The Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, has said that Air Serbia's part-owner, Etihad Airways, remains committed to its partnership with the airline despite a review of its investments in Europe. Ms Brnabić noted that recent talks between the government and Etihad Airways went smoothly and that "there is no need to fear for Air Serbia". Recently, the Etihad Aviation Group's Chairman of the Board, Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazro, said, "The Board and executive team have been working since last year to address issues and challenges through a comprehensive strategic review aimed at driving improved performance across the group, which includes a full review of our airline equity partnership strategy". Interim group CEO, Ray Gammell, added, "We continue to implement changes across the group as part of the comprehensive strategic review, with a focus on improving revenues and reducing costs". Last month, Etihad sold its shares in its Swiss unit, Darwin Airline, to Adria Airways Switzerland.
The Serbian PM said the recent consolidation measures at Air Serbia were not a cause for concern for either her cabinet or the alliance with Etihad. "Air Serbia is a serious company which has significantly contributed to the state budget. Subsidies had been given in the past, but I am sure we can all agree that if Serbia had not intervened, and had Jat gone bankrupt, leaving all of its employees jobless, then everyone would have asked why the state had not acted and why we no longer have a national carrier. The government has seen strong returns on its investment in Air Serbia. The company has to be effective and compete on the market". She added, "Air Serbia has a professional management, as all companies should. That management is seeking out ways for the airline to operate more effectively on the market. This is good for Serbia, its people and the government. If the management thinks they have to lay off some workers due to changing market conditions, I certainly wouldn't intervene because it is important for Air Serbia to be profitable and for it to constantly improve its results, which it has done year after year. Air Serbia is very important for the country".
Late last year, Etihad said it was “fully committed” to its 49% stake in Air Serbia following reports the Emirati carrier was considering reducing its share in the airline. Etihad and the Serbian government signed a five-year investment and management agreement for Air Serbia in 2013, with the option of extending the deal for another five years. "Our partnership is long-term. The 'five plus five' is about a cooperation agreement but the investment is a long-term investment. So we are here to stay", the former President and CEO of the Etihad Aviation Group, James Hogan, said in March.
Air Serbia plans to continue moving forward with its consolidation plans but seems to have reversed its decision to lease out up to three Airbus A319 aircraft over the winter season. Although the airline listed three of the jets, registered YU-APA, YU-APD and YU-API, on the leasing market, two of the aircraft, YU-APA and YU-APD, have been removed from the lease listing as of last week. In a statement to "Ch-Aviation" the airline said, "One Airbus A319 aircraft has been listed as available for leasing to measure the level of interest in the market. This option is being considered to tackle the high seasonality of the business and especially the lower travel demand during the winter period".
Comments
I'm not sure his successor thinks the same.
I see the word come up so often I just had to intervene.
True.
Uz dolazak koncesionara na Teslu i mnogo obimniji saobracaj, Er Srbija ima novu sansu ekspanzije. Svakako da nema balast prekobrojnih na svom platnom spisku. Za zdravo poslovanje, sistem kontrakta je resenje prezaposljenosti, svuda. Pa valjda i u Srbiji posle "samo upravljackog raja". Trziste je iznad monopola. Jedini pravi uspeh privredjivanja jeste da se ne zavlaci ruka u dzep poreznika da bi se prekobrojni uhlebili. Jesu li ta vremena prosla? Bar u Er Srbiji.🛫🇷🇸🛬🗺🛫🇺🇸🛫🇨🇦🛫🇭🇲🛫🇨🇳
Rodney and aviation enthusiast group
Sydney
“Speculation about a change to Etihad Aviation Group’s investment in and support for its equity partner, Air Serbia, is totally inaccurate and wholly unfounded. Etihad is and remains fully committed to Air Serbia and to the strategic partnership with Air Serbia’s majority owner, the Government of Serbia”, the Etihad Aviation Group said in a statement. It added, “Since its relaunch, just over three years ago, Serbia’s national airline has been transformed into a profitable, sustainable, and best-in-class, airline”.
Does anyone know anything about this flight? https://www.flightradar24.com/DTR207/e62a8ce I've seen it multiple times on FR24 but its not shown on SKP airport page http://skp.airports.com.mk/default.aspx?ItemID=358
https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/58409-romanias-tarom-issues-lease-rfp-for-three-widebody-jets
this is gonna hit ASL deadly.
- Onboard product, initially was decent for the airline, however then had some room for some minor touches. With the down grade, I dont think its planned out well and customers, juding by lastest reviews, are not too keen on it. JU simply misses out on the minor details, which make a big difference.
- The idea behind a 'boutique' product was nice, however I think the service was very much EY influenced and not suited for the European, especially Serbian market. A more modest product could of still made them 'boutique' compared to the other Euro carriers.
- It was great to see JU suddenly refleet with 10 newer Airbuses, but looking at their overall CLF and their struggle to push it over 80% the past 4 years, struggle with seasonality, I dont think the management understood the market very well, more like quick work by a team from EY. For years I have mentioned that JU's biggest problem is not replacing the DC9. This is going to be exasibated now with the increase in capacity on its smaller Airbus fleet. Dropping the 2 A320's and 2 A319's could of made room for 5-6 ERJ's, a size and fleet JU in my opinion needs. A320 routes can easily be done with A319's and not all A319 routes are well suited for the aircraft nor the ATR. ERJ in this case would free the ATR for routes it was made to do and not 2h flights to PRG and VCE.
- JU has improved marketing compared to Jat however alot is left to be desired. I think alot more can be done in cooperation with the Serbian Tourism Board, maybe some joint work in running some advertising campaigns and quick stop over tours.
- JU should improve staff travel to take in revenue for the unsold seats in its aircraft. Minor changes were made but its a hassle at times to get tickets and to make a listing, with at times random restrictions.
Im skeptical as to if EY would stay on regardless of what was said above, things could change very quickly, however no doubt would things be worse if JU was under full government management. I think Kondic did a decent job in turning around Jat I just dont think he can bring it forward and think its time to see someone new.
Jel danas mnogo bolje u ovom surovom kapitalizmu?
Romania itself is a large, growing market. RO caters for a different market compared to JU, who have since the launch of JFK taken Albanian speakers due to transit traffic for example.
Great post!
Vama svako dobro. I uspesno gajite uspomene na ideologiju revolucije i svega sto je se dogodilo. Ostajte u miru.
Rodney Marinkovic
Sydney AUSTRALIA