EX-YU flag carriers set for major network expansion in 2023


All three national airlines from the former Yugoslavia plan to significantly expand their destination networks in 2023 as the aviation sector continues its strong recovery.

Air Serbia is the only flag carrier from the former Yugoslavia participating in this year’s World Route Development Forum currently taking place in Las Vegas, which brings together over 2.000 decision makers from airlines, airports and destinations around the globe to negotiate new air services. The Serbian carrier has already revealed it plans to introduce a new two weekly service between Belgrade and Chicago from the start of the 2023 summer season in late March. This will be followed up by a dozen new shorter routes. “We will continue to work on expanding our destination network primarily to tourist destinations, which has proven to be a complete success this year. We are also looking at Central Asia, countries like Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, for which Belgrade would be a good option for connecting to Europe. We also have the Middle East on our radar. In addition, we will work to further deepen and strengthen our regional network, to ensure good connectivity onto our long haul flights”. As recently reported, the airline has held talks with the likes of Portorož and Ohrid airports and is also expected to return to Cairo next spring.

Croatia Airlines has confirmed it plans to expand its network as it continues to implement its post-Covid strategy, which will culminate with the delivery of new Airbus A220 aircraft. Similar to this year, the airline is primarily eying new routes originating from the Croatian coast. “This summer season, Croatia Airlines launched new routes from Split to Amsterdam, Bucharest, Dublin, Milan, and Stockholm. All these new routes achieved expected results. However, the company sees room for improvement and innovative steps in strategic positioning”, the company said. It added, “We are planning new routes from Croatia’s other coastal airports in the summer of 2023, but this plan still depends on different factors, both internal and external, and will definitely not be ready for publication before the end of the Slot Conference [in Melbourne] in November”.

Air Montenegro is also on the lookout to add new destinations to its network, with a total of five new routes planned for the summer of 2023. The airline will focus on introducing destinations in Scandinavia, as well as Central Europe, following the success of its Prague service launched this summer, which has registered strong results. “If we finalise all of the negotiations currently taking place, we will have to lease two larger aircraft for next summer season”, Air Montenegro’s CEO, Dragana Frantov Nikolić, said. The airline will also continue developing its charter network. This year, it operated over 300 charters to the likes of Tel Aviv, Katowice, Yerevan, Bratislava and Cairo.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    Air Montenegro will have more developed network in Scandinavia after 2 yaers of flying than Croatia Airlines after 30+.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:03

      OU had a good network to Scandinavia before Covid but they didn't resume most of them.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      "OU had" - past tense.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:44

      OU has a better Scandinavian network now than before.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:47

      How so exactly? They used to fly to Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki...

      Delete
    5. Anonymous13:08

      Why this obsession with the network? One needs to fly where one makes money, simple as that!

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:54

      Of course, ZAG-FRA only!

      Delete
    7. I agree with the anon at@13:08 if he talks about privately owned airlines. If we talk about state owned airlines then his statement has no sense. State owned airlines have a different role, they need to keep the country connected to those markets that are essential for its cultural, economic or family ties (of its citizens). If market criteria (undiscriminatory) applies to state owned airlines then they should not exist at all.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:02

    Good to see all of them developing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    How will JU be able to sustain so many new routes with current fleet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:04

      More wet leases probably

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      New dry leased planes will join the fleet.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:15

      There is a rumour 4 A320s are coming.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:24

      But will these just replace A319s or will actually be an addition to the fleet?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:26

      If they plan so many new destinations new 4xA320 won't replace A319's.

      Delete
    6. JATBEGMEL12:19

      They were 4 aircraft short this summer. 1 A320 just arrived, rumour is 4 A320's will join the fleet for next summer, so they should be 1 narrowbody up compared with this summer. I don't think the A319's will be going anywhere anytime soon. I expect around 2 aircraft will be wet leases next summer. I also think 1-2 ATR's will join the fleet as well to support frequency increases and the addition of OHD. 1 A330 will be joining as well and I wouldn't be surprised to see it again on regular European flights.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous15:06

      Hope so. Additional aircraft are needed as we speak, let alone in summer.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:05

    What other holiday destinations could Air Serbia add?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      Malaga is the only one that comes to mind for me.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:13

      I would definitely add Mallorca, Aqaba and Catania to the list.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:15

      Corfu, Palermo, Varna

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:19

      What about Constanta in Romania? I wonder what happened to their resorts. They used to have many charters and seasonal flights in the past to Mamaia and Eforie.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:47

      @anon 9:13 JU already flies to Palma de Mallorca, summer schedule.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:07

      Focus more on Greece HER, RHO, CFU, CHQ, JMK could all work out.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:16

      Hurghada could be turned into a scheduled route.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:30

      Only routes in EU will get scheduled flights instead of charters. In Spain that's Malaga for sure, in Italy either Palermo or Catania, in Greece it could be Heraklion, Santorini, Mykonos, Chania, etc... I would also add Nice in France.

      Nothing in Turkey or Egypt will be scheduled because there is bilateral between the two countries. JU would need to give something to their carriers which is what they don't want to do.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous15:09

      Well TK recently launched BEG-ESB and SM is already flying BEG-HRG with plans to launch INI-SSH if I remember correctly, so I don't think it's impossible to see JU flying scheduled BEG-HRG and BEG-AYT

      Delete
    10. JATBEGMEL19:02

      @15,09

      TK got ESB-BEG as JU got INI/KVO-IST. JU and TK agreed on extra frequencies on the BEG-IST route with both increasing frequencies. TK is interested in ADB-BEG so something should come from JU as well.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:06

    Why won't Croatia Airlines consider new routes from Zagreb?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      FR

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:16

      Why don't they fight for their market in ZAG as JU does in BEG against W6?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:17

      Too busy with feeding Cartel.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:22

      They don't have a huge fleet so if they add a couple of new routes from the coast, I think we can rule out new destinations from Zagreb.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:37

      Their main focus should be Zagreb and trying to deal with Ryanair.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:39

      Zagreb is unprofitable for OU. They are being overcharged by Zagreb Airport whilst Ryanair get discounts.

      Delete
    7. Vlad09:51

      When you have a bloated back office and incompetent politically appointed management, every airport is unprofitable.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:18

      I really wouldn't blame either FR or ZAG. It is their own doing.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous15:06

      They gave up without even trying.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous02:48

      FR in ZAG is doing great in times of war, political correctness, bio bs policies, etc.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:08

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:12

    Not seeing Adria and FlyBosnia on the list is really sad. It also seems that MNE has serious plans regaining its position and expanding its network.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      Flybosnia was a joke but B&H Airlines had a real chance. Especially with Turkish as a part owner. Too bad the government didn't act as a partner and did nothing.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:17

      Agree about B&H. BiH really needs a proper carrier. A country with diaspora and tourism and many places to see and visit.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:40

      Turkish Airlines destroyed B&H.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:14

      They do not needed them. OU is in similar situation fighting for survival against LH.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:12

    Good thing we got rid of our national airline. Now the market has taken care of itself in Ljubljana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      LJU today is just another German airport. LH Group have cemented their position there and Fraport definitely loves it. No wonder why the AF/KL Group come second before the Germans.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:58

      They are always just another German airport. No return from 1991.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:07

      Compared to other airports they manage, I just don't get Fraport's strategy with Ljubljana.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:42

      Only one strategy: feeding LH Cartel.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:18

    Slovenia and Croatia should established JadranAir - joint venture

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      Wet dreams...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:52

      Honestly, OU can grow only if they find new locations instead of ZAG. Slovenia could be great since they don't have their own national carrier plus there is a lack of connections.

      Delete
    3. Not find locations instead ZAG but making ZAG transfer hub by developing network, something what should have been done 20 years ago. And honestly, they need small number of good and capable people to do it, instead hundreds of incompetent Uhljebs mentally stuck in 1950's drinking drinking coffee and gossiping in Buzin

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:03

      @ Pozdrav

      And like JU, they need a huge government backup and support, using their international connections and influence to help domestic cartier.

      Delete
    5. They have huge government back up and support, financial and political, just like JU. But in case of JU, that back up and support is used for growth and development, and in case of OU, that back up and support is used to feed Cartel and be Uhljeb sanctuary

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:21

    My guess for Air Montenegro - Copenhagen, Stockholm, Skopje, Vienna and perhaps another destination in Germany.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:09

      ATH maybe too, I hear Aegean is performing pretty good on ATH-TGD they are sending A320 to TGD this summer too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:09

      Possible. They made a gamble by launching TIV-IST and it paid off big time. To the point that Turkish launched the route too.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:23

    Hopefully Dubrovnik gets new routes by Croatia Airlines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      They talk about airports other than Split so maybe Pula is an option too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:09

      Pula and Zadar seem to be their focus, as we see this winter.

      Delete
    3. As we have seen neither PUY nor ZAD are in CA focus.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:25

    Caucuses would be a good region for Air Serbia to get transfers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      I am sure some new destinations will come from this part of Europe.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:31

      Would be a nice addition. I see JU operating BEG-TBS.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:35

      I think this is going to be another hit for Air Serbia's transfer business.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:48

      Exactly.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:48

      I wonder which destination they will choose in Caucuses. Out of the three (Yerevan, Baku and Tbilisi) I'm guessing they will only go for one.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:54

      I think Yeravan, becasue Armenia is the only one that has a big diaspora in west europe and the USA. While the Georgian and Azerbajdzani diaspora is primarly located in ex su countries. Georgia is the most attractive for tourism of these countries and the closest, so that's also an good option. With the absence of Russian, Ukrainian and Belarussian airlines JU has a chance to go into the caucasian market

      Delete
    7. JATBEGMEL12:28

      EVN looks like will be added next summer. Russians are using EVN as a hub for onward connections. I think they could of launched the route this winter. EVN will see some added routes and frequencies next summer.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous12:38

      EVN has a lot of competition unlike TBS. Let's see.

      Delete
    9. JATBEGMEL14:44

      @12,38

      Not really. The notable difference with TBS is that it has several flights a day to Istanbul (both IST and SAW), which outdoes the capacity offered by other airlines in EVN. TK is usually sending a mix of A321, B738 (SAW) and A332, PC A320 and A321. EVN doesn't have flights to Turkey which is why there is 2 European carriers more in EVN (SN and OS), A320 and A321 respectively.

      EVN has more flights centered around Russian cities, TBS more with the Gulf countries. EVN would be great not only for Armenian pax but Russians connecting via EVN. Connections via EVN for Russians can be quite long, I've seen a number of them at 20+ hours. Prices are high as well. Aviasales is a great site to play around with if you want to see what connections via EVN looks like.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous16:26

      EVN has flights to Turkey.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous17:28

      Armenia and Turkey discontinued diplomatic relations like decades ago, border crossings are shut down.
      So what flights are you talkin about? TK will never consider EVN. They introduce now and then only couple of low cost flights to IST, but you can't even transfer to nowhere, travelling to Turkey is extremely hard for Armenians.

      Delete
    12. JATBEGMEL18:04

      @16,26

      PC has some charter flights from EVN to AYT, not intended for transfer pax.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous18:08

      17:28 I just said that there are flights between Turkey and Armenia, that's all. Chill the frick out.
      JATBEGMEL There are scheduled flights to SAW as well.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous18:39

      Well there used to be many scheduled flights EVN-IST. But none of them were profitable, simply because there's no demand, no economic nor political ties between them, just like with Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
      JU should absolutey take the adventage of this situation, BEG could be literally one of the their closest transfer hubs after OTP and ATH.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous02:38

      Since when is OTP a hub, anon 18:39? lol

      Delete
    16. Anonymous08:57

      Pegasus has scheduled fights to EVN from Istanbul SAW.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:30

    Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:36

    Anyone have an idea whether JU will launch something new in the Middle East or are we talking about resumption of Tel Aviv and Cairo and potentially launch of Amman which was planned twice already?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:48

      Aren't these 3 airports already big step forward?

      I think they are.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:48

      They should consider returning to Abu Dhabi in the Middle East

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:49

      ^ What do they have to offer over Wizz Air on this route except higher prices?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:45

      Connections?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:46

      Would it be enough? Wizz is going 5 weekly on this route with A321.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous15:09

      Honestly, there is no point. Best would be for Etihad to restore this route.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:48

    Let's hope this materializes considering the situation in Europe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:10

      Things will calm down by next summer.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous10:04

    I'm glad they are all exploring new routes. This is best strategy they could have under current circumstances.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous10:05

    Air Serbia will also probably launch Beijing and Shanghai during next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:26

      Let's wait and see if they launch Tianjin in the first place following yesterday's news.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:16

    Why doesen't Croatia Airlines try to restart discontinued flights from Zagreb like Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, Barcelona, Lisbon, Milan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because their reason of existence is being humiliated servant and feeding the Cartel

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:26

      All are now served by other airlines.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:27

      At least they could start MAD and BER

      Delete
    4. Anonymous15:12

      Berlin was tried several times by Eurowings. Didn't work.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous18:32

      Last Anon: that's not quite right. Germanwings flew the route until Lufthansa opened small hubs in Berlin and Düsseldorf. After the restructuring, all cities except for FRA and MUC were decentralized and taken over again by Germanwings/Eurowings until they were discontinued. it is not true that the attempt failed several times

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:25

    Air Serbia needs to launch Manchester!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:24

      They won't launch anything in UK or Ireland until they drop visas for Serbs.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:12

      They were actually considering Manchester for summer 2022.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:21

      @11.24 False information.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous12:16

    What the hell?? Why didn't Croatia Airlines send anyone to Routes? Are they that sort on cash?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:17

      *short

      Delete
    2. It's not about cash. It's about political decision to remain feeder for Cartel. They already fly to MUC and FRA. Nothing else is needed. Why sending anyone to the Routes? Routes are meant for growth and development. They are not after that. They are after buying the most expensive regional aircraft on the market to continue feeding Cartel. They don't need Routes for that.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:11

      I just find it bizarre. It really is one of the biggest industry events. If nothing, they could have negotiated charters to several markets.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous23:31

      I remember I saw current OU CEO attending Routes which is out of his domain. Even some other OU guys came, for wine and dine unfortunately

      Delete
  21. Anonymous14:46

    Just goes to show how important flag carriers are.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous14:54

    I hope to see Lagos on theselists in the future. Would like to inform you that I was in ExYu for the first time in my life. I will send trip report Los - PHC - Fra - Zag and back. Hope it will be published. With kind regards. Owu

    ReplyDelete
  23. I hope to see Lagos on these lists in the future. Would like to inform you that I was in ExYu for the first time in my life but only for couple of days with high expectations to come back. I will send trip report Los - PHC - Fra - Zag and back. Hope it will be published. With kind regards. Owu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Long haul to ZAG via FRA!!! Wow, I'm so surprised! 😃

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20:16

      It's OU's fault that there are now directs flights between Nigeria and Croatia.

      Delete
    3. Boris22:12

      Lagos should be among top choices for JU in Africa for transfers.
      200 mill population,
      important member of OPEC + (Russia, Emirates OPEC+ members and connections with Belgrade)
      huge and affluent diaspora in UK, US, Canada (flights to NY, London by JU)
      this one is no brainer choice

      Delete
  24. Anonymous15:10

    I really hope all three airlines announce the new routes and put tickets on sale. Almost all airlines already have for next summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:24

      That's SF for our airlines. I mean, JU doesn't have a clue about when they'll launch next long haul destination which should be...these days. JU reacts great but plans little.

      Delete
    2. JATBEGMEL17:59

      JU typically announces the bulk of its new routes around mid-late January for the upcoming season, as it has done the past several years. A few routes were announced outside of this, ZAG, IST, KZN, AER to name a couple.

      Delete
  25. Air Serbia could utilize the midnight wave for most of these destinations and connect them to US services... (I hope).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:48

      No they can’t. Those flights would be too long to fit into midnight wave. The only option for those is to schedule them like they have scheduled KZN. In that way connections would still be possible with transer time of some 3 hours, which is acceptable.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:52

      They obviously can't resisit to launch flights to China instead of focusing on transfer market to USA & Canada. How delusional can they be, the Chinese have forgotten Serbia, what potential are they talking about?

      This year there're far more Indian tourists than Chinese tourists in Serbia. Does that mean that they should consider flights to India as well? Delusional politicians from Serbia and incompetent JU's management with an average IQ 50 think that one flight per week will be profitable. Also the Chinese entry restrictions won't be lifted anytime soon.
      So what's the rush with China, I still don't get it?

      Delete
    3. Boris22:16

      Anonymous18:52
      Entry restrictions will be lifted soon. The wait was due to late development of MrNA vaccine by Chinese pharma. It's just my guess. Honk Kong is already open and they had an early access to mrna Vaccines.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous21:50

    So still no Toronto...shame

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:26

      They still haven't scheduled Tianjin and Chicago? What Toronto did you expect?

      Delete
  27. Anonymous22:15

    I'm wondering if airserbia will add more destinations to France. There is huge need for north-west part of France. Or at least good connection flights from rennes or nantes to Belgrade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous02:45

      The Balkans are connected to Germany, who is the big boss in the region. France is connected to Algeria, Morocco and its colonies. Paris has 3 airports 2 of which much smaller in traffic compared to London. No demand for France in general compared to UK, Germany, Spain or Italy for instance.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous07:58

      There’s a significant Serbian diaspora in France as well. How can you say that there’s no demand. That’s why they scheduled Lyon and the tickets are almost always sold out.
      Serbs also live on the Cote d Azure so they might try restoring Nice once again.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous08:03

      Wizz Air flies Belgrade-Nice.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous03:52

    Still waiting for Havanna as a holiday destination. That is what people want.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.