Eurowings eyes growth across all EX-YU markets

Lufthansa's fast-growing low cost subsidiary Eurowings, which has capitalised from leasing extra aircraft from ailing rival Air Berlin, intends to grow its market share across the former Yugoslavia over the next year. Lufthansa has made Eurowings its main focus in the battle with market leaders Ryanair and easyJet for passengers in Europe and a vehicle for consolidation. It is set to become Europe's third largest low cost carrier and operate a fleet of 180 aircraft by 2018.

Eurowings has made Croatia the focal point of its expansion in the region over the past year, with the airline opening up eleven new routes to the country this summer alone. However, in the coming period, the no frills carrier will work towards easing seasonality on its services to Croatia by introducing more year-round routes. It has already announced the winter launch of its flights from Dusseldorf to Zagreb and the extension of some of its seasonal services to Split, Rijeka and Pula to year-round operations. The airline is considering adding flights between Cologne and Osijek following the successful launch of its service from Stuttgart to the Croatian city this May and is in discussions with Brač Airport over potential flights next summer. New routes are also being considered to other airports it already serves in the country.

Eurowings has said it is in negotiations with airports in Serbia, with the airline interested in launching services to Niš, in the country's south-east. Several routes are under consideration at this point, although no final decision has been made. Eurowings has a limited presence in the country, operating only seasonal flights from Stuttgart to Belgrade. Similarly, the carrier is in talks with Ljubljana Airport over potential services to Slovenia. Earlier this year,  Ljubljana Airport's General Manager, Zmago Skobir, said negotiations were taking place with two no frills airlines, one of which is headquartered in northern Germany. The carrier in question is tipped to be Eurowings which is based in Dusseldorf.

The German airline will enter the market in Macedonia this winter by introducing flights from Munich to Skopje. Depending on the route's performance, the carrier would also consider adding services from Dusseldorf to the Macedonian capital. In Kosovo, it will continue to maintain year-round flights from Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover and Sttutgart to Pristina. Elsewhere, Eurowings commenced operations to Montenegro this year by introducing flights to Tivat. The carrier has confirmed it is considering additional flights to the city but also to Podgorica as well, which it has not served in the past.

Despite cancelling its planned new service from Dusseldorf to Sarajevo after "reviewing economic efficiencies of the route", the airline is focusing on flights to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are likely to launch this winter. Mostar Airport's General Manager, Marin Raspudić, said last week, "We are currently in contact with Wizz Air and Eurowings. These two airlines are analysing the economic sustainability of launching flights to Mostar. The management has delivered all necessary information and we hope to get low cost flights from Mostar Airport". Eurowings is said to be considering introducing services from Stuttgart to the Bosnian city. The Premier of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton has already committed to subsidising the route. Mostar Airport, which has no scheduled year-round flights, has identified Germany as its main market due to its sizable Bosnian diaspora.