Wizz Air has warned that new Serbian rules on foreign airlines could force it to close its Belgrade base, reduce competition and cut route options for passengers. The low-cost carrier said the changes may reshape the balance of power in Serbia’s aviation market.

The airline has called on the European Union to intervene over the measures, which it says hit foreign carriers’ access to the market. The rules have triggered strong opposition from budget airlines and raised concerns about reduced choice for travellers.

The warning puts pressure on Serbian authorities as airlines assess the impact of the new framework. It also highlights wider tensions over access, market share and competition in a region where low-cost travel has expanded rapidly.

Wizz Air did not give further details in the source text about when any closure could happen or which specific flights might be affected. But the company made clear that it sees the rules as a direct threat to its operations in Belgrade.

The dispute comes at a sensitive time for aviation in the Balkans, where airlines compete for traffic on both domestic and international routes. Any move that limits access for foreign carriers could have knock-on effects for fares, availability and connectivity.

Low-cost airlines have been a major driver of growth at many European airports, offering cheaper fares and opening new routes to destinations that were previously harder to reach. If Serbia’s regulations are enforced more strictly, passengers could face fewer options and less downward pressure on prices.

For now, the controversy centres on how far the Serbian measures go and whether they amount to a practical barrier for foreign airlines. Wizz Air’s response suggests the carrier believes the consequences could be significant for both its business and travellers.