How to claim a refund and compensation from Air Serbia
Have you travelled with Air Serbia and experienced a delay, cancellation or denied boarding? In certain circumstances, you may be entitled to a ticket refund or financial compensation of up to €600, as provided for by European legislation on air passenger rights.
In this guide, you will find all the useful information about Air Serbia, the differences between refunds and compensation, the cases in which you can request them, and how to proceed step by step.
In the specific case of Air Serbia flights, there are specific conditions and particular documents to be submitted, and we at Rimborso Al Volo are available to help you better understand the matter and assert your rights, guiding you through all the procedures.
The history of Air Serbia airline
Air Serbia is the flag carrier of the Republic of Serbia and boasts one of the longest histories in European aviation. Its origins date back to 1927, the year Aeroput was founded, the first Serbian civil airline based in Belgrade and one of the longest-running airlines still operating internationally.
In the following years, Aeroput rapidly expanded its network, inaugurating its first international route between Belgrade and Graz in 1929 and gradually connecting other European cities. After the Second World War, in 1947, the company was nationalised and renamed JAT – Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, becoming the national carrier of Yugoslavia.
Over the following decades, JAT operated numerous routes to Europe, Africa, Asia and America, introducing jet aircraft and consolidating its international presence. With the geopolitical changes of the 2000s, JAT became Jat Airways, until the Air Serbia brand was launched in 2013, following a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways.
Air Serbia’s first flight was operated on 26 October 2013 from Belgrade to Abu Dhabi. In the following years, the company modernised its fleet, expanded its network and also launched long-haul connections, such as the transatlantic route to New York. Today, Air Serbia is wholly owned by the Serbian government and operates flights to over 100 destinations, with its main hub at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade.
Air Serbia refunds and compensation: differences and case histories
Be careful not to get confused because there is a difference. Refund represents full or partial repayment of the amount of money paid (cost of the ticket and any extra expenses incurred) and is generally applicable because the flight could not be made. Compensation, on the other hand, is a sum of money, which varies in amount and is independent of the cost of the ticket and the actual making of the flight, that is due to the passenger to compensate for inconveniences suffered as a result of inefficiency on the part of the airline…but don’t worry because we will delve well into the two cases.
Air Serbia refund: What is it and when are you entitled to it?
The refund consists of the return of the amount paid for the air ticket, in full or in part, when the service is not provided or is no longer useful to the passenger. Refunds may be granted in the following cases:
full refund if the flight is cancelled or not operated;
partial refund, if only part of the itinerary is completed:
vouchers or coupons, in certain fares or special offers offered by Air Serbia for future bookings.
Refunds may also be requested voluntarily by passengers who decide not to travel, in accordance with the fare conditions applied to the ticket purchased.
Air Serbia compensation: What is it and when are you entitled to it?
Compensation (or indemnity or monetary compensation) has nothing to do with the refund of the ticket but is a sum of money that is due to the passenger for inconveniences suffered as a result of:
the flight departs from an airport in the European Union, or arrives in the EU and is operated by Air Serbia;
the flight is cancelled without sufficient notice and without an adequate alternative;
you arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late;
you are denied boarding against your will due to overbooking.
Compensation does not depend on the ticket price, but on the flight distance and the type of disruption. In some cases, it is possible to obtain both a refund and compensation.
The right to compensation may also extend to cases of missed connections, if the delay or cancellation of the first flight is attributable to the carrier.
The passenger does NOT have the right to claim any compensation when:
adverse weather conditions (snow, thick fog, storms, strong winds) are present;
airport closures or air traffic restrictions;
strikes not within the company (air traffic controllers, airport staff);
security risks arise (threats, emergencies, political instability);
there are unpredictable natural events (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes).
If the passenger is not entitled to compensation from Air Serbia due to exceptional circumstances, may they be entitled to a refund?
Even when passengers are not entitled to compensation because the cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances (such as strikes, bad weather or other events beyond the airline’s control), Air Serbia is still required to offer a choice between re-routing on an alternative flight and a refund of the unused ticket price.
How much is Air Serbia compensation?
According to European legislation, compensation can be up to:
250 € for flights up to 1,500 km
400 € for flights up to 1,500 km
600 € for flights over 3,500 km
These amounts apply except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g. extreme weather conditions or security issues), which may exclude the right to compensation but not the right to assistance or ticket reimbursement.
How to request a refund and/or compensation from Air Serbia?
Requests for refunds and/or compensation from Air Serbia can be submitted via the airline’s official website by filling in the relevant online forms, by contacting the passenger service centre by email or telephone, or by contacting local offices in various countries, preferably attaching the booking confirmation (PNR), boarding pass or e-ticket, communications received from the company regarding the disruption, proof of the delay or cancellation, and receipts for any expenses incurred. Please note that response times may take several weeks and that, in the event of no response or refusal, it is possible to send a written reminder.
However, passengers often only proceed with a refund request, mainly because they are unaware of the conditions under which compensation is applicable or because they are told that the causes of the cancellation or delay were due to force majeure. Furthermore, claiming compensation from Air Serbia can be difficult and involve long waiting times, with no guarantee of success. For these reasons, it is always advisable to rely on a team of professionals such as those at Rimborso al Volo Rimborso al Volo who will handle all the paperwork for the passenger and verify everything the airline says about any exceptional circumstances to find out if they are actually entitled to compensation as well.
How to obtain a refund and/or compensation from Air Serbia with the help of Rimborso Al Volo?
We offer a service to obtain financial compensation from Air Serbia depending on the inconvenience caused by the flight.
By entrusting your Air Serbia refund and compensation claim to the Rimborso al Volo team, you can be sure that the process will be faster than if you were to make the claim yourself. If legal action is required, the team will seek the assistance of legal experts to ensure that your rights are fully upheld!
Fill in the form and request your Air Serbia refund.
FAQ Air Serbia flight disruptions
How long do I have to request a refund from Air Serbia?
Air Serbia flight cancelled: what am I entitled to?
Air Serbia flight delayed: when is compensation due?
Air Serbia overbooking: what happens if I am denied boarding?
Lost or damaged baggage with Air Serbia: what to do?
Problems on the Flight? Get compensation up to 600€
Get compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation or overbooking occurred within the last 2 years.
