Belgrade Airport plans long haul network development


Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport believes its ongoing multi million euro expansion will provide new opportunities for the development of its long haul network and further boost its number of transfer passengers. Speaking to Poland’s “Business Traveller”, Belgrade Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer, Miodrag Mirković, said, “[Operator] VINCI Airports is pursuing its proactive policy to increase traffic to and from Serbia, and to meet passenger expectations by accelerating further improvements at Nikola Tesla. We are also convinced that the significant development of the airport will support the growth of passenger traffic, especially transfer traffic”. He added, “The expansion will allow us to transform the airport into a new regional hub and will provide new opportunities for launching long haul routes, such as the one we have to New York”.

According to Mr Mirković, Air Serbia will play a central role in the development of the airport’s destination network. “Finding new markets and improving existing ones is of utmost importance if we want Belgrade Airport to become a point of reference in our region. We need to provide Air Serbia with the tools to offer new routes - especially long and medium haul routes - as part of its hub strategy. Air Serbia's excellent regional network, which connects Belgrade with all the countries in the region, is the foundation that allows us to build further growth. Air Serbia is also actively developing eastern markets, where even in times of the pandemic, new routes, such as Rostov-on-Don, are being inaugurated”, the Chief Commercial Officer said.

Belgrade Airport is in the process of expanding its capacity. It will complete eight new gates with jet bridges, which have the capacity to handle widebody aircraft, and a further five bus gates, by the end of the year. Upon its completion, a further expansion will begin with the addition of several extra gates with jet bridges. Air Serbia’s General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Jiri Marek, recently said, “The market continues to react very quickly to the increased and still growing demand, while on the other hand, the airport is modernising its infrastructure, which may cause some difficulties for passengers. However, we believe that after the reconstruction of the terminal is complete and the airport undergoes its transformation, we will have all the possibilities to implement our strategy without any infrastructure limitations”.


Mr Mirković notes the expansion will position Belgrade Airport as a regional transfer hub. “Our expansion program will increase airport capacity, with an additional 3.5-kilometre runway, a new pier, fifteen new gates, new aircraft parking positions, as well as the modernisation of 26.000 square metres of space and the expansion of the passenger terminal by an additional 47.000 square metres. All this will enable more flights during peak hours. We have no doubt this will contribute to Belgrade's success as a transfer hub”, Mr Mirković said. He added, “Belgrade Airport has great potential due to its geostrategic location, enabling us to connect East and West, North and South, and on the other hand, provide a direct connection to various regions (Southeast Europe, EU, Russia, Middle East, East and USA), which in turn creates an opportunity to strengthen our position”.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:03

    Something tells me next summer we may finally see new long haul routes from Air Serbia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:44

      If there are any new long hauls then I do expect announcements to be made by the end of the year at the latest.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    What I love about BEG is that they are saying how JU will play a key role but they are still working with others, no protectionism whatsoever. That's really good.
    Happy to see Wizz Air also expand in BEG.

    I remember AC said they were interested in launching BEG. Hopefully they get their third weekly which is a requirement from them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      It's logical that you are going to be working with your biggest customer which has expanded operations in good time and bad and has made clear they plan to add more long haul routes. In the end, the state managed to get such a high concession rate thanks to Air Serbia.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:08

      JU gets enough protectionism from CAD.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:16

      Given the millions JU gets from the government they should be expanding even more. They don't have shareholders they are responsible to nor do they have to worry about boosting profits each quarter/year.
      JU might have done certain things right but they are definitely lagging behind in terms of fleet. Their ATRs are literally falling apart on the inside.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:18

      "They don't have shareholders they are responsible to nor do they have to worry about boosting profits each quarter/year."

      Well that's completely incorrect. They have shareholders and they certainly have to worry about boosting profits.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:26

      You mean 'profits', right.
      I have nothing against JU being loss making for about ten years if that means eventually becoming competitive like BT or LO. However there seems to be certain issues they are definitely not addressing like the ATR fleet or the lack of a regional jet. They are still struggling with their DC9 retirement.

      So much strategic thinking.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:37

      They need E75

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:55

      Vinci said from the start that they will work closely with JU. But I also remember them saying very clearly that an airport can't thrive by working with just one airline.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    easyJet is sleeping though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      easyjet is going to introduce long haul flights? In any case they are increasing frequencies on all their Belgrade flights.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:17

      If you bothered to read the article more carefully it doesn't only speak about long-haul flights but about BEG's network in general.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:07

    Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:07

    Wow I just watched the entire video. The airport is going to look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:10

    Shanghai, Chicago and Toronto would be ideal.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:20

    I think the only long haul routes with potential are Chicago and Toronto. These are quite seasonal too. Everything else is pushing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      That's why they need to further expand their regional network. To make any destination work they need at least three daily waves to the region. Those are around 00.30, around 07.00 and around 13.00.
      Right now they have 1.5 and only in summer.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:22

    I think having New York and Beijing would be a good start. Maybe eventually add Toronto and possibly Chicago and that is more than respectable for a Balkan airport.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you think Los Angeles is feasible option? There are demand to/from California.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:08

      @ Uros: Canberra would be a great option, too! What do you think?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous21:36

      LA is among busiest unserved airports with demand that exceeds Lisbon so the question is relevant. I don't see it soon though.

      Delete
    4. @Anonymous 21:08: There is no room for sarcasm. Some people here are very rude. Good argument is everything. Non-stop to Canbera is out of reach for BEG, I think.

      Delete
    5. @Anonymous 21:36: That is the reason I did ask. Plus I think LAX can be reached from BEG non-stop.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:26

    Game on

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just a question without hating. Is there for now, any foreign airline interested of starting long haul flights to Belgrade?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:34

      So far only AC expressed interest for 3 weekly YYZ

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:35

      ^ How do you know that? You work at the airport?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:38

      Lol there were literally articles about it some months ago, I think it was even reported on here

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:39

      I'm asking how do you know that only AC has expressed interest. Not everyone that expresses their interest go to the media that they have expressed their interest.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:51

      Because that's what we know for sure, if you know otherwise please share a link or something.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:53

      Most airlines don't make public and go to the media when they are talking to an airport or have expressed interest in flying somewhere.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:17

      Well no foreign long-haul airline has launched BEG in close to 20 years with the exception of politically motivated Hainan. It would make sense for AC to be the only interested party at the moment. Don't see who else would launch flights.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:19

      In the last 20 years we have also had Skyservice start flights from Toronto.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:29

      With FZ going wild on BEG-DXB could we see EK come next year?

      Delete
    10. Nemjee10:43

      I think in the last 20 years we had those Uzbekistan flights, I think they operated back in 2004 or 2002.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous10:49

      Indeed there was. Tashkent-Belgrade-New York operated in 2004.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous10:58

      @10.29 it would be nice although I think it's better to have two daily flights than 1 flight a few times per week, which would probably be the case with EK.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous16:00

      No foreign airline is interested in Belgrade long haul flights and JU should be very grateful for that.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:34

    Good luck BEG. I think the most realistic new long haul route will be Toronto but who knows. Beijing came as a surprise. We will see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:46

      Toronto/Golden Horseshoe has a large Serbian population. And Chicago (largest serbian population ourside of Serbia proper) is not very far away.

      Delete
    2. Vlad20:06

      The Toronto diaspora is much more recent than the Chicago one, so consequently there's much more VFR travel between BEG and YYZ than between BEG and ORD.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:36

      Chicago area has both an older and a newer wave of immigration. Entire regions of the city where hearing Serbian on a daily basis is normal. This does not count all of the Serbs located in nearby Midwest towns of Indiana and Ohio. Many individuals would gladly travel 3 or 4 hours to ORD in order to fly direct to Belgrade. Toronto is too distant (and another country) for these US Midwest populations, without proper codeshare to Chicago..

      Delete
    4. Nemjee15:37

      I'd also add Wisconsin, that is Milwaukee. From what I was told there are around 1.000 Serbian families that are part of the Serbian community that is run by the local Serbian Orthodox Church.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:34

    What's the next long haul route we can expect?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:44

      They should focus on China and then Canada.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:21

      China is building massive quarantine "resorts", where arriving passangers will have to spend two weeks, isolated and served by robots. Doesn`t seem to me there will be massive demand for the PRC...

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:42

    If BEG really wants to become a serious airport with long haul then they should attract longhaul airlines by helping offload some risk.

    They should contact Air Canada and offer zero airport fees for the period of two years. If AC doesn't want it then offer the same thing to Air Transat.

    YYZ-BEG would be great with 2 weekly seasonal for the start.

    Also BEG could offer them some complimentary advertising space at the airport.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:43

    Good luck BEG

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous09:44

    It's unfortunate they are not considering long haul leisure charters in winter.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:45

    Less talk, more action.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:45

    BEG has good predispositions for more long hauls with a lot of regional links.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:46

    I believe that medium haul they are mentioning is much more important. BEG needs Baltic and Caucasus flights and more African destinations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:46

      Sochi, Amman, Lisbon and Riga for the next medium haul expansion.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:46

    China is a must. Shanghai hopefully.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:00

    Nice. I think there are some exciting times ahead for BEG.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:01

    There is a lot of potential for growth.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous10:08

    I assume that the number of transfer passengers increased a lot when JFK launched.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:12

      What is the percentage of transfer passengers vs. O&D at BEG? Anyone have any idea?

      Delete
  23. Anonymous10:09

    Hope they realize that ambition.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous10:10

    Becoming some sort of a transfer hub depends a lot on your home airline ie Air Serbia in this case. Any future ambition by the airport will be linked to them.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10:11

    I think it is in the best position from other ex-Yu airports to grow its transfer passengers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:23

      While tranfer passengers help an airport they do little in comparison to destination pax for economic impact on the local economy.

      Delete
    2. Nemjee10:31

      I disagree with you last Anon.
      For example take someone from Krasnodar that needs to go to Paris. He naturally books a flight with JU, spends about an hour in Belgrade/Serbia but his money is deposited on a local bank account.
      Air Serbia can accumulate quite a lot of foreign capital like this.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:39

      And that money from this account goes for paying for the overflight rights, the airport fees in KRR and in BEG (Vinci), the leasing fees for an aircraft to a foreign lessor, the kerosene to fuel the aircraft (Russian owned refineries and Russian crude oil used to produce kerosene on both sides) etc. It would be good if that money would be sufficient for all those costs and the airline would be profitable...

      Delete
    4. Nemjee16:18

      Yes yes but those same expenses would be paid no matter what the flight. Furthermore, BEG is still owned by the Serbian government, not Vinci. The more Vinci earns the more they have to pay to the government.
      The more flights there are to KRR the more local staff they employ, the more local chips and cookies they have to buy and so on.
      So at the end of the day, Serbia still profits from all this.

      Also just because JU might be loss making doesn't mean every route it operate is in the red. KRR could be profitable for them.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:08

      You are very naive. Vinci will not pay Serbia anything more than the upront concession fee. Companies like this do know how to avoid paying any income tax. For now it got the concession, paid the concession fee in full, took 420m euro of cheap debt financing out of the funds devoted by EBRD and the World Bank to development of Serbia and commissioned Vinci-Terna, a subsidiary, to do the construction works for the price agreed for these works with the GoS.

      So local employees and chips is mostly what is left, unless the airline actually makes a profit.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous17:38

      You make it sound like Vinci "stole" funds EBRD intended for Serbia. Lolz.

      Delete
    7. Nemjee19:19

      Well I guess we will have to see whether they end up paying anything to the government and other shareholders. Since they are a publicly traded company they will have to disclose these information. ;)

      You are forgetting that when the airport expands so do shops which generate more income both for the airport and the government.

      Honestly I don't know how or why you are trying to put a negative spin on all this.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:12

    This is great news and it will definitely help Belgrade grow even more.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10:15

    In terms of regional countries there is still no Hungary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nemjee10:39

      I think for BUD to work out one of these things have to happen:

      1. JU to grow massively its network and to rely on transfers.

      2. Someone to give subsidies for this route.

      3. BEG, BUD and probably JU need to sit together and create a logical pricing policy where tickets could be competitive compared to the buses and minivans. You can't charge €170 for a return flight while a minibus takes you for €50.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:47

      The two cities are just too close for a substantial number of people flying O&D.

      For transfers: 1) it is inconvenient to fly from BUD via BEG to any Schengen country. 2) look at the number of destinations available from BUD with ticket prices much below BEG prices. What would be the reason for people in BUD to fly via BEG on JU?

      Delete
    3. Nemjee16:25

      People will fly with a detour as long as the price is right and the product enjoyable. Just look at how many people fly on TK from Serbia to the US. Another good example is BT in ARN, before covid they had a large number of passengers who were going to western Europe via RIX.

      What matters is whether an airline can sell a certain product. That said, I don't think JU has the potential to make a rather challenging market such as BUD work especially since it would require a great deal of negotiations in terms of commercial things and marketing. Two things they are not good at.

      Things that might make someone fly on JU from BUD:"

      1. Price
      2. Schedule
      3. Frequent flyer program
      4. Brand awareness
      5. Corporate program

      Brand awareness is key and that's where JU struggles in many markets. Many are not familiar with who they are as a business. That is where you need marketing.

      Air Serbia's corporate program is a joke to say the least. They should really work on that along with the frequent flyer program.

      Delete
    4. Nemjee16:27

      Just to add, JU wouldn't be after Schengen passengers alone from BUD. They could cover all of Balkans, JFK and markets such as Spain, Italy, Rostov and Krasnodar.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous10:54

    They said from the very beginning they will grow the long haul network once they finish the expansion, and I think by that they mean the first phase of the expansion which is being completed now. Really looking forward to see what is in store.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Nemjee11:08

    In my opinion once they secure Lisbon all major points in Europe will be covered. It's then that they have to work on making sure airlines boost their frequencies to BEG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:47

      Madrid is also a must.

      Delete
    2. Nemjee11:57

      Of course but I suppose it will be resumed by JU.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:24

      Madrid will be back next summer.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:03

      Another missed opportunity for JU and Iberia.

      Delete
    5. Nemjee16:28

      I don't think there is room for both of them, one would have to give up eventually. Personally my money is on JU surviving because they have lower costs and Serbia is not a high yield destination.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous16:31

      Nemjee, the one who will give up is the one who comes second.
      Iberia just has to just begin flights and they will have a monopoly.

      Delete
    7. Nemjee16:56

      Sorry I was speaking about a hypothetical scenario where both would operate flights. I am sure JU will resume them next year. They performed well for them, they even increased it to 3 the first year they operated.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous17:28

      Its JUs last chance.
      They also should get rid of their codeshare with Air Europe.
      That airline is nothing more than a second Air Berlin.

      Delete
    9. Nemjee19:20

      I wouldn't go as far as to say it's their last chance. BEG-MAD is not a huge market so I don't see anyone else rushing to fill the temporary void. I think JU will be back and IB won't launch flights.

      I am more curious to see what Iberia does with Vueling on BCN-BEG.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous20:50

      Belgrade-Madrid would be a huge market if there would be direct flights.
      As simply as that.
      Amsterdam was no huge market for thirty years and then out of a void KLM started flights.
      Then suddenly after just two months KLM increased to double daily.
      Guess that should raise some eyebrows...

      Delete
    11. Anonymous21:21

      I'm with guy seeing Madrid can become new Amsterdam for Tesla. FRA, CDG, LHR, AMS, IST, SVO/DME and MAD are no-brainer destinations for any European airport with Vinci's ambition. I wouldn't say it's crucial for JU's future but it does fit their ambition too.

      Delete
    12. Nemjee21:34

      KLM carries a lot of passengers to North America. I don't think many would use MAD for those.

      I am not saying the market isn't there, just that I don't see it become the new AMS with so many frequencies. I do hope BCN does well for Vueling as they offer a lot of connections.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous22:11

      But why wouldn't they use? People traveled to North America before AMS became important connecting point, people change behaviour. But beside North America there's Mexico, Cuba and Caribbean, South America, Morocco and west Africa, inner Spain points including islands and of course Madrid itself. The people flying to these destinations well I believe they fill way more then 2 weekly. Timisoara has 2 weekly. How will BEG add millions of passengers if it will not be heavy connected with top 10 European airports?

      Delete
    14. Anonymous01:36

      Nemjee randomly commenting again and underestimating an important airport such as MAD. He obviously has never been there, but I don't blame him as he is focused on other island airports.
      Madrid was on the top 5 European airports in 2019 and has impeccable connections to Latin America, at least 15 domestic Spanish airports and simply a cool, more relaxed and safe capital compared to Paris or London.
      You can hop to Toledo or Salamanca or emerge yourself with the amazing tapas culture. Airport wise, MAD is a modern airport with 4 terminals and a great design for a terminal built almost 15 years ago.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous01:39

      Give it a rest with Madrid. You are becoming obnoxious and repetative.

      Delete
    16. Anonymous01:54

      Obviously Madrid and the whole of Spain is Belgrade airports biggest weakness.
      People will stop complaining only when direct flights will happen.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous01:56

      The only person complaining is you.

      Delete
    18. Nemjee07:14

      Hahaha ok. First thing first, the market to Latin America is not as large as the one to the US and Canada so the comparison between the two should not be made.
      Second of all, you do realize that IB already has the Iberian peninsula covered with Vueling via BCN. That route is operated as two per week with no indication of being increased. That already gives you an indication of the transfer potential to the region.
      Demand can be stimulated but only through the addition of new non-stop flights. However I don't see Iberia or Vueling doing any of that so it's up to JU and W6 to expand further in that region. Wizz Air has already announced Barcelona from December so it remains to be seen what JU announces for next summer.

      You do realize that there are hundreds of thousands of Romanians living in Spain? The route from Timisoara to Madrid is not there for Romanians going to experience tapas in Toledo or Avilla but it's rather there to bring gastos back home.

      BEG-MAD is quite long and connections are limited. If you remember that flight used to leave Belgrade at 06.05 meaning connections from places like BEY, KRR, LCA... were not possible. In simpler terms, a market that was not that big to begin with had reduced offer for transfer passengers. This mix is putting MAD lower on the list of priorities for JU.

      I don't think there is a need for you to be autistic and to repeat the same thing about MAD on every BEG related topic. It will be resumed by JU once the situation stabilizes which will probably be from next summer.

      Delete
    19. Anonymous09:53

      Barcelona will be served by 3 airlines with 6/7 weekly flights, after not having connection for decades. We'll have 3 airlines in Madrid in next two years with more than daily flights and we'll come back to this discussion :) So far, MAD is missed opportunity.

      Delete
    20. Nemjee10:40

      If the economy keeps on growing and if poverty is reduced in Serbia then we might get three airlines on MAD-BEG and even more connections to secondary airports in Spain.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous11:11

    To attract long haul flights and widebody aircraft Serbia needs to find a way of attracting more business visitors which sells more business class tickets and keeps loads good off-season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:51

      JU business class is not real business quality (only the price is) and their product has deteriorated significantly, they offer you nowadays a burger in business.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous12:05

    Sounds good

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous12:24

    I hope they first attract more European legacy airlines that used to fly to BEG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:39

      It would be great to see more European legacy carriers, but they don't have to do that first.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:00

      I hope they attract airlines that never previously flew to BEG. European legacies wouldn't really add much to the mix, except potentially more competitive prices.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:14

      I don't think this is in the Vinci's hands . this is a matter of each airlines operation.if the airline believe that flights are going to be profitable they will do it,if they don't so it's logic they won't.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:16

      And better connectivity.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous13:21

      @13.14
      An airport plays an important role in attracting airline. Many airlines don't realize the potential of certain markets unless they are presented with it. Also they could have a more enticing incentive policy for new arrivals.

      Delete
    6. Nemjee16:30

      I am trying to think who is really missing from BEG and three names come to mind: SAS, airBaltic and British Airways. SK and BA are trashy LCCs these days but at least with BA you would get access to their global network.

      I am sure all three will eventually make a comeback especially once the economy starts growing again. That said, I would rather have DY expand in BEG than to have SK back.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous16:45

      Iberia, TAP,Air Baltic,Flynas and Jazeera Airways.

      This summer Flynas and Jazeera did charters to Belgrade to test the waters.
      If conditions are favourable, scheduled flights could already begin next summer .

      Iberia, TAP and Air Baltic have big bases in tourist hotspots that can attract O&D as well as transfers.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous18:23

      AZAL.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous21:31

      Finnair

      Delete
    10. Anonymous21:48

      Icelandair

      Delete
    11. Anonymous00:49

      Emirates ..

      Delete
    12. Anonymous01:42

      Nemjee: "SK and BA are trashy LCCs these days but at least with BA you would get access to their global network." - well, they are facing a huge competition back home. Try stationing FR in BEG and competing with W6 and ju and then we can speak :)
      Sorry mate, today I have the feeling you are just jotting some random stuff without backing any base.

      Delete
    13. Nemjee07:41

      British Airways has maybe matched FR's and W6's product but have they matched their fares? No, they have not because their costs can never be as low.
      First thing first, BA operates out of LHR which is more expensive, it's centrally located and it generally attracts a higher paying clientele. So these higher yielding passengers are now faced with a much worse onboard experience while fares have more or less remained the same.

      Legacy carriers need to find a way to coexist with LCCs, their business model is unique and they can't secure their place under the sun by copying others who have little in common with them. Some like Aegean have struck a fine balance between lowering their costs while maintaining a decent level of onboard service. British Airways should have done the same. I think I read somewhere that Ryanair's average fare is €50. I wouldn't be surprised if that's how much LHR charges in all sorts of expenses per passengers (not just the airport tax).

      So tell me please, how will BA be competitive vis a vis other LCCs by simply removing free drinks and a snack on short and medium haul routes?

      Delete
    14. Anonymous07:52

      I like the way he writes, FR, W6, and 'ju'. Telling, isn't it.

      Delete
  33. As begins China flights in January. And both AS and AC have said hey have an interest in starting Toronto-Beg flights as of next summer. And, AS will be flying to Jakaterinburg as well. So the airport is well on its way to establishing more long haul flights.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous14:23

    As I mentioned on some other blogs, JU is preparing BIG adjustments for WS 21/22 and especially for SS 22.
    You remember huge expansion in 2013 when Etihad took over? Well, imagine that, but bigger.
    Schedule is re-thumbled for regional and EU flights so it match new long haul routes (three new planned for now), more Poland/Romanian routes will be launched and region will go on most routes double daily.
    So, great news from JU are ahead of us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:55

      Anon @14;23 are you saying that some true strategic planning was done and all this is going to start soon? Just out of curiosity with what AC...i.e. wet leased Smartwings on behalf of JU or some new 35 years old ATR?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:36

      Wet lease. ATRs, A319 and A330. MOU for lease was signed in August, becomes effective December

      Delete
  35. Excuses, excuses15:07

    So many excuses. Comments about AC needing 3x weekly are not believable. Airport expansion has not been an obstacle for long haul expansion. Airport said years ago they needed more time to add flights longer than 7 hours. Corona can't be used as an excuse any more. How many more years they need? Any other pebbles in airport shoes? Are they now waiting for A321XLR to enter service to add long haul? Disappointing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:08

      ^ Absolutely agree!
      JU is all talk and no action.
      There wont be flights to China in january.
      There wont be flights to Toronto next year.
      They do not even fly to Madrid which is shameful.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:58

      Air Serbia announced flights to New York in November 2015. In the past six years they were not able to announce another destination. Air Serbia's track record doesn't inspire confidence in their ability to expand long haul service.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:04

      Not flying to Madrid is shameful. Hahaha.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:19

      Trending joke in Madrid :
      No flights to Belgrado ...
      What the fu+k is a Belgado ???

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:23

      East of Zagreb there exists anything ?
      Must be a joke ...

      Delete
    6. Anonymous17:43

      Airport: "The expansion will allow us to transform the airport into a new regional hub and will provide new opportunities for launching long haul routes, such as the one we have to New York"

      Facts tell a different story: Belgrade airport added over a million new passengers in 2014 (before airport expansion) when Air Serbia implemented new regional hub model. Air Transat started A330 Toronto Zagreb route when Zagreb had old and cramped terminal without any air bridges. Hainan introduced widebody service to Belgrade before current airport expansion started.

      Why is airport making statements opposed by those facts? Truth is, long haul expansion at Nikola Tesla airport didn't have to wait for airport expansion.

      Delete
  36. Anonymous16:16

    Vinci should distance themselves from Air Serbia as much as possible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:25

      Well, the moment will come when Vinci will ditch Air Serbia.
      Its just a matter of time.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:02

      Yeah that is true and that moment is 22.12.2043.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous20:59

      Denial,denial ..

      Delete
    4. Anonymous04:32

      But Vinci is a business, not a charity .

      Delete
  37. Anonymous16:24

    The only good news from JU are their charter operations.
    That is what i really admire about them.
    But they and the tour operators should sit down and extend them into the whole winter season.
    Reduce the seasonality in charters!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:50

      Will they introduce Malaga charters?
      Many people from Belgrade i know fly there with Ryanair from Budapest and now even booking from Zagreb.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous04:37

      I wouldnt be surprised if JU does charters to Malaga next year.
      The interest for flying from Zagreb with Ryanair didnt go unnoticed by Serbian tour operators.

      Delete
  38. Anonymous19:35

    Air Serbia and Croatia Airlines should really buy each 2 widebodies so they can launch services to the far east because there is the demand but not a carrier to provide the service. (ex. China, India, South Korea)

    ReplyDelete
  39. U velikoj nadi verujem da ce sprovodjenje projekta izgradnje i obnavljanja celokupnog aerodroma vodi otvaranju cetiri dugolinijske destinacije. U duzem vremenu povecanje za jos dve do tri. Mislim primarno na Njujork, Sangaj, Toronto i Cikago.
    Kasnije i Bangkok i Adis Abeba. Verujem i pocetak domaceg saobracaja izmedju cetiri centra, ali sa produzenjem letenja do Banja luke, Trebinja, Ohrida, Mostara, Temisvara, Soluna, Krfa, Varne...
    Osvajanje i samodrzivost linija i trzista je tesko koliko i granja aerodroma. Sposobni ljudi koji upravljaju aerodromom i upravljaju u kordinaciji sa avio kompanija i vazduhoplovnim vlastima, imaju
    znanje i veru da centralni aerodrom Srbije dovedu u respektabilni Hub Jugoistoka Evrope.
    Radovan. ✈🌐🛫

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous21:37

    Belgrade airports greatest achievements this year are Flydubai and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi doubling their frequencies and KLM starting flying from Amsterdam.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous01:27

    BEG should still work on UK and Spain connections. If you compare other nearby airports such as TSR, the situation is quite different.
    UK and Spain have many airports and not efficiently connected with Belgrad. Before you think long-haul first focus on the continent.
    Not to mention basic important destinations such as LIS, PMI, BUD, MAN, BHX, DUB, BGY, NAP, etc, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:31

      You might want to have a look at the size of the Romanian diaspora in both countries to understand why there are so many flights to Spain and UK from Romania.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous01:58

      For flying 2-3 times a week to Manchester or Madrid you dont need a big diaspora.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous02:00

      You do if you need a visa to enter the UK, a process that takes over a month and costs several hundred pounds. Since you are not from Serbia and obviously have no clue what procedures are in place to enter I would suggest you give it a rest with your repetative comments.

      Delete
  42. Anonymous14:37

    CHICAGO!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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