The three national carriers in the former Yugoslavia - Air Serbia, Croatia Airlines and Air Montenegro - will all be renewing or expanding their fleets this year. As reported earlier this week, Air Serbia has begun the process, with the arrival of its leased ATR72-600 aircraft now planned in the coming weeks. The airline is expected to take up five of the turboprops, which are currently undergoing test flights and painting in Toulouse. Although the carrier has not commented directly on the imminent arrival of the aircraft, it noted, “We have big plans when it comes to upgrading our services and offering the best possible user experience. We are planning to boost frequencies to certain destinations, introduce new routes and offer many new exciting experiences for our passengers”. It added, “Air Serbia is rapidly recovering and aiming to achieve 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 2023. As a result, we plan to embark onto a phase of continuous growth as the leading regional airline”.
Croatia Airlines is considering operating a single-type fleet as part of its post-Covid strategy which would include the replacement of both its Airbus and Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Both Airbus, with its A220 jet, and Embraer, with its E2 family (pictured), are courting an order from the Croatian carrier. Croatia Airlines is now waiting for its owner - the Croatian government - to approve its post-Covid strategy, which has been developed in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group, in order to implement the proposed changes over the coming three years. The strategy, which has not been made public, is believed to include the acquisition of up to fifteen aircraft. The carrier has dubbed its upcoming transformation as a “strategy for success”, which has been driven by the ongoing pandemic.
Air Montenegro, which currently boasts a fleet of two Embraer E195 aircraft, has said it plans to add “at least one” jet next summer season. The airline recently issued a public call for the lease of one aircraft, either from the Airbus A320 family or the Boeing 737 family, for a period of between three to eight years, starting from April 2022 at the earliest, with the possibility of extending the contract. The aircraft must have the capacity to seat at least 144 passengers. The Montenegrin carrier will select the most economically favourable bid with their public opening scheduled for next Monday at 13.00. The airline’s CEO, Predrag Todorović, recently said, “Based on analysis we undertook, a business model centred on the exclusive use of Embraer aircraft is difficult and can almost never be profitable. Therefore, in order to be successful on a market such as Montenegro, especially during the summer, greater capacity is required. We are slowly moving in that direction”.
Interesting to see all three airlines going in different directions. JU taking on regional planes, OU going with mid-sized narrow bodies and Air Montenegro getting larger plane.
ReplyDeleteIt has been 4 months since Croatia Airlines said it had completed its post Covid strategy and submitted it to the government. 4 months! What is the government waiting for? They are loosing precious time.
ReplyDeleteThe government probably has to find a way to finance an order for new planes.
Delete^
DeleteA) The planes more likely will nor be brand new.
B) Croatia Airlines can sell the aircraft it owns to finance the renewal of its fleet.
Plenković will time this with the next elections
DeleteInside info is that until the end of January the process of chosing new type will be over.
DeleteI guess we'll see if that will be the case.
^ Thanks. Will these be brand new plans or already produced? If they order brand new it will take over a year for them to be delivered right?
DeleteI'm beginning to loose hope for Croatia Airlines' new aircraft order and am thinking more and more it was just a farce. Was expecting it to be different this time.
ReplyDeleteSame :(
DeleteFinally some progress among these airlines.
ReplyDeleteThis new YM has been a bit of a disappointment. Over half a year they can't paint their planes and they haven't concluded a codeshare with a single airline
ReplyDeleteIf that is the only concern just six months after they are launched than that is great.
DeleteThe main concern should be profit. It is after all why the predecessor was shut down, and increasingly seems Air Montenegro is going down the same road.
DeleteAir Montenegro should try working on getting into IATA.
DeleteThey are doing pretty well so far, let's see what happens next
DeleteGood news!
ReplyDeleteWill all the Air Serbia ATRs arrive at the same time or they will come one by one when they are painted a complete pre-registration procedures?
ReplyDeleteWhat is Air Montenegro going to do with an A320/B737 in the middle of winter?
ReplyDeleteFly to Belgrade
DeleteThat is one or two flights per day. Rest of the time it sits on the ground. Way too costly
DeleteOperating a single-type fleet of A220s or E2s would be extremely risky for OU in my oppinion especially in winter when planes are far from full.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thought, especially when they operate more flights with the Dash than with the Airbus planes now.
DeleteIt will likely result in a lot of savings. Having a one type fleet carries a lot of positives. I assume part of this post covid strategy is actually increasing passenger numbers, improving load factors and reducing seasonality.
DeleteThey are not going to replace entire fleet over night. It would be a process taking several years and getting rid of the Dash planes would probably be the last step.
DeleteMaybe they expect to be purchase by Aegean which will eventually provide them with turboprops :D
DeleteHow old are the Dash planes?
DeleteOn average, 12 years.
DeleteThey are applying the Air Baltic model by using 1 sole aircraft type and it really makes sense at this stage.
DeleteWe will see. Keep in mind that the pre pandemic LF was just in the 60% range.
DeleteAir Serbia not only must replace ATR72 200 series with 600, they have to additionally introduce rj planes, if they want to be more competitive on the market.
ReplyDeleteAgree. They need more regional Jets to launch more regional routes and increase frequencies on routes that cannot fill a A320 daily.
DeleteSince they only have 1 A320, that isn't a problem.
DeleteA220 fits a DC9 and A319 replacement perfectly.
ATR72s and A220s would be perfect.
DeleteOh and A330neo :D
DeleteHonestly, I wish them all the best of luck. Thing is, situation in Europe is still f...d up with airlines publishing reduced timetables in summer and then cancelling as time goes by. Lufthansa and others are flying empty to preserve their slots, others are still grounding.
ReplyDeleteJU may rely on Russian/Balkan transfers, Turkey, Greece to an extent and US transfer flights but in continental Europe it will be tricky.
Same applies for OU, they need new non-EU markets to be able to have more options.
Anyway, changing fleet is definitely now when plane prices are lower.
Yet charters and more charters are needed to non-EU destinations with less restrictions. Sadly though, the EU market remains a huge and significant one....
+1
DeleteWhat is happening with the third Montenegro Airlines plane that was supposed to go to Air Montenegro?
ReplyDeleteThey waiting for the government to buy it for them.
DeleteWhy replace Q400s at OU? They are not that old.
ReplyDeleteSome exciting time coming!
ReplyDeleteBoth JU and OU missing a plane in between the ATR/Q400 and Airbus.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Mix of turbo props and regional Jets would make most sense for JU, as it would allow them to achieve good financial returns on short routes and open new routes that are uncomfortable on a turbo props.
DeleteI think both regional and long haul fleet expansion is needed for both airlines.
DeleteCan bet Air Montenegro will go for Airbus.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the ATR72-600s to touch down in Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteATRs will be a game changer for JU as they will be more reliable and much more economical on longer sectors such as Prague. Also, with an improved passenger comfort, they will compete much better with their competition on flights to Vienna, Montenegro, Bucharest ...
ReplyDeleteHopefully Air Serbia puts greater focus on Italy. It's a massive, wealthy market with both inbound and outbound demand that remains decent throughout the year. Since it is relatively close, they can open new markets with the ATRS.
I am wondering if Air Serbia will actually launch some new routes due to the arrival of the ATR?
DeleteI agree with your view on Italy. Only issue is that its strict entry rules and vaccine mandates might lead to a drop in demand from Balkans and Air Serbia's main transfers markets to Italy like Russia.
I think only tourism with Italy has not yet recovered. Gastos can travel and now businessmen can as well. Two out of three business segments have been more or less restored. I think this is a good starting point and that's where the ATR can play a crucial role.
DeleteThis summer they will have Rome, Milan and Venice and hopefully they add another one or two destinations to boost their connectivity in Belgrade.
Personally I think Omicron is the last of covid after which I think life will go back to normal.
It will help not having Alitalia/ITA to compete against although Wizz will put up a challenge.
DeleteI think Wizz will create a new market rather than steal the existing one
Delete@Nemjee
DeleteGastos from Italy cannot really travel. There's still a mandatory 10-day quarantine even if you are fully vaccinated and have a negative test on arrival back to Italy. I haven't been back to BEG since September due to this rule. Couldn't even visit family for the holidays.
It would be great seeing some more frequencies on ex-YU routes as well. Split morning/evening SJJ, year round SPU with more frequencies for both SPU and DBV in the summer that fit in with the JFK rotations would be a nice start.
DeleteAs for Italy, I think that might be better for the A319. FLR was supposed to open but I wouldn't be surprised if BLQ or PSA follows.
Something worth considering could be Kukes in Albania seeing as TIA performs well.
Vlad, that's idiotic. Italy has been really difficult with entry requirements. They seem to be changing it all the time so it's difficult to keep up.
DeleteJATBEGMEL
DeleteI think those could happen but only once their fleet grows even more. I see them adding a few new destinations with these but nothing too revolutionary...
And where are all those airplanes are going to be paid from?
ReplyDeleteFrom taxpayers.
DeleteWell, they could all go for the the Sukhoi Superjet. It would be the cheapest option.
DeleteThe Sukhoi Superjet is ideal for the vast majority of the network of all three airlines.
DeleteJU will pay from ticket sales revenue.
Delete@09,59
DeleteThe SSJ are expensive decorations to have in front of the hangars.
Now that JU has got the ATRs, we need the arrival of more widebodies :D
ReplyDeleteOU should focus on replacing Airbuses rather than Q400.
ReplyDeleteWell, they will focus on replacing both.
DeleteThe biggest fleet issue for JU has now been resolved. The 30 year old ATR's needed to be replaced ASAP.
ReplyDeleteKeeping these old dinosaurs in the fleet was becoming more and more costly.
DeleteAccording to some rumors OU's final fleet will be 14 x A220.
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect match for Croatia's needs
DeleteSo I remember reading here from commentators just 2 months ago how JU has no fleet renewal strategy... So much for that.
ReplyDeleteWhy such a focus on fleet from Croatia Airlines? I think it's fine. I would rather see them first focus on new markets and deal with Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteThey think all their problems will be magically resolved with new planes, which actually aren't the core of the issue.
DeleteA220s are perfect for OU but I would not retire the Q400s.
ReplyDeleteI think a mix of E175 E190/E195 would be perfect for Croatia
DeleteOU is political tool again. Obviously Plenkovic is buying his position in Brussels, the same as with Rafals before. Similar as when 320 arrived originally, in deal concluded by Sarinic and Tudjman, to buy european position for Croatia, despite the fact 737's OU had were in perfect condition, flew all around EU for another 10 years, were paid off and owned and bringing clean profit, and 320 was way too big, way to expensive to acquire and was to expensive and complicated to operate. The same is now. Embraer has wider range in seat number options and can cover better for different types, it's cheaper to obtain, and cheaper and easier to operate. But of course, as every time till now, they will opt for worse for the company and better for the Mafia - 220. For not retiring Q400, that part I agree, they should stay in fleet, but only if complete model is changed and OU stop feeding LH only, grow regional network, switch 320 neo order to 321XLR, introduce North American long-haul, and use both Q400 and Embraers, both 170 and 195, to operate and feed its own W and N european and N american services, with "deep cleaning" done first, of crime and corruption, and excessive administrative workforce. But I can only dream about it, because everything will remain the same, Plenkovic will get his Brussels armchair, and we shall continue paying losses for feeding LH, this time just with newer and more expensive planes
DeleteIt would be nice to see a livery of some sort on Air Montenegro's aircraft first.
ReplyDeleteYes, their aircraft are idle most of the time this winter but still nothing.
DeleteConsidering the livery they have chosen, better that they don't.
DeleteI like it
DeleteIt will be interesting to see if Air Serbia will have to resort to wet leasing planes this summer like last year. They obviously need more aircraft in peak summer. Arrival of newer ATRs won't change that.
ReplyDeleteIf they had to last year they will have to this year considering that demand should be even greater and they are resuming a lot of routes.
DeleteBefore Covid they used to lease a CRJ900 during the summer. Maybe they do the same now.
Delete* wet lease not lease
DeleteJU does surprise us. They still haven't said anything officially about the ATR's. Considering a couple A319's are leaving and 2 B737's were used last summer, I wouldn't be surprised to see 5-6 A319's join the fleet by summer.
DeleteFingers crossed
DeleteWhat could be price for ATR? Buying and leasing.
DeleteAbout bloody time
ReplyDeleteJU has done a lot with its fleet in the last year. They retired the B737s, taking on new ATRs, replaced their A330 and leased 2 A319s.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the 737s now? Scrapped or sold in Africa?
DeleteSold
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2021/11/air-serbia-sells-boeing-aircraft.html
So many problems with the air industry in ex-yugoslavia would be solved with the creation of one regional airline. Too bad Yugoslav Airlines disappeared like the old Yugoslavia.
ReplyDelete"Mirko Tatalović, the Deputy Vice President for Marketing and Network at Croatia Airlines said the Croatian carrier was willing to merge its operations with Adria Airways but also added that politicians were unwilling to carry through with the plan."
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2013/09/politics-blocked-ex-yu-airline-merger.html
Would not make more sense for Air Montenegro just to wet lease B737 or A320 during summer months. I can't possibly see what they are going to do with it in winter.
ReplyDeleteI still think JU could make use of pair of ATR42s for short regional hops.
ReplyDeleteWhats the point? The 72 does everything the 42 can. Similar operating expenses. The 20 seat difference doesn't mean much.
DeleteYou could land at some airport the ATR72 can't or can but with restrictions. Portoroz is one. It can also be useful to develop a certain route, which would eventually be upgraded to ATR72.
DeleteSlovenia being in Schengen Zone means no borders to cross into Italy as there once was in the 1980's when JAT began flying to POW. Flying to POW is pointless as they can fly out of TRS instead without weight restrictions. In fact, JU flew longer to TRS compared to POW. A drive from Koper, for example, to TRS is 20 minutes longer than to POW.
DeletePOW is the only airport in the region where the ATR72 had operational restrictions, and thats due to their short runway.
Operational costs between the 2 aircraft are not drastically different to justify taking on the ATR42. After all, the difference is practically 20 seats.
And what about Air Serbia's purchase of A330-300?
ReplyDeleteOn the way as we speak.
DeleteCan the ATR72-600 make it in one shot from Toulouse to BEG with no cargo and no passengers?
ReplyDeleteI think yes
DeleteAbsolutely. OU operated ATR42 ZAG to AMS, fully loaded
Delete