Air Serbia plans cabin overhaul


Air Serbia will roll out a new-look cabin on board its narrow-body fleet later this summer in order to better adapt to changing market conditions and stronger competition. The move will also allow the airline to add extra capacity without introducing additional aircraft. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Air Serbia's CEO, Dane Kondić, said, "The bigger issue is how do we get better utility out of the Airbus fleet and that is something we will shortly be initiating some changes to because our seat density is very low compared to our competitors, so that is something we will be addressing in the very short-term because that is the first pillar of the review we are going through at the moment". Mr Kondić added, "We are looking at slimmer seats, through which you can get greater density without actually changing so much the seat pitch. We have the older generation seats which are heavy as well. The new ones are not only lighter but allow you to put in more without reducing guest comfort".

According to the airline's CEO, the rollout of the slimmer seats will reduce costs. "It is important because the more seats you have on an aircraft type, the more you can lower what's called your CASK (cost per ASK - available seat kilometres). In the airline industry, the critical metric is one of CASK. You have to get as low as possible a seat cost, offering as many seats as possible. That's why low-cost airlines have so many seats. We are not doing that clearly. What the rest of the on board product will look like is something we are looking at", Mr Kondić noted. He added, "We will evolve our product, there is no question about that. What that evolution will look like is something we are working through at the moment". Despite decreasing frequencies on several routes during the summer when compared to last year, the extra seats on its aircraft will in fact allow the airline to offer the same capacity on many of its routes as in the summer of 2016. The changes will not affect the airline's flagship service to New York, operated by the Airbus A330-200 jet, which boasts a separate product to short haul flights.

Air Serbia's A319 fleet currently features eight seats in business and 120 in economy class, while the A320 sees eight business class seats and 147 in economy. Mr Kondić noted that while Air Serbia has strong support from its two shareholders, Etihad Airways and the Serbian government, both want them to do more. "When we started three and a half years ago the world was a different place than it is today so we are constantly looking whether what we do is relevant. We are coming at the end of the first five-year period so as we go into the next five years of Etihad's involvement in the business we have to review our five-year plan and see whether what we saw back then is still relevant or not. The only relevance is that Etihad is still involved and a committed partner and the government has said that as well. From a management point of view, we are happy to have that stability but both shareholders want more so that's the driver of any change not just in business strategy but in sales strategy and all the things that we do".

EX-YU Aviation News will bring you more of Air Serbia's future plans in the coming weeks and how the carrier plans to tackle some existing issues.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:04

    Considering they have one of the lowest capacity cabins in Europe on their A319s I don't mind really. Most of their flights don't last over 2.5 hours anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    Hope they keep leather seating.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lufthansa uses those new seats and they are not bad at all..it would save lots of money on long run..smart move

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:07

    Well if seat pitch won't change that much then I don't mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:13

      Well, it's always marketing talk with "not much". Seat pitch is okay now, once they make it smaller, remove luggage from being included and offer no food (which they practically already do), what will differentiate them from FR or W6?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:38

      They fly to primary airports - not hundred's of km's away from city centres and then try to sell it as a main airport ...

      For me, that is THE main selling point of ALL traditional airlines vs LCCs

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:02

      "hundred's of km's away from city centres"
      LOL!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous19:09

      How far is "munich west" from munich ?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:42

      No such airport exists. If you want to talk about Memingem it is 110 km from Munich.
      Anything else?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous22:01

      Gee, that's close isn't it ?

      Delete
    7. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    8. FMM is easily reachable. With a car it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Munich center. I also used to take the bus from the main station, and that took a little bit longer. Cost vise - S-Bahn is 10 € per way in order to get to MUC, while the bus to FMM is 15 €, so not a huge difference. With a car you need about half an hour to reach MUC from the city.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:08

    Absolute and utter nonsense. This interview only goes to show how clueless Dane is and that he must get the Hell out of this airline.

    Yes, the market was very different in 2013 compared to today. TODAY it's much better especially since the economy of Europe is stabilizing, ALL airlines are growing while back in 2013 the price of oil was $91 and we all know how much it is today.

    The fact that they have to do this only goes to show that his countless business strategies have failed. Makes sense given that it was only recently (last six months) that they reduced their fares. Moscow was regularly at €350!

    So it's not the airline's business model that's flawed, it's your business skills.

    Oh... and you have Etihad's blessing to undertake this? Good. They also gave their blessing to every single AB restructuring plan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      So you are saying no airline should evolve with the times? By that standard most European national airlines would still be flying with wooden seats. Also you really have to give it a break. You are obsessed with Dane. Every post of yours is the same thing.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:15

      How do you know it's me every time?

      The only difference is that most airlines when they 'evolve' they introduce something better. Like the slim seats. When they were introduced they still provided a lot of comfort while allowing airlines to put more seats.

      If Dane was such a visionary, why didn't he introduce the slim seats in 2013? Wasn't that the time when most airlines were doing it, OU included?

      So this 'evolution' is nothing more and nothing less than Dane realizing he has some catching up to do.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:21

      One minute you are for slim seats, the next you are against it. I don't think anyone presented the CEO as a visionary. That's your interpretation so you could go and criticize him like you do every time. Useless discussion anyway. Over and out.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:23

      I am in favor of slim seats, I always have been. My issue is that he is presenting this as some sort of 'evolution' when it no longer is. At this point this evolution is catching up with aviation trends.

      Since you are such fan of DK, tell me, why did it take him 4 years to realize this?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:30

      You have to learn some basics of marketing. How else are they going to sell it then an evolution? What do you think they are going to come out and say "We are catching up". Of course not. You will find similar wording used by every airline. Even BA used the evolution term when they announced they are cramming more seats in their cabins then Ryanair. They are not going to come out and say "LCCs are killing us and we need to pack you in so we can reduce costs". It's called marketing and trying to sell your product even though it ain't evolutionary. I'm surprised you are surprised that a large corporation is using pretty words to sell you something.

      I'm not a fan or a nonfan. I don't know the guy or know why something might have taken time. Didn't call him a visionary and after reading the interview didn't notice he implied he was a visionary either. That was your interpretation.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:47

      My interpretation based on all of his previous statements. Will he also explain why his boutique concept was dropped? Would love to hear that one.

      Also, just because BA tried to sugar-coat their 'reforms' doesn't mean the travelling public responded positively towards them.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:12

      "Will he also explain why his boutique concept was dropped? Would love to hear that one. "

      +1'000'000

      Whatever they come up with, you can be sure we'll have some staunch supporters of the 'reasons' around here.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:24

      As Kondic says aviation changes quickly - what was relevant 3.5 years ago may not be relevant today. I don't see JU relevant in EYs next 5 year business plans especially given Hogan begins to exit the business taking with him all his Aussie mates

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:12

    "Despite decreasing frequencies on several routes during the summer when compared to last year, the extra seats on its aircraft will in fact allow the airline to offer the same capacity on many of its routes as in the summer of 2016"

    This actually explains why so many destinations are being reduced by just 1 weekly flight. Because you will have more seats in the cabin which on a weekly basis will add up to basically having that one extra flight per week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:29

      Can you explain how will that influence summer cuttings as new cabin will be introduce in latte summer?

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:21

    OU introduced slim seats some 4 years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:31

      How many seats do they have in their A319's?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:36

      144 vs JU's 128.

      Delete
    3. Croatia's A319 has 144 seats, while A320 has 174 seats.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:41

      Thanks. One more question, does OU use pay on board system?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:46

      Something in between. You get a free snack and drink. Everything after that (snacks and food) you need to buy.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:26

    Next station: buy-on-board. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BA88809:53

      Not that it matters really but product has changed in last year...

      Plastic cutlery, no menu cards (I can survive without either), now cramming...

      With all this, problem is not the product but price where they still keep about £250 rtn to LHR even off peak.

      In this case I will choose to avoid hell hole called LHR and travel with alternative carrier that provides same on-board product for much £100 lesser price...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      Don't know when you flew. I was flying to Paris and back in middle of Marc and got a menu (economy) and choice of two meals.

      Delete
    3. Nemjee09:59

      I flew to LCA about two weeks ago and there were no menus, no metal cutlery and the meal was much more modest compared to what they used to give in the past. An example was that dessert was just a small candy the size of one bajadera.

      I think it would be better and probably cheaper to ditch the meals on those night flights and to just give those paper bags with sandwiches.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:00

      Ok, maybe it depends on destination now what they offer

      Delete
    5. BA88810:00

      LHR-BEG-LHR in Dec and Feb.

      Same thoughts as Nemjee.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous17:17

      Same here, both LHR and FRA, same as Nemjee and BA888

      Delete
  9. Better to have leased fifteen or twenty regional jets (70 or 100 seaters) in full economy instead of airbuses which are quite too much plane for Serbia and it's economy.

    Better loadfactor, more frequency, greater yields, and service to more destinations at the expense of cargo capacity and one destination (AUH probably can't be reached). Etihad could then do double daily to BEG and everything could have been solved.

    Most destinations that are now daily could then become double daily which would exponential increase the number of possible connections.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:50

      Yeah, and people were making fun of OU having Recaro seats!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:52

      You remember what people were saying 4 years ago?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:54

      Nobody was making fun of them.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:57

      It wasn't 4 years ago, and, yes, they were making fun of them!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:01

      You are right. It wasn't 4 years it is 5 years ago.

      "The national carrier replaced the passenger seats in four Airbus 319 aircraft in May 2012, with an aim of making flying even more comfortable for its passengers".

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:03

      Found the article when OU introduced these seats. Look at the comments. Except for 2 people saying they look uncomfortable absolutely no one was making fun of them. So next time facts please.

      http://www.exyuaviation.com/2012/03/new-economy-class-at-croatia-airlines.html

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:08

      I said people were making fun of them, not as soon as they introduced them, but afterwards, in other topics. You should stick to the facts!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:10

      Prove it or it didn't happen Anon 10.08

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:12

      @10:08 I provided you with facts. Gave you a link. You on the other hand have nothing.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous10:26

      You're right, sorry about that. I thought there were more comments on OU seats. Once again, sorry.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:42

    I'm actually supportive of this. Good to get a cabin refresh after a couple of years too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:03

      lol its been only 3 years. JU is not like the richest airline that can do that every few years

      Delete
  11. All of a sudden we started talking about CASK eh. Changing market conditions my ass. :) What has changed is the depth of his international supporter's pockets. Good thing there's always the local ones to keep on spending with no remorse.

    The emperor has no clothes on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:51

      Also most subventions from the state stoped.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:19

      Exactly, I wanted to add "domestic supporter's pockets" as well.

      Delete
  12. good step towards more hybrid model and ditching the "boutique airline" approach. one thing that is not mentioned is how the business class seats will be modified. in regards to that, i do mind "the world was different place 3y ago", because it wasn't, but it was a missed strategy from the get go.

    the current way of doing business was unsustainable, so let's see what else will dane bring forth to turn around this business. this is one way, after introducing SABRE JU will probably get more optional on ticket buy side and offer less frills in the ticket.
    also this year they should announce what are they planning to do with neos that should start arriving next year. those planes are just to big and probably too costly to take them into fleet in this moment.

    anyhow, it is interesting to see how JU is flexible, fast reacting and able to organize fast. good for them and i do hope that they will find a way to be profitable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:14

      The boutique strategy wasn't missed. It was their only way to justify the huge cash dump and the protectionist policy towards AS.

      Now that has time has passed so people can forget how they got to this point, they can allow to refocus on short-term goals with whatever is *seemingly* sustainable. Whatever they can get away with.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:50

      So the boutique model was wrong, but jumping into the hybrid pool with LH and trying to snatch some lowcost passengers from Wizz is the right thing to do?

      Good luck with that.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:29

      If it is the wrong way to head, explain why Aer Lingus, BA and countless other traditional airlines have gone down this path ?

      Delete
    4. AirCEO18:29

      Air Lingus is a great example of a legacy airline that learned how to transform and thrive next to a LCC giant Ryanair. Idiot "experts" critical of Air Serbia changes are just angry that airline is making the right moves that will make Air Serbia even stronger. It should have been done from the start is the only valid point.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:17

    konacno kapira AirSrbija, da mora da ide u pravcu low-cost. Brand "Srbija" je sam po sebi niskobudzetan. Cenjen je taj brand samo kod svojeg stanovnistva, sa veoma slabom kupovnom moc. Internacional nemoze da se meri (i ako usluga objektivno moze da konkurise). Posto nova strategija ide vise prema hub, znaci transfer u centru, onda mora cena biti odlucujuci faktor. Koji stranac ce da se odluci za airSrbiju, ako je ponuda slicna i cena slicna kao kod Austrian ili tako. Jedino i resenje je Low Cost model sa prednostima velikih aerodroma i presedanjem. Vise sedista, isti modeli aviona, doplate za snacks&drinks&prtljag, vise frekvencija (nocni i rano ujotro letovi), business-class na minimum (4 umesto 8 sedisat => samo prvi red 319/320), jeftin WiFi (max. 3EURA za ceo let => prava prednost u konkurenciskoj borbi). Itd...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is not true.

      I live in Amsterdam, and I go back to Macedonia often with Austrian (AMS-SKP via VIE). Last week, for the first time I booked an AirSerbia flight (AMS-SKP) and I was blown away (price was almost the same as Austrian). Free (generous meal), free luggage and friendly cabin crew.

      Austrian = a pathetic mandarine as a snack, grumpy stewardesses and no checked luggage included in the fare.

      So yeah, I'd choose AirSerbia next time too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:46

      pa ja pisem, citiram sam sebe: "(i ako usluga objektivno moze da konkurise)". Pozdrav

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:53

      Pa lepo ti je rečeno, svaki stranac koji jednom iskusi JU i OS na istoj liniji ponovo će se vratiti kod JU jer imaju neuporedivo bolju uslugu i proizvod. Ime "Srbija" mu ič neće smetati. Ali zato sada kada JU sroza svoj proizvod na OS nivo, to će i za domaćeg i za stranog putnika biti isto mučenje pa će odjednom i "Osterreich" da u ušima zazvuči bolje nego "Srbija".

      A ovu ideju da legacy prevoznik može da sreže troškove u dovoljnoj meri da postane cenovno konkurentan pravim lowcosterima... ne bih previše komentarisao.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:03

      ljupcoApril 4, 2017 at 10:33 AM

      I totally agree, I was also surprised about the comments above about metal cuttlery or not, size of sandwiches, or number of meals on continental flights in Europe...
      OS gives u a free drink and a so-called snack, LX and LH give snadwiches and free drink (+ a praline before landing with LX).SN (also Star Alliance) gives u nothing for free, and you've probably read that BA is also cancelling free snacks on board.
      In summary, I also dislike this trend and I definitely think it is the wrong way to save costs, but be realistic and stop critisizing JU for "not having metal cuttlery, or a warm meal on a 2 hr flight" because that is a service that hardly any legacy carrier in Europe provides any more free of charge.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous15:24

      JU service today is the same as LH, OS, LX and others. Little snack and water. Nothing else. No coffee, no alcohol drinks, even no juice.

      And in near future you will have bigger price not to travel without luggage. So, where is the difference?

      And for sure what happens to Boutique airline?

      Delete
    6. Nemjee16:56

      Huh? Air Serbia has a full bar, including wine, beer, juices and so on.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous17:27

      I read all these comments and criticisms about a "boutique" airline yet do not recall ever seeing any marketing collateral or advertising from the airline which described them as that.

      That was Hogan's description of the airline when asked in an interview about his view of the airline.

      In any event, what's all the noise about ?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous17:35

      Here: "We’re a boutique airline that doesn’t have 50 aircraft flying across the Atlantic."
      https://airwaysmag.com/industry/dane-kondic-air-serbia-ceo/

      Delete
    9. Anonymous19:15

      That's simply a comment used to describe the size of the airline - it has never been part of the positioning in any advertising/marketing collateral.

      In any event, what's the issue ?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous19:50

      It's a comment in a trade magazine by the airline's CEO. If that's not advertising/marketing material then I really know what is. You're trying to deny that Air Serbia used to call itself "boutique airline" and that's simply not true. That was the single buzzword since the beginning.

      Delete
  14. What Dane sees: cabin overhaul
    What I see: 3-3 business with blocked middle seat

    O.T. BA will reconfigure its A320 cabin to Y180 on short haul. That means that FR with slim seats will have more legroom than BA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:25

      They are becoming Ryanair with BA prices! Lovely business model.. lol

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:17

      If it works for them and makes them more profitable, what's the problem ?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19:52

      Problem is they sunk a shitton of public money and promised us a "boutique airline". Now we get FR at legacy prices.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous21:56

      BA doesn't fly to secondary airports in far away places like FR does.

      They also have a great hub at LHR that works and connects you to a multitude of places, unlike FR and they have airport lounges and a frequent flyer program that also sets it apart from FR.

      How is that then like FR ?

      Delete
    5. Well, I don't know if you heard the news, but FR has 17 destinations from FRA. W6 joins them at FRA too. They are slowly moving to big hubs, they already are at FCO, AMS, BCN, MAD and CPH.

      So basically, if you are a p2p passenger, you could pay 100-150€ more just to arrive at LHR rather than STN or LTN, and you'd still be far away from city center. Oh and you'd get frequent flyer miles, but you can't use them to upgrade to business class because there isn't any! ^^

      Delete
  15. Anonymous10:27

    I do still remember commonts when Adria lounched its hybrid model... water 2€ potica 3€ etc... ma who cares abot meal on 2h flight...does anyone got anything on bus...first pump station...i ko voli nek izvoli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:35

      Everyone gave up on Adria.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:13

      Who is everyone?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:22

      Everyone on here. No one takes them seriously.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous23:01

      Pls speak for yourself

      Delete
  16. Insider10:41

    And that is just a start. Stay tuned

    Only real question is why it was not introduces in very begging. Now, they will change 3 years old seats. That cost a money! For missed company policy.

    1. 12% cuts in frequencies! - checked
    2. More seats in Y class - checked
    3. Meals and drinks just like in LH, OS, AF - checked
    4. Business class from 2+2 to 3+3
    5. Paying for food, drinks, choosing seats, checked luggage
    6. Delay of A320neo delivery
    7. More cuts on winter time-table

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:59

      Dane je propustio da pomene jos par svakako bitnijih promena koje su dogovorene. Kompanijska politika - postujem, reci ce uskoro.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:02

      Pa kaze:
      EX-YU Aviation News will bring you more of Air Serbia's future plans in the coming weeks and how the carrier plans to tackle some existing issues.

      Ocigledno ce u delovima.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:42

      It is all going downhill ... after such a glamourous start watch were we are landing.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:26

      And I'm gonna say this again - it will come down to JAT actually having offered more for the same ticket price. If only they had poured all that money (and leased new planes) and introduced new, competent management, we would today be probably better off with JAT than with AS.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:20

      This is THE comment of the day ! just love it.

      Are you aware that they received a prestigious award last week in New York from ATW as the 2017 Market Leader ?

      These people certainly know what they are talking about - much more than you. They write about airlines for a living, unlike you

      Delete
    6. Anonymous19:24

      Dude... everyone knows you can buy those awards. Just look at SkyTrax.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous19:34

      @Anon 7:24

      Explain how, then. I'm all ears. Concrete details, please - mechanism, cost, scale.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous20:10

      Even AirBaltic received an ATW leader award, so yeah, "prestigious"...

      Delete
    9. Anonymous21:52

      Anon at 7.24pm... unfortunately, your comment indicates just how little you know about aviation, because if you did, you would know that an ATW award is THE most coveted award in commercial aviation, precisely for the reason that you cannot buy an award from them - unlike SkyTrax and World Airline Awards

      Delete
  17. Anonymous11:08

    question about the food in the foto: On which routes do you get this now? SVO?

    thx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:10

      All flights 2 hours and over (except Prague which take two hours because it's on an ATR)

      Delete
  18. JU520 BEGLAX11:40

    A pity JU was cutting on inflight service. The added service was like a sympathy bonus and a sympathy bonus never hurts. Hve the feeling that all was just a marketing strategy to present the new airline and now after 3 years they scale back and adjust their standard to the regular market level
    Since i will be missing these extras, i hve no real motivation to book JU anymore, also since JU is not in one of the 3 big alliances to earn miles. I think for JUs success in Europe it will be crucial to be a member at Oneworld, Skyteam or Star

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:14

      +1

      Let's take Air Serbia's BEG-HAM and compare it to the upcoming BEG-HAJ operated by Wizz Air. Why should one pay double to fly to HAM when he can fly to HAJ for much less.

      JU will lose all of its competitive advantage. They will eventually become an expensive Wizz Air.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:11

      Is it possible that this is happening because of the heat coming from the second a/c of W6?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous12:09

    Just today ATR showed off sone new look seats. Thry look really good. Hopefully JU goes for something simmilar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:13

      No Atr got new seats. It's just that some of them have the same interior as their previous owner.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:26

      I'm talking about the manufacturer ATR that released new design seats today. Not Air Serbia.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:44

      My bad then. God bless you.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous13:22

    I wish they change color of seats as well. Navy with red top or red stitching would be fine.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous13:25

    Existing sitting is so uncomfortable for anyone over 180cm in height, even one can say terrible. If they squeeze more rows and seats it will be unbearable even for a 1hr flight. What are they thinking, do they have any common sense!?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:22

      They have business sense, which you don't.

      As for common sense, if you had any and you don't like what they have, you would choose another airline to fly with if

      Delete
  22. Anonymous13:27

    Menjanje sedista na avionima koji ce ostati manje od godinu dve dana u floti? Hmmm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:31

      ostace oni druze moj najverovatnije dugo kao sto je i B733 ukoliko se ne ugasi taj politicki projekat ranije. Njima 320NEO uopste i ne treba, njima trebaju dobri i pouzdani avioni do 100 sedista jer i to tesko napune (kad nisu neki praznici).

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:49

      Je l' se mnogo lepo osećaš dok ih politički mrziš? Prija, a? Samo biste da mrzite, uništavate, gasite i zatvarate. Ali naravno hoćete velike plate i visok standard. Za bolje i niste nego za naprednjačkih 200 evra mesečno.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19:37

      "Njima 320NEO uopste i ne treba, njima trebaju dobri i pouzdani avioni do 100 sedista jer i to tesko napune (kad nisu neki praznici)."

      Meanwhile in the real world:

      LHR - always full
      CDG - always full
      AMS - always full
      ZRH - always full

      etc...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:26

      etc...? And then after these four? What then? You know, the plane flies to LHR, comes back and then does what until 10am next morning?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous06:45

      SVO
      BEY

      Delete
  23. OT: 8 thousand less pax in Zagreb this month compared to last. Split and Dubrovnik has seen lower passenger numbers too.

    Any idea what happened?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Compared to last year I meant.

      Delete
    2. Alen Šćuric Purger15:34

      Easter was in March last year (27.3.), this year it is in April.

      Easter was 1.5. in Serbia and Montenegro last year (and it had influence to April numbers not March as national holidays were from 29th April till 2nd May), and also this year Easter is in April.

      Delete
    3. Ahh makes sense.
      Thanks.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:54

      Easter or not it doesn't matter, with all the tourists, business links and so on, passenger numbers should be rising, not falling or stagnating at ZAG.

      The airport needs to bring in some lowcost carriers. This is a disaster,if this trend continues then ZAG won't make it to three million!!!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:57

      Well, sorry to disappoint you folks but Easter falls once a year anyway.

      Delete
    6. March at ZAG has constantly been fluctuating with growth due to Easter. Check last several years.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous17:00

      What a disappointment, to register a downfall in the month of terminal opening, pathetic. The French should have worked harder than this.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous17:00

      ZAG handled 516.000 or 17.000 more than last year. That's quite bad. I expected at least growth of 7%.

      So who lost all these passengers this April? OU?

      Let's not forget another thing here: prices. Compared to last April, ZAG is much more expensive to fly out of. Many might have migrated to LJU

      Delete
    9. Anonymous17:03

      Petar, are you implying that this is it as far as winter months go? That this is as good as it gets?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous17:05

      So it is normal according to you that in general terms the airport records basically no growth in March, 'fluctuating' year after year?

      I mean, 8.000, that's a lot.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous17:12

      Hmm... so basically now, SKP will be closer to overtaking ZAG than ZAG will be closer to overtaking BEG.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous17:13

      Ok, now I see, 70 flights less than last year. Nice growth in cargo, 950 t compared to 792 t in 2016. 6700 less pax.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous17:17

      Easter or no Easter OU should have stimulated growth if they had any connecting passengers or if we had an easyJet base.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous17:22

      It's one month guys. You are acting just as bad as the Croats did when numbers went down for Belgrade last year for a few months. Keep it in your pants.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous17:23

      Easter was the same for everyone, yet BEG managed a 10% growth over the same period while ZAG went backwards....

      ??

      Delete
    16. Anonymous17:23

      It's actually two months, last one saw no growth. The thing is that something has to change. We need more airlines. I think nothing will change until Monarch and Emirates come. Maybe we can still make it with 15% growth in summer which is realistic.

      Delete
    17. Hey folks. What are you all surprised about concerning ZAG ? At the very beginning of 2016/17 winter season, there were several cuts made. November, December and January did well despite lowered number of flights. Feb.had 1 day less, and March...kast year March grew, April did not. This year it will be other way around. Easter reflects on school breaks and time when people (families from Croatia or those from abroad) fly...April should see 10 to 15k more pax.
      New routes are starting in 3 weeks...so May-December will be indicative.
      The faxt that ZAG survived winter in moderate black is actually better than what one would expect at the beginning of winter 2016/17 season.

      Delete
    18. This isn't good and there's no excuse for it. I fully expected over 200,000 pax this month. And still the number of flights is dropping. Now it's already close to 400 flights less in the first 3 months this year, compared to last. It is a miracle that January registered 17,000 pax more and that February didn't drop but grew by 1,500 pax with over 200 flights less in that month alone and with a day less this February. But now in March the inevitable happened. So...seriously, what is going on?? Why such a drop in the number of flights? Did it have to do with the move to the new terminal, or what?

      Delete
    19. Nemjee21:08

      We are speaking about a reduced number of flights but can someone tell me who actually did it? Was it OU?
      Have the prices of tickets increased? If they have maybe it pushed some people to take a bus or train to Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

      Delete
    20. Alen Šćuric Purger01:41

      "Easter is everywhere in same time". Not true at all. Easter was last year in Serbia in April/May (Orthodox), but in Croatia in March (Catholics). This year Catholics Easter is in April, and of course it had reflection on March numbers.

      It is not just about diaspora and tourist that fly on Easter a lot, but in same time we have 10-days school break that attract passengers.

      For example 3 weeks before Easter you can not buy ticket on ZAG-DBV flights. By worker must to travel with bus to Dubrovnik because of that.

      Delete
    21. Anonymous07:33

      So basically what you are saying is that ZAG can only grow in March when there is Easter? That these results are ok or justifiable? I am sorry but that's crazy.

      Delete
    22. Alen Šćuric Purger09:00

      Easter accumulate huge number of passengers in Croatia. If you don't have it in one month for sure there will be decline. But because of that there will be huge increase of number in April when Easter this year is. If those two months will not have good increase together than there is a problem.

      You comment has no sense at all. If there was no Easter in March this and last year (but for example bout would be in April), for sure there would be increase of passengers. So without Easter this tinny decrease in ZAG is good result.

      Delete
    23. Purger, 7,500 passengers is not a tiny decrease and it's not a good result either, because it is the first, or maybe only 2nd decrease overall since the new management took over, and certainly first such significant decrease. Besides who cares about Easter, when the number of flights has been dropping this entire year. January - 80 flights less. February - 244 flights less, March - 100 flights less. While cargo traffic is exploding, and prices as well. Could it be that the real French strategy is finally being revealed? Transforming the ENTIRE old terminal into a cargo facility, instead of turning it into a low coast terminal. Attracting these fancy legacy carriers and pushing the elitist narrative for Zagreb. Profit, baby profit. Which in and of itself is perfectly fine. But when it goes against the passenger interests, even though profit can easily be made in Zagreb, without screwing all of us and thinking only about the French interest...then something is starting to seriously stink here. And this is the third month in a row, it's becoming a pattern. If this April we don't se a radical reversal of the trend, it'll pretty much be confirmed. Bookings are beyond great for 2017., business is booming, gdp is growing at close to 3%, the tourist season is starting sooner than ever, there are 50 new hotels in Croatia, 4, or 5 of which being opened in Zagreb. The City of Zagreb is turning into a leading congressional center of the region and the leading individual tourist region in Croatia, with over 1,2 million tourists expected this year. Also, there's finally potential for turning Zagreb into a mini hub and the work had already begun. New airlines are arriving and new routes are being introduced. And yet, despite all of this...we se such unbelievable cut in number of flights. Which is exactly the opposite of what should be happening.
      So, one has to ask; what's wrong with this picture??

      Delete
    24. Jesus Superstar Christ. When you're told that it's an Easter effect, you keep on ranting "NO! Doesn't matter! Should've grown!". Keep your panties in a bunch. There were cuts in frequencies compared to last year as well. You're all bitching and whining like it's a half a year trend. The new terminal was open for three days.

      Delete
    25. Anonymous10:54

      Frishki, you do realize that we are allowed to question things. We are allowed to ask why. I agree with Michael. There is something fishy here. My guess is that the new management has realized how much more money they can make by developing cargo facilities that they have lost any interest in attracting more passenger airlines, especially lowcost ones. Is that something you want?

      Last month numbers stagnated. This month they are falling. Ok, there is an effect because of Easter but as was pointed out by Michael there are more things that should have driven growth, at least to a small or modest growth.

      Delete
    26. Anonymous10:58

      Also, since you mentioned the new terminal, it might have the opposite effect from the one we are after. So far charges and costs have gone through the roof further hampering any passenger growth. Flying out of ZAG has become much more epxensive while LJU keeps on getting more and more lowcost options.

      Delete
    27. So French built brand new ​passenger terminal just so they could focus on cargo and neglect passenger traffic? That makes such sense now. No one said you can't question things, it's how you all jumped at first negative month in years after clear indications of cuts in number of flights compared to last year and Easter. But if that's what gets your rocks off - be my guest.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous15:09

    Any news about AUH route? Somebody here mentioned that they will pass it to Etihad?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:18

      They won't. It stays daily.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:20

      I mean daily for Air Serbia and daily for Etihad.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:33

      won't it be better if Air Serbia takes the flights of Etihad and performs double daily? I think it will be win-win situation for both companies. Etihad will cut cost, Air Serbia will have more flights.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:52

      That would be a disaster for Air Serbia which already needs more aircraft. It means that two of its aircraft will be away for way too long.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous18:14

      with the reduction of the flights this summer it shouldn't be a problem I think.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous18:52

    When we started three and a half years ago ...We are coming at the end of the first five-year period 

    Is it 5 or 3,5 years Dane? End of first five-year period should be in 1,5 years. It doesn't take 1,5 years for a review. Etihad wants review now, not after 5 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:40

      You suggest they wait until three months before the contract expires and start the review then?

      I suggest you start a business ASAP.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous22:20

      It didn't take year and a half to plan transformation from Jat to Air Serbia. Didn't even take three months. Review certainly does not need year and a half.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous19:16

    So basically, JU will decrease business class and increase economy or perhaps pass to an all economy class. I think carriers now are following the same example, more seats, less fashion bullshit and agressive lowering of the price. More capacity = lower prices . This is what W6 is currently doing with FR - their A321 definitely beat in price!
    JU can compete with W6, YM or LH/LX/OS by placing A32S with more seats on routes like BEG-ZRH, BEG-MLA, BEG-VIE, BEG-FRA/MUC, etc.
    It´s time for JU to become like VY - a decent, hybrid LCC. Enough of boutique, thank you and good luck JU!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:17

      Sure. Just look at how successful they will be trying to beat real lowcosters instead of offering a distinctive product.

      They will enter the ring with W6, the only problem is they can NEVER go as cheap as W6 can. They will slash their prices (and revenues) - but W6 will still be cheaper.

      Thank you and good night JU.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous00:03

      They don't need to be cheaper than W6. All they need to do is make life thougher for Wizz at BEG, to the point where it makes more sense for W6 to close down some routes and move to airports where they will have less competition, like ZAG, SJJ or LJU.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous22:25

    I think they should install personal IFE screens in business class in all aircraft.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:20

      What are you talking about ? They have free streaming onto your own device... no need for IFE screens any longer

      Delete
  28. AirCEO03:03

    Instead of one major reveal, looks like Air Serbia is announcing piecemeal changes: we knew Sabre and ancillary pricing was coming long time ago, then we heard about business seats going away, now we know about slim seats... next time they could show us picture of the new seat or tell us about extra legroom pricing. I guess Air Serbia gets more media exposure with this layered approach.

    What I'd like to know is the outcome of "to re-engine or not to re-engine 737" dilemma outlined in T6 interview. Obviously new seats coming to Airbus fleet mean those planes will hang around much longer, but how far back is NEO delivery going to be pushed? Oh, and this one: is it true that somewhere in Mexico there is Airbus being painted in Air Serbia livery right now?!? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  30. There are even slimmer, lighter and cheaper non-reclinable seats lounched by Ryanair. They would fit nicely in Air Serbia's ATR fleet, and smaller pitch would allow a row or two of extra seats.

    ReplyDelete

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