The Ryanair Group is continuing to evaluate potential operations in Slovenia and the expansion of its existing services in Serbia, noting it is always on the lookout for new opportunities. The Director of Operations for Ryanair’s subsidiary, Lauda Europe, Tadej Notersberg, said, “We are tracking these two markets. They are interesting to us for different reasons. If we can see that we can turn around this potential into a profit, I’m sure that the Ryanair Group would take the decision and enter or expand in these markets”. Ryanair last operated on the Slovenian market in 2008 when it served Maribor, while it maintains operations to Serbia through Niš Airport.
The low cost carrier recently ruled out launching flights to Ljubljana in the near future, noting that its close proximity to Zagreb, where Ryanair boasts a base, enables it to effectively cover the Slovenian market. Mr Notersberg said, “We see a lot of passengers from Slovenia on our Zagreb flights. Even if you go to Zagreb Airport, either in departures or arrivals, you will see that there are lot of Slovenians. At the airport’s parking one will notice many cars with Slovenian car plates. We know and we are sure that we are covering the Slovenian market well from Zagreb Airport”.
In Serbia, the airline is continuing to operate out of Niš Airport. It recently said, "We believe that the Serbian market has great potential. Basing an aircraft is currently not an option for us, but developments take place quickly with Ryanair. Of course, this does not mean that Ryanair will not continue expanding its network from Niš and attributing to its passenger growth". On the other hand, Belgrade Airport has said that it is up the budget airline if it wishes to commence operations to the Serbian capital. “The low cost carrier market represents an important part of Belgrade Airport’s development. There is already a significant number of flights operated by budget airlines at Belgrade Airport. Even so, the decision to introduce flights to Belgrade is up to Ryanair”, the airport said.
What would have to happen for them to start flights from Belgrade?
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia would have to become weaker and BEG would have to give great discounts for FR to consider extensive type of operations from BEG. Then, there's Wizz too. FR could symbolically open up 4 to 5 routes, sure - there would be demand as BEG is clearly able to generate it. However, FR's strategy seems to be different - it's either all or nothing. The exceptions are highly lucrative markets (high seasonality or big hubs that are willing to offer appropriate discounts).
DeleteI think Belgrade would have to give them big discounts.
DeleteIf Ryanair came to BEG and opened many routes, it would be the end of JU.
DeleteI don't think it would be the end of JU just like Wizz Air didn't kill them when they were much weaker. Any loss of local traffic to FR would be compensated by the growing number of transfer passengers.
DeleteWith more transfer passengers and smaller planes, JU could offer more frequencies which would give them a competitive advantage over FR.
They have neither crushed Croatia Airlines and Bulgaria Air. So I doubt they would JU either.
DeleteI think Ryan is happy with flying to Nis for the time being.
Delete@Anon 09:16: It's difficult for a proper business to crush something that doesn't need to generate profit (or even cover its own costs for that matter).
DeleteProper business? Give same conditions to everyone involved and let see the outcome then.
DeleteAnon 09.17
DeleteJust don't forget that INI and BEG serve different markets. For example BEG also covers Novi Sad as well as the rest of Backa and then there is also Srem and Banat plus Western Serbia.
INI attracts passengers from eastern, central and southern Serbia.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was ever disclosed that some of these low-cost airlines were receiving subsidies by some States. The way they manage to charge for less than bus fare and still exist is not clear - regardless of the "special charges" for other things like extra baggage, food, ticket printing etc...
DeleteEr serbia is protected quite a lot in BEG and this is why we will not see them any time soon. Also remember how limited W6 are in BEG. There is a special agreement to keep the young airline alive and focus on transfers...
DeleteThere is no free lunch. Someone need to cover expenses for flights. Our hipsters need to travel on "grbaci" of working people.
Delete"The way they manage to charge for less than bus fare and still exist is not clear - regardless of the "special charges" for other things like extra baggage, food, ticket printing etc..."
DeleteLCC business model is no secret. Operate new aircraft with low fuel consumption and maintenance cost, order them in bulk (compare discounts when you buy 2 aircraft or 200), have as little admin/backoffice as you can, automate everything, short turnarounds (low handling fees), fuel hedging, economies of scale and lastly, keep an eye on every single expense on a daily basis, and always try to get a better deal.
It costs Wizz much, much, much less to fly Beg-airport X that it would Air Serbia to the same airport . And hence the ticket prices can be lower.
Another scenario is Air Serbia gets stronger and eliminates Ryanair out of BEG. Take example A3 in ATH , Ryanair came with big plans although Aegean managed to ''destroy'' Ryanair and now they terminate routes and have a small network. Maybe this could happen to BEG too.
DeleteOr like airBaltic beat Wizz Air. It's not impossible.
Delete@ANONYMOUS 12:03 Aegean airlines is a different scenario than Air Serbia. They simply won back then because they offered warm meals in descent prices.
DeleteI hope they will start to operate in Belgrade...we really need that!
DeleteOnce KVO fixes the runway issue I see them launching flights from there.
ReplyDeleteThey will come to BEG sooner or later, they don't want to miss out especially with Wizz Air performing really well there.
Is there any timeline on when the new runway will be built?
DeleteThere is little point of them starting Ljubljana considering it is well covered from ZAG.
ReplyDeleteWould it be impossible? Or do you think they could fly to both Zagreb and Ljubljana, or Zagreb and Maribor?
DeleteI think they could operate both LJU and ZAG. Just different routes.
DeleteActually I can see FR coming to LJU. If they can operate to ZAG, RJK and TRS, I don't see why not LJU as well. The market is there. And it's not that much about FR starting LJU, it's much more about Fraport and their willingness to reach mutually acceptable agreement. Even MBX could work, as GRZ don't have a single LCC except EW.
DeleteRYR functions well in Fraport managed airports all over Greece, but at LJU and FRA Fraport has different ideas. I can’t speak for LJU Fraport, but FRA Fraport has lost all common sense (if they had any to begin with), which made RYR to cease all ops in and out of FRA.
DeleteI really hope they will eventually start flights from BEG.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I would rather easyJet expand its presence in Belgrade. They are a very decent carrier.
DeleteRyanair has always been the toughest negotiator regarding airport taxes.
ReplyDeleteRyanair is always trying to get a very good deal on fees. But in the end, if they see a profitable market, they go there, even if the nominal fees are high.
DeleteI don't understand that they haven't launched flights from BEG. Taxes can't be an excuse since Wizz has a base in BEG and easy jet flies there as well.
ReplyDeleteWith the added cost, they calculated that they can't make a profit from BEG.
DeleteGasto market from Belgrade is well covered so unless they are ready to burn some Euros fighting for marketshare I don't see them launching those kind of routes.
ReplyDeleteMaybe FR could strike a deal with BEG to launch summer seasonal routes from places like Porto, Corfu and so on. BEG would be more than happy to give them regular discounts to operate at quieter times when the airport isn't that busy.
However, if FR is expecting BEG to give them massive discounts then they will be waiting for a long time. BEG is growing nicely and they already have an LCC based there which is expanding at its own pace. What would FR bring to the table that Wizz Air isn't or can't?
+1
DeleteThat sounds reasonable Nemjee (FR summer routes), but do we have any example that FR did something like that anywhere?
DeleteNo idea, I am trying to think of an airport that outright refused to give them discounts. Even FRA gave them a special treatment. It didn't work out in the end but still.
DeleteI think launching summer seasonal destinations could be a way to hit Wizz Air which seems to be doing well in places like Heraklion, Larnaca, Santorini or Barcelona.
Maybe FR considers flights from Chania either to INI or BEG. Their CFU flights seem to be doing well.
I hope Ryanair eventually opens a base in INI.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI hope they don't end INI operations, the way things are going.
Delete@Anon 9:27
DeleteAnd how are things going for them in INI?
Would love to see Ryan in BEG.
ReplyDeleteThey could come to BEG as a way to harm W6 and JU.
ReplyDeleteLjubljana and Belgrade should not accept Ryanair's ridiculous business terms.
ReplyDeleteI am not convenient about LJU as this airport currently suffers heavily with passengers but surely BEG does not need FR. I would say that it is quite opposite - FR needs BEG (as the biggest airport in the region) much more than BEG needs FR.
DeleteFor Ryaanair to launch flights from Ljubljana they would have to get support not just from the airport but also from city authorities (tourism board) and even government.
ReplyDeleteThat's how it usually works with them, especially when entering new markets.
DeleteMuch cheaper and more effective would be to establish national carrier.
DeleteSlovenia is the last EU market that is not served by Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteand one of few where national carrier does not exist anymore. And we need that more than FR
DeleteIn an ideal world, we would have both.
DeleteWhat about Pristina? High fees or visa restricted travel is stopping them? I know there are some big incentives at the airport so it shouldn't be fees.
ReplyDeleteWe might see them after visa liberalisation one day but you have to pay millions to Ryanair to start flights and I don't think PRN and many cities in the region want that.
DeleteWake up Ryan Air! they should launch to/from Pristina too same like Wizz Air, easyJet, Eurowings and others are operating to/from PRN. Ryan Air has very good chance if someone reminds Ryan Air about Pristina.
DeleteAgree
DeleteWhy did MBX fail? Poor loads?
ReplyDeleteLocal community didn't want to give subventions for those flights. LF was acctualy really good it was around 90%.
DeleteLocal community did not want anymore financially to support Ryanair.
DeleteWell to tell you the truth those subsidies were more worth it then the ones given to Adria. I wonder how much was given for each.
DeleteThat is for sure MBX subsidies brought to that region much more than it was invested in FR, but obviously people did not want to see it.
DeleteMBX failed because catchment area is ridiculously small. The airport would have never been built in current geopolitical situation (EU membership and inevitability Schengen with all neighbouring countries). The sooner the airport is closed and the losses are cut, the better.
DeleteLF on MBX-STN was 90% so clearly demand is there.
DeleteCatchment area by itself is not that big, but let's not forget that before FR came to ZAG LCC presence in surrounding airports was almost non existent.
DeleteWestern Hungary has no big airport and GRZ, KLU, LJU and ZAG had no LCC traffic so actually MBX had perfect position to attract FR especially as that region is well known for village and spa tourism.
Lauda should attack BEG-VIE or Ryanair with BEG-BTS, these routes have so much potential
ReplyDeleteAgree. Time to end the Austria/Air Serbia duopoly.
DeleteLauda is Ryanair and Ryanair won't come to BEG until prices drop.
DeleteAnd the prices won't drop as long as BEG develops successfully.
I know lol, I wanted to say Lauda should start BEG from their Vienna base
DeleteThey should bring back INI - BTS, those flights were packed back in 2019.
DeleteOr even introduce INI - BRQ, a bunch of Serbian students are studying in Brno and many workers are employed in Southern Moravia too. Bratislava is also easy accessible from Brno (Less than two hours by train).
But they have INI VIE flights, alsio close to Bratislava
DeleteMaybe FR to destinations from BEG where JU is not flying
ReplyDeleteLisbon and Dublin could work.
DeleteBy the time they launch Belgrade, they won't be able to start any new/unserved destinations.
DeleteSuch a shame things didn't work out for them with Skopje. Not only would passenger numbers explode but there would a mix and choice between Wizz and Ryan and I assume Wizz would also try more.
ReplyDeleteSerbia is a difficult market for some airlines. One problem is of cours the government support of JU.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Ryanair expands more in the region.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it's true or not but I heard that Ryanair has a tendering process where airports actually send in their bids to them. If it is that's quite crazy. Why waste your money.
ReplyDeleteJust keep away from LJU please.
ReplyDeleteYeah right, LJU must be only served by LH cartel, according to Fraport fanboys.
DeleteWhy should they keep away from LJU?
DeleteMaybe because they are not "prestigious" LOL
DeleteSooner or later they will introduce Belgrade flights. They are not going to leave the market to Wizz Air.
ReplyDeleteThey have been doing it for many years!
DeleteIf they ever start BEG, I wonder what destinations could work for them.
ReplyDeletePrague, Budapest, Athens,Rome, Barcelona...
DeleteSTN-BEG
DeleteThere is already Heathrow-Belgrade and Luton-Belgrade...
DeleteBEG is much more of an easyJet type destination than Ryanair, and I do expect JU to be protected like a polar bear - so it might not even be up to Ryanair whether they're going to pop over or not. They're not exactly known for their flexibility regarding costs.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have them in Sofia, Budapest and Bucharest so Belgrade makes sense. They will accept higher charges if demand is there.
DeleteYes but Sofia, Budapest or Bucharest don't have a legacy carrier like Air Serbia which is ready to put up a fight.
DeleteBulgaria Air and Tarom are a joke while Malev is long gone, RIP.
I wouldn't exactly call TAROM a joke.
DeleteTheir presence in ex-Yu is still very limited.
ReplyDeleteTheir presence would be greater if Wizz Air didn't employ blackmail tactics like they did in Tuzla and Skopje when Ryanair started talks to launch flights.
DeleteYes ok for beg but meanwhile TSR is getting more leisure destinations by Animawings and it is not even a capital....
ReplyDeleteRomania has been part of the EU for 15 years now. A huge part of its population has emigrated to other European countries.
DeleteHonestly, for JU it is better if Ryanair stays away from BEG, not just because of the competition but also because they would put a lot of focus on state aid, like they did with OU.
ReplyDeleteBEG is not the low hanging fruit for FR unlike ZAG. Four arguments why BEG is a nonstarter for FR:
ReplyDelete- two of their largest ULCC competitors already well established in BEG, unlike ZAG where they have 0 ULCC competition
- airport fees are higher in BEG
- flag carrier much stronger in BEG
- FR can't compete to many markets due to bilaterals
Agree about 1, 3 and 4, but think regular airport fees (with no incentive scheme) are higher in ZAG than BEG
DeleteI think Ryan got lower fees with incentives in ZAG than what they can get with incentives in BEG.
DeleteI wonder if FR has a certain passenger number target in ZAG they need to reach in order to get these discounts.
DeleteI think FR generally shies away from non EU markets.
ReplyDeleteNot exactly. UK is one of their biggest markets. They operate to and from Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine (pre-war), Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Israel. It can hardly be said "shies away" for 11 non EU countries they fly
DeleteThey had big plans for Ukraine this summer (as well as for the future), before the war started.
DeleteFrom beg/ini they can easily go seasonal to burgas/varna. Why not naples. Porto. Batumi...
ReplyDeleteGreek islands as well (seasonally)
DeleteRyan Air is no go for me they r always late
ReplyDeleteTheir on time performance is in the high 80s to low 90%s typically.
Delete@Unknowm
DeleteI flew 47 times one way on Ryanair. 45 flights on time. Flights were delayed TWO times - for cca two hours. That much about always late. Actually I think they officially have the best on time record in Europe