Serbia’s second-largest city takes a step closer to mainstream European connectivity this month. Air Serbia is launching two new routes from Niš Constantine the Great Airport starting 25 October 2026: a direct service to Malta Luqa Airport and a direct service to Vienna International Airport.
Both routes were previously unavailable without connecting through Belgrade. The additions give residents of southern Serbia — and travellers using Niš as a Balkans base — direct access to two major European destinations without the need to transit the capital.
The Niš–Malta route
The Malta service opens a direct link between the western Balkans and the Mediterranean island, with journey time of around two hours. Malta has grown as a travel destination in recent years, with Valletta’s fortified old city, the prehistoric Ħaġar Qim temples, and warm seas drawing visitors through a long season. For Balkans travellers, a non-stop connection removes the need to route via Catania, Rome, or Budapest.
The Niš–Vienna route
Vienna has long served as a transit hub for Balkans travel, and the direct service from Niš cuts journey time from roughly five hours via Belgrade to approximately ninety minutes. This opens Vienna as a realistic weekend-break destination from southern Serbia and provides a convenient European connection for onward flights to western Europe, North America, and East Asia.
Niš as a Balkans destination
Niš is underrated on the main Balkans circuit. The city has Roman-era foundations — Emperor Constantine was born here — and the Ottoman-era Skull Tower (Ćele Kula) is one of the Balkans’ most striking monuments. The Nišava Gorge, the Sićevo monastery complex, and the Vlasina plateau are all within day-trip range.
For broader Balkans itinerary planning, Belgrade remains the main gateway with the widest flight connections, and our guide to day trips from Belgrade covers ground routes connecting the capital to Niš and surrounding areas.
The new routes bring Constantine the Great Airport to its most expansive international schedule and strengthen Air Serbia’s regional network heading into the winter 2026 season.