Air Serbia plans to phase out two Airbus A319 aircraft from its fleet after the summer season as part of its fleet modernisation process. The carrier intends to gradually replace its A319s with Embraer E195s and A320s. It recently took delivery of its second E-jet and is close to signing an agreement for two more, which would join towards the end of the year. “The Embraers, especially the E195s, play a key role in our ongoing fleet modernisation. Alongside additional Airbus A320 aircraft, they are part of our strategy to gradually phase out our ten Airbus A319s over time. Two of those A319s will begin the phase-out process after the summer season. The E195s give us the flexibility to efficiently replace older aircraft and adjust capacity to market needs, while also enabling us to explore new destinations or strengthen frequencies on existing routes without committing to long-term capacity increases too early”, Air Serbia said.
As EX-YU Aviation News learns, the airline has already signed a Letter of Intent for the lease of an additional A320, which will join the fleet during the upcoming winter season. Following the retirement of the two A319s, the carrier will boast eight aircraft of the same type. Last year, Air Serbia purchased three A319s, which it had previously been leasing, at a favourable rate. The airline has an existing agreement in place with Airbus that enables it to extend the life of aircraft through maintenance support. The three A319s are expected to be used as backup or for summer charters once the airline phases out the remainder of the type from its fleet.
Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said late last year, “In the next three to five years our A319s will gradually leave the fleet and will be returned to their lessors. A number of them will be replaced with the larger A320s, while the rest with Embraers. I see that there is a lot of confusion in the professional community, so I will try to explain this as simply as possible. Our fleet strategy is very clear: if the direct operating cost of a particular aircraft is genuinely lower than that of a current type we are using, we will opt for that new aircraft. At present, we have no economic justification to replace older Airbus models with neo versions, as the reduced fuel consumption cost is not sufficient to cover the high costs of owning a new aircraft. Passengers certainly won’t pay a higher fare just because they are flying on an Airbus neo”.
Do we know the registration of the two aircraft that are leaving?
ReplyDeleteAnd the three that they bought?
DeleteThe three purchased ones was reported: YU-APA, YU-APE and YU-APF
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2025/01/air-serbia-acquires-three-aircraft-and.html
From what I heard YU-APK is one of them.
DeleteAPA, APE and APF are owned.
DeleteAPL, APM, APN are young (15, 15, 16 years) so they won't be phased out yet.
Remaining: APK, APB, APD, APC (oldest first)
APK has a nickname among the crew "Kilavi" for it's frequent breakdowns, so hopefully it's that one
DeleteApparently APB and APK will leave, not at the same time but those will be the first to leave.
DeleteI like APK because it used to fly for Cobalt in Cyprus. My first flight with it was to LCA with the old interior. We were just 34 passengers so it was a very pleasant ride.
As many have written on here, it's time for the A319s to go and for the E95s and A320s to replace them.
APK was initially leased in 2019 with idea to be based in INI. In the summer of 2019 Air Serbia had like 24 weekly PSO flights from INI, so it made sense to base one aircraft there.
DeleteWhat does Kilavi mean?
DeleteIs this a common word or more of a slang word?
Literally means Person with hernia inguinalis. In slang represents a person with low strength and constant illness
DeleteThank you for your reply!
DeleteMuch appreciated.
Anon @20:55
DeleteThey will not retire any aircraft they own for the time being. Read the article again.
Good to see
ReplyDeleteReplacing older A319s with a mix of Embraers and A320s makes perfect sense for flexibility and cost control.
ReplyDeleteThe E195 is a great fit for Air Serbia’s network.
ReplyDeleteNot E195, but mix of E190 and E195. Gives them a huge flexibility, especially for winter months.
Delete+1
DeleteIt’ll be interesting to see how the fleet mix evolves over the next few years.
ReplyDeleteThey should have started phasing out the A319s years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhy exactly?
DeleteActually, they should`ve introduced E jets as early as in JAT`s time. The reluctance to do so over a period of 20-like years was a huge strategic mistake (watch LOT on the other hand).
DeleteJAT/Jat has been need of something like the Embraers since the retirement of the DC9s. They actually began to look into it in the early 2000s. There was even a demo flight from BEG to TGD with the E190 I believe.
DeleteDoes anyone remember how many seats the DC9s and the B727s had?
DeleteDC-9 115
Delete727 148
So the DC--9s were basically the same as the E195s today. Anyone remember how many DC9s JU had?
DeleteUp to 14 at a time, I believe. And they had 107 seats after the introduction of Adriatic Class, 114 in the single class beforehand.
DeleteMaximum 13 DC-9
DeleteMaximum 9 B727
Thank you
DeleteWhy JAT and B-717 never happened?
DeleteJAT ordered A319 in the 717 era.
DeleteFrom what I know the A319 was a political order, same as with Tarom's A318 order.
DeleteWasn't an issue with Airbus for some previous order or something that never materialized and legal battle over deposits a reason for going with the A319s and settling the dispute?
DeleteI may be writing BS though, my memory doesn't help.
You are right. From what I remember the Serbian government paid the deposit but the order was never materialized. Airbus always insisted that JU should take delivery of those planes.
DeleteIt was Etihad that finally settled this matter and the whole story was put to rest.
The A319 order was made in 1998 by a direct order from President Milosevic to Zika Petrovic (JAT CEO) and represented a last ditch effort by the government to strengthen the negotiating position with the EU as related to the Kosovo war and eventual foreign military involvement. Boeings were not available due to US maintained sanctions, so the commercial terms of the Airbus order (them knowing there was no viable competing alternative and that the government wanted a deal at any price) were terrible to JAT.
DeleteThe phase out had to start sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteStaying with older tech could hurt them long-term.
ReplyDeleteNot every airline needs the latest models if the numbers don’t justify it.
DeleteThey’re making the right call avoiding expensive neos for now. Fuel savings don’t always outweigh lease costs unless you have huge volume.
DeleteHow’s that?? So many experts here claim that everyone should fly only new fuel saving birds. All other models are leading to bankruptcy
DeleteThere are good arguments on both sides. At the end of the day, the management knows best the company's cost structure and how any development would impact their bottom line.
DeleteThe only "expert" analysts here worth listening to are the ones who think the best aircraft do not come from an assembly line but from the Mojave desert!
DeleteNobody said that
DeleteWell, Mr. Marek explained clearly, if you are not understanding me. Fortunately, you are not CEO of Air Serbia, so it's irrelevant if you don't understand
DeleteWe all understand, you are just pretending not to.
DeleteThe A319s have served Air Serbia well, but it’s time to move on.
ReplyDeleteThey will most likely end up scrapped.
DeleteThat's usually the end of JU's aircraft after returning them to their lessors.
DeleteSame thing will happen with the A330-200s.
Some of them end up scrapped, but some do not. For example, YU-ALV was returned to Air Corsica and later converted to cargo, now flies in Canada. Also with YU-APG which now flies for Israir.
DeleteBravo Air Serbia ! It was about time ! Fuell inefficient airplanes .
ReplyDeleteI disagree. They are efficient, but A320 is more efficient. It consumes a little more, but carries a lot more passengers. Still I think A321 is a bingo. Company should have all three models available and send them on appropriate demanding routes
DeleteNo, A321 is way too big for JU. Better to have more frequencies with A320 then less with A321.
DeleteA319ceos in 2025 are not efficient. There is a reason even the neo version of that aircraft failed.
DeleteMany airlines still use A319ceo. Lufthansa, British, Air France, Turkish, easyJet, etc...
Deleteanon 09:44 If you think its too big, then you havent been to moscow, petersburg or barcelona with ju, for example
Delete@Anonymous 10:07
DeleteEvery single airline you mentioned are phasing them out. And none of them chose to replace them with A319neos.
@10:17
DeleteSVO is mostly on A319's, LED is not operated daily and mostly on A319's, BCN could do with more frequencies. JU currently doesn't need A321's.
Oh, yes, it does. Many routes could use it, as well as summer charters. Russian and Spanish markets surely. With a little price drop, SVO may use widebodies fee times a day
DeleteRussian routes could use more A320's rather than the A319's that mostly go.
DeleteSpanish routes could do with alot more frequencies not added capacity on existing frequencies. MAD isn't daily, AGP and VLC 3 pw.
They are using A319s they own on Russia flights, for a reason.
DeleteYes, only few airplanes may fly to Russia now
DeleteA321 would make sense only when frequencies are high enough. For example, sending A321 to BCN should not happen before the frequencies are at least 12pw.
DeleteExactly plus JU should aim for their main European routes to be operated 21 times per week with departures in the morning, at around 10.20 and then in the afternoon/evening.
DeleteSimilar to what Austrian Airlines does. Even OS has a handful of A321s.
Agree with Nemjee. Air Serbia should first add third daily flight to Paris, Frankfurt, Barcelona, etc... and then if there is demand upgrade it to A321.
DeleteWhat would be the benefit of third flight? Two flights per day is enough to catch all connections to long haul. Waste of money
DeleteTo paraphrase: Passengers certainly won’t pay a higher fare just because they are flying on an Airbus A220
ReplyDeleteHe is not wrong there.
DeleteEx Yu market is highly price sensitive. Not too many high end customers. Maybe in some better times
Delete^ true
DeleteIdea that someone is actually taking new gen jets because of passenger experience is hilarious. You are all talking total nonsense.
Delete^ They need to justify Jiri's strategy somehow.
DeleteWell, flying on a newer plane usually means it will be a more enjoyable experience. It impacts the way passengers see you as a business. I am not saying JU should rush to get A320neos but it would surely provide their passengers with a superior onboard experience.
DeleteThat said, for the time being JU is fine operating older planes because they don't pay much attention to their brand or passenger loyalty. I think most people choose them because they are convenient and have a decent enough schedule.
No, it doesn't. Most of the airlines today are making their passenger experience more miserable on newer planes because they want to put more seats in less space. They don't give a shit about better comfort. So please stop with that nonsensical retoric.
DeleteThe only reason to take newer planes is to make more profit. Why JU doesn't want to that I don't know.
Read the last 3 sentences of the news article. Your question was clearly answered there.
DeleteNew planes make sense if you can afford it and it works financially to do so. JU isn't the first nor last to take on "older" aircraft until operations and finances stabilise for purchasing brand new aircraft. Cheaper leases have allowed them to grow into profitability.
DeleteThe other option would be the OU and FB scenario where you take on brand new aircraft, widen losses and stagnate.
Anon 15.31
DeleteHow about you change your tone? I for one have flown on Aegean's older planes and then newer ones, same with Lufthansa, Air France, LOT ... They all provide a superior onboard experience on their newer planes compared to the old ones. Seat pitch might be tighter which makes sense since most of those planes fly up to 3 hours. However they offer wifi, better ventilation and lighting, usb ports etc. Airlines are generally more willing to invest in newer planes since they are going to stay with them for much longer.
Recently I flew on Lufthansa and it was a combination of the A321neo and A319. The overall experience on the A321neo was much better than on the old A319. So yes, airlines tend to considerably improve their product once new generation of planes start entering service. Better performance and lower fuel burn are definitely something the airline profits from, not the passenger. No airline will reduce their fare just because their plane burns less fuel.
Maybe you should fly on Air France's A319 or A318 and then switch to the A220.
So what if few airlines provided better seats? They didn't order new planes to put new seats, they ordered new jets to make more profit from cheaper maintenance and lower fuel costs. So please, stop with that "new jets are order because of passenger comfort" nonsense.
DeleteTry flying with KLMs A321neo in the last row and tell me how better passenger experience is. Or with Iberia's A320neo.
Well, if JU can't afford it, maybe it isn't profitable 🤷
DeleteIt's easy to buy new birds if someone else pays for that, especially tax paying citizens. Otherwise, you have to be very cautious
DeleteOh yes, because we all know that fuel is for free.
DeleteThey order new planes because of BOTH improved passenger experience and improved performance (more money). That's what I already wrote above. There is a reason why all airlines advertize new planes.
DeleteI flew on the KL A321 and I am flying on it in June once again. I also flew on their B73W and B738 (both new and old interior). A321neo is much better.
Oh people, joke was on Jasmin....
Delete20:00
DeleteNo, they don't. Passenger experience can be improved and without new gen aircraft. What cant be improved without new gen aircraft are financial results.
So the A319s are now leaving as their leasing period ends. Wonder when the next one will be phased out after these.
ReplyDeleteFirst four to be phased out are APB, APC, APD and APK. Others are either owned or relatively young.
Delete3 national carriers in a region and only one has a fleet strategy that makes sense
ReplyDeleteFlying 15-20 year old aircraft is the strategy that makes sense? 😂
DeleteThey actually have the youngest fleet in ex-Yu. The average age of their fleet is below 15 years so again you are just posting disinformation.
Delete0925, don't you worry bud!
DeleteIf they keep relying on older planes, they’ll eventually lose ground to airlines operating more efficient fleets.
ReplyDeleteThe E195s are fine for now, but what’s the plan for the next decade? At some point, they’ll need new-generation aircraft.
ReplyDeleteThey'll have to switch to newer generation of aircrafts sooner or later, E2 and A320 neo. Not sure what could be an adequate replacement for A332 though.
DeleteIf Serbian economy grows and passenger structure changes, surely there will be changes. Most of pax now are transfers, leisure and diaspora, all not too demanding. Without business travelers no point
DeleteGood replacement for A330-200 would be A330-900. Personally, I would like A350-900, but that aircraft is way too big for JU.
DeleteAnyone knows for how long the A330-200 leases will last?
DeleteIf all of them are until the 2030s newer aircraft can come only for fleet expansion rather than replacing the A332s.
Honestly, the Serbian government should grow a pair and place an order for 4 A338. They are spending money left and right so they might as well invest in JU.
DeleteThe airline is more profitable than LH since it has a higher margin according to some people further up. So they probably finance such a deal themselves without tax payer money.
DeleteI don't think Air Serbia can afford to pay for 4 A338s. It should be a strategic investment by the government. After all, it makes much more sense to buy JU new planes than to build football stadiums around the country.
DeleteSince Air Serbia is enjoying higher profit margins than Lufthansa, maybe they could use some of that cash to improve both their hard and soft product.
"place an order for 4 A338"
Delete1: Four are not enough for future growth.
2: A338 did not sell well for a reason. Now no one wants to order dead-end variant.
3: If you meant A339, that one is not ideal for potential future services like BEG-LAX
They should get either one of the two, both suit them just fine. I doubt JU will ever fly to LAX so no need to worry about that. Let them first consolidate their year-round operations to JFK and ORD, launch MIA and then we can talk about LAX.
DeleteA338 is not suitable, it is a dead-end variant. Only 7 have been delivered and last delivery was over two years ago. Forget it.
DeleteIf Air Serbia had A339 today, BEG-LAX would be the longest route in the world for that type. Doable but not perfect aircraft for that mission.
If someone had told me when first A330 YU-ARA landed at BEG 10 years ago that Tianjin and Guangzhou would be served by Air Serbia before YYZ and LAX, I would not have believed it. Planning widebody fleet can't be done one step at a time, flexibility and longer term vision is needed. Destination not on the radar today might be their top pick 5 years from now.
LAX is a whole different market with different market dynamics than CAN or PVG.
DeleteJAT used to operate DC-9 (109 seats) and B727 (156), as dominant types.
ReplyDeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDeleteDid I mix something up or they also retired one A319 last year?
ReplyDeleteYou mixed up things. That was Croatia.
DeleteLast Airbus aircraft JU retired was in 2020 and 2021 when API and APJ left fleet. Later they also retired ARA and old ATR's.
Ah ok, thank you
DeleteSo I guess this is their long term plan:
ReplyDeletex 15 E195
x 15 AT76
x 10 A320 (not sure if this is the final number of A320s but makes most sense)
x 8 A330
x 3 A319 (back up use)
That's about 50 airplanes in the fleet.
I think that by the time they get 15Ejets and ATRs, A319 will have already been retired
DeleteI would say up to 6xA330 and a couple of A321's.
DeleteThose 3 owned A319 will stay airworthy for a short period of time only to became part donors for the rest of A320 fleet.
Actually had the Marathon incident not happen I believe they would already have at least 6 Embraers in the fleet.
DeleteI don't think JU will go for more ATR's. Eventually I see them retiring the ATR's in favour of ERJ's but only after the A319 retirement is complete.
DeleteTheir ATRs are on long term leases so they can not get read of them for many years to come.
Delete@Anon 11:39
DeleteJU now has 5 Embraer's in the fleet, and will have 6 of them in a month and a half.
@Anon 11:54
DeleteJU will not retire any ATR soon. That aircraft is workhorse, without it many routes would not exist.
What they will do (or what makes sense) is to increase frequencies on ATR routes, launch new ATR destinations (Brac, Lavov, Bratislava, Wroclaw, Katowice, Cluj, Iasi, Chisinau, Burgas, Brno, Kosice, Verona, Trieste), and if there is higher demand put Embraer on a given flight instead of ATR.
@14:07
DeleteCorrect. However those leases should expire around the end of the decade.
@14:49
Also correct. The ATR's are currently very much needed. As I said above, I don't see it happening before the A319 transition is complete. That transition will take a couple of years to complete (let's say winter 2028/29). By then it would make alot more sense to start streamlining operations on 3 aircraft types rather than the 4 currently.
No, it would not. ATR needs to stay in fleet for the next 10 years at least.
DeleteThey desperately need A321's.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say desperately now, but in a couple of years shure.
DeleteThey desperately need to review their work processes in order to streamline their operations by improving their on time performance and overall quality of service. They also need a maintenance department that will take care of the look of cabins and interiors.
DeleteThey don't need that capacity, they need more frequencies to their current network. Just yesterday we had comments about the lack of frequencies across their network for their long haul routes. A321's isn't needed and wont be needed for many years to come.
DeleteIf some A321s come and a good price I'm sure they will take t.
Delete@10:46
Delete+1000
That's what the E95/E90 combo will enable them to do.
DeleteCongratulations to Air Serbia. The steps you are taking are an example of how a small country with relatively modest means can have a sustainable national airline. Of course, I am not neglecting the great tradition (since 1926) that few have.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteTime to get the right deal for E2 Embraers with delivery in the next 3-6 years.
ReplyDeleteE2 Embraers have the Pratt engine, JU should stay away from it.
DeleteA220s have PW as well. You can't get new generation jets of that size without PW engine. Large number of PW1000G family engines are operational. Hard to imagine things will not improve further by the time Air Serbia gets one.
DeleteLet’s refurbish that DC-3 in front of the museum, it has better economics than NEO… for Christ sake, what a statement.
ReplyDeleteYou may laugh, but it might very well have better economics... Jet aircraft have basically never exceeded per-seat fuel efficiency of piston engined aircraft - which means there would clearly be the place for the latter, at least in regional market (with lower reliability, though).
Delete^ SMFH
DeleteI'd like to ask one question all commentators hare: Would you prefer flying with A319 or bulgarian type E190 with 108 seats?
ReplyDeleteMost of us do not care if it is A319 or Bulgarian E190 (with Serbian cabin crew). Personally, I haven't flown with Bulgaria's E190, but I did with Marathon's E175 and E190. In my honest opinion, those were two best flights in my life, seats were big and comfortable, and I thought I was in business class because I was in row 2 which had enormous legroom. Embraer's are enormously more comfortable than A319.
DeleteMost of us care to fly affordably and to have as many options as possible. That is why E190 and E195 are needed - they will enable to increase frequencies to many routes.
+1 Agreed 100%
Delete@21:56 ok. I hear you...But frequent flyers do care..And A319 is far more comfortable than bulgarian E-jet..
DeleteIf Air Serbia wants to convert to E-jets, they need to make sure to take planes that are in better condition than the ones they rented from Bulgarians..otherwise they will loose pax...off course, when you have monopoly, its not easy to loose pax, but they will...