Air Serbia has unveiled it will launch flights to Florence in 2025, making the city its fifth new destination scheduled to launch next year following Shanghai, Mykonos, Ibiza and the island of Sardinia, where it is expected to serve Olbia. The carrier’s General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Boško Rupić, also noted the carrier will expand its charter operations next year with the addition of new routes including Kavala in northern Greece. “We will be even more present on the market with these new destinations so passengers will have a greater choice as to where they can spend their holidays, while business travellers will have more nonstop options”, Mr Rupić said.
Air Serbia previously briefly served Florence during the summer of 2023. The majority of the flights were operated by a wet-leased 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft. With the Serbian carrier recently renewing its partnership with Bulgaria Air for another year in 2025, the same aircraft type could likely be utilised on the route again. With the addition of Sardina and Florence, Air Serbia is set to serve ten destinations in Italy next summer, complementing Rome, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Bari, Catania, Naples and Palermo. Its planned network expansion will also see the carrier operate two destinations in China, seven in Greece and six in Spain. Tickets for the new routes are expected to go on sale by the end of the year, while those for its Shanghai flights, launching in just over a month, have been available for purchase for some time.
The Serbian carrier has said it will elevate its ground experience at Belgrade Airport in the coming period with the opening of its new premium check-in, new premium lounge and the planned opening of a new service desk and ticketing office at the airport. Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “We are already preparing for the new business year, which will undoubtedly bring many opportunities, but also challenges. I am confident we will wisely take advantage of every opportunity for further growth and with the team spirit and commitment of over 1.500 employees at Serbia’s national airline we will have no trouble overcoming any potential obstacles. The experience we’ve gained provides us with an excellent foundation for further development and a stable basis for Air Serbia to record new successes, all in the best interest of passengers”.
I was sure it would be some holiday destination in Italy or Spain 🤦♀️.
ReplyDeleteYou have come to the point where you are now complaining when they announce new routes.
DeleteBrother, issue is not they are adding new destinations but that they add them randomly and the suspend them soon after. It's not ok.
DeleteYes. Out of 90 destinations they have suspended so many... Some of you need a reality check.
DeleteAll of their leisure routes have performed really well. So obviously there is a market for them, otherwise they wouldn't be introducing them.
DeleteHow about long-term strategy and cargo?
DeleteWell I think they outlined their long term strategy many time by now.
DeleteI feel like they talk about it every other week at this point
DeleteCargo seems to be a tragic story at JU. I already wrote about our saga with the transport of goods from Italy but we had another unfortunate situation with them about ten days ago.
DeleteWe had to import some goods from China (Shanghai) and our forwarding agents sent out requests for quotation. Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates... all sent their offers while JU did not even bother to respond. Even Hainan sent it from Beijing (truck+plane).
I even contacted a person directly at JU with whom I spoke the last time and there was no reply.
They should really improve their cargo division otherwise they will keep on losing customers. In the end we went with DHL because they could do it the fastest. It flew HKG-CVG-LEJ-MXP-BEG and it arrived in two days.
@Nemje Yes, it’s unprofessional not to respond, but maybe they did not do it because they did not have availability capacity because they were already full. If you used somebody else service, it doesn't mean they suffered a significant loss.
DeleteAnonymous12:30
DeleteIven if they were full, do not deal with it on this route or whatever. It is nice to reply akd say we do not do on this route and we do on orher, hopefully we will cooperate ij future. This attitude male you lose potential clients
As last Anon wrote if you are full you say so. However I highly doubt they were. Both times we tried to use their cargo services we had problems with them.
Delete@Nemjee perhaps you should contact them via official channel
DeleteWithout foreign planes and crew there would be no growth. Bosko should think about that
ReplyDeleteYes, its obvious.
DeleteWithout new pilots, you can not fly new additional airplanes!
DeleteI think Mr Malevic should think about it since under his management many pilots left the company.
DeleteHow many please tell us? I am with JU 8 years and have not seen massive issue with pilots as you claim. Stop speculation about the crew issues as there is none . I will say again, most of us are seeking extra hrs as we are not scheduled max that sime of us would prefer that way. Ones again stop
DeleteAir Serbia is facing problems with pilots and you should know that if you really worked for the airline. Not only are many leaving but many are also going into retirement.
Delete- ATRs are not flying as much as they could
- E95 is not flying as much as it could
- Wet leases are still present in considerable numbers
- When was the last time JU added a dry leased A319/320 into its fleet? ;)
I am smelling bs from this guy... If you really work in the company, as you say, even more so for 8 years, you should know that there are huge problems from inside ASL, and that a noticeable amount of pilots is leaving.
DeleteLet alone the fact that almost no one in the flt ops is really happy about their job...
Samo da održe trenutni letnji red letenja i bilo bi sasvim dovoljno.
ReplyDeleteWell the best way to respond to potential ITA entry onto market is by providing nonstop connectivity across Italy.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteITA is mostly targeting transfers for long haul flights.
DeleteYou are all a bunch of moaners and complainers. About everything. Does not matter if it's positive or negative. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thought. Most of the lot here wouldn't be able to manage a small business, yet they know they would flawlessly manage an airline.
DeleteI find the rancid local mentality humorous. There's always something to moan and complain about.
DeleteSame thing when OU ordered A220.
DeleteIt always fascinates me how people on this aviation forum have such a deep hatred for any sort of positive development
DeleteBalkan mentality, everyone needs to suffer ig
Well we have right to do so. Same as you have right not to complain about anything. That's all OK.
DeleteWe,l, maybe it's not all that "positive"
DeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDelete😃
Delete10 destinations in Italy is pretty huge
ReplyDeleteWill this be the market with the most destinations flown by JU?
DeleteYes
DeleteIn Western Europe they have more than one destination in most markets. In fact they seem to have several in most.
DeleteGood to see FLR back
ReplyDeleteNow bring back CAI please
ReplyDeleteI think it will come back next summer.
DeleteIt would be better to renew the fleet first before expanding.
ReplyDeleteThey have the youngest fleet in the region.
DeleteTheir aircraft are pretty young, why would they just wait for nothing, it's not like the A319s are particularly uncomfortable, definitely better than the newest W6 A320s and FR 737s
Delete@09:28
DeleteIs that saying much?
Can't wait for the new premium lounge
ReplyDeleteWill they open it this year or next?
DeleteTen destinations in Italy? That's impressive! Florence is a great pick, especially for travelers who love art and history. Smart move, Air Serbia
ReplyDeleteIt is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Delete^ I would say in the world.
DeleteInteresting there’s no flights to Torino or Genoa
DeleteNot only will there be 2 extra destinations next summer, but frequencies are increasing to most destinations as well.
DeleteHow many weekly flights to Italy will they have?
DeleteAs per current timetable for summer:
Delete1. Rome 11 flights
2. Milan MXP 12 flights
3. Venice 7 flights
4. Bologna 6 flights
5. Naples 2 flights
6. Bari 4 flights
7. Palermo 2 flights
8. Catania 2 flights
9. Florence probably 2 flights
10. Olbia 2 flights
In total, if Florence is 2 flights per week, it will be 50 flights on 10 routes, so more than 7 daily flights to Italy.
I flew with Air Serbia to Florence in 2023, and it was a smooth experience. Plane was actually full in both directions. Glad to see it's coming back
ReplyDeleteI flew with JU to Florence 3 times in 2023. Was really hoping they'll keep the route. It was semi full each time and unfortunately they suspended it.
DeleteHopefully, they'll also work on improving their on-time performance next year.
ReplyDeleteMuch needed.
DeleteTime to start planning my trips for 2025
ReplyDeleteI think JU should concentrate to leisure, business and transfer routes. Gasto should be left to LCC’s
ReplyDeleteMarek said gasto makes up 25% of their passengers.
DeleteTheir growth strategy is ambitious, but I wonder if their infrastructure can keep up. We have seen it hasn't worked so well in the past.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed they manage it well
DeleteI hope they don’t drop these routes if they aren’t instantly profitable like they did with others
ReplyDeleteWhy? Isn't the main goal to be profitable?
DeleteProfitability takes time to be achieved. It can't happen overnight
DeleteJU waited 5 years for JFK route to become profitable.
DeleteYes, under different management whose primary goal was not profitability. That's why it was replaced.
DeleteGranted JFK is also a political route for the Serbian diaspora and corporate travel. It not being particularly profitable at first wasn't a major concern, as the benefits overall outweighed the loss
DeleteIt's not a political route for the Serbian diaspora in New York, it's a political route for the Serbian government.
DeleteFor travellers, it is a route/way to travel to JFK, they don't care if the route was pushed by Vučić or not.
It is not same strategy nor problems developing JFK (or any overseas route) and intra European route - different problems as long haul is much more risky, highly costly it needs much more market analysis as much bigger cargo and pax capacity as well much more dependant on transfers. Also for short haul you can easily swap the airplane as you can send almost any type and for overseas you have much less options...
DeleteLove all the new destinations so far
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite is Mykonos :D
DeletePut the tickets on sale! They first said they would have them on sale by the end of November.
ReplyDeleteJust Air Serbia being Air Serbia. Overpromising and then not delivering.
DeleteWhat difference does it make if they put tickets on sale in late November or next week.
DeleteAre they stretching themselves too thin? Consistency is key to keeping loyal customers.
ReplyDeleteIf you meant frequency, it was already announced in september that over 30 destinations will have frequency increases. Tickets sales for the extra flights have been on sale since september. These increases include:
Delete- CDG from 16 to 22 pw.
- MAD from 4 to 7 pw.
- VCE from 4 to 7 pw.
- OTP from 12 to 19 pw.
- ATH from 12 to 19 pw.
- DBV from 7 to 11 pw.
- SJJ from 7 to 13 pw.
Unfortunately, I don't think a lot of those planned frequency increases will actually stick.
DeleteThis is old desinatiom which was cancelled last summer and one before had a bit more of problmes, regular cancellations, taking passages with bus to Rome, after hours of waiting etc…
ReplyDeleteLet’s hope this time will be functional
+1
DeleteGood for FLR but still waiting for TFS!
ReplyDeleteRotation is very long
DeleteDunno what they're scared of. TFS and LPA work from every source market in Central and Northern Europe. Massive tourist / leisure hot spot!
DeleteSardinia and Florence are perfect for summer plans. But I hope they offer competitive prices. Some of their routes have been getting pricey
ReplyDeleteThey still offer very competitive prices to most destinations.
Delete10 in Italy, 7 in Greece wow. 🥳💪💪💪
ReplyDeleteI hope that they pick up fm Italy also some intercontinental business to China and the US
Florence is good option , leisure destinations are mostLy full...Now one more in Spain, if they take subsidies from Granada airport, hence lower Malaga frequency, they could add summer seasonal Sevilla, and Canary islands winter seasonal..My pick would be Las Palmas, its capital and nicer place then Santa Cruz, and Gran Canaria itself is better positioned towards other islands then Tenerife..Although Canary would be too long rotation, it should be well calculated if could be good fitted or not..
ReplyDeleteWell they are adding Ibiza
DeleteIbiza is in Mediterranean, it's not Canary.
DeleteTenerife is much much prettier than Gran Canaria. On Gran Canaria only interesting thing is the dune at Maspalomas. ACE, FUE and La Palma are all more worth visiting too.
DeleteImpressive presence of JU in Italy. Btw why is Florence always struggling, I thought that there is a decent diaspora in Tuscany and year round tourist demand to that region?
ReplyDeleteIsn't the majority of the diaspora in Lombardy?
DeleteLombary but even more in Veneto( Padova, Vicenza, Verona etc) there is actually not so huge diaspora in Toscana
Delete^ True
DeleteYes, thats why they are increasing Venice to daily flights.
DeleteWill see 2/3 canceled in future due to factors :)
ReplyDeleteHohoho, you're so funny... Cry baby, cry
DeleteLaunched/re-launched since 2014:
DeleteBNX, LJU, ZAG, TIA, ZAD, RJK, OMO, OHD, SOF, OTP, CFU, RHO, HER, CHQ, WAW, KRK, LED, AER, KZN, HEL, AUH, BEY, CAI, SZG, VAR, VCE, BLQ, FLR, NAP, CTA, PMO, ORD, JFK, TSN, CAN, HAJ, HAM, NCE, MRS, GVA, PRG, MAD, BCN, AGP, VLC, PMI, LIS, OPO, OSL, ESB, ADB, KBP, ROV, KRR, FDH, HNH, FKB, NUE, INI, KVO, BRI, BUD = 62
Cancelled destinations since 2014:
HEL, WAW, AUH, BEY, CAI, TSN, GVA, KBP, MRS, FKB = 10
Preliminary schedules had both CAI and MRS scheduled from April 2025 but are not on sale, but it expected that this list will reduce.
Temporarily suspended due to conflict:
KRR, ROV, TLV = 3
This is as of December 2024 without taking into consideration PVG, IBZ, OLB and JMK so far confirmed to be launching next year.
Then we also have the frequency increases network wide. Just on the new routes, 9 are at least 7 pw, 3 at least 14pw with another joining starting April 2025.
Thanks, puts things into perspective
DeleteI hope they schedule Florence with ATR, it would be easier to be profitable. I would also schedule ATR to Naples during winter.
ReplyDeleteSame old s.
ReplyDeleteWhat is? The 4 out of 5 routes they have never flown before?
DeleteAlready 5 new routes for next year!
ReplyDeleteWonder if there will be more
DeleteThere will!
DeleteI'm guessing Florence will be 2 weekly?
ReplyDeleteMost likely 2 weekly with Bulgaria Air E190. In winter they should try ATR to both Florence and Naples.
DeleteHope Florence works for them this time around. The schedule was terrible in 2023 summer season - Tuesday and Saturday. They need to either change days Thursday + Sunday or add third weekly flight.
ReplyDeleteThe second problem was aircraft. JU is serving nearby Bologna 3-5 times a week with ATR with usually some 35-50 passengers.