Air Serbia plans cautious winter as Covid restrictions linger


The 2021/2022 winter season begins on October 31, however, due to constant fluctuations in demand and evolving travel requirements, airlines are mostly planning their winter operations on a month-by month basis. The majority of bookings are still being made just ten days prior to departure. Air Serbia has said it will employ a cautious approach over the winter and will react to any changes on the market. “Our plans for the coming period have a certain degree of caution. We are carefully observing all developments and quickly reacting in accordance with market demand”, Air Serbia’s General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Jiri Marek, said recently. He added, “Before the pandemic, when scheduling the fleet, flexibility to cater for additional demand was rather limited, as everything was planned ahead. So, the pandemic has brought some challenges in terms of cost reduction, optimisation and efficiency. However, on the other hand, it has given sales teams a great deal of flexibility and has made it possible to be much more productive and follow demand, while being aware of the resources available”.

November is considered one of the slowest months for the aviation industry even at the best of times. With Serbian citizens and residents still being restricted from entering a number of European countries, Air Serbia plans to run 1.580 scheduled flights next month (return service included). It has put 178.224 seats up for sale on scheduled operations this November. It will primarily utilise its Airbus A319 fleet, which will be deployed on 58% of all flights, followed by the ATR72s on 39%, the A320 on 2% and the A330-200 on 1% of all scheduled services. The airline will maintain flights to 37 destinations, of which 36 are from Belgrade and one each from Niš and Kraljevo.

The table below displays the airline’s planned scheduled destinations and frequencies for the month of November, which is correct at the time of publication. Further changes may occur in the weeks ahead. It displays the carrier’s planned network out of Belgrade, with the airline also to run two weekly flights between Niš and Hahn, as well as two weekly services between Kraljevo and Vienna. Destinations with daily or more flights are marked in blue. Air Serbia will also conduct a number of charter flights next month.

Planned Air Serbia November network departing Belgrade




Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    37 destinations is quite good

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:36

      winter will be bad.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:03

      If winter will be bad for Belgrade, it will be catastrophic for other airports in the exyu region.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:04

    How many flights is Air Montenegro operating between TGD and BEG next month? I believe the 18 weekly Air Serbia is flying is more than before the pandemic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      Actually the frequencies are the same as pre-pandemic to Podgorica.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:07

      @9.04 Next month Air Montenegro has two daily flights to Belgrade - so 14 weekly from Podgorica and daily from Tivat.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:41

      So in total 32 weekly to TGD and 19 to Tivat. 51 weekly flights between Serbia and Montenegro in Nov.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:04

    Most routes seem to be low frequency but I can't blame them considering the situation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      But Brussels with 1 weekly :D

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:41

      Symbolic.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:05

    How many planes do they realistically need for a schedule like this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      Between 10 and 15

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      Around 14

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:08

    Why are they not resuming more flights from Nis? I don't get it. It can't be restrictions. Ryanair is starting a new route from INI at the end of the month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:15

      Yeah but they have been delaying a few of them which shows there is still limited demand.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:01

      I also don't understand. These are mostly for gastos who have all been vaccinated in the countries they live so they won’t have a problem with returning back.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:04

      Only reason I could think of is that there aren't enough of them to justify non-stop flights and many end up flying from other airports like BEG.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:42

      Most likely. Otherwise they would be flying those routes and getting PSO money. This way they get nothing.

      Delete
    5. JATBEGMEL17:22

      It's obvious that the choice of destinations was bad. I'm sure a couple of flights per week to cities like CDG, AMS, SVO would of been better choices, not only for O&D pax but connections as well.

      Instead, we see a failed attempt at trying to compete with LCC with high fares and government subsidies.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:09

    Nice to see Bucharest and Tirana going strong in November.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:42

      Lot of transfers from both.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:10

    It good that JU is increasing Paris, Vienna and Zurich. It seems that tuff competition to Amsterdam trying to compensate with Paris.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      Vienna is interesting. I'm guessing this is strong point to point demand. When you add the flights from Kraljevo that's 11 weekly.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:16

      They are still going to have 6 weekly to AMS. I think before covid in November they had even as little as 5 weekly.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:18

      In 2019/2020 before Covid started they had 7 weekly flights to Amsterdam. So flying 6 weekly during corona times is almost the same. So KLM doesn't seem to have affected them, or they are keeping frequencies on purpose to better compete.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:19

      I think KL has affected them in the sense that they couldn't butcher their number if frequencies.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:43

      Highly likely. It is usually their strategy to not to weaken a route when they get competition... until they eventually just cancel it.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:10

    Nice to see Ljubljana kept at daily and Istanbul operating daily as well considering it is a relatively new route. Moscow would be over 8 weekly if there wasn't a frequency cap. They are still operating a charter to Moscow each week with the A330.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      JU basically dictates how big is the cap as Russian carriers want more frequencies but can't get them until JU wants to increase flights.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:43

      I believe Russia has a limitation on the number of flights.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:33

      LJ was actually increased. it was not daily in October.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:21

      I think LJU was increased to 8 weekly in October.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:13

    Surprised they are flying to Sofia at all considering Serbian citizens can not enter Bulgaria at the moment vaccinated or otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vlad09:42

      Not Serbian citizens, but passengers arriving from Serbia regardless of nationality. Just to be entirely precise.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:04

      It can only mean that they are seeing a decent number of transfer flights.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:44

      Definitely.

      Delete
  10. What is happening nowadays with daily slots at Heathrow if they are not all utilized?
    It used to be “use it or lose it”. Did the authorities ease restrictions due to the pandemic?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      Yes, the policy is no longer in use during Covid.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:24

    Serbian government does absolutely nothing to stop the spread of the virus. They aonly appeal to the peope t vaccinate. In meantime basically everyone is getting infected. However in 2-3 months from now this wave will naturally go by so the flight schedule would be reinstated. But in meantime there will be a lot of empty seat and people stripped from flights or returned due to constant changing entry requirements and regulations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      I think you are being overly dramatic. Serbian government has had this policy for months now and meanwhile BEG kept on booming. I think them not destroying our economy is what is helping airlines sell seats on flights to/from BEG.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:05

      Covid numbers started slowly dropping so the wave is finally finishing. Also it was reported that Serbia is getting Merck's covid drug which will be administered in domovi zdravlja reducing the harshness of symptoms and with it hospitalization.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:47

      anon 09:35. The wave was thanks to holidays to Turkey and Egypt which are lax with entry requirements and season there lastis until mid-October. In some 2-3 weeks from today BEG will be a ghost airport. Note that Serbian government did not yet utiliize the EU green pass, whilst almost all other surrounding non-EU countries did. Many people who would otehrwise be eligible to travel now cant only due to the fact - Sweden, France, Italy are lost for that reason.

      Anon 10:05. Few days ago the numbers started to grow again. This week we are going to have new highs of all covid numbers and likely more travel restrictions imposed/. Air Serbia management can thank the Government to that.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:32

      Nonsense. Covid exploded this summer because of Montenegro where covid was raging, there were no entry restrictions and people got infected.

      You don't need the covid green pass to travel abroad, a simple vaccination proof is valid. In places where they ask for the pass you just show you were vaccinated.

      In a week average weekly covid numbers dropped from 6.300 to 6.200 and this weekend hospitalization started to go down.

      So please spare us these doom and gloom scenarios.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:25

    Are any increased compared to this month?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:28

      I don't think you can really compare schedules on a month on month basis, especially summer vs winter. But compared to November 2020, pretty much everything is increased.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:29

    If they think it's going to be a tough winter they should already be planning to stimulate demand. Why didn't they launch Abu Dhbai or Dubai for example? So many European airlines are. The chances of these markets closing or becoming restrictive are near 0. There are other unrestrictive markets too like Jordan. They could have launched charters to Zanzibar which was a hit last winter...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:31

      I agree that they could have explored new markets. When main markets are limited because of restrictions, there are many others that are not.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:36

      Their product is worse than FZ's and their costs are higher than Wizz Air's. They waited to long and now it's too late. The market has moved on and I don't think they have enough money to fight both of these for their own share of the cake.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:02

      They should try to find new routes where are no so strict requirements to enter and stimulate demand.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:06

      I honestly think Amman could have worked over winter.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:11

      Shortcomings in the strategic plan perhaps ?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:13

      ^ Here we go again... how don't you get tired.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:14

      I am not Anon 10.11 but I find those comments hilarious and I think Marek reads comments on here because he stopped saying it. :D
      This is actually a compliment to ex-YU Aviation!

      Delete
    8. JATBEGMEL19:00

      @09,29

      Instead of ZNZ, they could of tried YYZ with 2 pw flights to build up a case for more frequencies for next summer.

      @ 09,36

      Problems with product would be more with business class considering their narrow bodies don't have the dedicated cabin anymore, just an empty middle seat. Economy is still ok, throw in a complimentary meal service and that could be enough to make up for the difference in product between JU and FZ.

      @10,06

      I also think AMM would of made a good addition to their network.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:30

    Hope we see them expand more.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous09:30

    What about Tel Aviv?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:32

      There is no point. For Serbian citizens to enter Israel they need to get approval from Israeli government and even if they receive it have to spend 14 days in quarantine.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:32

    I can't believe only 3 X a week to London! Not looking good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      It has been the same throughout summer... In June, July, August...

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:34

    Good thing is that key markets are still open for Serbs and gastos. I think only Norway is kind of closed off. That is why this November isn't as catastrophic as expected. I mean LH, LX, KL and OS will have a decent amount of flights in November.

    AMS-BEG 12x
    FRA-BEG 12x
    MUC-BEG 13x
    VIE-BEG 15x
    ZRH-BEG 12x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:34

    Does anybody know why YU-API flew to JFK yesterday?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:59

      Probably to return it to the lessor at air Serbia hasn't been flying it since last year

      Delete
    2. JATBEGMEL19:03

      API is on the move again over the US. Looks like it's going into storage, returned to lessor.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous20:00

      That is correct.
      It is being returned to the leasing company.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:40

    The A330 utilization is tragic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:45

      it always has been in winter. Nothing new.

      Delete
    2. JATBEGMEL19:04

      It's a shame they're not trying 3 pw again now they're more settled into the market.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous09:45

    Tourism for August is out, here are some key numbers:

    Foreign tourist arrivals: 136.288 (+445%)

    1. Russia - 6.031 - 37.473 - +673%
    2. Slovenia - 3.524 - 16.100 - +138%
    3. Turkey - 7.813 - 28.508 - +236%
    4. India - 4.936 - 16.163
    5. China - 1.239 - 8.125 - +299%
    6. UAE - 1.538 - 3.952 - 132%

    I used these markets because that's where we got most additional flights this summer. UAE seems to be stimulated by both FZ but especially Wizz Air from AUH.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:50

      These should be compared with 2019.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:55

      I think India has already surpassed 2019 total.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:22

      Why should they be compared with 2019 when circumstances are not the same as back then? In 2020 we pressed the rest button and we had to start from scratch.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:52

    All things considered, November network is not bad.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous09:58

    In total around 182 scheduled flights per week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:58

      from BEG I should day. One way. With INI and KVO that's 186.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:03

      *say

      Delete
  23. Anonymous10:00

    So it seems easyjet was victorious on the Geneva route. I’m guessing JU kept it over winter last year since they got incentives from Geneva airport to fly the first full year. Now that it is no longer there it becomes summer seasonal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:03

      It's questionable if it will return next summer either.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:05

      They could have substituted it for Lyon.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:07

      Hopefully easyJet adds a new destination next summer. That said I don't know what could work besides maybe ORY. However the market is crowded with JU, AF and W6.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:13

      Easyjet could add some seasonal destination in Greece or Spain next summer and I believe that could work quite well for them

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:33

      Honestly I think there is room for a third player on BEG-ATH in summer. Maybe someone like Wizz Air could launch flights. I don't see Ryanair or Volotea doing it.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:59

      Wizz had success with fights to the Greek islands so maybe they do consider Athens.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous13:00

      SkyExpress would be great addition, and not just to ATH, but also to some islands

      Delete
    8. Anonymous17:59

      Anon @11:33 Honestly I don't think third carrier is needed on a route where two carriers already operate. It would be far better for BEG to get new destinations than to get 3 or more carriers on existing routes. Except for one's selfish reasons, of course.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous18:27

      You can get a third carrier if the market is large enough like the one to Athens is.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous18:32

      Or you can get 3 more carriers to Athens because you want to fly there for 5 eur. Very selfish. Airport operators always create incentives for BRAND NEW destinations not for someone like you.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous18:35

      @Anon 18:27 LOL if market is large enough existing carriers upgauge planes from A319 to 320 or 321 and/or add more frequency.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous10:04

    Will they fly charters in winter?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:05

      Yes, they always do

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:58

      Yes. They have one weekly Dubai charter plus I think they will keep flying to Egypt.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:48

      They should expand their charter operations in winter.
      Especially to Egypt but also Morocco.
      Marrakech would be a hit for travellers who want to escape cold and boring winter time.

      Delete
    4. JATBEGMEL19:17

      @17,48

      Problem with Morocco is visas.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous20:46

      Serbia could recognize Moroccos claim of Western Sahara for visa free regime for its citizens easily .
      Doesnt Serbia have a foreign ministry ?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous20:48

      It does recognise it. Obviously it does not bring visa free travel.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous12:57

    So there is more demand to Larnaca than Brussels?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:03

      They have quite a bit of transfer traffic to/from Cyprus, especially from Russia.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous13:00

    Hopefully things will get better in terms of frequencies. In terms of destinations, they have really good coverage.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous13:02

    Seems like exapnding LCC options from Banja Luka have really hurt Air Serbia thrte. The two weekly flights must only be catering for local traffic. I doubt they get any transfers anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JATBEGMEL19:21

      The schedule doesn't look convenient for transfers, so I guess it's mainly for O&D pax.

      Ticket prices are not that cheap either for the flight regardless of the subsidies JU gets at BNX which I guess doesn't make them competitive compared to going by bus.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous13:06

    This is good. Austrian at the end of last week cancelled hundreds of flights planned for November and December. Just shows the situation the aviation industry is still in.

    ReplyDelete
  29. No surprises. November is a dead month for travel and life in general. But why not more flights from Nis? And why not utilize the A330 for other destinations?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous14:36

    Just 4 weekly to Sarajevo :/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous17:44

    Air Serbia did flights to Shanghai and Beijing the last days.
    They could fly with their single A330-200 to China this winter till summer when they add a second A332.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous07:50

    Good for JU, just look at the cuts introduced by TK in November:

    -BOS goes from 7 x W to 5 x W, JFK 19 to 17, LAX 11 to 7, SFO 10-7
    -AMS 35 to 28, ATH 18 to 14, BJV 63 to 21, BKK 5 to 9, BUD 14 to 7, CPH 17 to 14, LHR 28 to 21, MAN 14 to 10, Male 7 to 11....

    Crazy to see a mega airport like Budapest get reduced by 50%! Good for Belgrade which will have a total of 25 weekly flights to Istanbul on three airlines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous08:19

      What's going on with BUD, why such a slow recovery?

      Delete
  33. Anonymous10:24

    Shame what they did to INI. They should fly at least to two more routes, there is demand for sure. They should also consider flying to Moscow, Istanbul, Paris, Berlin. INI has good potential which JU should use.

    ReplyDelete

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