Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.
Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.
Air Serbia operates a distinctive special livery honoring Nikola Tesla, one of Serbia’s most influential historical figures. The design features a large monochrome portrait of the inventor applied to the forward fuselage, making it one of the more recognizable commemorative liveries currently flying in Europe.
The Tesla portrait appears on one of the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft and is positioned on the jet’s tail. The artwork is rendered in a subdued gray tone, allowing it to stand out against the white fuselage while remaining visually consistent with the carrier’s standard branding.
Unlike many special liveries that rely on bright colors or anniversary markings, the Tesla design uses a restrained approach. The remainder of the aircraft retains Air Serbia’s standard livery, including red engine nacelles, blue tail accents, and the national tricolor motif. This allows the portrait to serve as the focal point without altering the overall fleet appearance.
The livery reflects Air Serbia’s emphasis on national identity and cultural heritage, themes that have been central to the airline’s branding since its rebranding from JAT Airways. Nikola Tesla, who was born in what is now Croatia to Serbian parents and later emigrated to the United States, is widely regarded as a symbol of Serbian scientific achievement.
Air Serbia continues to operate the Tesla-liveried aircraft on regular scheduled services across its European network.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
