The fifth Embraer aircraft to be operated on behalf of Air Serbia by Greece’s Marathon Airlines has arrived in Belgrade, with a sixth jet possible for the coming summer season. The sixteen-year-old E195, which sports Air Serbia’s full corporate livery, has been parked in Athens since mid-November. Although its delivery was initially expected late last year, the 118-seat jet touched down in the Serbian capital yesterday afternoon. It becomes the third to be operated on Air Serbia’s behalf, alongside the 100-seat E190 and the 88-seat E175. The latter was initially to be wet-leased to the Serbian carrier on a short-term basis but is now expected to remain part of the fleet throughout the coming summer.
Commenting on the growing number of Embraer aircraft operating on behalf of the carrier, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, recently said, “For us, it was a very natural choice to select the Embraer E1, which are mid-age and mature aircraft. The ownership cost is super low and the aircraft don’t face any significant issues like with new technology. At the same time, we didn’t want to deal with the complexity of adding a new aircraft type, which is why this pilot project with Marathon Airlines, which started as a wet-lease and will expand into a CPI model was a logical win-win solution”. He added, “We are working with Marathon Airlines to transform the Embraer wet-lease into a full damp-lease. That means our cabin crew and our uniforms, while cockpit crew will be from Marathon. We are also looking at some other synergies where the Embraer fleet can be deeply incorporated into Air Serbia, but it will not be operated by Air Serbia”.
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| Marathon Airlines Embraer cabins on aircraft operated for Air Serbia |
Marathon Airlines has said its relationship with Air Serbia is continuing to evolve. “Marathon Airlines‘ deepening partnership with Air Serbia signals a milestone towards operational excellence. Up to six Embraer jets are set to join Air Serbia's fleet in summer 2024, showcasing the pivotal role Marathon plays in enhancing operational flexibility and meeting increased route demand”. It added, “The Embraer E170/E190 series strikes a balance between capacity and flexibility, allowing us to efficiently meet the diverse needs of our clientele, especially in markets with varying demand patterns and infrastructure constraints”. The Greek ACMI carrier has signalled it may acquire next-generation Embraer aircraft as well. “We are strategically planning to augment our fleet in the coming months. We are actively considering the introduction of Embraer E2s into our fleet. Additionally, we are exploring the acquisition of Airbus A320s to cater to contracts requiring higher capacity”, the carrier said.
This February, the Embraer jets will be deployed on around 19% of Air Serbia’s flights. The Serbian carrier is due to take delivery of three ATR72-600 and two A330-200 aircraft this year, all five of which will be dry-leased. Although it was initially said the turboprops would arrive during the first quarter, Mr Marek recently noted the delivery timeline was not determined yet and hinged on supply chain issues affecting maintenance, repainting, and deliveries.
Finally
ReplyDelete"and the 88-seat E175. The latter was initially to be wet-leased to the Serbian carrier on a short-term basis but is now expected to remain part of the fleet throughout the coming summer"
ReplyDeleteLet's hope we see it and the E190 in full AirSerbia livery
Why do you care about full livery?
DeleteWhite is nice as well.
White is cheaper as well.
DeleteImagine that AirSerbia starts operating E2 before OU starts operating their A220, what a tragedy that would be
ReplyDeleteYou know what is the worst part about that? That it is feasible.
DeleteSo Embraer E2 is coming to JU by July?
DeleteI think Marathon will take over Astana E2 fleet - I could be wrong tho
DeleteE2 has the same pax capacity as E195, so it could make sense
DeleteE290*
DeleteTragedy?
DeleteI'd love to see JU fly new gen aircraft I don't see E2 happening with Marek constantly going on about 'new plane bad'
DeleteNo sense comparing JU and OU. They are just state owned companies and that is all similarity.
DeleteA220 and E2 have the same tragedy problems with PW engines
DeleteConstant comparisons indicate nostalgia. Bravo for JU, but, "cousins", we play in a different league.
DeleteThe A220 is a much safer Aircraft to fly then the Embraer. Everyone knows that who works in the industry. That's a fact!
DeleteI love it when people write "That's a fact" without providing a single fact. Not to mention how many A220s are grounded.
Delete09:05, all is feasible, including a wooden wood stove, but once only!
DeleteHahh ask any maintenance personal how safe is 220 lol. You have no idea about mtc issues on those aircrafts Anonymous17:02
DeleteOY-GDB should be the sixth Embraer
ReplyDeleteI think so too. That plane has been in maintenance already so I think it just needs to be painted.
DeleteCould Air Serbia use Slovenia's tender to start flights to Maribor and / or Portoroz? Or are flights to Belgrade not possible according to the tender?
ReplyDeleteIf they get the ATRs they'll surely introduce flights to MBX, but for now it's looking unlikely - they could apply for winter schedule tho, similar what AirBaltic did last summer, where they applied for flights starting may 2024
DeleteThey aren't possibile becaues they are aut of EU. It is a condition to aply to the tender.
DeleteExcellent choice
ReplyDeleteAny idea why it took so long to deliver it?
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that too.
DeleteMarathon seems to be having some problems re-restringing the aircraft. E175 in Cronos livery is still stuck in Athenes too
DeleteMarathon has problems with crew shortages, as almost everyone
DeleteWhen will it enter into service?
ReplyDeleteFlew with them on the E195 recently and it was great. Love the 2-2 seating
ReplyDeleteAnd they have comfy padded seats rather then the slim boards.
Delete"We are also looking at some other synergies where the Embraer fleet can be deeply incorporated into Air Serbia, but it will not be operated by Air Serbia”
ReplyDeleteWhat does this mean?
It is literally what the whole of this text is about.
DeleteNo, the said quote has nothing to do with Marathon or E70/90 family, he would mention Marathon if that was the case
DeleteI also think it might have something to do with Air Pink Embraers. They key word is that he says we are looking at some OTHER synergies, so I don't think he is referring to Marathon.
DeleteSomeone mentioned a while ago that Air Pink is transferring their Bjets to another company, does anyone know anything about that?
DeleteSo there is actually a possibility of AirPink starting scheduled pax operations? WOW!
DeleteFrom zero to six in such a short time. Excelent.
ReplyDeleteYes. It has been a very quick process. Good!
DeleteWhat is so impresive? They wet leased 5 planes which are operating 19% of their flights in February! :))))
DeleteWhat's impressive is that they saw that their A319 would be flying at max 75% capacity, they recognized that, adapted and are now profiting from it, without almost any risks
DeleteAnonymous 09:32
DeleteThey have the A319s for over 10 years. That is plenty of time to recognize that it wasn't the optimal aircraft for JU routes.
Loads of people here were saying that JU needs a regional jet. The usual vatniks were calling them haters.
Finally JU management saw the light. Better late than never I guess.
Yes they had them for 10 years but they didnt have so many routes and so many frequencies on the routes back in the years. They can fly three times per week to Berlin with A319 or seven times per week with E195. It just gives them more options, and when there is more demand for some flights, A319/320 can be easily deployed.
DeleteThat is exactly what they have done with the Frankfurt route. They will fly 13 weekly this summer but mostly with Embraers.
DeleteNot a bad move...flying just once daily was to little for FRA. They had to increase frequences in order to stay competititve against LH.
Delete"We are also looking at some other synergies where the Embraer fleet can be deeply incorporated into Air Serbia, but it will not be operated by Air Serbia”
ReplyDeleteAIR PINK??
Maybe yes E145 will be perfect for KVO and INI.
DeleteThat would actually be beneficial for JU as well, one ATR and A319 would be released for BEG operations
DeleteThe E190/195 seems to be quite efficient, optimizing the network well so that it doesn't have to stop on weak routes. The E175 would be a good alternative to the ATR, when shutting down new machines or when machines come in for maintenance. Embraers are the best thing that happened to JU during the post-pandemic expansion, thanks to it they kept all the newly announced destinations.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, they will use the E175 on the Mostar route.
DeleteIt would be interesting to see the E175 in JU livery as well.
DeleteI agree, would be good. The Air Serbia livery really fits these Embraer planes well.
DeleteThey look great with almost all liveries. They are amazingly good looking airplanes IMO. Nice to travel with them too
DeleteInteresting you say that... I always found them disproportionate and rather hideous looking... especially the E170/175 with those tiny little engines. Comfort wise, they are great... all the way until moderate (lord forbid severe) turbulence strikes...
Delete@anon 9:12
DeleteThere are some issues for ATR landing at OMO in general.
People who use "interesting" have nothing smart to say, yet they feel the urge to "contribute".
DeleteIf Marathon gets the A320 like it says they are considering, I could see JU also taking that. They might be referring to JU here
ReplyDelete"Additionally, we are exploring the acquisition of Airbus A320s to cater to contracts requiring higher capacity”
Marathon is almost solely dependent on JU as a customer, and my guess is that soon we'll be seeing 2-3 year contracts announced. Maybe even rename to AS commuter or something in the lines of that.
DeleteThe Embraer flights are operated by JU, not Marathon. So there is no sense for what you are proposing.
DeleteThe Embraer flights are operated by Marathon and always will be, the max JU will do is put their stewardesses in that plane
DeleteBravo Marathon!
ReplyDeleteThey will have a really big fleet this summer
ReplyDeleteYou mean a big wet leased fleet , not serbian registered !
DeleteSo, what's the problem? This is long term wet lease, in transformation towards damp lease. It's legitimate way of working, that brings a lot of benefits to AirSerbia obviously as they are still expanding and generating profit. The fact that plain is I'm wet lease is not bad by default, quite opposite. This is planned commercial arrangement, so it's good!
DeleteI notice that all of the Emrbaers Air Serbia has are LR - long range. What does this mean on a plane like the Embraer?
ReplyDeleteIt means that they do have the longer range than tne non-LR models.
DeleteDoes it also mean they have a larger cargo storage area or I mices something up?
DeleteNo, in opposite. LR modifications normally have more restrictions about cargo than the standard variant.
DeleteThe Embraer could potentially be a way Air Serbia could mid to longer term be a solution to one of their problems on pilot shortages, much like Ryanair are open about one of the reasons they choose Boeing over Airbus, Air Serbia would have pilots trained with Embraer and thus be less attractive to poach by other airlines which majority in Europe fly AirBus aircraft’s. Might be a nice accidental positive.
ReplyDelete@anon 10:14
DeleteInteresting point.
It might slow down process a little bit....some companies in need would give type rating for a few years contract, too
DeleteIt would also be more difficult to find pilots type rated for Embraers.
DeleteThe Marathon story seems like the best wet lease they have.
ReplyDeletemakes sense for the moment, think they are doing the right thing here.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point of the fifth and XYZ jet number in fleet when this airline is incapable to fix it's bugs with regards to purchasing tickets. I tried this AM to buy twice a ticket and both times I get to the YOUR PAYMENT IS BEING PROCESSED DO NOT CLICK THE BACK BUTTON and then this message keeps sitting on the screen and the payment doesn't go through. Hell with them, ended up purchasing on TK. Useless company!
ReplyDeleteTheir new look site sucks big time.
DeleteIt happened the same to me, but there is no need for anger.
DeleteI simply called them and they issued me the ticket.
Sometimes their site has problem with American Express credit cards.
Apparently with Mastercard issued in Serbia too which I tried to use this morning. I am not calling anyone, if they are not capable to run the online sales business in 21st century then they do not deserve to be used.
DeleteHope they paint all the Embraers in Air Serbia livery.
ReplyDeleteAll the E195s are in Air Serbia livery. E190 has Air Serbia titles but white tail while E175 is in Marathon livery.
DeleteThanks
DeleteSo they will have for regional fleet this summer
ReplyDelete6 Embraers
10 ATRs
What about the Airbuses and Boeings? Anyone know how many?
8 A319
Delete5 A320
Good job!
ReplyDeleteIs there any ETA when this aircraft will be put into service?
ReplyDeleteOh and also when the sixth E195 will arrive.
DeleteCould be tomorrow, but by Monday for sure, last 2 arrived and were operational within a few days
DeleteA rich airline can afford in the long term that a quarter of the fleet consists of wet-leased aircraft.
ReplyDeleteSounds like we are one of the Emirates :)
DeleteBig US airlines use similar providers for regional jets. Aircraft is painted in mainline livery but operated by a separate company.
DeleteBut are these wet lease agreements? And prices like with JU and Marathon?
DeleteYes, they are wet lease agreements. How do you know how much Air Serbia pays Marathon for anyone to compare.
DeleteDoes anyone know what is happening with flights to Florence? JU used to operate them with Embraers in previous summer season. LF was solid three times I flew. Now I cannot see them in the system for the next summer season.
ReplyDeleteThey are still scheduling fights for next summer and changing frequencies on many routes on daily basis.
DeleteLets hope Florence flights are back. I have checked various dates from April - June but none are in the system.
Delete@exYU aviation - Could you please check this with JAirSerbia?
Can Marathon as an EU company run lines between EU cities for AirSerbia?
ReplyDeleteWith Marathon flight number, yes
DeleteWhat is the difference between E1 and E2 jets?
ReplyDeleteThe E2 has a common cockpit with the E1, but the E2 has different engines, wings, many systems and aerodynamic improvements. The E-195 E2 also has three more rows for 12 more passengers. E190-E2 also has the longest maintenance intervals in the single aisle market with 10,000 flight hours for basic checks and no calendar limit in typical E-Jets utilization. This means additional 15 days of aircraft utilization in a period of ten years compared to current generation E-Jets.
DeleteThank you.
DeleteIf Marathon gets the E2 Air Serbia should definitely get 1 to at least see how the new generation aircraft/ engine will perform
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteKupis kartu kod Air Serbia i onda te Marathon Airlines prevozi…pa pola flote im je u wet lease 😢🙁😫
ReplyDelete