Adria Airways is preparing for the addition of six fifty-seat Saab 2000 turboprops from next week, which will result in the "largest number of aircraft in the history of the Slovenian airline", the carrier said. Adria has painted the first of six aircraft, which will carry the registration S5-AFG. As of September 1, the airline's fleet will consist of 21 planes - three Airbus A319s, three Bombardier CRJ700s and nine CRJ900s. "Additionally we are wet-leasing aircraft with crew from major airlines to further optimise our operations and avoid possible travel irregularities", the carrier said. The airline is currently wet-leasing a Fokker 100 jet from Romania's Carpatair. An Embraer 145 jet, leased from BMI Regional since July, has been returned to its owner. On the other hand, Adria has leased out one of its own CRJ700 aircraft to Luxair and a CRJ900 to Austrian Airlines this summer.
The Saab turboprops will provide much needed relief for the airline which has faced a slew of operational issues this summer as a result of network growth and a lack of staff, resulting in numerous flight cancellations and delays. Adria issued a public apology last week following mounting criticism from passengers across social media and a warning from the Slovenian government. "At this point, we would like to sincerely apologise for this situation", the carrier said. It added, "Many airlines are facing exactly the same problems as Adria Airways and each of them is trying to solve their problems and existing challenges the best they can. We are intensively working on solutions and reducing the number of irregularities, but, unfortunately, due to the fact that the aviation sector is highly regulated, it is difficult to overcome these issues in a very short time. Current challenges are one step away from improved service, better products, better connectivity and even more convenient journeys". The carrier concluded with, "Do not lose your trust in us. We promise to be an even stronger partner on your journeys in the future".
The first Saab 2000 is set to make its debut on Adria Airways' behalf on September 1 on flights to Brač and Warsaw. Commenting on the addition of the six turboprops, the airline's CEO, Holger Kowarsch, said, "I am extremely proud that we have achieved a very important milestone in the history of Adria Airways. Our goal is to keep growing and strengthening, and we believe that we are able to further transform the company into a stable, strong and important carrier in the region, by developing it for a prosperous future". Previously, Mr Kowarsch noted, "The market is showing a strong interest in Saab 2000s. Part of this fleet will operate in our network, while other aircraft will be available for charter and our ACMI business, which is growing in Europe". One of the Saabs will be stationed at Adria's newest base in Paderbron, Germany.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the addition of the six aircraft, Ryan Aviation Recruitment is assisting Adria in hiring fifteen captains and ten first officers for the type. According to the job posting, the pilots will be based in Ljubljana, Paderborn, Pristina, Vienna and Saarbrucken (Germany). Further terms and conditions, as well as the application forms, can be found here.
Comments
Wait so they plan to open bases in Vienna and Saarbrucken too??
Adria mgt failed big time as already in early 2018 JP inside people knew that certification of Saabs will take much longer but Germans seem to knew better. I said it before, it is this arrogant behaviour of some upper German mgt who think they are better and smarter people than the local long term employees.
But no need to waste time with them, can only recommend www.flightright.at.
After 3 hours delayed arrival at dest u get 250 EUR per ticket (some of 250 goes to flightright but u still shld get around 170 EUR)
U need to sanction unprofessional behaviour
"Additionally we are wet-leasing aircraft with crew from major airlines to further optimise our operations"
They were never honest, treating passengers and even their own employees below the standard and now they "sincerely appologise". Their customer service is absolute crap.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmx8RuVjs_y/
They could go with a full repaint...
However, capacity wise it is JU, followed by OU and then YM.
I wonder if they will increase OTP and SOF next summer and compete with JU.
1. They bought Darwin with main propose to have most of those planes for Adria use.
2. Thy discovered that Darwin is in huge problems. Big mistake. They should scan company better before buying. They put Darwin in bankruptcy.
3. They take Saab fleet, spare parts, pilots, crew...
4. Than Swiss court decide those Saabs can not be used by Adria but will sell them for payments to ex. workers and other bankruptcy costs. Second big mistake, 4K should know that this could happen.
5. What now? You have pilots, crews, planed operation, announced routes. You rent other planes (2 of them), reduce timetable, but still have pilots and cabin crew on salary. Lot of money lost! Huge amount.
6. So, now they lease same planes from Americans. Extra cost. Saab 2000 is not economical plane even what you own them, not it will be even much bigger money burner.
Let's check the facts:
"The first Saab 2000 is set to make its debut on Adria Airways' behalf on September 1 on flights to Brač and Warsaw."
In the booking system there is CR7 planned for BWK service on 01.09. and WAW flight at the same day is not even there, so probably already canceled.
Again fake news from Adria.
Gva and dus around 40%
Wouldn't call it a success story just yet.
3 CR7 - 70+70+72 seats = 212 seats
9 CR9 - 6 a/c 86 seats + 3 90 = 786 seats
6 Saab 2000 - 50 seats = 300
Total daily seats: 1728 * 2 = 3456 seats both ways
One word: IMPRESSIVE!! The equivalent of 10 EK 777 :)
So, I agree...this is the true, regional leading legacy carrier.
Tnx
Privatization is a good thing as governments have demonstrated time and time again that they can not run businesses in competitive markets profitably.
JP1542 LJU-AOK CR7 06:00
JP1638 LJU-RHO 319 06:00
JP1634 LJU-AOK 319 13:10
JP1484 LJU-RHO 319 19:50
That's so cool! :)
Hvala lepa
I am a pilot for one of the "Bottom Feeder airlines that run these routes for Adria on ACMI.
They do not apply EASA fatigue limitations correctly. Every one is working flat out, extreamly tired and fatigued, due to understaffing and general management incompetance. Our company flight deck are currently balloting for industrial action!