NEWS FLASH
Air Serbia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ground handler Menzies Aviation from the United Kingdom to enter into a joint venture (JV). As part of the planned cooperation, Menzies will deliver passenger and ramp services at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport beginning in February 2024. The agreement, Menzies’ biggest deal in Eastern Europe to date, will see local teams manage more than 22.000 turns in the first year. As recently reported by EX-YU Aviation News, Menzies signalled its intent to expand operations in Serbia.
Commenting on the deal, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “We are extremely pleased about the upcoming cooperation with such a renowned ground handling service provider as Menzies Aviation. During this year's summer season, Air Serbia recorded unprecedented growth, but at the same time faced certain challenges in the field of ground handling. Again, I want to apologise to all passengers affected by the situation at our hub this summer. Even during the season, we reacted quickly to that situation by hiring additional personnel in record time. Now we are taking the next step because in 2024 we want to provide the best possible service for our passengers and a reliable partner for the company's further growth”. Philipp Joeinig, CEO of Menzies Aviation, added, “We are extremely excited by the opportunity to work with Air Serbia, helping the airline achieve further domestic and international growth. Strategically, as the number one service provider in the world, and the number one provider in the region, this venture represents a major step for Menzies, supporting our ambitions to expand our presence in the Balkans and support emerging aviation markets. We are looking forward to delivering market-leading, high-quality aviation services in the Balkans with the fast-growing Air Serbia, and increasing our market share at Belgrade Airport”.
Very good news
ReplyDeleteThey shut down ASGS a Serbian company so that down the road the job could be handled by foreigners. Such a shame.
ReplyDeleteIt was handled up until now by foreigners too since Vinci is a French company.
DeleteNo. Vinci doesn't own the airport they just manage it.
DeleteYes and a French company which registered a company in Serbia manages the handling at Belgrade Airport. The same way a UK company which has registered a company in Serbia will now offer handling. It's literally the same.
DeleteMenzies will be taking money out of Serbia. Why is Marek creating a JV instead of bringing ASGS back? Because JU sucks wjen it comes to human resources and at talent retention
DeleteYou want to he part of global market?! Than stop diving companies to foreign and domestic!
DeleteThe work is done in Serbia, they employ Serbian people, they pay many taxes in Serbia so for me they are Serbian company now like any other foreign investor.
Just because they are a foreign investor in the country doesn't mean it's something to be proud of. The government should bring ASGS back but it's obvious that Marek can't find people to work in JU even less so in ASGS
DeleteSo it's going to be
ReplyDeleteGround handling: Menzies
MRO: Turkish Airlines subsidiary in Serbia
and now we wait to see who will take catering
^ was about to say the same!
DeleteThey are, quite literally, *learning*. In four-five years, who knows. We may have ASL Gourmet or a resurrection of ASGS.
DeleteMarek's job is to minimize non absolutely necessary expenses so that the airline can present positive financial results in the hope that someone will be interested in buying a stake.
DeleteHow is Joint Venture by airline owned by government giving it to foreigners? Did Marek also sell everything by having Air Serbia fleet of only Airbus, ATR and Embraer instead of flying some Serbian-made passenger aircraft??? Are you okay?
DeleteYes I am ok thank you. His job is to run the national airline and to strengthen the local economy. Selling everything to foreigners is not the way forward. It's the easy way out, the lazy one.
DeleteYou are talking about selling but no one has sold anything.
DeleteOn saturday we arrived with Swiss from ZRH at 14:00 on the remote stand. We had to take the bus to an A-Gate, walk upstairs, only 2 customs were working. 1 hour waiting until the first luggage came out on the belt. The only aircraft which arrived at that time. Sky Partner thank you for this miserable service!
ReplyDeleteThey are absolutely horrible, I only have bad experience with them.
DeleteWhat are salaries like for handlers and check in agents at Menzies? Any info?
ReplyDeleteSeems like ASL is the tool for a rapprochement between the UK and Serbia.....
ReplyDeleteThat must be one of the most Balkan comments yet!
DeleteI'm sure the United Kingdom's foreign office makes policy decisions depending on Menzies opening a subsidiary in BEG or not.
You're cute.
DeleteMenzies is cheap and low cost. Better to of given the contract to a Serbian company.
ReplyDeleteThe only 100% Serbian owned company that has a permit to provide ground handling is Air Pink. At the same time, they have no experience in providing ground handling to commercial airlines. So who should they have picked?
DeleteThey literally had ASGS
DeleteNot clear if Menzies will also provide gate/boarding agents at Belgrade airport for Air Serbia?
ReplyDeleteOf course. It says it is providing "passenger services". That means gate and boarding agents.
DeleteThank you. Hope Menzies will train them to proper standard. They shall not use personal mobile while at the gate, shout at passengers etc.
DeleteDream on...
Deletejesus christ and mother of god, yes
ReplyDeleteI want one plane model by AirSERBIA, they are beautiful
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteOf course they are !
DeleteThose on the picture cost 250 Euros each. You can buy them in their shops or in the lounge.
Delete+1 for JU
ReplyDeleteCoruption!By the book!
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's a public secret by now
Delete