NEWS FLASH
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport handled 595.297 passengers in November, marking an end to its 44-month growth streak. The airport saw its figures decline 2.9% during the month on 2023. The slump comes primarily as a result of Wizz Air, the airport’s second-largest airline, which removed 30.9% of its year-on-year capacity in November, or 52.434 seats, due to problems affecting its Airbus neo fleet. During the January – November period, Belgrade Airport welcomed 7.770.911 travellers, representing an increase of 6.3%. It handled its eight-millionth passenger on December 11. The slump in traffic is expected to continue into December, with an estimated 12.5% decrease in available seat capacity on scheduled flights.
Belgrade's largest airlines by scheduled seat capacity, November 2024
Wow Lufthansa from 50.000 to 33.000 in just one month
ReplyDeleteWinter season has started. They use different equipment
DeletePossible recession incoming?
DeleteNot exactly. It happens every year. Difference was that October was busier than usual for LH in Serbia and they sent A321s on many occasions.
DeleteWizz is the primary cause. But the real question is why Air Serbia doesn't take this opportunity to grow?
ReplyDeleteNot enough resources. Planes, flight crews and ground crews.
DeleteExactly.
DeleteLooks like after May passenger growth slowed down significantly.
ReplyDeleteYes because that's when Wizz Air butchered its network.
DeleteWe also can not underestimated Marathon's effect on JU traffic numbers. They had scheduled four E-jets to perform a significant part of its flight program.
DeleteThat's still impressive considering that capacity decrease for Nov was about -8%.
ReplyDeleteThe LF on many flights will reach its limits in December. Couple of days ago both legs BEG-BER with JU and W6 were completely full, some were even overbooked. Can't wait to see market share results, because the LH group is on a great track with JU's and W6's unresponsiveness.
In the end, November capacity declined 10.2%.
DeleteWell....you cannot expect continuing uninterrupted growth forever.
ReplyDeleteExactly especially if we want to have healthy business
DeleteThe rest of European airports seem to manage to do so.
Delete^ no they don't. Most major European airports have not even reached pre Covid levels, let alone have 2 million additional passengers on pre Covid. in ex-Yu, the three fastest growing airports: Sarajevo - numbers declined in 2023 compared to 2022, Zagreb had barely any growth last year, Dubrovnik numbers were way down last year on 2019. Stick to facts is recommended. Not having a menory of a goldfish would also be good.
Delete^ Actually almost all European airports, irrespective of size or geographic location are growing nicely.
Delete^ Actually, so is Belgrade. 6% growth in 2024 and record of 8+ million passengers. Thanks for the concern thoogh.
DeleteWill it be 6% for the whole year though? Seems to me like it's trending lower.
DeleteYes, it will be. But you can always hope it's lower.
DeleteWith a sharp drop expected in December, BEG should be around 3% at the end of the year.
DeleteIt was nice while it lasted.
Interestingly, when it had growth of 30% last year, you were all screaming it was not organic. When it has 6% growth you are also screaming it's not good. You are hilarious.
Delete2024 has not been very nice to Belgrad, and Skopje in particular.
ReplyDeleteYes, Belgrade has achieved its busiest year on record
DeleteWhat a disaster that is no?
@12:49
DeleteDepends how you look at it. Its a question of ambition.
Next year we might see a 0.2 % growth - and some would still argue it is best year on record. Again, not wrong.
We won't see growth of 0.2%. But you can always hope.
DeleteThis is very disappointing. As a developing market growth is incredibly important. To start plateauing at these low levels is objectively a failure of management.
ReplyDelete1) Management has said many times their goal is 15 million passengers by the end the concession. They are on target to achieve that.
Delete2) Being more aware of market conditions, such as Wizz Air's 30% reduction in capacity due to engine issues might help you see more clearly.
Wizz is just one of the carriers. If the potential is there for profitable operations other airlines will step in. But we're not seeing it.
Delete^ You are right. Belgrade is highly unprofitable. It is a disaster, a shame of the country and your airport beats it in every aspect. Ok now?
DeleteIt's not a disaster. But it's not hugely successful either. There's lots of room for improvment. Not sure why that triggers you
DeleteNot triggered at all. Thank you for the advice and I hope this embarrassment of an airport can look up to yours and its massive success.
Delete