Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, has announced the carrier will add several aircraft into its fleet in the coming weeks, which will stabilise its network, noting that existing cancellations and delays have come as a result of the late arrival of both dry-leased and wet-leased planes, as well as supply chain issues. The airline will take delivery of a wet-leased Embraer E190 jet today, which is expected to remain part of Air Serbia’s fleet for a prolonged period of time. The aircraft in question, registered SX-PTM (pictured), is operated by Greece’s Marathon Airlines and is set to arrive in the Serbian capital this afternoon. It will be deployed on scheduled flights as of tomorrow, with the jet already slated to operate the morning service between Belgrade and Cologne. A further two Embraers will join in the coming weeks.
Mr Marek noted that Air Serbia is currently lacking three aircraft to stabilise its schedule. Commenting on the matter, the CEO told the “Tanjug” newsagency, “One aircraft that was supposed to arrive in May [dry-leased ATR72-600] is still on hold and we are awaiting spare parts, but we expect it to arrive this week, by Thursday or Friday, and we believe it will be in service by July. We also have an airline that has been operating on our behalf since the start of the year, which has turned out to be unreliable, as they caused us some problems and disruptions during Easter, so we decided to change that and not work with them during the summer. Therefore, it was necessary to find another operator. They will provide us with an E190 aircraft, which will be in operation from this Thursday. We will also request a further two aircraft from this operator to make up for the other two planes we are missing”. He added, “When it comes to our own fleet, apart from the ATR arriving this week, we also have an ATR72-600 due to arrive in August”.
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| Air Serbia E190 cabin |
The CEO noted that despite some disruptions, the airline carried a record 1.5 million passengers by June 18, a figure it reached on August 5 during the pre-pandemic 2019. "There were several factors [for recent disruptions]. The biggest factor was that for the last one and a half months there have been storms in Belgrade almost every day, which was not the case before. Last year there were six or seven storms throughout the year, but not at the same time. When something like that happens, there is also a ban on refuelling aircraft at the airport”. He added, “We have a delay of a month and a half for the ATR, and we are also waiting for two aircraft that should arrive from another airline, which provides us with both the aircraft and crew. Those three planes were supposed to fly from June 15. Those were the reasons we had to optimise the schedule. But I also think it's important to mention that even though this seems like big news, we've never had a stranded passenger”. In terms of staffing, Mr Marek noted the carrier hired more than 170 new cabin crew members, while 28 pilots have recently completed training.
The head of the flag carrier noted that some developments are outside of company’s control. “Our catering supplier is going through a period of transformation, the airport is being upgraded, some things have been completed, but it is not yet fully finished, and we are already in season. All of that has a lot of influence on us. Another example, one of our planes, which was supposed to undergo regular maintenance last year, which lasts about two weeks, was there for six months, and another for five. Last year, when we were supposed to get three aircraft, the deal fell through because the provider realised it was better to sell them for spare parts and make a bigger profit that way. You can't predict that”, Mr Marek said.
The CEO explained the airline had to grow and take risks to position itself on the market and become profitable as it is no longer a recipient of state aid. “Last year's profit was made without a single euro in government aid. When you are in the market, which is on the rise after Covid, you have two choices - either you sit and do not risk any potential problems, but then you will not be profitable, and you will rely on external financing, or you can aim high, start to grow, and fight for your place on the market. For the first time, we are profitable without government assistance, and according to estimates, we will have a higher profit by June than during the whole of last year”, the CEO said. Air Serbia registered a 21-million-euro net profit in 2022.
Photo credit: Alex Filippopoulos
FINNALY
ReplyDeleteThis CEO is a true Wizzinary man! The way to turn legacy into LCC.
Delete^ They provide more on board service now than they did in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
DeleteThat Embraer looks great with the Air Serbia name on it. Glad to see they are getting some help to avoid further disruptions. I have also noticed that the last 2-3 flights to JFK were operated by the "Mihajlo" A330. Is the other A330 (Tesla) having some issues?
DeleteIt has no issues. It is flying to Chicago as we speak
DeleteI just flew to Chicago from BEG on Mihajlo the other day. Lots of amenities inoperable. Just about every pop up screen in exit isles did not work. Bathroom doors falling apart. One of the stewards kept going into the bathrooms with a mirror on a long pole to do some kind of inspection. Great flight otherwise
DeleteThey should dry-lease them
ReplyDeleteThey don't have the crews necessary to fly the schedule so they opt for expensive wet leases instead.
DeleteThey don't have crew or pilots trained for Embraers so it would have to be a wet lease either way. Marek said even a few weeks ago that when they introduce Embraers it will be a wet lease.
Delete^^^
DeleteThey are wet leasing everything they can find.
Instead of actually having the necessary aircraft and crews to fly themselves the schedule.
Oh well, when you don't have brains you have money to burn.
Why hire pilots when in a few years (probably decades) airplanes will be pilotless and Chat GPT would control them?
DeleteCommercial planes are nowhere near the stage of pilotless flight, and the reduction to a single person flight deck is being pushed away because of safety. As for chatgpt, an AI that writes code and paragraphs won’t be able to fly a plane.
Delete"We also have an airline that has been operating on our behalf since the start of the year, which has turned out to be unreliable"
ReplyDeleteWhich airline is this?
Air Connect with their disastrous YR-ASB.
DeleteConnect Air, they were constantly late, Air Serbia ditched them for good
DeleteAh thanks
DeleteAir Conect
DeleteThey still have scheduled flights with Air Connect, today, as well as tomorrow.
DeleteWhat about long haul ? They want to lunch in South Korea and Japan but they only have 2 A332 for 3 routes, even with 2 A332 is difficult for them…
ReplyDeleteSouth Korea and Japan are not happening this year for sure, so they have time for that, I think regional jets and routes are their priority now.
DeleteOf course, they annonced that the 2 new A330 will arrive soon ? Do you know when ?
DeleteThey have said by the end of Q3.
DeleteSomething has to be done about the passport and security control in BEG.
DeleteThe ques are getting longer and longer.
Well, they won't fly with ATR or A319 to Japan and South Korea for God's sake
DeleteThey are taking planes last minute, literally. That must be super expensive, but hey, better lose some bucks than have angry passenger who will lose trust in the company.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't seem to be that much of an issue.
Delete"According to estimates, we will have a higher profit by June than during the whole of last year”, the CEO said. Air Serbia registered a 21-million-euro net profit in 2022.
By June, delays started in June :)
DeleteIf he says so it must be true! 🤡
DeleteDelays started in April and got worse in May.
DeleteDelays of 60 or 120 minutes started earlier, but you do not have expense there as the passengers can not claim money. In June serious delays and numerous cancellation started, for that you lose a lot of money
DeleteSo 3 long term e-90 leases
ReplyDeleteSounds good, let's hope they paint them in AirSerbia livery
They definitely brought these Embraer leases forward. I remember Marek said how they wouldn't get Embraer before last summer.
DeleteThe aircraft arriving tomorrow literally entered into Marathons fleet on 19th of June, so seems like they brought it in specially for air serbia
DeleteArticle says it is arriving today in BEG and starting to fly tomorrow :D but yes it seems to have been flying for Marathon for one day haha
DeleteIt could be a good tactics, have someone else acquire the jets for you and then see how the operations go. USA airlines all do it this way with Embraer and CRJs
DeleteAnon 09:13
DeleteIt is too early for cheerleading man.
There is no cheerleading here. "could ve" doesn't mean I'm certain of it
DeleteBut in any case I'm looking forward to seeing if they decide to apply AS livery on it
The plane is white with the inscription "Air Serbia". Like YR-URS.
DeleteLike YR-URS used to have.
DeletePlane sitting in maintenance 6 months instead of 2 weeks is wild. What the hell is going on at Jat Tehnika?!?
ReplyDeleteYes, we know. It was YU-APB.
DeleteThat is why they have a poor relationship with Jat Tehnika.
DeleteThey will create a maintenance operation with Turkish Airlines.
DeleteHas a timetable been announced?
DeleteShould happen about the same time as Marek's other announcements like Havana, Tokyo, 3rd and 4th A330, A321s and so on.
DeleteRoughly 15% of things he announces happens
@10:07
DeleteDon't spread missinformation. JU never put on sale Havana and they only talked about plans for Japan and more planes, never promising something. They lack some more competent planning and operations but Marek's vision for JU has been proven great because the only factor that matters - profit - is there.
The profit is there because of the war in Ukraine. Nothing to do with the CEO's megalomania. Just look at the companies he used to work for and where they ended up.
DeleteYes, Malev really went bankrupt because of Jiri Marek. Some of you people...
DeleteSure, 14 weekly flights made 21 million in profits.
DeleteEstonian and Cyprus Airways also went bnakrupt due to Marek...Oh, wait!
DeleteWell night fights to Sarajevo be introduced once all aircraft arrive?
ReplyDeleteI think a change of leadership is needed. Too many excuses why it isnt the CEO’s fault and other peoples. Bring in someone who can maintain the brand and plan in the right way for the future. Air Serbia has a bright future but not under this leadership. Having your own planes and crew is the best way to maintain the brand and not damage it.
ReplyDeleteWith the current passenger volume and profits reported, no one will be replacing the CEO.
DeleteThey should start negotiating with Jasmin, he'll be looking for a new job in a few years.
DeleteI suggest something better : "Collective Presidency" consisting of Jasmin, Daliborka and Predrag Vujovic 😃 And when I think better, 4K Estonian guy should take part as well 😃
DeleteWhy Predrag Vujovic, you mean old JAT guy??? Why him?
Delete^That was sarcasm my dear !
Delete...
Just try to read the interview he gave few days ago....I could not believe ex JAT CEO could say something like that
DeleteHe was not JAT CEO. He was Jat CEO. Heaven and Earth, black and white. During his "reign" Jat falled the deepest ever in history. I mean, com'n guys, I wouldn't place anyone in Jasmin's group 😃
DeleteA change of ownership is required. The government needs to fully divest asap
DeleteRequired by whom? Couple of days of increased cancellations as a reason for sale of the airline? LOL
DeleteWhat is a problem with YU-APN?
ReplyDeleteWith so many airlines going bankrupt last year I would have expected that JU would have bought a couple
ReplyDeleteThey are trying to make a much money as they can and avoid buying planes for the time being.
DeleteWhen you lack 7-10 planes, the Airport is under heavy construction and the catering provider is in "transformation", you just DON'T add 20 new routes in two months period. It is simple as that.
ReplyDelete+1000
DeleteAnd aircraft maintenance at Belgrade is falling apart...
DeleteThey are managing about 80-85% of flights at worst times. It's not the end of the world. Plus i do agree the weather was hellish the last month, month and a half.
DeleteIt's better to create a market them to sit on your ash and wait for government funding.
Just rain? There were several days with severe thunderstorm in Belgrade, so no, it was not "just rain"
DeleteCoaches Marek, coaches are the future! Ask Jasmin
ReplyDeleteJasmin has no time to answer. Attending Central Comitee meeting
DeleteSuddenly money will dissapear and AS will go bancrupt.
ReplyDeleteAnd what happened after you woke up?
DeleteCroatia airlines opened new destinations from Zagreb?
Hahahahahahahaha, you just made my day @10.14 😃😃😃😃😃
DeleteAS might go bankrupt but not JU
DeleteIt is great that they are getting Embraers. These aircraft will be useful on slimmer routes (and I imagine Cologne is one of them), The Marathon one has 100 seats.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteJasmineeeeeee!!! Dje si? Ima l'se za kahvu? Ima l'se za novu flotu? Jasta da ima, placa raja, masala
Delete@anon09:15.
DeleteI have posting about the embraer in my post. That it's the jet to get and expand. It is small and efficientt to expand from nis to whole Europe. Especially the e170. But not the E2 Series yet because they have the same engine issues as the A220 I think.
The only reason Air serbia doesn't like them is because they can't carry those cargo pallets. But I don't think they make enough profit from cargo to justify this approach. And they can just focus on cargo on the A320 routes to the popilar destinations.
The embraer is amazing. To br efficient and lower cost for customers.
Now, I would really appreciate to know how did you (and where did you) get the maths for the statement they do not earn much from cargo. I can tell you, without disclosing more specific financial details, that cargo is one of the absolute money makers for the airline - and it grows year by year.
DeleteEmbraers would have been good for the airline to fil the gap between ATR and 319, however the airline would still need to arrange for crew training and MRO option for it.
Also, I really do not see how they can use Embraer just to expand out of LYNI to whole Europe? Do you actually believe there is such a demand for flights from LYNI to EUrope, but not from Belgrade to some smaller cities?
I have never heard of this Marathon Airlines.
ReplyDeleteThey are relatively new. They were established in late 2017.
DeleteSo wich destinations are ready for ERJs?
ReplyDeletePrague, Ljubljana, Cologne?
I'm guessing Marseille as well.
DeleteYes, the plane is scheduled in the system for Marseille on Friday morning.
DeleteTomorrow the EMB is scheduled to Cologne (morning) and Frankfurt (afternoon). Then to Marseille (Friday morning).
DeleteAnn 10:40 where else is the plane scheduled to?
DeleteWould love to see an E190 in JU colors.
ReplyDeleteIn the picture for the topic it looks like it is (without the tail paint) I'm not sure if it is edited or not though
DeleteIt's not edited. It just has the JU titles. tail is blank.
DeleteNice! Where can I find the picture?
DeleteIt's in the article...
DeleteObviously it's in the article, I'm asking where did they get the picture from, unless it's exyuaviation picture
DeleteAlex Phillippoppulous owns photo try to contact him...
DeleteThe E190 should arrive from Athens to Belgrade at around 14.40 based on current schedule.
ReplyDelete2 weeks ago Marathon Airlines posted:
ReplyDelete"We are honored to be chosen to partner with Air SERBIA in operating our E190 and E195 to connect destinations and create unforgettable travel experiences for their passengers"
So my guess is that it's been a long time coming...especially as they don't have any other E90/95 in the fleet yet, so they'll be adding them as soon as they manage to lease/buy them.
Goes hand in hand with Marek who said that they'll be wet leasing the type to see how it works out.
I just don't know why Air Serbia didn't say anything about it, especially as the news is out for 14days
Well he does say in the article here that all three planes were supposed to be in service from 15 June. It looks like it was very uncertain if they would arrive on time, which they didn't.
DeleteI think the 15.6. date was supposed to be for 2 DANair a320s who were announced but never delivered
DeleteJust checking their LinkedIn posts, e-90 was delivered 3 weeks ago, so could the plane already be in AirSerbia livery?
Delete
Delete10:40
"I just don't know why Air Serbia didn't say anything about it ..". The answer is simple:
That he wouldn't give the "long arm of darkness" a chance to do his dirty work.
Today ETF 737 (9A-ABC) is also flying for them
ReplyDeleteMr Marek has not told the entire true. There is a lack of pilots and as a real time example I will describe yesterday's event with flight JU652 from Beg to SVO. SDT was 14:30. AC scheduled was YU-APH that arrived from BArcelona and was sitting at gate C4 for 90 minutes prior to departure time to SVO. All passengers at gate but nothing was happening until 14:15 when ONE pilot and 3 STW arrived at the gate (15 min prior to departure!). Second pilot showed up at the gate and entered the plane at 14:53! By the time AC was ready and everyone boarded push back didn't occur until 15:39. AC was airborne at 15:51 (delayed by 81 minutes!). So if you take into consideration that tickets for this flight cost an average 600e one way I suggest that this level of service is not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteIf one crew member comes with half an hour delay, it means that there are enough crew members, and late one was either called from standby, or had extended rest period due to the previous day delay, or simply might have had traffic jam on the route to the airport, or whatever else. Demand creates the price, and one hour delay has nothing to do with the price, and delays happen everywhere around the World, every day, for number of reasons. If the flight(s) are cancelled for the crew shortage, that's another story, but obviously not the case here
DeleteAS has no crew issues and do not spread rooms. Yesterday alone on call 4 full crews available fo4 ATR and 2 for AB so you have no clue about it .
DeleteI would not really say they have no crew issues. Crew control is scheduling STBY for cabin crew from 0800 to 2000 almost on a daily basis. 12 pilots resigned and canceled contracts with the Airline, due to poor performance of a certain manager that will not be named. Technical department is doing whatever they can - but they have no spare parts whatsoever. I will just point out that they have removed wingtip from YU-ALO to put it on YU-ALZ for example.
DeleteNeedless to say that every Airbus in the fleet has some MEL at least. APN has one engine inoperative.
So I would not really say crew is not the issue. New cabin crew bonds expire this August. I wonder how many will stay.
Things may look up now at ME23. Remember when Middle East airline sent 787-9 with furloughed crews back to Belgrade?
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Q7zulBxPI&t=3s
@12:42 JU flights to Moscow are delayed almost every single rather than being an occasional issue that occurs from time to time.
DeleteHow punctual are other airlines flying nonstop BEG-SVO?
DeleteWhy no one is actually talking about real problem.
ReplyDeleteCrew!
Conditiona od crew, and how much captain’s have left in last 2 weeks.
Everything else is easy to blame.
I really wish then the best of success but you have to treat your crew better.
Treshnja, is that you ??
DeleteWow, the livery looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCan they fly Serbian flag with Greece registration?
ReplyDeleteThe "livery" sure looks good on e-90!
On top of everything, even if they manage to stabilise operations, what can passengers expect with an airline that uses 4-5 wet lease providers at the same time (on a total fleet of 20-25 aircraft), different configurations of aircraft, different crew etc. This will be like a "buvljak" services at the end.
ReplyDeletePassengers do not care and 99% of them does not even know what type of plane will take them to the final destination.
Delete"Buvljak" services are not possible as all wet leased planes offer the same service as JU planes.
They went from 35 year old 733s (last year, lumniwings) to 10 years or so old 738s so it's not bad at all for the end costumer. The only black sheep in ther fleet right now is that DAT 72-500
DeleteCan the Embraer E190 land in Morava airport as it is? This would open up possible flights from KVO to Central / Northern Europe.
ReplyDeleteYes, it can.
DeleteAnd what is the number of aircrafts on wet lease, 14? That is abnormal. There were warnings that this would happen. And what about this winter and next year? They have enough time for dry lease, in my opinion they need 32 aircrafts in their fleet. A330 was announced in June, for Moscow, Zurich, Istanbul etc. Another A330 was announced by the end of suumer. Couple of days ago they spoke of winter leisure long haul routes. There are passangers for new routes and, in my opinion there would be a mistake to hault expansion. So, if you have money dry lease planes on time or ride out with a storm.
ReplyDeleteThey don't even have 10 planes on wet lease let alone 14. They never said A330 is for IST, ZRH and SVO, they said it is for China. They did say in February the third A330 would arrive in June but then they said in April that the deal fell through and that the third A330 would come by the fourth quarter.
DeleteLast time I checked almost all of Wizz planes were leased.
Delete13:02 Not true, we will see the number of wet leased plains in August. JU announced A330 on some European routes, but the aircraft did not come in June. In normal situation they should sell Havana this winter together with tour operators. Simply, the planning was not on time and was inufficient. JU will make profit, however it will be smaller because of extensive wet lease. Evan during the past winter season JU had an Embraer on wet lease.
DeleteCurrently only 7 as per my count:
DeleteDan Air
YR-URS (319)
YR-JUL (320)
KlasJet
LY-PMI (738)
LY-BUS (738)
DAT
SE-MDC (725)
Avanti Air
D-AASH (DH8)
Marathon Airlines
SX-PTM (190)
https://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/02/air-serbia-to-deploy-third-wide-body.html?m=1
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/04/air-serbia-sourcing-third-and-fourth.html?m=1
Perhaps actually read the articles on this site would be a good start.
14 wet leases and 20 dry leases (5 ATR's, 10 A319's, 3 A320's, 2 A330's) = 34 aircraft. If "they need 32", which they don't btw, it means they have a surplus and not a shortage.
The rest is no need for comment. Actually read the articles.
Air Serbia has only 7 wet leased aircraft at the moment. Stay sober.
DeleteExactly 7!
Delete02:34 Wait for August, will ATR arrive or not, they will probably need 4-5 additional aircrafts. When I spoke on 32 aircrafts I meant them all on dry lease ready for next year with expansion.
DeleteIt’s that possible that JU have A220 and A320neo in the future ?
ReplyDeleteHope not as they do not need those. Engine and service issue are very common.
DeleteI hope they will have their own E175-90 in the future
ReplyDeleteWhy have e75s when you have atr-600s which are more economically viable
DeleteWell, ATR cannot fly to Marseille, where E90 has already been scheduled to.
DeleteATR is more economic on routes up to 1000km.
DeleteBut for everything above that which is majority of Europe. The embraer is needed. And has a faster cruising speed. So the embraer is basically more flexible and diverse in its ability to start new routes and even grow morava and nis
Ma samo široko (s našim parama)
ReplyDeleteI sa našim. Ja sve karte plaćam iz svog džepa.
DeletePlacao bi skuplje da presedas i da letis stranim kompanijama. necete valjda da letite za dz
DeleteThat’s a good choice for JU! They need dry-lease them
ReplyDeleteE190 just landing from ATH under flight number JU4041.
ReplyDeleteWith ETF 737 and Marathon E190 things should get back to no cancelled flights. It should have been done two weeks ago to prevent negative publicity. Air Serbia also failed to show empathy for passengers that had to cancel vacations and travel. Some airlines go public to demonstrate the effort like increased call ctr staff, more food/hotel vouchers, dedicated staff to handle cancellations and rearrange alternate travel and statements that show care for passengers.
ReplyDeleteNo one had to cancel their vacation. Not a single charter was cancelled.
DeleteCause charter is the only way to get to the see, and not scheduled flight to, let's say, Valencia?
Delete*sea
DeleteWasn't talking about charters. People go on familiy vacation using regular scheduled flights.Of all the things mentioned in original comment you singled out charters?
DeleteTomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya Tomorrow... JU's anthem this season.
ReplyDeleteWell the plane landed in Belgrade, so it will be in service as planned.
DeletePlease wait till Tomorrow.
DeleteThe first E190 is already flying
DeleteAnd it is already one hour late.
DeleteIt wasn't planned to fly today at all. They put it into service last minute instead of another plane.
DeleteGoes to show how desperate the situation is.
DeleteNot is, was. With 2 additional wet leases in the past 2 days and more joining fleet soon, desperation is a noun now more likely to describe state of Air Serbia haters.
Delete+1000
DeleteAir Serbia has to shuttle sanctioned Russians around the world….a very profitable business model….more planes will help.
ReplyDeleteJust a tiny fraction of overall passenger count. Almost irrelevant numbers compared to commies flown on Turkish Airlines, Emirates etc.
Delete^
DeleteYour not understanding simple maths. 144 pax departing SVO become millions by the time they land in Belgrade. Something to do with the air circulation in JU's aircraft which continuously multiplies passenger numbers during flights, but only from Russia. That is why tickets are expensive, it's because of this technology on the aircraft that does this and nothing to do with conspiracy theories related to supply and demand and all that other economics mumbo jumbo. Emirates, Turkish, Hainan, Qatar and all those other regional airlines that fly to Russia are soo rich they don't charge passengers at all.
"144 pax departing SVO become millions by the time they land in Belgrade"
DeleteHugs, not drugs.
This strong mix in the fleet is not going to end up very good. Have the feeling JU is collecting crumbs from wherever it is possible. How can a small airline of 20 planes have so many fleet types? Also, the routes announced were good but the plan was way too ambitious and the timing was also not right. The ATR replacements were good and started all good but then came along Romanian cheap planes, Montenegro addition and the A330s with different branding and now you have a cheap Greek plane. The peak of the summer season is about to start and they should really get their act together. Such massive expansions were never healthy in the aviation industry simply because things change sometimes every month because the industry is like this.
ReplyDeletePlus, why not wait for the total completion of the new airport, train the staff, fix the taxi mafiosos issue, work on building an airport hotel and then think about expansions. Almost all European capitals have at least 1 airport hotel BY the airport because this is needed.
Let us see how this ends at least by the end of summer.....
"not going to end up very good"
DeleteIt's going to end up amazing!!! It's going to end 2023 with record number of passengers since rebranding, with record number of destinations, 50% more widebodies than last year, likely record profitability and operating from main airport having double the passengers of the next best airport in the region.
How are things in your own neck of the woods? From what I hear it's very, very bad.
The M part of ACMI is maintenance, thats the responsibility of the airline leasing aircraft to JU. JU's job is practically to fill the seats of that capacity brought in and to pay for the leasing expenses agreed upon.
DeleteRomanian ATR's are short term until JU gets their own on dry lease. 2 more to come this season, more will follow.
Embraer was always going to be wet leases. JU has since 2016 had a regional jet in the fleet during the summer (until Covid it was CRJ).
A330 with different branding interior is waiting for seats. Its either use the current seats or don't take anything until seats arrive and allow competition to take over the market, making it even more difficult and expensive for JU to expand.
JU's massive expansion isn't going to continue like this every year, Marek mentioned that focus will be put next into increasing frequencies with smaller amounts of new destinations. The disruption caused by Covid wasn't healthy either for aviation.
BEG reconstruction and further expansion is going to take years to complete, roughly a decade in total. No airline waits if they don't have to, unless its an airline really mismanaged.
Future airport hotel has no impact on JU ops. Nice to have but not a must. How many airports in BEG's category (7 million pax) have hotels in front of the airport? There are currently a few hotel options around the airport.
Taxi mafia works with police, what to do? That problem has been there for a long long time. Its up to the Serbian police to enforce laws
01:48 "having double the passengers of the next best airport in the region." - best in the region sounds too optimistic. BEG is still lacking a normal airport hotel and let alone a rapid railway or underground connection to the city. We are not talking about a village but a big European capital. If you are going to build a hub, then at least make sure you ensure the most important services. Other European capitals have such services. Train in Vilnius is barely 80 eurocents and Sofia 82 cents:
Deletehttps://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/before-the-flight/transport/train
https://www.metrosofia.com/en/sofia-airport
Also, how can you best with all those severe cancellations and delays?
Airport hotel is not responsibility of concessionaire nor airline. Talk to private businesses if you want airport hotel. As for rail link, check how many larger airports in Europe don't have it. Belgrade record is 6.1 million passengers. Toronto airport hit more than 40 million passengers before getting a rail link. So grow up.
DeleteExactly this guy is unreal, they are working hard to finish current upgrades to BEG and they were doing it during the worse pandemic time with so many supply issues. I have never ever experienced soo many negative and not educated people as on this blog. I believe being negative and dishonest makes them feel better. BEG is doing a great job and me personally as a regular customer love new development as well enjoy JU as the major airline at the airport.
Delete