EX-YU airports see mixed June prospects, Ryanair cements dominance


Most capital city airports in the former Yugoslavia are expected to see passenger growth during June when compared to last year, based on available scheduled seat capacity levels. Ryanair will retain its position as the region’s largest carrier, ahead of Air Serbia and Wizz Air.

Belgrade Airport has the most available seats on scheduled flights in June, standing at 894.476. The figure represents a decrease of 1.4% on 2023, despite a 1.3% increase in the number of operated flights. It does not include charter services which see a notable volume during the month. The drop comes as a result of Wizz Air, which has a 13% reduction in capacity during the month. Air Serbia, which will grow its capacity by 1.2%, will continue to maintain its position as the largest carrier, holding 55.7% of all available scheduled capacity at the airport. Zagreb follows as the second largest with 513.743 available seats on scheduled flights during the month. It represents an increase of 18.4% on last year. Croatia Airlines will retain its position as the largest carrier at the airport, with 33.4% of available capacity. It is followed by Ryanair with 30.7% of all available seats.

Skopje Airport, will also be impacted by Wizz Air’s frequency cuts. It boasts 295.103 seats in June, down 5.9%, despite a 8.1% increase in the number of operated flights. Wizz Air, which has wiped out 15% of its capacity, will hold a 53.8% share of available seats. Sarajevo Airport has 260.668 scheduled seats on the market in June, a notable increase of 47.1% on 2023. Pegasus Airlines is the largest carrier with 10.8% of capacity. 

Pristina Airport will have 256.634 available seats, however, it has numerous flights sold exclusively through tour operators which are considered as charters. Therefore, these are not included in the overall scheduled seat capacity. If only seats on scheduled flights are taken into account, the airport sees an increase of 5.5% in capacity on last year. easyJet has the largest volume of scheduled seats, holding a 18.8% share, ahead of Chair Airlines with 14.7%. Podgorica Airport has 191.346 seats on scheduled flights in June, an increase of 5% on 2023. Wizz Air is the largest with 20.1% of total capacity, while national carrier Air Montenegro is the sixth-largest. Finally, Ljubljana Airport has 156.534 seats on scheduled services available this June, which is up 15.8% on last year. Lufthansa will be its largest carrier with a 17.5% capacity share, ahead of Turkish Airlines with 12.1% of scheduled capacity.

Largest carriers by scheduled seat capacity in the former Yugoslavia, June 2024



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    wow Sarajevo growth is massive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      Not to take away from the strong growth which is definitely visible considering the big number of new airlines, but I also assume the base number last year was rather low.

      Delete
    2. Sarajevo had a record number of passengers last year, what are you writing about ?

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    LJU a disaster as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:03

      Why? They have 17.5% growth.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:04

      ^^^
      He just hates Fraport.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:05

      They would need to grow 175% to not be a disaster

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:07

      yes they have growth on not so big base numbers

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:07

      Growth? Passengers numbers are like -30% compared to 2019. @9:04 Babett Stapel is that you? Did I forgot to write "Bravo Fraport!"?

      Delete
    6. Vlad09:19

      What is the point of comparing LJU vs. 2019 numbers when transfer passengers are no longer there?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:26

      Even if we compare figures without transfers, LJU is still below 2019, even more below 2018 (last normal year) and recovery is not expected even this year. That's why.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous09:27

      Re: Vlad

      Sorry but that's the industry standard since Covid-19. Every airport has a different story in terms of losses and gains but there has to be at least one metric to compare them.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous09:28

      Now transfer passengers are excuse for poor performance. As if the airport relied on them. If you can not replace those 15-20% of transfers that there were in 5 years you are doing a bad job.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous09:33

      And this is, unfortunately, the case, even more, they can not replace even P2P passengers in five years...

      Delete
    11. Slovenia is the richest of the Jug nations. And have the same size population as macedonia yet tiny numbers. LJU has less than Podgorica. That's why the situation in LJU looks so bad to everyone

      Delete
    12. Anonymous10:25

      Why is it so important to you how much traffic there is at Ljubljana Airport? Do you often fly from Ljubljana?
      Yes, Slovenian BDP is higher than other countries in the Balkan region has, but don't forget that Slovenians like to take flights from neighboring airports, and even tourists are coming to Slovenia by car and from other airports. At the end of the day, it is what it is. 

      I don't like Fraport. Their customer service is a shame, and it looks like they don't even care about passengers. But I have to say that Ljubljana has healthy growth. Can you imagine that Ryanair pulls the plug in Zagreb? So Ljubljana hasn't got all the eggs in one basket. Overall, if you're looking for long-haul flights (connections), Ljubljana is more convenient than you might expect. I'm a frequent flyer, and most of the time I'm using Turkish or Swiss. 

      Delete
    13. Anonymous11:49

      Ljubljana will be ok, they've got 156500 seats, which could generate around ~125000 passengers in June, sure not best result at Ljubljana, but considering it is very close to Zagreb which is growing fast, it'll do ok.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous11:51

      ^ there will be more since there are a lot of charters which are not included in these numbers

      Delete
    15. Anonymous12:12

      There you have it, with charters, it could be 140-150000? Don't know how many charters there are, but considering in 2023 Airport handled 1.27 million, I am optimistic this year airport will handle at least 1.5 million if not a lot more, perhaps 1.6 million. I think before covid airport handled 1.75 million passengers, and this was with the national airline, now without it, airport is handling 1.5 million, great recovery and soon airport will be hitting that all time record of 1.75 million.

      Delete
    16. Anonymous13:18

      Before COVID and with Adria operating year-round LJU handled more than 1.8 mio pax. All time record (2018) is 1.812.411. FRAPORT official forecast for 2024 is still 1.4 mio.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous16:20

      How can LJU have a lower capacity than in May. I think this scheduled number (156.534 seats)is incorrect. Admin?

      Delete
    18. The figure is correct. For example, Turkish Airlines has 10 fewer operations at Ljubljana Airport in June compared to May with a 10% decline in capacity, while easyJet has a 14% decrease in capacity month-on-month. Several airlines also have fewer seats scheduled to Ljubljana in June compared to May. However, this is subject to change as airlines can swap equipment on routes depending on demand.

      Delete
    19. Anonymous12:04

      Neverjetno, kakลกne izgovore se ลพe 5 let iลกฤe za LJU letaliลกฤe! Osnovne polomije (prodaja letaliลกฤa, uniฤenje Adrie in malega regionalnega huba, pomanjkanje kakrลกnekoli strategije za letalski promet v politiki) pa ne omenja nihฤe. Ko enkrat izpadeลก iz tekme, je skoraj nemogoฤe tekmovati naprej.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    Wizz Air only third in the region...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:22

      Its not their fold.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:34

      I think is double fold ;) i.e P&W fold

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:04

    Omg what a jump for Sarajevo!!! Finally showing that potential, well done :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      TZL troubles really helped it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:06

      You cannot "show" potential from an increase in seat capacity. The potential is either there or it is not.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:15

      The potential was there, just never utilized. Realistically speaking, given the size of Bosnia and the number of touristd Sarajevo should be way ahead of Ljubljana, Podgorica and Skopje.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:18

      Absolutely, Sarajevo is poised to hit 2M next year even without a plethora of new lines and probably around 1.8 this year. Shame W6 didn't introduce flights yet due to P&W issues.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:07

    LH's doing great in LJU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      They own it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:11

      Good!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous01:32

      How exactly does Lufthansa own Ljubljana airport? hahaha

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:11

    How? There have been numerous articles that the airport is expected to see capacity reduction from June since Wizz Air has reduced flights by 15%.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:13

    BEG is actually doing great taking in consideration Wizz cuts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:14

    Why aren't the other 40 airlines increase their capacity to compensate from W6 troubles?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:15

    Aircraft shortages.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:15

    First of all 40 airlines don't fly to Belgrade, second how do you know they are not? As you see Air Serbia also has capacity growth. Airlines can't increase capacity to the point to replace Wizz Air. Also, keep n mind Belgrade Airport is linked to 120 other airports with nonstop flights. There is a limit to what airlines can do.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:16

    Demand for travel is big all over Europe this year. Airlines put their limited capacity where it is most profitable. We really ain't the center of the universe. Or even Europe.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:16

    Exactly.
    BEG is the best connected airport in ex Yu.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous09:19

    Air Montenegro sixth in Podgorica!! That's crazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      Wonder what airlines are ahead

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:30

      Wizz Air, Ryanair, Air Serbia, Austrian, Turkish

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:34

      To be honest, it is shocking that Austrian and Turkish with a single route have more capacity than Air Montenegro at its home base.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:55

      Every month lower on the list

      Delete
    5. Anonymous01:32

      It really is surprising.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:29

    When will W6 resolve their engine problems?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:34

      They expect the whole process to take until summer 2026. But things will start improving from this winter/next summer.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:45

      Hopefully.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous01:33

      I hope Wizz Air will return with big expansion from SKP and BEG once the problems with the engines are solved

      Delete
    4. Anonymous01:35

      I think they will. Not just SKP and BEG but across Europe.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:31

    @9.14 well other airlines are increasing flights. As you can see there is an increase in the number of operated flights despite cuts made by Wizz Air. But they can't replace Wizz Air A321s.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:40

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:54

    It will be interesting to see if SKP and BEG can make up the numbers with improved loads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:02

      Most likely they can as the demand is still there.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:52

      In the case of Skopje it hasn't been the case. April numbers are down on 2023 (but TAV only published combined numbers for SKP and OHD, we will have to wait until this site publishes them separately). Interestingly though it completely corresponds to what was published here last month regarding SKP.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:06

      Hardly for SKP, the number of destinations and airlines is limited. At BEG, pax will disperse across offered capacity so it's closer to zero-sum game in June. July should see more capacity, hopefully.

      Delete
    4. July capacity is momentarily slightly up on last year.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous01:33

      That's good

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:55

    Being the best connected airport in Ex-Yu is like being the best actor in a kindergarten theatre performance.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous09:56

    Ok, claiming that 120 nonstop destinations is insignificant is kind of stupid.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:56

    Happy for SJJ.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous09:57

    Ryanair now really far in front in the region.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:53

      Could they can reach a million seats in a single month?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous01:33

      It's possible but not sure if it will be the case this summer.

      Delete
  22. Sarajevo more than Pristina ๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:22

      Pristina will have more flights overall, as reiseburo flights, which aren't counted in the GDI

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:03

      Yeah Pristina could have as many as 400 000 seats available in June including 100 000 charted seats.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:17

      June 2023 290k Pax
      June 2024 350k Pax (estimate)

      Meaning 400k available seats for June at PRN is reasonable.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:23

      Charter flights are counted in GDI lol. PRN is doing everything to boost the numbers

      Delete
  23. Anonymous10:31

    Isn't this an insult? :)))

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous10:44

    Other airlines are boosting their presence in Belgrade, that's why the drop is not bigger.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10:56

    Less than 3% share difference between Ryanair and Croatia Airlines at ZAG!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:31

      I think it will finally overtake some time this year.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous11:05

    The guy simply can't stand the fact BEG is the most connected airport.

    So sorry for him.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:18

    LJU growing solidly by offereing improving connections to major hubs.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11:59

    "Zagreb follows as the second largest with 513.743 available seats on scheduled flights during the month"

    I guess in June Zagreb will do ok, I am hopping for a very good result in May. Last May Zagreb handled around 330 000 passengers, this year it is expected to handle around 380 000, but could be even 400 000. If it surpasses 400 000, it would be first time in history of the airport. Current record is 387000 in August last year.

    If it doesn't surpasses 400 000 in May, it is a long shot after all, in June airport is bound to do well, with 513000 seats available, airport will handle between 400 000 and 410 000 and could be as high as 420 000 in June. However passing 400 000 mark would be extremely good result in my book.


    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous13:02

    BEG 894.476 and at the most 700.000 taken

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:34

      Huh? You mean 700,000 passengers?

      Delete
  30. Anonymous13:51

    Can Ryan catch up with OU in ZAG in terms of capacity? Is it more likely in summer or winter?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:55

      I think that this winter it will be bigger than OU actually, especially since they upgraded some of the new routes to year round
      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2024/05/ryanair-adds-new-destinations-to.html

      Delete
  31. Anonymous13:58

    @9:55 if ExYu is like kindergarten, why are you waisting your precious time making dumb comments about it ;)

    Air Serbia will offer more capacity than in 2023. That is impressive considering everything else that's been going on. BEG will drop capacity by a bit, however they added so much passengers in the first four months of this year that cumulative growth for 2024 is still unchallenged. With additional aircraft joining Air Serbia fleet in the next two months, both BEG and JU are on track for record performance in 2024. This may hurt you if you expected a negative outcome :D

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous14:53

    These numbers with capacity have so far proven be very similar to actual passenger growth/decline. Thanks, keep them coming.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous15:53

    Bravo Air Serbia ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous15:58

    That JU share in BEG is huge, which isn't necessarily a good thing. But I'm positively surprised they have capacity growth in June.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:11

      Every other ExYu airport would love to have domestic carrier with same marketshare, so it is a good thing.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous01:34

      Well Ljubljana use to have it with Adria...

      Delete
  35. Anonymous17:13

    +1

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous21:53

    Huge growth for Sarajevo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:35

      I'm guessing Ryanair playing a big part in that.

      Delete
  37. Anonymous21:54

    Is it just me or has Air Serbia's share in Belgrade increased?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:30

      Yes, it has been increasing for a few months.

      Delete
  38. Anonymous23:32

    The good thing is that Belgrade airport can easily compensate decreased capacity by an increase in average loadfactor.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous01:30

    LCCs making comeback in top 10 :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:35

      Like every summer.

      Delete
  40. Anonymous01:37

    Strong June for most

    ReplyDelete

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