The year ahead for EX-YU airlines


Following on from a busy year which saw the collapse of Adria Airways, 2020 is shaping up to be another eventful one for the remaining national carriers from the former Yugoslavia. The following are some of the highlights which have been confirmed and scheduled to take place over the next 365 days.

Air Serbia is entering the new year with over twenty new routes and a second base in its home country. As a result, the airline plans on seeing its passenger numbers grow over 27% during the first quarter to 488.000, while it estimates for its load factor to increase four points during the three-month period, from 62% to 66%. Air Serbia has confirmed it will introduce a further ten new routes in 2020, most of which have so far been unofficially revealed. In addition, it will add at least two more aircraft to its fleet. Among its new routes, the carrier will introduce its second service from Kraljevo’s Morava Airport, while it is also set to enter the markets of Hungary, Jordan, Moldova and Norway from Belgrade.

Croatia Airlines’ prviatisation process is expected to be completed by June 2020, with two carriers having submitted non-binding bids for the company. The Croatian carrier will also benefit from the second tranche of a 33.7 million euro state aid package. The carrier will receive 20.2 million euros in 2020 from the state. The company plans on introducing new services from Zagreb to Sofia and Podgorica this year, while it expects to benefit from Croatia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first six months of the year. During 2020, Croatia Airlines will complete the roll out of its modified livery, with the remaining three Q400s, one Airbus A319 and two A320s to get the tweaked design.

Montenegro Airlines will begin a deep-seated restructuring process with the Montenegrin parliament recently adopting a law “for the investment and consolidation of the national carrier”. It foresees the state investing 155 million euros into the carrier over the next six years. A total of 105 million euros will be used to cover the airline’s debt, while fifty million will be utilised for the acquisition of new aircraft. It represents the biggest single state aid package in the country’s history. For its part, Montenegro Airlines plans to operate with a profit in 2020 and carry over 700.000 passengers. The Montenegrin government has already allocated 21 million euros for Montenegro Airlines in 2020 under its state budget for this year, which is irrespective of the abovementioned legislation. The Montenegrin carrier will add an Embraer E195 jet to its fleet at the start of the 2020 summer season and has completed tender procedures to select the most affordable dry-lease option.




Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    I can’t believe we are down to just 3 flag carriers in ex-Yu.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:20

      :(

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    2. Anonymous09:33

      Those are 3 flag carriers too many.

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    3. Anonymous11:02

      Hope OU will finally be privatized! Good luck to the rest of Ex-Yu carriers!

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    4. Anon @9:33 - so why is it that you visit this site?

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  2. Anonymous09:05

    “It represents the single biggest state aid package in the country’s history” :O

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      With JU upping its game from BEG and foreign carriers adding more flights to MNE expect their financial situation only to worsen.

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    2. Anonymous09:15

      Montenegro Airlines would have disappeared if they didn’t get this bailout.

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    3. Anonymous09:21

      Same as Croatia Airlines and Air Serbia.

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    4. Anonymous09:35

      Anon at 09:21
      +1000

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    5. Anonymous10:48

      They have to prop it up since the airports are being given in a concession and MGX will have to actually start paying for using them.

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    6. Anonymous10:50

      Hope the money is used wisely at least.

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    7. Anonymous11:33

      It's not even 155 it's 175 million since they will get on top of that another 20 million this year.

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    8. Anonymous11:35

      I think this is the first time a law has been passed just for an airline.

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    9. Anonymous12:51

      Extraordinary. Not sure how the EU will look on it when competition chapter is opened in accession process.

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  3. Anonymous09:08

    With JU and BEG steadily growing and with the former further consolidating its position in Greece while continuing to boost regional presence, I do wonder what Aegean's end game might be here. I mean ZAG will be placed right between BEG and VIE so any hub development in a relatively limited market might cost a lot of money. That is why I guess they might want to turn them into some sort of regional Star Alliance feeder carrier.

    As for BEG, JU waking up is probably the best thing to happen to them. They are finally expanding and opening many new routes that would be impossible without a hub system: KIV, KRR, AMM, VLC...
    On top of that, from the start of the summer season ATH will be 10 and SKG 8 weekly. That means that we are going to have almost tripled daily to Greece from April in stead of June like the previous years. All these are fantastic developments. It also helps that OSI is dead, TZL is stagnating while TSR seems to be plateauing with Wizz cutting two destinations in the next seven days.

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    1. Anonymous09:10

      I would like to add that in summer LJU will be JU's third busiest regional destination after TIV and TGD. That shows how far JU has come and how it can actually compete with others for their own passengers. I wonder if in the future we might see similar flights to ZAG.

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    2. Anonymous10:09

      busiest by frequency maybe .. surely not by nr of pax or?

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    3. Anonymous10:33

      Yes by frequency, ATH is probably busier than LJU even with less frequencies because it gets the A319/320.

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    4. Anonymous10:51

      Hopefully next year BEG overtakes RIX.

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    5. Anonymous11:27

      SOF too.

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    6. Anonymous11:45

      No chance whatsoever of overtaking SOF.

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    7. Anonymous11:56

      Why not? BEG has more going on for itself than SOF does. In H1 2020 we will have extra destinations from H2 2019, we will have JU increases to ATH, SKG, TIA... and then all the new destinations that will be added in H2 2020 and some other increases like LCA which goes to 9 weekly as reported on 31.12. Then foreign airlines like LX, LO, OS, EW... are all adding frequencies and destinations...

      So next year, year and a half BEG willmost likely overtake SOF. Feel free to prove me wrong but please, use facts and arguments.

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    8. Anonymous12:00

      BEG will have to have 15% growth in January and February 2020 in order to get close to 7 million. Not impossible so let's see what happens.

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    9. Anonymous12:20

      First reach 7 million at least and don't forget SKG ;) ;) ;)
      BEG reaching RIX sounds surreal.

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    10. Anonymous13:13

      Well BEG reached 6 million with only second half of 2019 having real growth. In 2020 we will have growth the whole year.

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    11. Sorry @ANONYMOUS 11:56, but who told you that just because JU increases routes and also the other airlines that they necessary gonna have 90 % load factor so BEG airport will grow to 7 million passengers??!!!

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    12. Anonymous14:17

      My common sense? BEG added around 500.000 with growth in H2. This year we are going to have growth in H1 AND the increased flights to some regional destinations. Then H2 will come and we are getting another round of expansion with some 10 destinations being added. When you combine that with all the other increases then we can realistically expect close to 1.000.000 extra passengers next year.

      Let's face it, BEG's time is coming now.

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    13. Anonymous14:17

      Austrian Airlines is also increasing BEG from 20 to 23 weekly flights.

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    14. Anonymous14:23

      Nordstar, which announced its plans to serve BEG in summer, today had a charter flight to Belgrade! :)

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    15. Okay @ANONYMOUS 14:17 we will see at the end of the year. Until then live your dream!!!

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    16. Anonymous16:16

      Going from 6.1 to 7 mln means a 15% growth. Very ambitious, given that 1) I think there was no month in 2018 when BEG growth reached that % level, and 2) the starting base will be higher, specially in H2.

      Still everything is possible. KRK in 2018 grew by 25% from 6.8 mln to 8.4 mln. Next year the growth on KRK will also be huge - just long haul in summer increases from 3 weekly to 12 weekly.

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    17. Anonymous16:23

      Let me also add that in 2018 as many as 25% of the european top 100 airports had a growth of 10% or more. People everwhere want to fly.

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    18. Anonymous16:23

      BEG growth:

      September: 11.9%
      October: 13.5%

      November was also around 13% so it's not crazy to expect H1 2020 to have similar growth. H2 should be even stronger with more flights being added. Don't forget that every new route that is added means connectivity improves and one drags the others.

      Anonymous, why are you so negative when it comes to Belgrade? Haven't you see the growth the airport had this year when it went from 5.6 to at least 6.1? Even with the same growth it should be around 6.6. Charter traffic will grow by some 15% this year so numbers in summer should be even more impressive.

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    19. Anonymous16:24

      BTW JU said it expects growth to be around 27% in H1 so there alone you have 12% to 14% growth at BEG, add to that foreigners and there we go.

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    20. Anonymous16:28

      Sorry i meant 25% growth in KRK for 2019 not 2018. In 2018 growth in KRK was 16%.

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    21. Anonymous16:31

      I wasnt negative. My first comment was 16:16.

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  4. Anonymous09:08

    Really exciting year in my opinion. Air Serbia continuing to grow like crazy, Croatia Airlines MIGHT finally be sold and if it’s Aegean that would be a great partner. As for Montenegro I hope they can finally navigate themselves on the right path.

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  5. Anonymous09:15

    OU should finally be privatized in 2020.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      They tried many times in the past, but I hope this time they are successful.

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    2. Anonymous09:37

      I wouldn't hope it will realize. Ever

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    3. Anonymous09:41

      Why not?

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    4. Anonymous09:42

      What is the alternative? Lease two CRJ1000s for 5 months until the end of time?

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    5. Anonymous12:50

      Exactly. Something has to change because current strategy has not been working.

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    6. Small correction : something has to change because they have NO STRATEGY AT ALL

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  6. Anonymous09:16

    Difficult year for the aviation industry ahead of us. Let’s hope for the best.

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  7. Anonymous09:20

    Wish all ex-Yu airports and airlines record traffic, better infrastructure and a great year.

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  8. Anonymous09:28

    The state aid OU received was a clear sign that the airline was reaching its end. A sale to private investor is its last hope.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      Every single ExYu airline is receiving state aid.

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    2. Anonymous10:10

      Yes but not all ex-YU airlines are using it wisely, one is using it as an investment into its growth while the other two are using it for mere survival and to avoid selling its assets.

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    3. Anonymous12:49

      JU started using it as an investment only last year.

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    4. Anonymous14:27

      i wouldnt call Kraljevo "investment" :D rather a nice way to inject a couple of millions in the company ;)

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    5. Anonymous22:49

      Serbian government doesn't need KVO to inject money into JU so yes, KVO is an investment at this point.

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  9. Anonymous09:28

    Hope for 2020: new longhaul destinations for Air Serbia and going over 7 million passengers at BEG airport.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:43

      There will be no new JU long hauls.

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    2. Anonymous10:10

      But there will be 7 million in 2020 <3

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    3. Anonymous12:48

      That won't be easy. It would require an additional 900,000 passengers.

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    4. Anonymous22:50

      Well it wouldn't be the first time really.

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  10. Anonymous09:31

    Wish everyone a happy New Year! 2020 will be very exciting for Ex-Yu region!

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  11. Anonymous09:32

    I hope all the airlines achieve new records this year.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      And airports too.

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    2. Anonymous10:29

      More airports than airlines

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    3. Anonymous10:42

      Why not both? :)

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  12. Anonymous09:33

    Let's hope they all get completely privatized or go bust so that we can have a free market from 2021.

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  13. Anonymous09:34

    2020 looks interesting. Bring it on! i wish you and all readers Happy New Year, and more good news in 2020

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  14. Anonymous09:43

    Looking forward to it

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  15. Anonymous09:45

    In 2020, my money is on OU finally getting privatized, SPU overtaking ZAG as Croatia's busiest airport, JU handling 3.5 million passengers and Wizz possibly basing a sixth plane in Skopje.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27

      Split will no doubt overtake Zagreb this year. Zagreb pulled ahead only in December last year.

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    2. Anonymous10:29

      What ammount are we talking about?

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    3. Anonymous10:32

      We don't know the exact results yet for December. But if you look at November results, Split was still slightly ahead so it is logical that Zagreb overtook in December but it has never been later in the year, well literally the last month in the year.

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    4. Anonymous11:31

      @9.45 Wizz Air won't base a sixth plane in Skopje this year. Maybe next year. They seem to do it every 2 years.

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    5. Anonymous11:37

      Is there room in SKP for 6th aircraft? In summer there is also JU, OU and OS that depart in the morning, it's getting quite crowded now.

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    6. Anonymous12:47

      There is a whole empty apron in front of the old terminal with several parking positions.

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    7. Anonymous13:14

      How many gates are there in total? Do they park JU, OU or OS at the old terminal when they send regional jets or is there room at the new one?

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    8. Anonymous13:17

      Turboprops are usually at the old one but it's right next to the new building.

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  16. Anonymous10:07

    AS izgleda ozbiljno radi na poboljšanju LF u zimskim mesecima,što je ključ ka profitabilnosti. Da li su uspeli da dostignu tolko željenih 80% za 2019?

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  17. Anonymous10:27

    2019 was great for aviation in the region with exception for Slovenia. Have no doubt 2020 will top it.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:28

      It was so great that all three airlines are getting record subsidies.

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  18. Anonymous10:30

    So everyone in ex-Yu decided to invest in their own airlines except Slovenia.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:32

      And Macedonia

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    2. Anonymous10:49

      Slovenia has decided to invest into Lufthansa.

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    3. Anonymous10:49

      accompanying link to my last comment: https://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/12/slovenia-to-subsidise-flights-to.html

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    4. Anonymous10:54

      ^ True anon we will be supporting one of the largest airlines in the world just for a couple of extra frequencies to a couple of their hub cities. Which is sad to say the least.

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    5. Anonymous12:40

      Well, better than pouring millions per year into Adria to have a base in PRN and fly from SKP/TIA/PRN to EU hubs.

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  19. Anonymous10:42

    Wish all ex-Yu airports and airlines record traffic, better infrastructure and a great year.

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  20. Anonymous10:48

    2020 – the year a new Adria is established :D

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:52

      That ship has sailed.

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    2. Anonymous12:43

      We shall see. Minister apparently still fighting for it despite lack of support from PM.

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  21. Anonymous10:52

    All these airlines are a waste of money.

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  22. Anonymous10:53

    I hope an anonymous from yesterday doesen't mind me copying his comment since I wish for the same :)

    New year's resolutions:
    Air Serbia successfully expands its network during the summer and announces new long-haul route
    Croatia Airlines is finally privatized and acquisited by Aegean, new TGD and SOF flights
    Montenegro Airlines orders new planes to replace the F100s
    LJU returns to growth after Adria's bankruptcy, Lufthansa Group adds more frequencies, low-cost airline announces a new base
    SJJ lowers prices, new low-cost flights, no more night-curfew
    W6 or FR opens small base in OMO
    PRN gets their long-awaited JFK connection
    Alitalia, Lufthansa start SKP flights, Wizz bases plane in OHD

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  23. Anonymous10:55

    I wish all airlines success in 2020. I don't really care if it's Air Serbia, Croatia or Montenegro.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:25

      Yes and hopefully less bickering among aviation enthusiasts here.

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    2. Anonymous11:26

      Bickering will always remain as it's a global phenomenon among nations, it's not an exclusive ex-YU thing.

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    3. Anonymous11:26

      That's what most of our hope for too :)

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    4. Anonymous12:42

      *us

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  24. Anonymous10:56

    Only thing for sure is that the Croatian coast-airports are gonna have another amazing year!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:14

      Yes but for SPU passenger growth is no longer good news thanks to inadequate capacity and chaotic experience. I guess ZAD will keep on profitting.

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    2. Anonymous11:24

      This will be Zadar's year for sure. Especially with the 3 Niki planes based there.

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    3. Anonymous12:42

      It's Lauda not Niki ;)

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  25. Anonymous11:27

    Will be a good year. Happy New Year to all contributors to Ex-Yu Aviation.

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  26. Anonymous11:36

    Hope for positive news about Zagreb-US flights!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:38

      ?

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    2. Anonymous12:40

      If flights were to happen this year they would have been announced already. But maybe an announcement for 2021.

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  27. Anonymous11:37

    It is looking like there will be much more action this year.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:38

      Can anything top Adria collapse? That was major in my opinion even though the writing was on the wall.

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    2. Anonymous11:47

      I think JU expansion and BEG's transformation into a regional mini hub is bigger news simply beause it's positive news in the ex-YU region.

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    3. Anonymous12:39

      Maybe this year but last year it was Adria. Although I do think that JU launching 20+ destinations was huge.

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  28. Anonymous11:40

    Good luck to all Ex-Yu carriers in 2020, should be an exciting year, we'll definitely see what will happen to Croatia Airlines and Montenegro and how Air Serbia's expansion will pan out. Happy New Year, guys! :)

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:38

      OU will be privatized, YM will post profit thanks to huge subsidy and JU expansion will work out.

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  29. Anonymous13:23

    Wishes for BEG airport in 2020:

    New C concourse extension built and operational
    Construction start on new ATC tower and main terminal extension
    Foreign airlines announcing couple of new long haul services to BEG
    At least 6.5 mil passengers
    Better service throughout the airport
    Air Serbia 737/ATR72-200 retirement/replacement and refocusing on long haul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:29

      6.5 million? BEG will have around 6.1 this year, I think they can do better than 6.5 :D

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    2. Anonymous14:55

      Do you understand that at least 6.5 also includes 6.8, 7, 7.5 etc?

      Delete