Air Serbia flight to Moscow returned to Belgrade after security checks

An Air Serbia Airbus A320 operating as flight JU134 from Belgrade to Moscow was diverted back to Belgrade on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, after authorities raised security concerns about one passenger. The jet departed Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport at 18:48 and, having reached the southern Baltic area near Lithuania, received an order to return and landed back in Belgrade shortly before 22:00.

Unofficial reports circulating after the incident named several Serbian public figures as passengers on the flight: Aleksandar Vulin, Dušan Bajatović and Nenad Popović. None of those names has been officially confirmed by airport or airline authorities.

Flight-tracking data available to the public showed the aircraft’s route and the abrupt reversal, drawing attention on social platforms as the flight rerouted over international airspace.

Order to turn back and airline response

The order to bring the aircraft back to Belgrade was reportedly issued by Milan Kuč, the director for corporate security at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Airport representatives and airline officials have said additional security checks were required in relation to a passenger.

Air Serbia issued a statement saying the decision to return was made after receiving information from airport security services that further checks were necessary. “The crew of Air Serbia acted fully in accordance with the established procedures and the highest safety standards,” the airline said, and added that all necessary procedures were carried out.

Attempts to reach Aleksandar Vulin and Dušan Bajatović after the diversion were unsuccessful. There is so far no independent confirmation that the officials named in media reports were on board. The episode also prompted public comment from opposition politician Srdjan Milivojević, who wrote on the social platform X: “…And who tonight on the 18:30 flight is fleeing to Moscow.”

Photo: EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC