The 2020 summer season is due to begin this Sunday, which traditionally ushers in a number of new routes. However, as the coronavirus Covid-19 health crisis worsens around Europe, airlines have either cancelled or delayed their operations due to begin in late March, April and May. The Ryanair group, which includes Austria’s Lauda, has inflicted the largest number of cancellations, after announcing it was postponing the opening of its Zadar base until 2021. The Group’s CEO, Michael O’Leary said, “At this time, no one knows how long this Covid shutdown will last. The experience in China suggests a three-month period for the spread of the virus to be contained and reduced. We do not expect to operate flights during the months of April and May at this time, but this will clearly depend upon government advice, and we will in all cases comply with these instructions”. Ryanair still has some routes scheduled to begin in May, although these will likely be deferred as well.
| Route | Original date | New date |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna - Zadar (Austrian) | MAR 29 | APR 20 |
| Vienna - Dubrovnik | MAR 29 | MAY 03 |
| Vienna - Zadar (Lauda) | MAR 30 | MAY 01 |
| Paris - Dubrovnik | MAR 30 | MAY 01 |
| London Luton - Ljubljana | MAR 30 | APR 06 |
| Poznan - Podgorica | MAR 30 | MAY 04 |
| Gdansk - Zadar | MAR 31 | CANCELLED |
| Kraljevo - Thessaloniki | MAR 31 | MAY 02 |
| Stockholm - Tivat | APR 01 | MAY 06 |
| Dublin - Podgorica | APR 02 | MAY 03 |
| Vienna - Banja Luka | APR 03 | MAY 01 |
| Hahn - Rijeka | APR 04 | MAY 02 |
| Paris Orly - Pula | APR 04 | MAY 09 |
| Nantes - Dubrovnik | APR 11 | APR 22 |
| Athens - Split | APR 19 | APR 22 |
| Brussels - Pula | APR 25 | MAY 02 |
Air Serbia has tentatively scheduled its resumption of service for April 13, although it is likely to postpone. The carrier was to launch services between Kraljevo and Thessaloniki on March 31, however, the route has now been moved for May 2. Croatia Airlines, which was due to commence two new services from Zagreb during the first week of May, has postponed its inaugural flights to Sofia and Podgorica for June 1 and June 2 respectively. Qatar Airways has also delayed the launch of its seasonal new service between Doha and Dubrovnik from May 18 to July 1.
| Route | Original date | New date |
|---|---|---|
| Zagreb - Sofia | MAY 01 | JUN 01 |
| Wroclaw - Zadar | MAY 01 | CANCELLED |
| Vilnius - Dubrovnik | MAY 02 | JUN 02 |
| Zadar - Riga | MAY 03 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Cork | MAY 03 | CANCELLED |
| Zagreb - Podgorica | MAY 03 | JUN 02 |
| Beuvais - Zadar | MAY 06 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Kaunas | MAY 06 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Bremen | MAY 07 | CANCELLED |
| Vilnius - Rijeka | MAY 07 | JUN 04 |
| Zadar - Liverpool | MAY 10 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Maastricht | MAY 11 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Aarhus | MAY 15 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Hamburg | MAY 15 | CANCELLED |
| Zadar - Toulouse | MAY 16 | CANCELLED |
| Doha - Dubrovnik | MAY 18 | JUL 01 |
The dates listed in the article concerning new launch dates originally scheduled for March, April and May are correct as of this morning, March 25. With airlines modifying their schedules on a near daily basis, some are likely to change over time.
Comments
After all nobody should say a single word now about financial support GoS will provide to JU
They are still scheduled on the same dates in June.
If JU can't fly after 13.4 the flight will be rescheduled FOC. Simple as that
https://www.delo.si/images/slike/2020/03/24/2742892.jpg
You get real.
People will be willing to travel, no doubt. But the big question is how it will happened. This summer? Don't think so.
Second, there will be economic impact on income of people, this might especially effect tourist industry. Economic uncertainty might last much longer then the “corona time” and this could be strong factor in our “future” behaviour.
And we have already the experience that due to purely political reasons JU did not get permission to fly chartes from OSI despite the fact it would be win-win combination for all.
AS was growing so well, but it will most certainly freeze all new routes and retract to a basic airline, flying regular routes and surving in a sea of turbulence for at least 1+ years.
Aviation is hit hard, like never in history, so there is no room for romantic dreamers of a “back to business by easter” mumbo jumbo...
Serbia is unfortunately not an economic business hub, so AS will suffer like all other airlines, but will not be able to relly on leasure travellers like it did before Covid-19 filling its planes and routes.
Please continue to impress us with your clairvoyance. What else does the crystal ball say?
"Italians are not taking it seriously"? Do you live here? It's a pity I can't show you how do we live.