Air France to suspend Belgrade service over winter


Air France will suspend services between Paris and Belgrade over the coming winter season, with plans to restore operations in March of next year. The French carrier launched flights to the Serbian capital in 2019 and has maintained daily services over the summer, as well as four weekly operations in winter up until the coronavirus pandemic. The last rotation of the year is scheduled for October 23, while flights will be resumed on March 28, 2021. Air France is currently maintaining four weekly services to the Serbian capital until late October. Furthermore, the French carrier codeshares on Air Serbia’s flights between Belgrade and Paris.

Serbian citizens are currently banned from entering the majority of European Union member states in most cases, although this will be up for review later today. Deamand for transatlantic travel, which Air France relied on, has also been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic, with entry into the United States denied to all foreign nationals who have been in the European Schengen Area within the previous fourteen days. This measure also affects all transfer passengers. Last year, the French carrier noted that point to point travellers made up 60% of its loads on the Belgrade service, 25% were long haul transfers, particularly to North America, and the rest were European transfers.

Belgrade - Charles de Gaulle vv. passenger numbers

YearPAX
2016158.046
2017157.596
2018160.790
2019223.698

Air Serbia continues to maintain services to Paris. It currently runs daily flights to the French capital, which will increase to twelve weekly over the winter months. Furthermore, low cost carrier Wizz Air currently runs three weekly rotations between Belgrade and Beauvais Airport, which will increase to four weekly over the coming winter season. Last year, 286.299 passengers flew between Belgrade, Charles de Gaulle Airport and Beauvais Airport.

Belgrade - Beauvais vv. passenger numbers

YearPAX
201644.912
201747.323
201862.979
201962.606

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    LX is the biggest winner as they handle transfers to and from the US.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      Why so? Switzerland is also part of Schengen, so any US restrictions would apply the same way to both France and Switzerland.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:16

      @Anon 09:05
      True dat!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:52

      Anonymus 9:05, Switzerland is NOT part of the Schengen Agreement.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:53

      Are you for real? Yes, Switzerland is part of the Schengen Zone.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:54

      https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/

      Although not members of the EU, countries like: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are also part of the Schengen zone.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:36

      I don't think that transfers are a subject of restrictions for entering USA. My wife transferred through Zurich without entering Switzerland and nobody asked her anything when entering USA, she just said that she is coming from Serbia and that was enough.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous13:38

      Transfers are subject to restrictions unless your wife has US citizenship or residency.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous13:41

      Serbian passport holders are allowed to enter the US, unlike EU ones.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous13:42

      They are but they are not allowed to enter the US from a Schengen country, even through transferring.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous13:46

      So, JU makes good job with BEG-JFK

      Delete
    11. Anonymous13:49

      Yes, most flights are sold out. This Saturday's flight is sold out in both classes for example.

      "Since resuming operations on May 21, Zurich has been one of Air Serbia’s best performing routes, along with New York"

      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2020/08/air-serbia-to-boost-zurich-after.html

      Delete
    12. Anonymous14:45

      Great news. JFK finally brings money back.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous18:33

      They were having even pax from Barcelona to New York.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    Unfortunate :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:08

    That sucks but it is good there will be 12 flights on JU and 3 on Wizz Air.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:11

    It makes sense if 40% of your passengers are transfers. That means those 40% have completely disappeared. The rest is P2P but there is a restriction on entering France and like everywhere regardless of travel restrictions, demand has fallen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:13

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:01

      Nobody sais that when topic was LJU or LH in ZAG. Interesting.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:03

      ^ Maybe because Slovenians are free to travel everywhere in Europe, same as Croatians.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:04

      And to top things off, they are all part of the EU.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:43

      No mater they are free to travel they don't do it.

      It is the point. Demand, not EU membership.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:55

      EU does have an impact. More business travel, more people can simply move to the other country, more travel for educational purposes etc.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:53

      EU membership has benefit of more travel for educational purposes in the time of Corona? LOL!!! LOOOOL!!!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous16:25

      Yes even during the time of corona. Check how many students are travelling to return to their studies this month.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous17:33

      I have checked and it's LOL. With many universities going online and countries blocking entries, student travel is miserable compared to 2019.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:11

    The jump in passengers on CDG route in 2019 vs 2018 is big.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:13

      Well AF started flights :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:13

      There was also ASL Airlines for a few months :D

      Delete
    3. Nemjee09:13

      I think that's because the AF flight offered good connections from the US, especially Chicago. Before them there was a very long layover on the flight back to Serbia. You had to wait for the evening JU flight.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:40

      In all thess stats I've noticed 2017 always performed weaker. Why?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous13:43

      It's the year Air Serbia culled its network.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:55

      Ah yes, forgot about that

      Delete
  6. Winter is coming09:14

    Projections must be really bad if AF decided that it is better to stop flying to a Vinci owned airport.
    Winter is coming...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      Vinci has little to do with this. It's more about collapsing demand due to travel restrictions.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:24

      Vinci would have been a big reason why AF decided to come to BEG two years ago.
      If they think it is better to stop flying even with a reduced schedule it means that demand in the coming months will be minimal.
      It is going to be an extremely tough season for airline companies. Even more I think will cease operations.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:28

      Air France came last year, not 2 years ago.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:30

      I think if the EU removes Serbia today demand will slowly start recovering, When it comes to tourism we saw this summer that Serbs are fearless and they traveled even if there was a threat of corona. They went where they could.
      Germany and Italy are in top 5 tourist destinations for Serbs. They are mostly visited outside summer months and for weekend breaks (YUTA source). I think Italy is number 3 and Germany number 5 in terms of the amount of money spent.

      Will be interesting to see what happens today.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:32

      It is not expected that Serbia will be removed from the list today. Probably after 15th of September.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:35

      Why isn't it expected? Numbers have fallen either below EU average or around it. The 25 per 100.000 infected.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:46

      According to media, EU will remove countries from the list if there are 16 (not 25 anymore) per 100.000 infected. Since a second wave is happening in Europe right now, they are more restrictive.
      15th September seems also for me more realistic !

      Delete
    8. Anonymous09:47

      Because it has 24 per 100.000. So it's very close to the baseline. EU is now mostly looking to open borders with countries that have around 16-17 per 100.000.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous09:52

      Luckily it's just a recommendation, Bulgaria is the latest country to open its borders with Serbia.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous09:55

      @Anonymous 09:52 the Covid situation in Bulgaria is getting worse. Maybe we shouldn't be so eager to allow unrestricted travel with them just yet.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous09:59

      There are no restictions to go to Bulgaria but i havent seen a single Serbian car in Sofia (ok except from Pirot but they may have passports). Maybe people are not informed yet

      Delete
    12. Anonymous16:21

      Is the highway from INI to the RS-BG border open?

      Delete
    13. Anonymous16:44

      As predicted the EU didn't reopen its borders.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous20:46

      Highway is done and open on Serbian side!

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:20

    They will be back in summer.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:21

    This year would have been even busier on CDG route if it wasn't for corona. Air Serbia was planning 16 weekly flights

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:30

      But only for like 2 months, no?

      Delete
    2. JATBEGMEL10:59

      Im sure they would of kept the extra 2 frequencies for longer if they had the aircraft to do so.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:37

      Yep the two extra flights were supposed to operate until June when all those new routes were supposed to start and all planes would be fully utilised.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:22

    How many flights did JU have last winter to Paris? If they are planning 12 weekly this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:23

      12, it was the same last year.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:27

      Thank you

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:24

    :(

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:24

    Well AF was the one that suspended BEG when there was the global financial crisis 11 years ago. Let's see if they come back next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:26

      Vinci would probably offer them incentives to come back.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:31

      Last time around they couldn't make money on the route and they were sending their A318. Now they cooperate with JU, have feed on both ends and they have been sending the A320 almost exclusively. I think this time around they performed much better. I remain hopeful we will see them back.

      Delete
    3. JATBEGMEL11:17

      Last time AF suspended BEG (April 2013), BEG was handling 3.5 million pax. The growth since, as of 2019 figures, was close to 85% and 6.1 million pax. With a JU codeshare as well, AF will be back.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:43

      You are right JATBEGMEL. For some reason I thought they suspended flights in 2009 but it was 2013 like you say.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:36

    It will be a harsh winter in Europe. Belgrad and the region will most likely focus on Egypt, UAE, Israel, Jordan, north Africa, etc charters.
    Gastos will need to book quite in advance to see their families in Xmas.
    I also have my doubts about LO's service to BUD and let's see EW to STR. EW are masters in last-minute changes.
    JU will be saved it seems but just because there are massive cancellations from other foreign carriers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:40

      Egypt is closed for foreigners.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:44

      ^ Absolutely incorrect.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:01

      Everyone can enter Egypt with a PCR test. Serbian tour operators now have permission to conduct testing at their premises (obviously by health professionals) and they pay for your test.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:03

      There are two flights from BEG to Hurghada today.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:05

    Good news for JU.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous10:09

    Will miss them. Hope they come back next summer.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous10:16

    I'm surprised they even fly 4 weekly at the moment considering the restrictions.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous10:19

    I would have thought they would stuck around because of VINCI.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:23

      If they project the route won't make money for them this winter, the airport operator doesen't really matter.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10:24

    Last year when they launched these flights they at first scheduled them as seasonal and then later decided to make them year round.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:21

      Which means forward winter bookings were performing well for them.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:28

    This is good news for Air Serbia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:20

      I guess but remember JU also had a codeshare on Air France's flight.

      Delete
    2. JU will pick up the passengers that would have otherwise flown AF. Code-share still exists between JU/AF for flights to ORD. So no need for lowering pricing. Imagine if Serbia didn't have a national airline?

      JU keeps on winning! ;)

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:37

    Winter will be very tough for many airlines with these corona restrictions and huge slump in demand.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:37

    This is the fourth time Air France has left Belgrade. They will be back in no time :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:41

      They come back in March.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:40

      I am not so sure about their return in March.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:47

      ^^^ Keep watching

      Delete
  21. Anonymous10:38

    Air France needs a full Business Classes with high yields and fully booked with managers. Planes filled with diaspora in July and August or ethnic travellers (Gastarbajteri) produce low yields and only peak seasonality.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:49

      No EU based airlines has a full Business Classes for short haul flights. Because it does not make business sense.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:27

      SMFH, not sure if trolling or just a hater?

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:41

    very very sad

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:43

    Based on these numbers, where does Paris rank in terms of how busy it is compared to other cities from BEG?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:20

      I would guess top 5 no?

      Delete
  24. Anonymous10:43

    Guys, companies are fighting for survival, it is not about withdrawals/suspensions/who left/frequencies, etc...

    If the pandemics continues like this, we will all be living in our tiny insignificant countries, barricaded, with restrictions being changed on weekly basis and there will be no airlines left to fight about. Every cancelled route means less income, less jobs, less hope.

    Please get real.

    Regards from Novi Sad, Serbia.
    Eight

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10:49

    Just so people realize what the state of the aviation industry is at the moment

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eg5NKrPX0AAOpPY?format=jpg&name=large

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous10:51

    they have been cutting a lot of routes recently because of corona

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:44

    nobody from us is flying yet the anonymous brigade is crying because flights are cancelled!! Get real!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous12:00

    Ouch

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous12:01

    Not good.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous13:57

    The breakdown in the passenger structure on AF's flight is interesting. Would be nice do see the statistics for JU's Paris flight. I'm quite curious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:19

      I think they had a lot of transfers too. Particularly to the region, Lebanon and Israel.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous14:40

    Good news for Wizz too. They do good business on Beauvais route. TheIR prices are the same as JU and AF.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:29

      4 weekly BVA in winter is crazy in cold Paris! It seems Gasto demand is increasing to BVA. Who would've thought this post war **itty airport will be connected to former socialist capital cities. Many Romanian villages are connected as well as BEG's competition on the route: TSR.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:32

      What on earth are you talking about

      Delete
    3. Anonymous21:03

      the TSR troll again . gosh

      Delete
    4. Anonymous08:20

      Yes he regularly comes on here and pretends that it is competition to BEG in any way. lol
      Meanwhile TSR lost a Wizz Air plane even before corona, that's how good of a performer it is.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous18:34

    Great news for Air Serbia.

    ReplyDelete

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