Air Serbia eyes new regional routes


Air Serbia has been presented with the opportunity of opening several new routes within the region, namely to Niš, Mostar and Brač, and is considering the potential of launching services to the aforementioned cities. The Serbian government is in talks with the carrier over the introduction of flights from Niš by year's end. Although the country's Ministry for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure has suggested for a domestic service to be launched from Belgrade to the south-east Serbian city, flights from Niš to other points in Europe are also under consideration. Previously, Air Serbia's predecessor, Jat Airways, claimed that flights from Niš were unprofitable, though the airline maintained services between the city and Zurich for several years. Since then, Constantine the Great Airport has lowered its fees and attracted several foreign airlines.

Mostar Airport has held talks with Air Serbia over the introduction of flights from Belgrade. "We are currently negotiating potential services to Belgrade and Istanbul with Air Serbia and Turkish Airlines, however, we have still not reached a final agreement", Mostar Airport's General Manager, Marin Raspudić, said recently. Both the Serbian carrier and Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport were exhibitors at the 21st annual International Economy Fair in Mostar last week where business to business meetings took place between various stakeholders. "We believe that both the airport and Air Serbia have a lot to offer to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the aviation sector", the General Manager of Belgrade Airport, Saša Vlasavljević, said during the fair. Serbia was the country partner at this year's event.

Tour operators have requested for Air Serbia to introduce services to the Croatian island of Brač in 2019. A letter of intent by agencies was submitted to the Serbian carrier over the weekend in which agencies have committed themselves to purchasing seventy seats per flight. The General Manager of Brač Airport, Tonči Peović , said last year, "We have been in talks with Air Serbia for a number of years. They are interested in flying to Brač and are considering linking the flights with Zadar. Introducing services from Belgrade is a high priority for them with an ATR 72-500 aircraft". News of possible flights between Belgrade and Brač were first made public in 2015 when Croatian media reported that Air Serbia would begin a one weekly seasonal service from the Serbian capital to the island in May of that year. However, the carrier rebuffed the claims at the time, noting it had no immediate plans to fly to Brač.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:03

    The main issue is that they don't have enough ATRs available to launch any new regional routes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      Not exactly. They ended OHD this summer and shifted a lot of ATR flights to Airbuses. Also it seems Venice will become seasonal so that's the ATR freed up for another 5 hours block time 4x per week.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:23

      Venice is in the schedule for winter 18/19.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:52

      Where can we see the the schedule for winter 18/19??

      kind regards.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:54

      Well it's in the system. You can have a look on Air Serbia's website. Of course they can change it with time but Venice tickets for example can be purchased after November as well.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:06

      I am surprised they are keeping Venice! I have heard of bad loads on that flight even though I never took it. It is very inconveniently scheduled for people going to/from other Italian cities in the North East.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:16

      It was doing very well during last summer. Loads are probably poor in winter (unsurprisingly)

      Delete
    7. Anonymous12:52

      Itz should not be that influenced by seasonality. For tourists Venice is year round destination and one of main events is taking place in February. For business trips to Veneto winter should also be good as the region is full of businesses operating in the region. It is just badly scheduled flights as people can not take proper train connections from Venezia Mestre station if they arrive that late. Similarly, no fast trains from Verona, Trieste, Udine, Bolzano, Bologna ... etc. that early in order to catch early morning flight.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    Air Serbia could easily add also weekly service to Maribor and Portorož.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      ATR72 would have payload restrictions at Portorož.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:25

      With all due respect, who would fly on Belgrade-Portoroz-Belgrade route anyway?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:27

      In 2012 JU got fifth freedom rights to fly Belgrade-Portoroz-Rome. They never used that opportunity.

      Delete
    4. @9:25
      kostić bought airport and kempinski in portorož and allegedly now he is eyeing the port of portorož.

      maybe someone believes that there could be some potential through those deals.

      also kole is one of the financiers of the ruling party so i believe he has an easy access to JU

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:17

      Last year they had a few flights from Portoroz to Belgrade with some Saab plane. Doesn't seem like there are any this summer though.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:06

    All of these are low yielding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      If tour operators are interested in buying all seats on the plane from/to Brac then this could work.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:45

      @9:06 Disagreed for Brac. All seats on the whole plane would be guaranteed for by TOs so ASL has ZERO risk and they can charge nicely for the guarantees as there is no competition. Same applies to BEGZAD. That is called a full charter.

      On a sidenote, one needs to ask why OU is not flying BWKBEG? I assume because the average Serbian tourist does not want to fly with a Croatian Airlines plane? (Not trying to be rude, but that is my sincere impression).

      OMO would be high yielding and I doubt they could fill an ATR unless they link it to elsewhere. I suggest Banja Luka with domestic rights from/to OMO.

      Delete
    3. There is SPU-BEG with OU, so why BWK-BEG wouldn't work?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:02

      "I assume because the average Serbian tourist does not want to fly with a Croatian Airlines plane?"

      They have no problem spending their holidays (and money) on the Croatian coast, but you think they have issues with flying a Croatia Airlines plane? :D

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:09

      Why on Earth anybody travelling to Croatia would have a problem with OU?! :D

      Delete
    6. Maybe Serbs are just ATR fans.... could have nothing to do with it being OU lol.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:58

      No one cares if it's OU. In fact, I'm certain when you would ask an average Serbian tourists to choose between Air Serbia and a foreign company, they would choose the latter. Also, the average Serbian tourists who books his holiday with a tour operator has no clue which airline they will fly on. At the end of the day. OU would not be flying Split-Belgrade for the last 5 years if anyone had a problem with it.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:08

    I don't see how they could compete with FR and W6 out of Nis to western Europe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      They could introduce a route not served by either or a route restricted to the other two, like Moscow or Istanbul for example.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:21

      Flying to Moscow would require an Airbus. Istanbul could make it with the ATR.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:29

      They don't have enough aircraft in BEG as it is, let alone for Nis.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:30

      But for Banja Luka they have enough planes?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:34

      They don't want to compete with anyone.
      They just want to ikck all foreign airlines out so that Vinci will be getting all Serbia air traffic from BEG.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:13

      @ AnonymousApril 17, 2018 at 9:29 AM
      They do have a sufficient number of aircrafts. With constant network reductions they could even return 1-2 airbuses unless they write off 2 remaining 737 this year.

      Delete
    7. JATBEGMEL23:38

      ^^^

      JU doesnt have money nor is it making any. Setting a base in Nis costs money.

      JU also has a shortage of ATR’s. With no regional jets, they have a large jump between a limited range/capacity ATR or a big capacity A319, especially now with the reconfiguration.

      Sure, BNX is there, but operating from BEG, which I think JU should do with INI. Serbian government could give subsidies for the route, just like the Croatian government supports its domestic routes.

      2 B733’s have been retired at the begining of the year, and I think the last 2 should go at the end of the summer season.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:11

    It would be a nice addition to the network if any of these start.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:12

    Air Serbia needs more regional aircraft and they need them fast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:15

      JU has no cash for new planes unfortunately.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:36

      Instead of getting expensive NEOs they should just extend the leases of CEO A320s (at a lower rate similar with what the other airlines are paying) and LEASE regional jets.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:47

      Really? Or are they just not willing?

      What could be the lease rate for a 20 year old ATR725? Dry lease maybe 5000 EUR per month I guess

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:56

      Anonymous at 9:47 AM
      +1000
      management are like zombies waiting for Abu Dhabi to decide what will do with its foreign airline investments. Meanwhile ASL is left to stagnate.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:14

      5000 eur for monthly dry lease? Are you sure? :)

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:16

      They do need regional aircrafts! Personally I would prefer a mix of A319 and Sukhoi 100 for their fleet, but turboprops are just inexpensive to use.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:04

      Anon at 10:14

      Would you have a better estimate for dry lease ?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous18:10

      Maybe around 5000pm as a rough estimate but of course depending on a long list of different factors. Keep in mind birds in that age should already all be written off and u don't pay for leased staff, just the metal itself.

      Delete
    9. JATBEGMEL00:01

      ^^^

      On airliners.net, there are some articles on current lease rates. I found an article for Feb 2017 showing sale price and lease rates per month as:

      EMB175 – $13.4 – 30.0M, $120-250,000
      EMB190 – $14.4 – 35.1M, $160-295,000
      ATR-72 – $4.7 – 20.1M, $60-180,000
      CRJ700 – $7.5 – 17.7M, $90-200,000
      CRJ900 - $8.9 – 24.6M, $130-230,000
      Q400 – $7.0 – 20.8M, $95-195,000
      A319 – $6.5 - 35.7M, $70-260,000
      A320 – $1.8 - 43.1M, $40-335,000
      B737-700 - $10.0 - 35.8M, $125-245,000
      B737-800 - $13.4 - 45.1M, $170-350,000

      It would be intresting to know what EY changes JU for the aircraft they have.

      I honestly believe that JU needs regional jets and returning 2 A320’s I think could bring in 3 ERJ175’s which would do great for their network.

      - A320’s is not very active with JU which implies they have troubles to fill it year round.
      - JU loses on some markets due its current fleet constraints (ATR not suitable, A319 too big - WAW, KBP, HAM)
      - Regional jets could be used to allow the ATR to boost regional ops (TIA, SJJ, ZAG) while opening new routes.
      - Regional jets are easier to fill and could help reduce the losses JU incures through a boost in their operations, which should have an overall effect.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:13

    Brac would be really nice :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:17

      It is a very nice island, but it is so close to Split served both by JU and OU. Would that make sense? Maybe as charter flights.

      Delete
    2. It would make sense to skip the airport-Split harbor-ferry to Brač trip.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:06

      As said above if tour operators are already willing to take over the seat sales / guarantees then JU doesn't even have any risk for BWK charters

      Delete
  8. Till enlarging fleet Er Serbia definitly need investors. Era of Etihad is over. At least for invesment. Any chance to new potencial?
    Time will tel.
    Rodney 🇭🇲🇷🇸

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:14

    They could get some feed off the New York flight to Mostar. Back in the JAT days there were many transferring from the US flights via Belgrade to Mostar to visit Medjugorje.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This Medjugorje tourism is puzzling me

      I always remember when I was 8y old and i was some kind of prolonged excursion with the class, where one of my friends claimed he saw St. Ilija on hotel door and another one confirmed the strange light. This is what happened in 1981. but without religous media coverage

      Delete
    2. Kids were doing drugs back in the day that early?? Damn...

      Delete
    3. "Many phenomena have been reported at Medjugorje, such as the sun spinning, dancing in the sky, turning colours, or being surrounded by objects such as hearts or crosses. Many have been able to look at the sun during those times without any damage to their eyes. The tall cement cross erected on Mount Križevac (which means "Cross Mountain") has reportedly disappeared and reappeared or else glowed as if lit with lights, although there is no electricity on the mountain. Not everyone reports seeing the same miracles at the same time. Numerous supposedly miraculous healings have also been reported."

      sounds like LSD to me

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:21

      Well it's not up to you to decide what's going on there. This is an aviation blog so you two - whose comments I usually appreciate very much - should consider this under the aspect of possible pax to OMO and tourist matters. A passenger is a passenger no matter whether the reason for him travelling to Medjugorje is awkward to someone else. And this fun making of Medjugorje (LSD) could hurt feelings of Catholics who believe in this... I am a Catholic, a Croatian and I do not believe a single word of this miracle thing. But shoe some respect and do not insult people who travel there and believe by such comments.

      Delete
    5. Petar, you are my generation. I lived in Yugoslavia then and remember the 80s very well. It was the time when New Age arrived to Yugoslavia: crystals, pyramids, bionenergy, tarot, astral projection, angels, UFOs...etc. There was this super popular weekly I can't remember the title of right now, which I used to devour as a kid. Maybe it was called 'Astra' or something like that..sure someone will remember. That's also when the Medugorie thing took off.
      Anyhow, you kid about LSD, but you're in fact not that far off the mark, because from all the reconstructions I've read since, it seems as though this group of kids had been sneaking out, smoking pot and got caught. So they came up with the story, which if you read the oldest transcripts of the so-called messages from Our Lady, are clearly utter rubbish. Actually, they have an unintended comic quality. :)
      Later on, the story had gotten polished by the Franciscan monks, so as not to look like a complete theological mess. The monks saw an opportunity to combat the godless, communist system by using this. While the ever entrepreneurial Herzegovinians jumped at that opportunity from the business perspective and have made it into what it is today.
      I've been there a couple of years ago and the small, gritty village which used to look like balkans frozen in time, now more resembles Beverly Hills, lol!

      To the latest anonymous, please don't get offended. I'm a Croat and I guess a cultural Catholic, but I'm not really a believer. I simply think that the church, as every other institution and everything/everyone else, should be subject to equal scrutiny, even mockery when needed.
      Anyways...good on Herzegovinians for creating a tourist "Mecca" out of such a prosaic thing!
      Personally however, what Peter wrote, simply awoke memories of my childhood in Yugoslavia, a bit of nostalgia, that's all. Nostalgia for youth, not that country per se.



      Delete
    6. mike, thanks for the post. a pleasure reading it, as always :)

      btw, i saw on HRT that you guys have "na rubu znanosti". sometimes late night i catch it on cable and always have a blast

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:15

    BEG-ZAD-BWK? How long would the ZAD-BWK sector last?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      Flight time on ATR would probably be around 35 minutes.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:21

      I actually think this would be an excellent summer route.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:22

      With triangle routing BEG-ZAD-BWK-BEG.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:49

      Triangle is bullcrap on a route where separate services are viable at lower operating costs with more income at the same time.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:19

      Triangular service might make sense in April-May and October.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:38

      I don't think they would be allowed to run ZAD-BWK without approval. They don't let non EU members run domestic routes.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:40

      I don't think they mean to sell ZAD-BWK tickets. They would sell BEG-ZAD and BEG-BWK and just link the two flights so they could have one full plane.

      Delete
    8. JATBEGMEL00:11

      ^^^

      Croatian government is already not happy with the JU operations in Croatia and this has been public. There are a few articles online regarding this, with claims they are not allowed under EU regulations, more specifically the transfer oprations side of JU. Im sure they will not be happy with any form of domestic operations that JU makes in Croatia, with or without pax.

      ZAD-BWK combination would be stupid of JU considering that for certain there in some form of market for BEG-ZAD, while BWK would be a nice little niche route for a summer seasonal in addition to SPU. Serbian tour operators supporting BWK would be a bonus.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:19

    So so, where are those experts previously saying that the BEG-INI has no potential because people have "car mentality" or that there is no need for such flights? Well, now you know how important for a country is to have domestic flights as this stimulates the domestic economy!
    Bravo INI! STELLAR mode: on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well it has no potential, clearly. Only thing that would create potential is government subsidies.

      Zorana now needs that route because of the all the booos she got in Niš. So it would be another burning of taxpayers money to satisfy politicians

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:38

      BEG airport as it is right now can not handle domestic flights.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:52

      I agree. BEG must completely reorganize passengers flow on the airport to be able to handle domestic flights. Not sure is it possible to improvise something quickly and satisfy all standards for security.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:55

      But isn't security less stringent for domestic flights and no passport control is required?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:00

      Domestic and international passengers can not mix.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:22

      Small part of Terminal 1, next to JU operation center can be redone for domestic flights - it would be a bus gate.

      Delete
    7. Can they make a passage from T1 check-in to the bus gates?

      And what would be the procedure for transiting pax?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous12:56

      Transfer pessangers would enter Serbia regularly and continue to domestic gate.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous18:15

      Of course BEG can handle domestic flights, only thing is u need to have a passport and pass the passport control. Same in Nis- passport control necessary. In that case all is fine.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous18:40

      Why would you need a passport for a domestic flight?

      Delete
    11. Anonymous18:59

      Is there a possibility at BEG of having only 1 gate for domestic flights where there is no passport control? Just show ID with electronic boarding pass and that´s it?

      Delete
    12. Anonymous10:05

      @6h40: simply because there is no gate without passport control (domestic gate). Doesn't have to be a passport but ID is sufficient.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:20

    Belgrade-Pristina might happen too next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wondering how far did get that working group they created?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:40

      The issue is that Belgrade wants immediate deal on flights while Pristina is linking this issue with political dialogue in Brussels so there is little progress. Next week there is some economic meeting between Serbia and Kosovo. Maybe they talk about it then.

      Delete
    3. thanks for the update!
      it is funny how serbian side is the one who wants a straight deal while being the one who will certainly carry more political damage when the flights start.

      btw kosovo recently openned the works on the highway Priština - Bela Zemlja (close to Bujanovac) which should continue all the way to the Niš.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:49

      I find it funny too. But government wants this because Air Serbia told them this route would work well for their JFK route. So Vucic got personally involved since its his pet project.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:27

    The only destination that would make any sense for Air Serbia from Nis is Vienna. Even then, the airlines would fight typical gastarbajter mentality and numerous bus operators that offer return ticket with three bags for 60 € or so. Now since Wizz Air will fly this route, there is no hope for them. I just don't see which other route could be successful for them from Nis, except maybe Belgrade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:11

      Paris

      Delete
    2. Alen Šćuric Purger12:17

      Vienna is already there with Wizz, Air Serbia can not compete on that.

      Niš-Paris
      + Niš-Frankfurt of Niš-Munich

      Those two routes can work
      + seasonal Niš-Tivat, Niš-Antalya and Niš-Heraklinon, maybe Niš-Malta by Aviolet

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:27

      is there a substantial diaspora in France/Paris and how come actually?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:36

      Yes, many emigrated from east and south east Serbia to France in the 70s to work. Same as to Germany.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:43

      thanks for the info! did not know this and was always wondering when people mention Paris as a route with huge LCC potential...
      Germany, CH, Nordics are no-brainers :)

      Delete
    6. Anonymous16:51

      I think FR may launch BVA-INI in the near future as W6 already flies from BEG to BVA.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:31

    Would be more beneficial if they added a second daily flight to Sarajevo than flights to Mostar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      The only time that would suit them is a late night flight from BEG and early departure from SJJ. Unfortunately they can't since the airport is closed at that time.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:37

      * I mean the airport is closed in Sarajevo at that time.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:23

      What are the airport operating hours?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:30

      5.00-23.00

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:31

      For a second daily Air Serbia flight to work, departure from Belgrade would have to be at around 00.20 and departure from Sarajevo at around 04.50.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:12

      Yes with those times they would catch the wave of returning flights from western Europe and departure wave to western Europe in the morning, as well as New York flight. Unfortunate that SJJ does not operate at those times.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous12:58

      Well that should be negotiated with Sarajevo airport. If more companies demand it, they could actually stay open 24/7.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous18:21

      Or at least close only 0h30-4h45 during the core hours of the night

      Delete
    9. JATBEGMEL00:33

      I believe that OK wanted a night flight into SJJ a year or 2 back, which too was rejected.

      I think SJJ with a split schedule in the 7-8am and 5-6pm wave would be better.

      JU110 BEG SJJ 0730 0825
      JU111 SJJ BEG 0900 0950

      JU114 BEG SJJ 1830 1925
      JU115 SJJ BEG 2000 2050

      A schedule like this gives them not only JFK, but LHR, AUH, TLV, SVO, ATH, SKG, SOF, OTP, TIA, LCA, SKP, BEY.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:40

    BWK dominates!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:19

      So true. BWK dominates in Brač-Hvar-Korčula area.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:06

      I thought this area was dominated by SPU

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:39

      BWK has attracted a legacy carrier. That is sooo cool! Domination!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:44

      And more to come in 2019 for BWK....more news soon ;) ;)

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:31

      Some new airline?lcc?

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:41


    Ovo je smesno umesto da gledaju Jasi, Krakov, Odesu, Lion pa i Kiev oni se zezaju sa Mostarom i pune hotele na Bracu. Nis moze samo ako im plati vlada da lete tamo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:42

      Ako agencije hoce da zakupe avion puno za prazno za Brac, to bi JU bilo najisplatljivije. Ne znam ko ocekujes da leti izmedju Beograda i Odese.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:59

      Pismo namjere o zakupu 70 mjesta na letu dobila je i croatia airlans..
      Biti ce zanimljivo vidjeti tko ce na kraju uvesti tu liniju gdje rizika uopce nema,jer bi avion bio skoro 100 posto zakupljen..

      Delete
    3. Nemjee11:32

      Анон 09.42

      Па летеће путници који преседају даље преко Београда. Иста структура путника као она која пуни линију Београд-Бејрут.

      Delete
    4. Aэrologic13:09

      @AnonymousApril 17, 2018 at 9:41 AM

      Great +1

      Let's not forget Lvov, Krakow, Salzburg...

      I'm tired of repeating this.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10:02

    this whole story of opening clueless routes to secondary airports reminds me of the saga with Adria and their SAABs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:16

      Yap.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:59

      INI and BWK are definitely not "clueless" routes. Simply open their Wikipedia pages and compare the figures before and after. There is nothing left to say.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:11

      +1 last anon

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:19

      aw, ok... after reading Wikipedia, I immediately changed my mind, so I will rephraze:

      It would be a very smart move from JU to start flights to the major international hubs: INI and BWK

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:47

      Nobody is talking about hubs, the figures speak. The double digit percentages too. Would you have ever guessed that during the first quartner of the year, INI would be the 8th busiest airport in ex-Yu?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:51

      Indeed, I wouldn't have ever guessed that INI was even in the top 10 in Q1.

      And thats because it wasn't.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous13:04

      No? Then what is this:

      1. BEG - 997.518 (4%)
      2. ZAG - 585.576 (14%)
      3. PRN - 418.134 (17%)
      4. LJU - 329.212 (14%)
      5. TGD - 181.381 (18%)
      6. SJJ - 169.124 (20%)
      7. TZL - 119.651 (52%)
      8. SPU - 117.493 (33%)
      9. DBV - 94.038 (23%)
      10. INI - 84.894 (28%)
      11. TIV - 59.449 (21%)

      Delete
    8. Anonymous13:13

      didn't you write above that INI was 8th busiest? because on this list is 10th busiest...
      aw, what else is wrong with this list? yes, SKP is missing, so this kicks INI out of the top 10

      Delete
    9. Anonymous16:22

      We will see by the end of the year. I will remember you and copy paste your comment. Don´t worry.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous18:30

      Gotta love the INI fanboys

      Delete
  18. Anonymous11:10

    My conclusion is that they will launch Nis under pressure from government. Brac could be launched in summer 2019. As for Mostar I am not holding much hope but who knows.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:23

    Are there any hopes for resuming flights to VAR or it is too late now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:40

      It was a very stupid decision to cut VAR from the beginning. VAR is 400K city with a lot of business and tourism. The LF on the W6 flights from VAR is 85-90%

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:44

      Obviously wasn't working for them. They would not have cut it if they were making money on the route.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:48

      Maybe because of the schedules or because they were cannibalised back then by TK and OS in VAR?

      Delete
  20. Anonymous12:13

    Air Serbia could use the ATR in Niš to service Greece, Montenegro, and Bulgaria for seasonal ops. How many buses go from Niš to there every year in summer. Why have a 8 night, 10 day package when you can have a 9/10 etc. fly there and back and have a better travel experience where you’re not recovering for 2 days either side from travel. Doesn’t have to be daily but maybe BEG-SKG-INI-TIV-INI-VAR-INI-SKG-BEG that could all be done in 1 day with the right amount of planning. Revolve packages around 7 day rotations or base the aircraft in INI and fly that every Wednesday and Saturday. Use it for INI-BEG-INI on the other days or INI-BEG-VCE/VIE/SPU-BEG-INI.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:15

      Good point!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:37

      Oni salju B737 za let do Soluna sa 30 putnika u nedostatku ispravnih ATRova.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:57

      Anonymous at 12:13 PM
      What you are suggesting makes too much sense!
      It is a very logical strategy, therefore JU's current management wont do any of it...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous15:08

      Oh don't worry I've thought about it lol. Not to mention if they change it to be Friday and Monday then you have the weekend city escape tourists coming to Niš as well from those places...

      Delete
  21. Aэrologic12:59

    This time I'd prefer not to answer that question myself but rather ask, how come all their 'regional' destinations are part of Ex-Yu?

    I hardly believe they can make more money year-round in Mostar and Brac than in Budapest and Cluj.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:08

      It would depend on how much the price of the seat will be. BWK can definitely make much more money in summer as there will be no competition with other airlines.
      INI will be a tricky one, as they might have to compete with FR, W6 and LX.
      By the way, LX have amazing prices to USA, Canada, whole of Europe and even JNB or TYO. You can easily fly INI-ZRH-TYO

      Delete
    2. JATBEGMEL01:00

      @ Aerologic

      I believe that there is a bigger O&D demand in the ex-YU region for JU compred to the rest of the Balkans. Trade, cultural, business etc. Not to mention that JU definately has a small niche market where people travel via BEG with JU because of the ease speaking ‘our’ language, almost always with our diaspora bringing over friends and relatives.

      That doesnt mean that those other markets are not important, TIA for example does really well.

      BUD is double the pax numbers of BEG with huge offering of LCC that attract pax from Belgrade itself, offering what BEG has, cheaper and with more frequencies making it hard for JU to compete in the transfer sector. For O&D pax, JU had to compete with those travelling by car, bus and train with a small amount willing to pay the premium to fly, unfortunately. However, strange as it is, I have come across pax in BEG travelling on Hungarian passports, however there are also many Serbians with Hungarian passports.

      Secondary Romanian cities would be interesting to see how they work. Im not familiar with O&D numbers, but Im sure JU could do well in transfer. However:

      - JU lacks regional equipment.
      - JU lacks the network, which is still in decline.
      - JU doesnt have the cash to trial new destinations it once had.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous06:20

      Good points you've highlighted, but...I disagree with the Romanian secondary airports. If FR has carefully selected routes and failed 1 year later, then something wrong is going on. The Romanian market, on my opinion, already offers lots of seats from W6, RO, 0B. LH flies to TSR and CLJ. No chance I'd say.
      Perhaps LWO or ODS can work out for them.

      Delete
  22. Im sure beg-ini will not have any success. Omo the same. Asl cant even stand extreme low lf on bnx route not to talk about omo.seasonal bwk is ok, but from june till september, the same as puy. I mean hello, asl couldnt make beg-bud (both around 2mil). Sad but true. Instead to make good prices in economy class, they still make tarrif to skg from 190€. I mean helloooo.. Promo beg-lax is 499€ on klm..

    ReplyDelete
  23. Im sure beg-ini will not have any success. Omo the same. Asl cant even stand extreme low lf on bnx route not to talk about omo.seasonal bwk is ok, but from june till september, the same as puy. I mean hello, asl couldnt make beg-bud (both around 2mil). Sad but true. Instead to make good prices in economy class, they still make tarrif to skg from 190€. I mean helloooo.. Promo beg-lax is 499€ on klm..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:24

      You suddenly put all the eggs in the same basket. INI is the third largest city in Serbia and one of the biggest in the region.
      OMO is close to ZAG, there is also more catchment area and will compete with the rest of the Bosnian airports who are performing perfectly.
      BNX is being subsidised by the government, no reason to worry + LCC will not affect destination that much because JU flies only to primary airports such as LHR, CDG and AMS and not German villages.
      PUY is highly seasonal, so I don't really get your point.
      You can't just be negative about the efforts of an airline to transform itself from one thing (boutique, legacy carrier) to a hybrid low cost one.
      Let them first try and if they fail, you are free to critisize.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:46

      OMO is close to ZAG?

      Really?

      Delete
    3. JATBEGMEL01:14

      @ Damijan

      BEG-INI could work...with government subsidies.

      BNX works...with subsidies. They operate it, with half the frequencies it once had, on different departure banks. I think its their network reduction that is affecting their loads. They seem to be ok, not amazing but have ok loads for an ATR.

      BUD is another story, which I’ve put in my thoughts above.

      As for prices, if JU can charge and fill their flights with those prices, why not? They wouldnt be the first nor last to do so. Just look at LH domestic fares after AB collapsed. BEG-LAX might have those promo fares but the airlines that do it can dump them on BEG because of their own O&D demand on both ends. Im sure for that price LH is not selling FRA-LAX.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous06:25

      Ironically enough, BUD benefited from the collapse of MA in February 2012. Ever since, the airlines filled in the missing gaps and especially W6 benefited greatly. Not sure why they don't offer connecting flights via BUD like the others do.
      JU already is in a reform and restructure, we simply need to give them time.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous08:27

    @ anon 10:24 pm
    INI is the fourth largest city in Serbia, after Bgd, NS and Prishtina...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:15

      Hahaha. Pristina is not Serbia by now. It is recognised capital of Kosovo...just live in your dream......

      Delete
  25. Anonymous09:20

    The only destination that could maybe work from INI: Paris, London, Moscow and Oslo.. the rest is just non sense cos they can not compete with FR and W6. INI-BEG is insane!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.