Air Serbia handled 61.702 passengers on its sole long haul service between Belgrade and New York, reaching 84.6% of its pre-pandemic numbers on the route. During 2021, Air Serbia is believed to have achieved its best financial results on the route since its launch, according to statements made by both airline and state officials. In the cargo department, the carrier recorded its best performance on record, uplifting 3.906 tonnes of cargo, up 120% on 2019, according to data provided to EX-YU Aviation News by the United States Bureau of Air Transport Statistics. “Despite the pandemic, our transatlantic flight has continued to deliver positive results. We were one of the few airlines that have flown to New York throughout the pandemic. New York in 2020 and 2021 is one of our most profitable routes”, Duncan Naysmith, the airline’s CEO at the time, said last year.
Air Serbia Belgrade - New York - Belgrade performance, 2021
Overall, there were slightly more passengers from the Serbian capital heading to the Big Apple, with 31.330 travellers boarding Air Serbia’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft in Belgrade. A total of 30.372 passengers flew from New York. The route’s operational results show high seasonality in line with frequency fluctuations throughout the year, with a surge of diaspora traffic in June, July and the first half of August, with those same passengers returning back to the States in late August and throughout September. July remains the route’s busiest month with 9.745 passengers, while February, traditionally the slowest in the aviation industry, being the quietest with 2.382 travellers.
Air Serbia will mark its sixth anniversary of operations to New York and the United States on June 23. “The Serbian flag carrier is the only airline in the region to have a regular nonstop year-round transatlantic flight. Air Serbia’s flights to the Big Apple are almost always at full capacity, and this route has contributed greatly to the development of tourism and business cooperation between the region of South-eastern Europe and the United States”, the company said. Air Serbia was the first Belgrade-based carrier to restore flights between the city and the United States in 2016 after almost a quarter of a century. In 1990, its final full year of uninterrupted operations, JAT Yugoslav Airlines, whose passenger numbers were already being impacted by a severe economic crisis and spiralling inflation at home, handled 201.292 passengers between Yugoslavia and the United States.
Second or even third widebody is a must
ReplyDeleteDoubt it, there is no interest in expanding long haul.
DeleteThey were getting close before the situation with Ukraine and Russia
DeleteInteresting. A big increase in cargo might be the reason this route is profitable now.
ReplyDeleteThat and increase in premium passengers.
DeleteAir Serbia will be losing a lot of money at the moment on their New York flights due to the high oil prices
ReplyDeleteDoubt it as they were not cheap to start with
DeleteBy that logic all airlines are loosing a lot of money on all routes.
DeleteLarger airlines typically hedge fuel, which can bring substantially reduced fuel costs.
DeleteAir Serbia has quite a good deal with NIS.
DeleteI very much doubt Air Serbia hedges fuel?
DeleteJU has quite a good deal with NIS. There was mention of it on Insajder.
DeleteIn 2020, NIS donated 270 tonnes of fuel to JU for the cargo flights bringing in medical supplies to the country. I believe the A330 burns something around 6 tonnes of fuel per hour on long haul.
JU also partnered with French company OpenAirlines in 2020 for better fuel management using their SkyBreathe technology.
Come on Marek & co. we know you can make it! You'll overtake 2019 results in no time.
ReplyDeleteWith Marek yes.
DeleteWith ex Jat Airways management surely not.
What ex Jat Airways management exactly?
DeleteHe is going to list you the only person he knows - CCO Grozdanic (he somehow concluded this is ex Jat Airways management) even though Grozndanic has been in a high position for several years since the creation of Air Serbia, that he knows nothing about him, and that he is demonizing him for no apparent reason. Also he somehow concludes that "Jat Airways management" would be somehow against long haul flights without knowing an actual thing. Just shooting his mouth.
Delete* COO wanted to say.
DeleteThe COO certainly does not decide on which new routes will be launched. There is a department called Network Planning and it most certainly isn't being run by anyone from Jat Airways (there is almost no one from Jat left in the head office. Those few that are, are there because no one from the newer generations knew how to do the job). As for Grozndanic he has actually been COO for two and a half years. Just because you learnt about him yesterday does not mean that he has been there since yesterday. And while he has been COO Air Serbia has launched something like 20 new routes. But again he has nothing to do with deciding on where Air Serbia will fly.
DeleteGrozdanic is a disaster because he can't sustain the airline's network. We all remember those massive delays some days ago and that's without night transfers like LCA, BEY, CAI, AMM...
DeleteI'm just coming back to your original comment on how "Jat Airways management" is to blame for there not being more long haul destinations. What a stupid comment.
DeleteI wonder if the pandemic didn't happen whether we would have a second widebody now.
DeleteThat was not my comment, so...
DeleteToday ARN was moved to 09.15 because they did not have enough planes to operate the schedule they initially created.
I hope Marek as the CEO steps in to save the day before the busy summer season starts.
anon 09:17
DeleteYou try to play smart but obviously it did not work.
The point is that I did not think on any specific manager of JU today, but on terrible group of people that was leading Jat Airways as one of the worst airliners at that time in Europe.
The quality of Air Serbia, its network, fleet, image can't be anyhow compared to Jat Airways but still there are people who attack current JU management only because they wish Jat Airways time to return when they actually had huge salaries, zero responsibility and once Air Serbia got created kicked out.
I truly hope that time won't return anytime soon for the good of all Air Serbia passengers.
I think many attack current management not because they want Jat back but because they know Air Serbia can be much better run. Unfortunately this management won't be able to lead JU to profitability, let's hope government hires some world renowned airline professional as future ceo
Delete"Unfortunately this management won't be able to lead JU to profitability,"
DeleteBased on what have you concluded that? You will only be able to say that when the 2022 financial results are published which will be in August next year.
Just check social networks of JU's Chief Government affairs and relations Officer and start the fun. He's one of only 4 Executive Board members. Hilarious!
DeleteIf the route is profitable and the numbers are good, the logical thing would be to add more flights.
ReplyDeleteThey don't have the aircraft for that.
Delete6 pw is the most they can have with one plane, which is what they are doing.
DeleteIf they had a commercial strategy they would have boosted flights outside the three summer months.
DeleteGoes to show that they rely on gastos
Of course they rely on gasto from the entire Balkans on this route. What did you expect them to rely on? US holidaymakers wanting to visit Ada Ciganlija in November?
DeleteThe only way to substantially increase winter loads is to improve the business environment in Serbia and attract more investments into the country.
DeleteJU doesn't have a corporate program so business traffic will fly with their corporate partners like LH, KL, LX...
DeleteJU should rather do a better job in attracting transfers
JU is part of the Etihad Guest program.
DeleteThey do an excellent job in attracting transfers on this route with almost half of all passengers being transfers.
I was speaking about a corporate program. Not mileage one which JU anyway doesn't advertise anywhere
Delete@09,55
DeleteCorporate program at JU is there, but practically non existant. Dissatisfaction with them is often seen on their social media pages, linked in being one of them. That is definitely something they need to improve on.
I would personally like to see government officials being made to use JU on flights leaving Serbia. It's outrageous to see government officials using foreign airline companies to destinations where JU flies to.
Annon 09:38, Jesus I've been laughing whole day. US holiday makers wanting to visit Ada Ciganlija in Novembar.
Delete@Annon 09:55, There is a small department at JU taking care of corporate sales. If I am not mistaken, two persons take care of corporate contracts and offers and provide some kind of assistance to corporate clients. I myself had a pleasure meeting them in process of arranging terms for buying tickets on JU operated flights.
DeleteCongratulations
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. Those figure are good considering the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWith more flights this year and a better situation, numbers should reach pre-Covid levels.
ReplyDeleteAre there any plans what they are going to do with the A330 this winter? If they keep 2 flight p/w outside peak holiday period they can comfortably use the aircraft on some other route.
ReplyDeleteThey are finally using the A330 on many European routes when there are high loads - Barcelona, Paris, Zurich, Istanbul...
DeleteThey will be using it on Doha charters this winter for the World Cup.
DeleteSo despite everything, they managed profitability on this route in five years. Good.
ReplyDeleteCargo figure is impressive
ReplyDeleteThank you for the loads
ReplyDeleteAny idea on what percentage of pax are O&D, and transfer?
ReplyDeleteThere was some info recently that about 55% is O&D on this route overall.
DeleteBased on these figures, is anyone able to calculate the load factor?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that matters is profitability.
ReplyDeleteJU transatlantic product is excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt most definitely isn't. It's just ok. Their IFE is just bad, especially the map
DeleteThe map... obviously you haven't flown with them. Out of everything, the map is provided by Jappesen and is used by almost every single airline in the world. But ok.
DeleteTheir IFE is fine. Definitely not Emirates level but it is OK, wouldn't say it's bad. I've flown with them several times. There are around 10 movies in each category - New releases, Hollywood classics, Serbian movies, children's movies etc. There are around 10 shows each under each genre - comedy, drama, lifestyle with entire season loaded or at least a few episodes.
DeleteArmchair experts
DeleteYou obviously have not flown on KL, UA, DL, AF... They have all upgraded their map and IFE. JU's is outdated, it was ok ten years ago. You obviously don't fly around much.
DeleteYeah sure. I certainly have flown around. And with airlines that are much better than Delta and United. You focusing on their moving map tells me how much you've travelled.
DeleteMoving map and IFE is a key component in air travel, that's why airlines are investing so much into it. Well, all besides JU..
DeleteThe nonsense with the moving map is hilarious.
DeleteI travel often and I never really care about the quality of IFE.. Guys, its 2022, we all have our own IFE on our phones, tablets etc. But i do care about the quality of food (specially long haul flights), seat type and configuration of the seats, frequent flyer program etc. IFE? I dont care. 95% of the time the screen stays switched off. How can "not the best IFE" affect ANY airlines, i will never understand
DeleteWrong. People care about IFE and don't want to bring their own device. That is why DL and UA did not follow AA's example in removing screens. E en AA admitted it wasn't their best decision.
DeleteBut you have flown how many times with Air Serbia's A330 to give a conclusion on whether their IFE is good or not? The fact that you are stuck on a moving map shows you have never flown with them. I have several times on the A330 and I have given you a description of their IFE product. Definitely not the best but definitely not the worst. Spitting on something for the sake of spitting which you have been doing continuously is unnecessary.
DeleteIt's the same disgruntled person who constantly has an issue with JU - their moving map, on a trip report in the comments he complained why the pilot apologized 3 times over the PA because of a delay, he complained the other day why all Air Serbia cabin crew still wear masks on the flights and so on. Just nonsense.
DeleteIt's hilarious that now the moving map is a problem in JU. I wonder what will be next. The shade of blue used on the livery? The thread count of the carpet used on their aircraft?
Delete@ 12:05
DeleteI couldn’t agree more.
Anonymous12:52 People care about IFE
DeleteLOL. Here's 100eur if you can prove most customers are making purchasing decision based on IFE over fare price and route schedule. Heck, here's 1000eur if you can prove it!!!
Spoken like a true Anonymous. How should I contact you when I complete my research?
DeleteIf people didn't care about IFE then airlines wouldn't either, since they do...
DeleteAlso the guy said that JU's product isn't fantastic as someone claimed and he's right about that. Outdated moving map is just one of the things.
@05:42
DeleteAhahhahhahh
>>Spoken like a true Anonymous. How should I contact you when I complete my research?
DeleteJust like true Anonymous claimed IFE is important :D. Publish your proof and I'll track you down.
>>If people didn't care about IFE then airlines wouldn't either, since they do..
No one said people/airlines don't care at all. Ryan/Wizz would also care more if they had evidence IFE would make them more profitable. I said: ...prove most customers are making purchasing decision based on IFE over fare price and route schedule. Can you prove it? Of course not.
You will track me down, ok, cool.
DeleteGood news for Air Serbia. I'm glad this route is improving.
ReplyDeleteI hope they expand with some sort of agreement with one of the US airlines, preferably a codeshare.
ReplyDeleteNot having a US partner on this route is a major failure of the management, past and present.
DeleteAgain, the top management is not usually involved in concluding codeshares. There is an actual department for it and Air Serbia has an actual person in charge of their US operations. But both past and current ones have tried to find a US partner. It didn't work because no US airline is interested in cooperating.
DeleteAgain, the top management is not usually involved in concluding codeshares.
Delete----------
What nonsense. Of course they are especially when they agree on a code share with other high level managers. Lower managers later on finalize the details.
Point is that JU offers nothing to US carriers because they have a pathetic year-round presence in JFK especially in winter.
Then again JU codeshares are so expensive that it would make no difference.
Joining an alliance would be most beneficial.
DeleteThey don't really offer anything to an alliance
DeleteThey don't offer anything to anyone. Happy now?
DeleteOf course not because my taxes are keeping them alive. JU needs new management
DeleteI'm sure your taxes pay for it.
DeleteJU has nothing to offer, but on the other side we got OU with so much to offer to SA :D hahaha
DeleteIf not my taxes then whose since I'm paying them to the ministry of finance?
DeleteHave they considered maybe introducing premium economy?
ReplyDeleteWeren't experts here predicting how they will cancel these flights?
ReplyDeleteIt started off with predictions it would not launch.
DeleteI remember all the comments on here how these flights will all be empty, cancelled in less then a year, that with one plane their flights will always be delayed and cancelled and all the other BS.
DeleteLong term Air Serbia will cancel this flight unless they expand long haul fleet and destinations. It might take a long time but eventually it will be gone just like CSA with their A330. The only way to survive is expansion.
DeleteLOT placed long haul expansion at the core of their network and survival strategy. CSA and JU didn't. It's just a matter of how many years will Air Serbia keep A330 in the fleet. Unless they change the stategy and add a couple of long haul aircraft.
Delete@10,28
DeleteThat isn't true and that was evident when ARA was replaced with ARB. If they wanted to back out from long haul and widebodies, the end of the lease for ARA would of been it.
OK had that 1 A330 as KE maxed out on flights allowed to the Czech Republic and wanted more, hence why that aircraft was mainly flying to ICN. OK-YBA was brought in from KE, which had a 44% stake in OK.
Fact is, JU has been very active with the A330 the past 2 years compared to previous years. It no longer has extensive ground time in BEG as it once did. I see this as testing the market in preparation for a 2nd aircraft to come.
JU A330 was flown long haul in 2020 to help with pandemic needs, not to test new markets. Recent deployments were to destinations reachable by A319 fleet where additional capacity was needed.
DeleteAir Serbia does not want to back out from long haul but they don't want to expand either. They still don't understand why single plane long haul is not sustainable for them. Options are to completely stay out of long haul, like Aegean, or to put long haul network as a priority, like LOT.
@15,00
DeleteIn previous years, where JU could of increased capacity, they didn't use the A330. We have started to see this change since 2020, before the pandemic, but especially now. Charters, scheduled routes, cargo runs for medical supplies.
I didn't say they were testing new markets, but testing their current routes, to see how viable it is to maintain the A330 on scheduled routes until long haul frequencies pick up in late June. So far we have see the aircraft once a week scheduled to BCN, also jumping in to add capacity to ZRH, IST, CDG. Fact is that the A330 has been far more active than previous years which is positive development. Previously, it was parked in BEG in front of the Jat Tehnika hangars waiting for an increase in JFK frequencies for more utilisation.
JU has never stated that they were not interested in long haul expansion. In fact they have been looking into a long haul expansion. Again, the fact that ARA was replaced with ARB indicates they are interested in staying in the long haul market.
ARB was a cost cutting opportunity.
DeleteWhen was the last time Air Serbia official publicly said something about their long haul expansion (not existing route but expansion)? I really don't know, it must have been a very long time.
Correct. ARB was a cost cutting move, however ARA was still replaced. If they were going to back out of long haul ops, that would of been the time to do it.
DeleteJU doesn't talk much about any of its expansion plans, as don't most airlines. We typically find out the info here first before JU makes a statement. Just as was the case this year with their new routes, new ATR's, arrival of YU-APN, arrival of wet leases. However, YYZ back in 2018 confirmed that they were in advanced talks with JU. Vinci has mentioned that they are working with JU to support medium and long haul route expansion, officials have been to Canada, China and India preparing bilateral agreements. JFK was insisted on by the government, and I believe the second route will be as well. The government has been insisting on China, while JU apparently has slots for YYZ and there was some months back a petition signed by the Serbian community in Chicago to get JU to launch flights to ORD.
Rushing into long haul isn't good either. The launch of JFK really damaged their finances (amongst others) and forced them into cost cutting measures to stabilise finances. The knock on effect was a downsizing of capacity on their routes, including regional. Long haul doesn't equal sustainability and it isn't a must for them. It would be nice to have, but not a must. Let's see their finances for 2021 and have this conversation then.
I am afraid there will be those at Air Serbia pushing for no long haul expansion agenda even if 2021 results are good. They could ask for another A319 lease, more regional and EuroMed destinations, more charters for next summer, more frequencies for current routes, more anything but long haul.
DeleteIs JU still at JFK because they want to or because the government is forcing them to keep it? ;)
Delete@03,26
DeleteThat's something neither me or you knows. A319 leases are alot cheaper, Euro-Med routes can be launched with minimal investment and have positive results in a short space of time. Euro-Med is flexible in the sense you can announce a route in short notice and make it happen, cancel it if sales are not working and use capacity elsewhere. AER is being launched 3 weeks after being announced. That's not possible with long haul, or better put, a very stupid idea.
@ 07,51
Personally I think they are there now because they want to. However, the Serbian government was the one insisting on the route, and we see them insisting on further long haul growth, China in particular. Honestly, I think they should go for another US destination (ORD) and increase frequencies to JFK.
I'm still wondering how they never managed to find a 2nd A330 during the last years to add more JFK frequencies and launch a second LH route. It's been a long time I'm following the news about future YYZ or PVG/PEK flights and nothing happened refer since.
ReplyDeleteAlso curious to find out if the current JFK slots and their pricing i.e if they are making money on this route because frequencies have always remained the same.
Good performance, nice to see it has developed well. It s an important flight for the whole region
ReplyDeleteThe number of passengers in 2019 was 72,938, but in 2018 it was even higher - 79,657. It is not always good to compare with 2019 because in some cases there were better years.
ReplyDeleteIt makes the most sense to compare to the last pre pandemic year. In that case we can also compare with JAT's passenger numbers on Belgrade-New York route in 1990.
DeleteWould be interesting to compare them with 1990 especially since JAT flew with a much larger plane
DeleteWhat was JAT's DC-10 capacity?
Delete@10,48
DeleteJat's website listed 271 seats as the DC10 capacity. It doesn't mention capacity by class.
Jat changed the capacity during the D check in the 90s. I believe there were somewhat fewer seats before that since the business class cabin was larger.
DeleteI think the new configuration was with a capacity for 304 passengers, the old being 271. DC10 cabin is wider compared to the A330, and ARB has a configuration for 257 pax.
Deletehttps://www.airliners.net/photo/JAT-Yugoslav-Airlines/McDonnell-Douglas-DC-10-30/399231
4th December 1995 was when YU-AMB went to Rome for that D check, returning back, as you mentioned, with a new configuration on the 20th February 1996.
Hi there! When JAT DC-10 joined the fleet, capacity was 282 seats, in two class configuration, 16 First class and 266 Economy. Such configuration remained for about 5-6 years, while there were only two DC-10 units in the fleet. With the introduction of the Adriatic Club Class, and with the start of serious growth on long haul, configuration was changed to 271, where 36 were Premium Business (Adriatic Club) Class, and 235 in Economy.
DeleteThanks
DeleteYou are welcome ๐
DeleteGood results. Hope their numbers keep improving.
ReplyDeleteWhich route provides the biggest feed to New York?
ReplyDeletePodgorica and Tirana.
DeleteI'm glad they stuck to it and that the route stayed part of the network. Good luck JU.
ReplyDeleteCould profitability been achieved sooner if the airline used a newer generation aircraft with lower operational costs. The B787 or the A350-900?
ReplyDeleteThe sheer cost of leasing a 787 or A359 would far exceed any savings made on operational costs.
DeleteOcigledno je da se Er Srbija odrzala jedninim Erbasovim A330 avionom. Upornost i posvecenost uvek je preduslov rastu. Ako bi Er Srbija bila u moci da uzme u zakup nekoliko
ReplyDeleteErbasovih A321 ULR, kada budu dostupni na trzistu. Bilo bi veoma korisno za prekomorske letove. Kada bi se ovi avioni proizvodili i u kombi verziji, i oni bi mogli biti u opticaju za ovu kompaniju. Daljina doleta, ekonomicnost i broj putnika bi pomogli za sezonske oscilacije. Kao i pogodnost za za manje avio kompanije poput Er Srbije.Buducnost ce pokazati dali ce ovi avioni poletati sa buduceg haba Srbije,
Aerodroma Nikola Tesla Beograd.
Rodney Marinkovic and Aviation Enthusiast Associate Group. ๐๐ซ๐๐ซ
A321XLR was launched 3 years ago, so there have been plenty of opportunities for JU to order it, if they wanted.
DeleteCertifying a new combi aircraft with modern fire protection regulations is nearly impossible.
Ocigledno je da se Er Srbija odrzala jedninim Erbasovim A330 avionom
DeleteGood observation ๐
+1
DeleteWhich is more profitable as a company? Air Serbia, JAT or Jat Airways?
ReplyDeleteEnron. Kakvo pitanje takav odgovor.
DeleteAeroput ๐
Delete"AirSerbia is the first Belgrade based carrier"
ReplyDeleteI think you meant Balkan.