Air Serbia has announced plans to launch flights from Belgrade to New York in June 2016.

Subject to government and regulatory approval, it will be the first non-stop service between Serbia and the United States in 24 years, to provide a new air-link between the two countries which share deep cultural and commercial ties.

New York JFK will be Air Serbia’s first long-haul destination since its launch two years ago and the aircraft will be the first wide-body to enter the fleet of the Belgrade-based airline.

According to recent surveys there are more than 200,000 people of Serbian ethnicity living in the United States, including New York and Chicago, which has the biggest Serbian diaspora in the United States, and the number increases significantly when including other Balkan countries.

Aleksandar Vučić, prime minister of Serbia, said: “The launch of non-stop flights between Belgrade and New York in June next year will be a hugely proud and significant moment in the short history of Air Serbia, demonstrating the growth and ambitions of the airline.

“We cannot underestimate the positive impact the new service will have on the people and businesses of Serbia as we open this air-bridge to the United States, which is home to so many Serbian communities who will now have a unique opportunity to fly to Serbia with the national airline.”

The five flights-a-week service will be operated by a leased two cabin A330-200 aircraft.

Air Serbia is currently considering lease options with Etihad Airways Partner airlines as well as with other external companies.

The Air Serbia New York flight schedule will offer guests convenient connections from many of the airline’s regional destinations across the Balkans and Southern Europe, including Istanbul, Athens, and Tirana.