Air Serbia considering ATR fleet expansion, freighter conversion


Air Serbia is considering expanding its ATR fleet once it completes replacing existing older versions of the turboprops with newer ones. Furthermore, the carrier is currently building a business case for the possibility of converting three of its owned ATR72-200s to freighters. Speaking to "ch-aviation" at the IATA AGM summit in Doha, the airline’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “The optimal size of the [ATR72 fleet] I would say is ten because then you can start benefiting from some economies of scale”. The airline currently has two ATR72-600s, delivered earlier this year, one ATR72-500 and three ATR72-200s, although only two of the latter are in operation.

Air Serbia is to take delivery of a third ATR72-600 in the coming weeks, replacing the sole remaining ATR72-500. A further two of the -600 series will join the fleet by the end of the year, however, the rising demand for small regional aircraft resulting from growing fuel prices is becoming an issue. The airline is seeking to find a lessor for the remaining two -600 series props, one of which would join the fleet in September or October and the other at the end of the year, in November or December. Once all the -600 version aircraft arrive, Air Serbia will phase out the ATR72-200s, which are now over thirty years old.

Since the Serbian carrier owns three of the remaining -200 series turboprops, Mr Marek noted the company is studying the possibility of entering the freighter market and using the aircraft for cargo flights. “We are looking into that option”, the CEO said. Cargo aircraft are being rushed into service amid a worldwide shortage in shipping capacity and the segment has proved to be extremely lucrative for airlines amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Marek said the airline is generally interested in further expanding into the freighter market but a lack of dedicated cargo aircraft, as well as conversion slots, are an issue. Air Serbia uplifted a record amount of cargo on its long haul service to New York last year using bellyhold capacity of its A330-200 passenger aircraft. Furthermore, during the past two years, it has deployed its passenger jets for special cargo-only flights, carrying medical equipment, vaccines and other pharmaceutical goods.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    Agree that 10 ATRs would be ideal. Hope we see this expansion happen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:01

    ATR passenger conversion to freighter? Interesting and unexpected.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:22

      How much would a conversion cost though?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:36

      Applicable to all models of the ATR 42 and 72, the modification is priced at $1.65 million and will take around four to five months to install

      Delete
    3. Not cheap! But great way to utilize these little ones for bit more.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:01

    Finally!!!

    Should have done the same with Aviolet birds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:22

      But how many more years could those have kept flying? Even as cargo planes?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:07

      DHL has many 30 years cargo planes.

      Delete
    3. 737 conversion waiting lists are huge, better to do it to the little ones. That way there is a chance to get them back in less then a year.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:03

    10 atrs, 2 320s, 2 330s, and 3 72fs would be ideal expansion going into 2023

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      Also to add to that. It's tragic that they don't have lease contracts for the last 2 atrs in place at all

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:09

      It seems its very difficult to get ATRs at the moment.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:20

      They waited absolutely the last minute.

      Delete
    4. Nemjee09:33

      Given their past statements, I thought they already secured all of the ATRs but it seems like it was not the case. Apparently they only leased 3 out of 5.

      Delete
    5. That will be their excuse when the ATR's don't arrive later this year.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:21

      They will arrive, don't worry.

      Delete
    7. Nemjee10:23

      I also think they will arrive because these old ones are becoming increasingly unreliable. At this point they have to find a replacement.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous21:08

      They booked a slot with the manufacturer, but are looking for somebody to finance the transaction, ie pay the price and assume the role of the lessor. It actually seems quite late for it.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous21:10

      Who is the lessor for the first three new ATR?

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:04

    Nice to hear but this is again not going to happen soon enough to help out the realization of this summer season which is worst by any means with regards to constant delays across the entire network. Another bad weekend behind us with multiple delays, cancellations etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:01

      Yet, most of it has been caused by the airports in Western Europe, frankly speaking!
      Yes AirSerbia didn't master planning the capacities this Summer, but delays and cancellations last days don't have much to do with them. Like it or not, that's the true.

      Delete
    2. JATBEGMEL10:36

      Western Europe is a mess at the moment and causing most of the drama. It happens that JU flights depart on time from BEG, arrive early at the destination, but departs late back to BEG. You also have flights ready with pax in BEG but don't have the clearance to depart. Strikes are making a bad situation worse. They weren't the best prepared this summer but delays are not entirely their fault.

      You should check out the news from this weekend where Wizz and LH have left pax stranded in CIA and FRA respectively, without accommodation.

      https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/putnicima-iz-srbije-otkazani-letovi-noc-proveli-zaglavljeni-na-aerodromima-u-rimu-i-frankfurtu/

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:53

      I agree with your comments but in general when I see that KL / AF / LX arrive to Beg +/- 20 min on time and JU has a 60-90 min delay the justification theory falls apart. Above numbers are not actual past weekend performance but I am writing about a generalized trend which is taking place. No justification about Wizz and LH on the cancelled flights, that is a criminal action and someone should take them to court for it.

      Delete
    4. JATBEGMEL12:59

      Have a look at the arrivals and departures at all 3 of those hubs you mentioned. ZRH is the better of the 3. JU flights arriving on time, yet have a delayed return back to BEG.

      For example, this mornings rotation to ZRH left BEG 30 mins late (possible delayed enroute ATC clearance) but landed on time in ZRH. It left ZRH 1 hour late. Almost 2 hours on ground in ZRH. That isn't JU's fault, but becomes their problem as the next flight the aircraft has to operate from BEG becomes delayed.

      If all 3 hubs you mentioned had almost all flights on time your argument would be valid.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous14:07

      @JATBEGMEL
      Looking at the arrivals on Ber aero site today:
      AF late 35 in / JU late 55 min
      KL on time / JU no flight this morning, will see the evening flight how they do
      LX AM flight 8 min late, PM flight 15 min late / JU 40 min late
      Stuttgart EW 10 min late / JU Nuremberg 69 min late
      It seems to me that they are always somehow outperformed which is a shame; I would like them (JU) to be the best.

      Delete
    6. JATBEGMEL16:58

      - JU310 arrived into CDG on time.
      - JU370 arrived 3 minutes late into ZRH (on time).
      - JU260 spent 70 minutes on ground in NUE rather than the 45 planned. The flight left late from BEG as the aircraft came in late from SVO (bomb threat). Still, the aircraft went on to ATH where it was late 25 mins so the delay has reduced.
      - STR on time performance is the best out of all the airports you have mentioned today. Still, STR has a fair amount of canceled flights today, especially the LH rotations.

      You've jumped to a conclusion without understanding the situation. Wanting the best isn't shown by unnecessary criticism. These examples you have given is not something they could change. What do you suggest they do?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous23:17

      Sochi? or some other destination in Russia?

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:10

    This is really interesting. Where could they use ATR freighters to? I remember Jat Airways used to fly a one weekly flight with the ATR72 using it only for cargo during the 2000s between Belgrade and Podgorica (or maybe it was Tivat). They were using to transport fish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:15

      Out of regional routes LJU is the most logical.

      Delete
    2. Nemjee09:26

      Don't forget that BEG-LJU already has a dedicated cargo line. I believe it is operated on behalf of TNT. Local demand is covered by them and by trucking companies.
      Only way JU could make it work is if they have so much goods coming from their existing network.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:23

      I think many companies would rather transport their goods via the air than by truck if the prices were good and if there was more capacity.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:24

      @9.10

      That's correct! I think this flight was each Sunday.

      Delete
    5. Nemjee10:28

      From personal business experience, when the plane has to compete against the truck, the former always loses. For example, we used to move some goods from Italy to Serbia. It would be one box of around 450 kg. Air Serbia charged us €750 while the truck was €390.Only advantage JU had was that it was faster by a single day.

      Delete
    6. JATBEGMEL10:48

      There is also a regular CGN-ZAG-BEG-ZAG-CGN cargo line as well. Not sure who Sprint Air is operating the flights for.

      Last week, Sprint Air also had a CGN-TSR-BEG-TSR-CGN cargo flight.

      Delete
    7. Nemjee10:56

      DHL also flies from BLQ to BEG with the B734 and of course there is TK Cargo with 3 weekly flights.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:00

      How much cargo did BEG have so far this year.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous11:04

      January-April 3,205t

      Delete
    10. Anonymous13:38

      That's really not a lot

      Delete
    11. Anonymous13:43

      LJU had almost 10,500 tonnes.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous14:10

      ^ not true at all. Accroding to Fraport it had 5,209

      Delete
    13. Anonymous17:54

      For comparison on air cargo vs. truck it is really important to differentiate this depending of the goods you are transporting. It is not the same if you transporting furniture or you are transporting fresh products, vaccines etc. And truck do get stuck at border more often then planes :)
      It is really a question if Air Serbia can target enough of those "time sensitive" cargo requests...

      Delete
    14. Nemjee18:48

      Absolutely agree with you but the real question is how many of those time sensitive shipments are there within the range of the ATR? That is why I said that it only makes sense if they are going to go big and launch cargo flights with the A33F. That's where companies are willing to pay more in order to avoid their goods traveling by rail/boat.

      Serbia exports a lot of weapons and these tend to fly with Silk Way's B74F. If they had a more appropriate cargo plane they could have secured a share of this market.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous21:17

      But you do realise that just one B74F flying full just one daily via BEG would increase the total yearly cargo at the airport five to six times? OK, A33F would just triple the existing cargo turnover at BEG?

      Delete
    16. Nemjee22:49

      I do and I firmly believe that BEG is not using its geographical location to its advantage in order to attract more cargo business. There is a decent highway network around the airport and goods could be flown in and the distributed throughout the region via trucks. I believe VIE and BUD are doing it.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous23:15

      Who is Serbia exporting arms too? Russia?

      Delete
    18. Anonymous23:24

      Anonymous14:10 - no, they had 10.493 tons (JAN-APR)

      "In the field of freight transport, Ljubljana Airport is seeing record growth this year. The absolute monthly record of handled freight through the cargo terminals of Fraport Slovenija and express carriers, recorded in October 2017 (2,826 tons), was exceeded first in March with 2,872 tons of cargo throughput and again in April with 3,035 tons of cargo throughput. In the first four months of the year 2022, a 16% increase has been recorded in comparison with the same period last year, with a total of 10,493 tons of cargo handled (the average growth in the last seven years was 6%)."

      https://www.fraport-slovenija.si/content/fraport-company-slovenija/en/newsroom/news/2022/Passenger-traffic-at-Ljubljana-Airport-with-steep-growth-record-cargo-throughput.html

      Delete
    19. Anonymous23:27

      Many countries - Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, Indonesia, US contractors who have sent the weapons to Ukraine etc.

      Delete
    20. Anonymous23:31

      @23.24

      Sorry but they are lying and their statistic also makes no sense. Fraport Germany in their official statistic notes that Ljubljana handled 5,209 tonnes of cargo from January to May. And their statistics includes both freight and mail.

      https://www.fraport.com/content/dam/fraport-company/documents/investoren/eng/financial-and-traffic-figures/traffic-figures/group/2022/may/traffic-sheet-may-2022en.pdf/_jcr_content/renditions/original.media_file.download_attachment.file/traffic-sheet-may-2022en.pdf

      Delete
    21. Anonymous00:25

      So why would Fraport Slovenija lie about cargo numbers? Also only 5k tonnes in five months? LJU has on average like 3-4 daily cargo flights. One ATR72F, one or two B737-800F and one B757-200F. Total capacity on single day is around 70 tonnes. And in 5 months total that equals to 10,500 tonnes. To me statistics of Fraport Slovenija make sense. Or do you believe those planes fly empty just for fun?

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:11

    I'm just glad they have some fleet plan!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:12

    wow

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:15

    Makes sense sticking with the ATR then introducing a different aircraft type altogether.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      Of course they are going to stick with them now that they are investing in replacing them with newer versions of the aircraft.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:15

    More ATRs are needed badly for routes like SJJ,TGD,ZAG,LJU,SKP

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:16

    Hope it comes sooner rather than later.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:17

    How much do brand new ATRs cost? The ATR72-600?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      These things change and vary based on numerous things but the -600 list price is $26.8M

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:28

      Actually not as expensive as I thought. If you order a couple you will definitely get a discount.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:18

    Let's see. Maybe their feasibility study shows it's not worth investing in the conversion.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:18

    How many more years can those ATR72-200 fly for??? They are quite old.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nemjee09:21

    Well, yes, there is a disruption in shipping lines but this should not be the main driving force behind this idea. These disruptions are mostly caused by Asia/China, in other words by markets which are out the reach of their ATRs.

    Furthermore, these ATRs would mostly compete with local truck companies since JU does not have a real long-haul network. Let's say if they, in addition to JFK flights, had YYZ, PVG and PEK then they could offer connections onto their regional cargo lines. Cargo would arrive from Beijing and then continue onto a dedicated cargo line to let's say Istanbul or Athens.

    I think they need to do some more research on this matter before investing their limited funds into converting these old ATRs. I am not saying that there is no room for growth, there is, but not in the way they think.

    I think they should rather focus on their sales and on reducing seasonality. That is their most pressing issue at the moment.
    Air Serbia's main problem is that it lacks adequate liquidity. By increasing its revenue during slower months it would be able to finance its future expansion. If they are sticking to the ATR (which I think they should), then they should just see to arrange their financing and to actually order brand news ones which would be paid off through a 10 or 15 year lease.

    p.s. if they really wanted to enter the cargo market then they would have leased an A33F and launched China flights. Belgrade has a fantastic geographical location to be turned into a distribution center for Chinese goods. However, you can't achieve this if you plan on relying on the ATR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      At the moment it is difficult to even find a cargo aircraft for lease.

      Delete
    2. Nemjee09:28

      Which is why they should focus on carrying passengers and on reducing seasonality. There is so much work to be done in that department that there is no need to launch new projects before completing existing ones.

      Cargo market is extremely lucrative but there they would be going up against major players.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:38

      +1

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:29

    In addition to more modern ATR's they need to get rid of 75% of A319 and replace those by A220

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:29

    This way they would finally have a respectable fleet of ATR's

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:34

    Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous09:37

    Good but I believe they also need to expand Airbus fleet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27

      In the summer yes. That's why they wet lease so many planes. But there is little need for them in winter.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous09:38

    How many planes do they have now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:41

      18 +4 wet leases

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:19

      No it's 17 with 4 wet leases . Don't count the YU-ALN , it does't fly .

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:39

      True, last YU-ALN flight was on May 9th as VIE-BEG.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:40

    Thank goodness they realize they need more turboprops.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27

      You don't have to be a genius to realize that.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous09:42

    I actually think they need a regional jet plane. Something with the capacity to seat 100 passengers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:43

      Absolutely. They need to get rid of the A319 and focus on A320 and E90 plus the ATR for regional lines.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:27

      I think the short haul Airbus fleet is staying the way it is for a few more years.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous09:43

    Honestly it's nice to see an ex-Yu airline expanding, adding new routes and growing its fleet. There is too much stagnation in the region.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Draga Krovacijo! Gledaj i srami se!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:24

      Maybe OU could covert Q400s to freighters? :)

      Delete
    2. I am not speaking of particulatities but of overall amount of wasted chances and potentials during 30 years, cargo included, which Air Serbia is succesfully doing in very short time. And you know it very well.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous10:28

    With more than 110 converted freighters flying, ATR has become the perfect aircraft in the 5-to-9 tonne category.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous10:41

    I know it is a bit out of this topic but perhaps someone might know ... is Sochi going to be in the winter timetable?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:25

      I think it is planned as a seasonal summer route.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:46

      It will probably depend on how it performs this summer (from what I've been hearing very well) and the geopolitical situation.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous11:24

    Great news!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11:25

    They probably realized how much money cargo could make them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:46

      Especially in the last 2 years.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous11:37

    Adding another 5 ATRs means a lot more routes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:45

      Well they said they want to have 100 destinations in 2027.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous12:03

    This would be great for smaller airport in Serbia too. INI and KVO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:42

      INI can handle large cargo planes. But it is true that it would be very useful for KVO.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous13:35

    Are they considering to buy new ATR-72 EVO and why Air Serbia don't have ATR-42 in their fleet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:38

      Because it's useless.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:42

      How many airlines even operate ATR42s?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:11

      Not many, and it's mostly airlines that fly to small remote airports which can't handle larger planes. For example in Greece, Olympic and Sky Express got a few in order to be able fly to tiny islands.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:30

      They can open new markets portoroz, segedin, krusevac, osek, mostar, lugano, brac, ohrid, losinj, insbruk, maribor, nis, tavnik just to name a few.

      Delete
    5. JATBEGMEL00:08

      - Within 2 hours drive from POW, JU serves 4 airports: LJU, PUY, RJK, TRS. Venice is just over 2 hours away by car. No need for POW, not too sure whats the obsession there.
      - Segedin is just over 2 hours away by car, Osijek 2 and a half. Its much quicker to just drive there. Segedin is also a sports airport not a passenger commercial airport.
      - Kruševac is a sports airport for light sports aircraft. New upgrades allow for aircraft up to 24m in wingspan to use the airport as well, ATR42 is slightly over. ATR42 needs a longer runway than the 800 metres in Kruševac.
      - JU already serves INI and KVO. KVO needs runway upgrades to serve larger aircraft.
      - OHD, OMO, MBX and BWK can easily be served on an ATR72.

      What can be done on an ATR42 can also be done on an ATR72. Difference is just 20 seats. JAT was quick to get rid of the ATR42, as the aircraft is unnecessary. Whats the obsession with the ATR42?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous00:23

      Just like many other random obssessions you'll find here lol

      Delete
    7. Anonymous21:12

      Sad van treba objasnjavati da je dovoljna kompanija u EU da se sve to pokrene. Ne treba za to da im otvara companije rastoder. Treba klempvima im crtati da bi se letelo NPR lugano portoroz, segedin portoroz, ohrid Dubrovnik, insbruk losinj, more malih lokalnih linija za lokalne bogatune kojih NPR u segedinu ima barem hiljadu.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous14:54

    Could Jat Tehnika do the freighter conversion?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:41

      I doubt it. Your probably need to have a special license to do something like that.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:25

      At the momemnt jat is converting to freighters two 737-800, so yes thay can do it

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:32

      Wow really? I didnt know they could do that. Is it known who they are doing the conversion for?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous23:45

      Ex tiger air aircrafts, two of tham

      Delete
  33. Anonymous15:17

    London is chaos too, Air Serbia's flights there on Saturday and Sunday cancelled due lack of ground handling staff at LHR. Wizz to Luton this morning also cancelled, with their pax being offered flights for this coming Friday and next Monday FFS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous15:18

    Avoid flying this summer is the best advice

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous16:03

    Air Serbia increased ATR fleet size from 5 to 6 about 7 years ago and didn't increase it since. Now they want to go from 6 to 10?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:41

      Why would it be an issue to go to 10?

      Delete
  36. Anonymous16:42

    Would love to see Air Serbia Cargo logo on the ATR72s :D

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous17:25

    Svakako je odlicno sto dolaze jos vise ATR aviona ali prekopotreban je dolazak jos nekoliko A319/320 posto uz ogroman potencijal na balkanu konacno se razmislja o bliskom istoku i afriku. Steta sto se ovo sve trenutno desava zbog drugog A330.
    INN-NS

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous19:48

    In the time of peak oil, turboprops can be real cash cows for carriers.

    ReplyDelete

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