrastructure, it plays a role in maintaining aviation activity in the Srem area.

PADINSKA SKELA LANDING STRIP – RECREATIONAL FLYING SITE

Situated on the outskirts of northern Belgrade, Padinska Skela features an unofficial landing area often used by powered hang gliders, paragliders, and hobbyist pilots. While lacking formal infrastructure like a control tower or paved runway, it is known among local sport aviation circles as a spontaneous flying site.

INĐIJA AIRFIELD – PRIVATE & SPORT AVIATION FIELD

Near the town of Inđija, close to Beška, this private or club-run airfield supports light sport and experimental aircraft. It hosts occasional aviation gatherings and is used for practice flights, especially by ultralight aircraft enthusiasts. While not officially registered for commercial use, it remains an active spot in the Vojvodina general aviation network.

KRALJEVO–LAĐEVCI AIRPORT (LYKV) – MIXED MILITARY-CIVIL FACILITY

Though located farther from Belgrade, this airfield historically played a role in Yugoslavia’s aviation ecosystem. It was used for pilot training and supported JAT’s educational programs. Today, it functions as a mixed military-civil airport serving the Kraljevo region, with infrastructure suitable for both military and limited civil operations.