NEWS FLASH
airBaltic will end its seasonal service between Riga and Pristina earlier than initially planned. The route, which was launched on May 4, will conclude on August 31 (departing Riga) and September 1 (departing Pristina). Initially, the Latvian carrier scheduled flights between the two until September 28/29. The airline had previously reduced frequencies for part of its first month of operations in May. Flights were to run twice per week, but instead operated once per week, with the second weekly service commencing last week.
I doubt they will be back next year on this route. Similar story happened with LOT.
ReplyDeleteNo they will not be back for sure. I said alot of time , this route is not a gasto route and will not work , and here is the result.
DeleteWhy did they even launch it?
ReplyDeleteThey just wanted new market , but it's not working , this route simply is not gasto and will not work.
DeleteBecause they wanted to test if flights are successful.
DeleteWell obviously there is zero O&D demand between PRN and RIX and with just 2 weekly flights you can barely be competitive for transfers. No surprise.
ReplyDeleteOnly gasto routes work out of Pristina, we all know it. There is close to zero tourism and little demand for business travel. Air Baltic wanted a new route, they were like, lets give it a try, but I guess it isnt working.
ReplyDeleteIf you look on the right side with new routes, all are leisure - Heraklion, Varna, Antalya
DeleteSame scenario as with LOT .... I knew it this route will not work , no gasto no business more less no tourism , it was simply. But at least they try.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteKosovo has an increasing amount of tourism. However the gastro routes such as London, Milan and munich cover this well. An increasing number of backpackers combine it with Skopje and Tirana. Lots to see there! Lovely country
DeleteGreat, now they can introduce SJJ or ZAG with actual demand.
ReplyDeleteZAG could be good chance for them , but I am not sure if they will survive in SJJ as well as PRI situation pretty much the same.
DeleteAgree at all. There is no single bit of logic to start PRN and not start ZAG.
DeleteThey already explained their logic and it was published here. They said since Zagreb is a hub for a Star Alliance airline with multiple daily flights to Frankfurt and Munich, there is no point in launching it.
DeleteThat is not logic at all. If LH is the reason,then nobody would open any other route out of ZAG. But still we can see multiple new routes opening from ZAG to Scandinavia without any problem
DeleteI just said what their explanation was. It obviously isn't a strategy other airlines are using.
DeleteSJJ would definitely work as their transfers are really good for Scandinavia and there's a demand for the Baltic market as well. PRN has a better Scandinavia Network anyway.
DeleteHave they cancelled SKP yet? They were too optimistic with that one too. With PRN it is almost 100 gasto trafic, with SKP about 85 %.
ReplyDeleteHave you actually bothered to read the article? Pristina is not cancelled.
DeleteNo they not canceled SKP and will not , because the route is doing very well , no reason to be canceled.
Deletetoo expensive
ReplyDeleteway too expensive. Roughly 300 euro for a ticket to Riga out of PRN.
ReplyDeleteWith that money one can fly Wizz to Vienna, roughly 50 euro return, spend a comfy weekend there, and then fly Ryanair VIE-Riga for some 30 euros return 😄
+1
Deleteor even better, instead of paying 300 eur to see Riga, book yourself a proper getaway summer destination.
DeleteTravel agencies in PRN sell weekend packages to Bodrum/Antalya for 300 euro. Or go to Malta via SKP. Agencies in Pristina sell 280EUR 3 days flight+hotel+breakfast included 😄
Riga is a beautiful town with tons of secession architecture though and it's not scorching in the summer like Bodrum 😄 Not everyone loves tanning
DeletePoor marketing of the new destination. It is not that people don't travel, but not a lot of people know things about RIGA.
ReplyDeleteAgree on lack of marketing. Many in Riga don't have a clue where Pristina is.
DeleteSo true, PRN is well known for its high number of local travellers.
Deletethey are flying until the middle of the month now
ReplyDelete