Nine new routes planned for EX-YU markets in Q4


Six airports in six markets in the former Yugoslavia are set to see new routes being launched during the fourth quarter of the year despite the coronavirus pandemic. Although changes remain possible due to evolving travel restrictions on the continent and a resurgence in the spread of the virus, a new unified policy on freedom of movement for European Union member states is expected to be adopted by the start of the 2020/2021 winter season on October 25, fuelling hope for greater travel confidence for passengers and greater stability for airlines. The policy also proposes for passengers arriving from high-risk countries to be Covid tested upon arrival, rather than refused entry altogether.

Banja Luka

Banja Luka will see Ryanair restore its operations to the city from October 25 with the addition of three new routes - Gothenburg, Vienna and Bergamo. Last week, the head of Gothenburg Airport, Anna Stromwall, noted, “It is extremely gratifying that Ryanair has chosen to continue investing in [Gothenburg] Landvetter Airport with a new nonstop service to Bosnia and Herzegovina and has recognised this new opportunity on the market at such a difficult time". Both routes are primarily targeting the diaspora in Sweden, Austria and Italy and are in line with Ryanair’s contract with the government of the entity of Republika Srpska which foresees the launch of two to three new routes each year.

Belgrade

Belgrade is set to see two new routes launched by the end of 2020. On October 25, LOT Polish Airlines plans to introduce a daily service between Budapest and Belgrade. The Warsaw-based airline is creating its first airport hub outside of Poland in Budapest and offering connections to several western European destinations. On October 27, low cost SkyUp Airlines will become a new entrant on the Serbian market with services from Kiev, which effectively replace Air Serbia’s operations on the route, which were suspended at the start of the crisis and will not be restored until at least the summer of 2021. Unlike the Serbian carrier, SkyUp is primarily targeting point to point passengers with its two weekly flights on board the 149-seat Boeing 737-700 aircraft. Eurowings, which delayed the launch of its new service from Stuttgart to Belgrade several times, has again pushed back the launch, which is now planned for February 5, 2021. The introduction of a new service between Belgrade and Pristina remains a possibility by year’s end.

Ljubljana

Low cost carrier easyJet plans to launch its new service between London Luton and Ljubljana on December 11. It comes after the airline discontinued its Stansted - Ljubljana route, which was its busiest in Slovenia prior to the pandemic, as a result of its base closure. Services between Luton and Ljubljana will run two to three times per week, depending on the month, increasing to four from March.

Podgorica

Luxembourg’s national carrier Luxair will enter the Montenegrin market on December 15 with a two weekly service to Podgorica. The Cultural Information Centre of Montenegro in Luxembourg, which lobbied for the flights, said, “The successful conclusion of the project to initiate flights between the two countries is evidence that the Cultural Information Centre of Montenegro in Luxembourg approached this initiative seriously and with dedication in order to better connect the Montenegrin diaspora with its home country, and to enable a speedier arrival back home”. It added, “This route faced numerous negative comments and its planned launch was derided by some as a political and electoral stunt [in reference to recent parliamentary elections in Montenegro]. Despite the numerous attacks and disapproval, we want to show that the launch of this route is a purely patriotic act”. Luxair will fly to Podgorica during the winter and replace it with Tivat over the coming summer, although the latter is yet to be scheduled.

Pristina

Pristina will be linked with Milan with a new Wizz Air service scheduled to be introduced on November 3. Its launch has been delayed by several months due to a ban on flights from Kosovo imposed by Italy. The two weekly service will be run by the 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft instead of the initially planned A321. Last year, the Italian market accounted for 1% of Pristina Airport’s traffic, while Wizz Air was Kosovo’s fourth busiest airline, handling 253.282 passengers. The launch of a new service between Pristina and Belgrade remains a possibility by year’s end.

Zagreb

Windrose Airlines will launch operations between Kiev and the Croatian capital on October 4 after several delays and cancellations. The Ukrainian Ambassador to Croatia confirmed that flights between the two countries would be restored next month after over twenty years. Services between Kiev and Zagreb were last operated by Aeroflot in the 1980s. The fifty-seat Embraer E145 jet, operated by Dniproavia, which was absorbed by Windrose in 2017, will be used on the route.


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    I had no idea there was a Montenegrin diaspora in Luxembourg. Interesting. And it's good they will switch to Tivat in summer and operate Podgorica in winter.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:04

      The statement from the cultural center is gold haha

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    2. Anonymous09:16

      It's a great addition for TGD though.

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    3. Anonymous09:23

      I believe it's their first route to an ex-Yu capital. Would not have guessed it would be Podgorica.

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    4. Anonymous09:27

      wouldnt be surprised if they co-sponsor it

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    5. Anonymous09:35

      I can guarantee that all of these flights to all airports will be "co-sponsored" since they are being launched in the corona era.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:02

    I hope they all launch, but I'm doubtful.

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  3. Anonymous09:05

    I don't know how BUD-BEG and KBP-ZAG will work, especially launching in winter during a pandemic.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      Or KBP-BEG for that matter on a 737-700.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:11

      +1

      INI-BUD was an epic failure. But those flights are meant to be transfer and not O&D. After all, LO has an impressive network.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:17

      I think in the end BGY-BNX, BUD-BEG, MXP-PRN won't happen this winter and will be delayed.

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    4. Anonymous09:22

      Even the new Luton flights to Ljubljana look unlikely to me with the new quarantine measures.

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    5. Serbia is one of the few markets in Europe which are open for travelling for Ukrainians. The prices are competitive, so why not?

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    6. Anonymous10:18

      Plus Belgrade And Kiev have had an air link for the past 50 years guys.

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    7. Anonymous10:29

      ^ Not continuously.

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    8. Anonymous10:50

      With short intervals not longer than a year or year and a half.

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    9. Anonymous11:14

      Lets go back 9 years in time and also not forget Aerosvit who used to operate BEG but apparently left:

      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2011/06/aerosvit-dumps-belgrade.html

      Also in 2018, Ukraine International was going to launch BEG and ZAG and that neva happened:

      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2018/03/ukraine-international-plans-zagreb.html

      Delete
    10. Anonymous13:15

      Which only goes to show how there is some sort of demand if these flights are always on airlines' radar. BEG is developing nicely overall. Just look at JFK. Meanwhile UIA is operating KBP-JFK with B739ER with a stop in Iceland. lol
      JU on the other hand is boosting it all the time while flying the A330.

      Belgrade's time is only coming now.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous13:36

      You are soo boring with BEG and JU. Do you understand how much passangers and aircraft JU has and how much other transfer important airlines have? And as far I know UIA operates direct flights to JFK with 777-200er.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous13:37

      ^ No need to get upset. And you obviously don't know what equipment or routing UIA is operating now. Update your info

      Delete
    13. Anonymous13:45

      That is just temporaliy. It usually flies it with 777-200er. It definitly isnt long term.

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    14. Anonymous13:52

      What it shows that some airlines didn't have to resort to this and have full loads unlike the "other important airlines" you mentioned. So sorry you you were bored with the reference.

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    15. Anonymous14:49

      UKR has peaks of new cases set every single week for the past few months. First wave is still ongoing and there is no statistical sign of slowing down. That must have some impact on demand and travel numbers for P2P.

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    16. Anonymous14:52

      The routing for the UIA flights (via keflavik with 737) is not temporary. They will start flying to New York in December with that routing and aircraft type. Currently they don't fly to New York at all.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous14:54

      That's seriously a nightmare
      PS231 KBP1000 – 1315KEF1415 – 1535JFK 73J 37
      PS232 JFK2210 – 0840+1KEF0940+1 – 1630+1KBP 73J 37

      Delete
    18. Anonymous15:39

      Anon 13:52

      With more demand to JFK, JU really become an airline on the same level as LOT, OS, LH, KL, AF, BA, IB, LX, SU, TK, OY. Completly true!!!!

      Delete
    19. Anonymous15:57

      Anon 15:39

      Your jealousy is showing.

      IATA sign for LOT is LO.

      Delete
    20. Anonymous16:04

      @15.39 - Austrian Airlines is no longer flying to JFK. They have terminated the route.

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    21. Anonymous17:04

      So what? They are still flying to EWR which dven provides more connectivity and is more accesible for New Yorkers.

      Anon 15:39
      Jealousy for what if you can explain?

      Delete
    22. Anonymous18:42

      Serbia and Belgrade airport had nonstop service to JFK since 2016. Decision to rely on domestic carrier had advantages including using A330 for long haul supply and repatriation flights in the spring. It now bears fruit by being one of the only choices for region to get to JFK all while having high LF for the airline.

      On the other hand, much smaller airport in the region decided to support other airlines to provide long haul connectivity. As a result they had no control since pandemic started and the airport is left without a single long haul service.

      Jealousy could be one manifestation of the frustration with the wrong choice they made. Or it could be they are just jealous all the time.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:07

    Shame Stuttgart is delayed again. I guess good news for Air Serbia.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:18

      The only good news is that they are not cancelling the route altogether.

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  5. Anonymous09:08

    My twelve points go to BNX simply because it's the only non- capital in the list still managing to secure 2 new connections in winter. This shows how committed FR is to the airport. Kudos to BiH!
    The second interesting one is ZAG. Restoring a route that was once operated 30 years ago.
    Croatia is traditionally not very linked to Russia or CIS but rather North America and Australia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      * 3 new connections :)

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  6. Anonymous09:15

    Let's see how many stick.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      My guess is not many.

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  7. Anonymous09:17

    Skopje is most affected I guess without any new routes launching soon and the current flight list shrinking...

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      Sarajevo is not doing great either. Skopje has a greater volume of flights at least.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:23

      I told you 100 times this happens when you go to bed with Wizz air.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:25

      It didn't happen because of some natural reasons, it happened because there is a full blown global pandemic. The important thing is that they haven't cancelled any route, they just turned some routes seasonal for this year.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:25

      @mr.notorious it wasnt at -80% like some others

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    5. Anonymous10:57

      As if any local carrier (which, let's face it, would have been a basket case before the pandemic struck) would have fared in better in Skopje...

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:10

      The notorious domino effect has hit OHD as we saw on the news yesterday. NMK is the most affected country when it comes to Covid aviation. All the eggs were put in 1 basket i.e. given to Wizz and this is what you get now.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:55

      Reply to last anon at 11:10, "North" Macedonia's country code is still MKD, I'm not sure if you read that in Prespa's agreement :)

      Delete
    8. Anonymous12:24

      mr.notorious should better look at his airport. the home carrier only resumed 4 of its 10 routes since lockdown. the irish ones have not had a single flight yet and will have only 2 routes left in winter (if at all) with one suspended this week for forever. pink suspended two routes out of their 5

      Delete
    9. Anonymous12:25

      And in Skopje over 12 routes have been suspended. What's your point? And why do you assume his from Nis? Is any criticism of Skopje not allowed?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous12:50

      druze critisism is always welcome but he is only writing nebuloza all the time (driven by some non explanatory hate )

      better stick to numbers if you are starting to make "general" statements :
      LJU had a -86.7% in august which probably makes it "the w*rst hit" but we should not use such words during a pandemic ...

      just my 2 cents

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:20

    I find it it's an achievement that almost all ex-Yu capitals will get new flights in the winter in this sort of situation.

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  9. Anonymous09:20

    And all of these except Luxembourg-Podgorica and Kiev-Belgrade were supposed to start during this summer...

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      Banja Luka-Bergamo was always scheduled for this winter as far as I can remember.

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    2. Anonymous09:45

      @ 9.20 so?

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:21

    I wonder if Skyup would have launched Belgrade had there been no corona or they were influenced by Air Serbia's suspension.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:34

      Probably not. I wouldn't be surprised if Vinci was looking to quickly find a replacement for this route.

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    2. Anonymous09:43

      These eastern European airlines seem to be doing fine in BEG.

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    3. Anonymous09:44

      Do they offer connections?

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    4. Anonymous09:49

      No, they don't. They are an LCC.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:56

      Ukraine is a country of 40 million. Ukrainians can't access the EU at the moment. So BEG could be a good alternative for them for a city break.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:25

    And no new routes by ex-Yu airlines

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:42

      Well we had JU launch Oslo this summer.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:38

      And some new charters from JU, OU and Trade air i think.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:26

    dont want to sound harsh but i wouldnt bet on any of these routes

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  13. Anonymous09:42

    Fantastic news

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:42

    Good luck with those

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous09:43

    Nice additions

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  16. Anonymous09:46

    Great news! The airports need all the airlines they can get now.

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  17. Anonymous09:46

    Is there really that much demand for flights between Zagreb and Kiev?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:48

      I guess we will see.

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    2. Anonymous09:48

      The aircraft is perfect for the route. Minimizes risk.

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    3. Anonymous09:49

      Does Windrose offer any transfer options? Where do they fly to?

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    4. Anonymous09:51

      No

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    5. Anonymous09:57

      I'm just wondering who they will carry in on these flights next week. Ukrainians can't enter the EU.

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    6. Anonymous10:07

      Agree with anon 9.48. it's a good aircraft for this type of service, especially in the beginning. Chances of success are much higher

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:13

      @9.57, Ukrainians can enter Croatia if they have proof of hotel accommodation.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:53

    It's been a while since Pristina had nonstop flights to Milan. I think first time since Belle Air Europe collapsed 7 yrs ago.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:12

      I'm surprised the market between Pristina and Italy is so small yet it so huge between Tirana and Italy.

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    2. Anonymous11:14

      No, Albanians immigrated to Italy in the 90s, as opposed to Kosovars who prefered Switzerland and Germany

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    3. Anonymous13:18

      Albanians immigrated to Italy in the 90s, as opposed to Kosovars who prefered Switzerland and Germany

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:54

    Maybe we get some more surprise additions.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:14

      Are you serious? The only thing we could see is some of these get suspended or delayed.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous10:12

    Any new route is welcome news at the moment.

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  21. Anonymous10:30

    "This route faced numerous negative comments and its planned launch was derided by some as a political and electoral stunt"

    Hahaha. Only in the Balkans you would get a statement like this which is trying to promote the new route.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous10:36

    The most exciting piece of news here is that the EU might finally adopt a single entry system. The current one is ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:43

    Brave to launch new routes with so much uncertainty. I don't think any of it will be profitable thoguh.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous10:46

    And nothing new from Sarajevo :( what is the management doing over there?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:50

      You might have missed this
      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2020/09/bosnian-parliament-rejects-sarajevo.html

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:20

      That doesn't mean they shouldn't work on attracting some airlines.

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    3. Anonymous13:36

      Well at the moment you need to offer big subsidies to attract airlines. Sarajevo Airport does not have such money to waste at the moment.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous11:37

    Once FR targets a small airport it aggressively continues launching more destinations. FR is taking BiH very seriously.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:03

      wouldnt call the 5 routes flown in winter schedule (if it stays like this) as very seriously

      Delete
  26. Anonymous12:05

    Anyone know (or remember) how many times per week did SU fly between Kiev and Zagreb? I had know idea they did :)

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:11

      It was once to twice per week.

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    2. Anonymous12:13

      With Tu154.

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    3. Anonymous12:32

      Cool. Thank you :)

      Delete
  27. Anonymous14:53

    Even if all are launched. I have serious doubts as to how many of these routes will survive until the next season. Maybe just Luton by easyjet and Milan by Wizz.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous15:36

    For how long has the contract between BNX and Ryanair been signed for?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:48

      i think five years...

      Delete
  29. Anonymous15:36

    Is there really demand from Italy to Banja Luka?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:48

      There is a lot of diaspora in this region.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous16:12

    People smarter than me said back in March that 2020 in aviation is a write-off. Trying to create colourful graphs, analyze trends that change month-to-month and determine how many routes will start or if traffic drop will be 70, 80 or 90% is as serious as a psychic with a crystal ball. Some people find it entertaining.

    From 2023 or 2024 perspective current numbers will be irrelevant. What matters is how will airlines and airports of the region manage to come out of this crisis stroger. Some will do better than others and that will have far greater impact on years to come.

    ReplyDelete