Air France has published its 2019/2020 winter schedule which will see it grow its operations to both Ljubljana and Belgrade. Services between the French and Slovenian capitals will more than double, with the carrier to maintain thirteen weekly flights, up from six last winter season. Through its regional subsidiary Air France HOP!, the airline will maintain two daily flights, with the exception on Saturdays. The French carrier will compete directly against Adria Airways on the route, which plans to run daily flights between the two next winter, up from five weekly services during the 2018/19 season. Although the two airlines previously codeshared on each others flights, this arrangement is no longer in place.
Air France has upgraded its seasonal flights between Paris and Belgrade, launched last month, to a year-round service. Flights will continue to operate daily during the 2019/2020 winter season. "In addition, with our partner Air Serbia, Air France will offer a total of nineteen weekly flights between Paris and Belgrade (seven flights operated by Air France and twelve codeshare flights operated by Air Serbia)", the carrier said in a statement. It added, "We are very happy to be back with a daily service. The Serbian economy is improving and is expected to grow by 4% per year in the coming period, while there is an increasing number of French investments, an example being VINCI. Therefore, Air France wanted to be part of this growth and development, but also support Serbian tourism".
Air France and Air Serbia recently expanded the scope of their cooperation to include new codeshare destinations, with the "AF" designator code and flight numbers now appearing on Air Serbia's services from Belgrade to Larnaca, Nice (as of June 6), Podgorica, Sarajevo, Skopje, Thessaloniki, Tirana and Tivat. In return, Air Serbia now codeshares on Air France operated flights from Paris to Barcelona, Dublin, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice and Palma de Mallorca. "This traffic also helps support the route. We have good potential to further develop our relationship. We expect that 25% of our traffic on this route will come from long haul flights, as there is a large Serbian community in North America. We expect 15% from the rest of Europe, and of course the 60% left will be the traffic between France and Serbia", the carrier noted.
Air France's only other year-round destination in the former Yugoslavia, Zagreb, will continue to operate once per day through its HOP! subsidiary. The carrier maintains a codeshare partnership with Croatia Airlines on the route.
wow that's a really big increase for Ljubljana. Is there a particular reason?
ReplyDeleteDemand is the reason
DeleteDemand. France always works like this. Take NCE and LYS connections to other Eastern European cities. Suddenly demand increased. Same applies for BVA.
DeleteCould it be that the market is in desperate need of an alternative to Star Alliance? LJU-AMS keeps on booming and I am sure Transavia carries a great number of transfer passengers.
DeleteI realise it's the demand but I'm surprised it grew so suddenly. Anyway very good news for LJU.
DeleteFinally AF is waking up. Easy to kill Adria here. Aeroflot has shown how it works. Bravo AF. Go for the hurt animals.
DeleteYes but CDG is not SVO and Adria is putting up a fight plus I am sure they are going to fight because they have transfer passengers.
Delete@Nemjee do you maybe have a numbers on cdg and ams from lju?
DeleteSure thing, here they are:
Delete2014:
LJU-CDG: 75.403
LJU-AMS: -
2015:
LJU-CDG: 72.914
LJU-AMS: 23.668
2016:
LJU-CDG: 74.414
LJU-AMS: 33.352
2017:
LJU-CDG: 85.633
LJU-AMS: 77.041
LJU-AMS
01-07.2017: 38.777
01-07-2018: 61.925
LJU-CDG
01-07.2017: 47.441
01-07.2018: 59.563
Impressive growth in both markets. That said, LJU-VIE and LJU-MUC did take a hit in the first seven months of the year, FRA was so-so.
Wow so both AMS and CDG will hit the 100.000 passenger mark this year! Impressive.
DeleteLast Anon, not if JP suspends or reduces AMS or CDG.
DeleteCongratulations Belgrade!
ReplyDeleteThis is good news and now all scheduled flights in BEG are year-round. Well done!
Why did they end codesharing with JP?
ReplyDeleteThe arrangement probably wasn't benefiting them. Interestingly they continue to codeshare with Montenegro Airlines on Paris-Podgorica line.
DeleteMaybe they didn't want their passengers ending up flying Sukhoi jets :D
DeleteDidn't cityjet operate some of its flights for Air France with the SSJ100?
DeleteWhere is that guy who was hysterically claiming CDG-BEG would be seasonal?
ReplyDeleteI was asking. And it was not hysterically, it was normal question taking in consideration winter flights to BEG were not their system on the day they started flying to BEG as you informed it will be.
DeleteI am very glad to see AF flying all year to BEG
You were in fact claiming they won't return, that it shows the route is unprofitable and that there is too much capacity.
DeleteWell, it wasn't me then.This is my comment dated 26.03.2019
Delete"Let's see.
On their web page is says
"For the 2019 summer season (March 31 to October 26, 2019), Air France will offer its customers Belgrade (Serbia) on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle"
I was not thhe one talking about too much capacity. Maybe that one could say few words now
Good news for LJU! This shows how the market share is nicely increasing amongst the foreign carriers. I suppose U2 and TK are enjoying good LF, too.
ReplyDeleteI do think LJU will need to secure more LCC routes with W6, too.
Good year expected for LJU, in spite of JP network reductions this summer. More London airports connected.
Aeroflot too it seems. They sent an A321 yeasterda on their Moscow-Ljubljana flight.
DeleteThats now 3 daily from Paris to Ljubljana ! Well done Slovenia
ReplyDeleteThe current winter schedule LJU-CDG is:
DeleteJP 322 06:40 08:45 x27
AF1037 12:20 14:20 D
AF1187 15:10 17:10 x6
JP 342 17:05 19:05 5,7
Meaning there will be 4 daily flights on Fridays and 2 on Saturdays.
Seems to be more business demand.
That is really impressive in my opinion. Easyjet should have been smarter and started Paris before AF grew.
DeleteYes, you are right. Given this huge sudden demand, HV can easily consider LJU-ORY given that LJU-AMS is apparently doing quite well.
DeleteBVA is also a possibility not to disregard, neither. W6 can consider launching flights too.
I don't think HV would consider ORY-LJU at least not until JP is around or until AF's CDG flights mature to the point that ORY wouldn't affect them.
DeleteWinter schedule will be soon changed leaving just Air France flights as Adria is unable / more correctly they don't know how to compete with any carrier.
DeleteHV cannot consider anything originating in FR, that's TO. Even though the branding is the same, they are separate carriers.
DeleteAFKL employee.
wow. hope these prove succesful so we can expect AF to start other yugo-capitals.
ReplyDeleteGood news. Now we are just hoping for easyJet to start daily flights to Orly and we can finally have convenient and affordable option for those traveling directly between the two cities.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is time to upgrade LJU to Air France mainline.
ReplyDeleteIf LJU would manage to get AF instead of Hop! and KLM instead of Transavia that would be great.
DeleteWould be nice. Judging from the frequencies, both cities are very popular from LJU.
DeleteWhat’s the difference? HOP is now facing restructuring measures, including the merger of all operations under the AF flight codes of parent Air France. And EU flights service is exactly the same.
DeleteLarger capacity aircraft under mainline.
Delete@9.43
DeleteBoth are a good alternative to MUC or FRA for transfers.
Air Serbia needs to cozy up to AF-KL as it's a good balance to Star Alliance which keeps on expanding in Belgrade. This AF flight was desperately needed as without it a great number of connections via CDG had a really long layover. Also, AF is quite weak in ORD, I think they fly it daily in summer and five weekly in winter. I am sure they hope to use the large demand from BEG to boost their presence there. Overall I think AF sticking around is bigger news than LH's third daily from MUC.
ReplyDeleteStar Alliance has a strong grip on ORD: UA, LH nnd LO. LO have crazy prices via WAW and will be hard to compete with.
DeleteAdd LX with two daily flights from ZRH!
DeleteWell, they seem very cozy with them and SkyTeam partners in general...
DeleteAny chance that Air Serbia might become a Sky Team member?
DeleteWith Etihad around: NO!
DeleteEtihad doesn't care if JU enters an alliance, especially not now when their own collapsed. All EY cares is that it's BEG flights perform well and that they keep on getting passengers from JU's regional and European network.
DeleteJU must enter some alliance. Sky team would work, but it would be way better to join Star Alliance and negotiate better position in covering main diaspora markets - Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Politicians should concentrate on helping with that.
DeleteStar Alliance makes absolutely no sense with JP, OU, A3, TK and OS so close to BEG.
DeleteNemjee, I dont think that Etihad doesnt care about JU entering alliance.
DeleteSimplest reason is - in such case, JU should divide tunneling traffic to the East between Etihad & alliances members. So, number of passengers from local network would be affected.
However, we should note that Etihad cooperation with SkyTeam members is even more strong.
Alliances are the only thing Etihad never cared about and they always encouraged JU to make as many partnerships as possible. Sure it made sense for them to oppose them entering an alliance while they had their own but now they don't care.
DeleteI think finding another partner for the east would be wise especially now when EY announced new cabins on their A320/321 that won't have any IFE and will have reduced seatpitch.
I hope that Air Serbia can negotiate a better code-share agreement with AF/KLM. The last one pays very little per passenger to AS. AF/KLM get most of the revenue from code-share flights.
DeleteThose Jat deals were re-negotiated back in 2014.
Delete@ Nemjee
DeleteAgain, maybe they don't care about alliances, but they care about taking away passengers from them. It looks to me that you are not big fan of EY ;)
I am completely indifferent towards them but I do believe they are incompetent. After all, look at the mess they created in Abu Dhabi and how they are spiraling out of control. They completely lost their compass and that's a fact. A few of my friends flew with them recently and they told me that the cabin of the aircraft was really worn out and one of the seats was actually broken. On top of that, they introduced massive cost cutting measures in terms of onboard product which is a bad move as they are helping TK, EK and others get their customers. Love them or hate them, they are no longer what they used to be. Let's see if they manage to stabilize themselves the same way JU did. Because of all the issues they are faced with, I don't think they really care about smaller matters like JU and alliances.
DeleteWell, this Etihad is for sure different then previous one. We'll have to wait a see how do they handle this pile of s*it in airline and how much patient sheik will be. I've read recently that CFO driving this turnaround left company after 1 year approximately.
DeleteNevertheless, I don't see this relationship between JU & EY breaking up in very near future, for various reasons unless something really huge happens on EY side.
Interesting how Air France and Transavia have only success in ex-YU in LJU and BEG. Anyone know why?
ReplyDeleteAF foes fly to Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Delete*does
DeleteIsn't SPU or DBV just for 2.5 months? Also it's a shame that ZAG is lagging behind especially LJU which will have 13 flights a week!
DeleteDBV started before easter, it's a full STT ops
DeleteYes and Split is a new destination this year, so it will probably be operated for the entire summer next year.
DeleteCroatia is well covered to Paris, let alone all other points served by Volotea, Transavia, ASL, Easyjet, Ryanair etc..
DeleteZAG: CDG by AF and OU
ZAD: CRL by FR
SPU: CDG and ORY by EZY, OU, AF and Transavia + numerous charters
DBV: CDG and ORY by EZY, OU, AF and Transavia + numerous charters
And what about winter season, which this article is related to?
DeleteWell the article is, but the discussion is ... wll look it up...
DeleteIn winter there is just ZAD-CDG by AF and OU.
DeleteOuch.
DeleteSorry that was meant to be ZAG-CDG not ZAD.
DeleteI am sure ZAD would love to have winter flights to CDG on OU and AF. :D
DeleteNow its time for easy and wizz to expand their operations across Europe ! We have seen that there is demand and airlines have been adding frequencies and new destinations to LJU ! Easyjet’s LJU-Berlin route was a win for them, those flights constantly have 90-95 % LF so this proofs that they should add something like Barcelona or start flights to Italy... anyways great job LJU !
ReplyDeleteLJU has been delivering good results lately. I would say, that Fraport has been doing a good job. Significant improvements:
Delete- Arrival of SU
- Arrival of BA (seasonal but still a good start)
- U2 11 weekly LGW + STN service
- TK regular A321 service
- W6 - CRL & LTN with additional flights during summer peak
- 2 daily JP + LO service to WAW
I may have missed something but still, well done LJU.
Wizz also upgraded its LJU-LTN to A321 !
DeleteAlso Onur air is sending their A321s to LJU instead of A320
DeleteIn same time 27 less flights for Adria pet week with 9 routes less. So in total LJU is very bed this year.
DeleteDon't get why Air France doesn't try SJJ and/or SKP with Transavia France. I'm sure they would do well, especially to SJJ.
ReplyDeleteespecially?
DeleteYes because there are no flights from Bosnia to France. At least from Skopje you have Beauvais flights.
DeleteGood to see. Hope they include more ex-Yu routes soon.
ReplyDeleteI think on a year-round basis this is as good as it gets. Seasonally they will have a flight here and a flight there but yeah... they are not as strong as LH and its gang.
Delete+1 last anon.
DeleteGood news for passengers and consumers in Slovenia & Serbia.
ReplyDeleteWhen will we finally see flights from SKP-CDG? :( Air France please consider.
ReplyDeleteConsidering that Skopje is one of the codeshare routes with Air Serbia, I don't think they will be adding SKP soon.
DeleteHas Air France ever flown to Pristina?
DeleteI don't think so.
DeleteNo they have not.
DeleteEasyjet tried but it wasnt a success
DeleteAF has never served PRN.
DeleteU2 flew from CDG to PRN for two seasons only and eventually suspended the route.
The now defunct ST was last to serve CDG from PRN last summer season.
If Schengen visas are ever waived for Kosovars then I predict this route will be one of the first to be reopened as the market is there but it's too fragmented to sustain operations until travel restrictions are removed.
you have BVA with Wizzair.
DeleteFor an LCC they are crazy expensive on this route.
DeleteWell it's a long flight, what did you expect?!
DeleteIt's even longer from Skopje but it's less expensive.
DeleteUnlike SKP, flights in PRN survive without subsidies.
DeleteAre flights in SKP still subsidised?
Deletenew ones yes, old ones no
DeleteSKP has turned out to be the biggest success story for W6 in Ex-yu
Great to see Air France and Air Serbia expanding their cooperation.
ReplyDeleteYes and they are ripping off passengers with the price as part of their cooperation.
DeleteMaybe ASL will help
DeleteASL is a good option price wise. Unfortunately, they will only fly during peak summer and considering their minuscule promotion, I'm not so sure they will be back next year.
DeleteI see that ASL's last flight from BEG is on 28.08 but I am sure they initially scheduled them until 05.09. Seems like bookings were horrible in September.
DeleteLiterally no one knows anything about this airline, so I'm not surprised.
DeleteAlso they were quite unlucky to decide to launch this route the same year Air France does.
DeleteGood thing is that they didn't cut in August so loads must be good then.
DeleteNot sure where you saw this info, Nemjee. Last flight is on the 2nd September:
DeleteDétails de votre voyage
Belgrade Beograd - Paris CDG
Départ : lun. 02 sept. 21:40
Arrivée : mar. 03 sept. 00:05
Montant : 132,18 EUR
Direct
5O 914
Belgrade Beograd lun. 02 sept. 21:40
Paris CDG mar. 03 sept. 00:05
Appareil : BOEING 737-700
My bad, I was looking at Amadeus and missed it. That said, the fare has gone up quite a bit, I hope that means their loads have as well.
DeleteBut your theory is right. I don't think ASL will sustain any flights next year.
DeleteAF will join powers with JU and ASL will be destroyed, completely.
Similar to LJU, BEG will enjoy up to to 3 daily flights to CDG - 19 weekly + 4 weekly BVA = 23 WEEKLY.
I'm surprised by all the demand for France.
ReplyDeleteWell... it is France.
DeleteIt's nice to see that AF is keeping Belgrade daily in winter. Route must be performing well for them.
ReplyDeleteThey did say their advance bookings were rather good.
DeleteThey mostly send A320 so that's good as well.
DeleteHop!
ReplyDeleteGood to see Adria will at least try and compete against Air France by keeping it daily in winter this year.
ReplyDeleteYes it's good to see they didn't just give up like they did with Aeroflot.
DeleteCongrats LJU and BEG!
ReplyDeleteFraport finally realising it can no loger rely on Adria.
ReplyDeleteWhich aircraft will they use to LJU in winter?
ReplyDeleteI think I read somewhere it will be A321 and E95.
DeleteIn booking system it's mostly E90 for the first and E70 for the second rotation.
DeleteHop has not E195.
DeleteAir France codesharing with JU on Nice - Belgrade route is good news.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know how advance bookings are for this route ?
This route will not last for long. It will be cannibalised by the new BEG-LYS Wizz Airlines route.
DeleteHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA yes, BEG-LYS will destroy BEG-NCE even if the two cities are 470 km apart yet BEG-LYS will be unaffected by easyJet in GVA which is 100 km away. Sure.
DeleteW6 French entry to BEG is definitely bad news for JU. It doesn't matter if both cities are 470km. The catchment area is around 3 million. People use TGV.
DeleteThe Belgrade-Nice route is a leisure route and is seasonal.
DeleteYou do realize that there is no Lyon-Nice TGV line, right? It stops in Marseille. Maybe you should do some research before starting your anti-JU rant.
DeleteYou do realise that France has one of the world's most developed railways and here is a proof a direct line costing as little as 35€, mon cher:
DeleteOUI.sncf
Passenger 1
26-59 years
€35
€35.00
TGV PREM'S
Ticket may not be changed nor refunded.
Journey details
Fri 10
Choose your seat
06h286 hours 28 minutes
LYON-PART-DIEU
TGV6805 |2nd class
4h454 hours 45 minutes
Access for disabled travellers
Buffet car
11h1311 hours 13 minutes
NICE CITY
Go to the price list
Select this outbound journey at
€35
€35.00
You do realize how long it takes to travel on the SNCF? Fastest train takes 04 hours and 33 minutes. Why would someone waste 9 hours and €70 of his life to save €80 on an airfare?
DeleteLike I said, if LYS is competing with anyone then it's GVA...mon cher.
We will who will be biting the dust by October end... <3
DeleteThere are certain routes in France where the TGV 'code-shares' on the SNCF lines. However whoever has been to France or has lived there knows that even though the network is extensive, trains tend to be old, late and unreliable.
DeleteSo stop being cheap and fly via a European hub, it's after October, tickets are not as expensive. ;)
DeleteBEG-NCE vs BEG-LYS we will see. Ah...and also BEG-BVA 4 times a week ;o)
DeleteVive la France et la Serbie.
The AF-JU codeshare,seems to be working quite well..I was returning from BEG today, on BEG-SKG, and the A319 was packed (all 144 seats full) with lots of French pax...Good for BEG!
ReplyDeleteYou flew on JU from SKG to BEG? Then those passengers were actually connecting onto JU's CDG flight at 17.10. :)
DeleteAF's flight doesn't really connect onto anything in Belgrade. In winter they are changing their timetable so there will be more opportunities.
Υes but the french connecting pax were on the return flight on BEG-SKG
DeleteI think that was still from JU's CDG flight since AF arrives too late, I think even after SKG departs.
DeleteΥes but the french connecting pax were on the return flight on BEG-SKG
ReplyDelete