Connectivity within the former Yugoslavia reached its highest level in 2024 since the country’s dissolution, with all of the busiest routes recording year-on-year growth compared to 2023. However, some have still not recovered to their pre-pandemic passenger volumes. The busiest intra-EX-YU route in 2024 was Belgrade - Podgorica, followed by Belgrade - Tivat. These two remain the only ones within the former Yugoslavia operated by more than one carrier. Air Serbia and Air Montenegro jointly carried 642.927 passengers between Belgrade, Podgorica and Tivat. Notably, strong growth was seen on flights between Belgrade and Tivat compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, despite the launch of seasonal services from both Niš and Kraljevo to the Montenegrin coast.
Busiest intra-EX-YU routes, 2024
Two domestic routes in Croatia follow, operated by the country’s flag carrier Croatia Airlines. The Zagreb - Dubrovnik service and flights between Zagreb and Split, recorded year-on-year growth of over 6% and 5%, respectively. However, both still trail behind their 2019 pre-pandemic figures. Wizz Air’s route between Skopje and Ljubljana has performed strongly since its launch in September 2023, surpassing the figures recorded by Slovenia’s former flag carrier, Adria Airways, during the same period in 2019. Although Adria ceased operations in September 2019, Wizz Air transported more passengers on the route in the first half of 2024 than Adria did during the equivalent period in 2019. While Adria relied heavily on transfer traffic, Wizz Air primarily serves point-to-point travellers.
Performance for select intra-EX-YU routes, 2024
Travel patterns across the former Yugoslavia have changed considerably since the breakup of the federation. In 1990, the highest volume of passenger traffic between the republics was recorded between Serbia and Croatia, followed by domestic travel within Croatia. They were proceeded by Serbia - Slovenia, Serbia - Macedonia, Serbia - Montenegro, Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia - Macedonia. In 1987, the busiest year for Yugoslav aviation, JAT Yugoslav Airlines handled 2.255.000 passengers on domestic services. Other domestic operators included Adria Airways and Aviogenex.
Crazy that only two routes have more than one carrier operating.
ReplyDeleteIf it were possible there would be a third player on BEG-Montenegro flights.
DeleteI still think Wizz Air should try BEG-LJU, especially if they can time it Friday/Saturday-Sunday afternoon.
DeleteSorry, Thursday not Saturday.
DeleteYes, I also think they would do really well on the route. But would probably harm JU quite a bit.
DeleteI don't think so actually. JU has a lot of flights so it can offer its passengers something W6 can't: flexibility.
DeleteI think Wizz Air would rather attract those who did not fly in the past. They would create a new market which did not exist before. Also, for the sake of BEG, if JU isn't willing to grow in LJU and meet this growing demand, then the airport management needs to do their own part.
Have you seen roads and railways between those two?
DeleteYou mean BEG and LJU? From what I know there is a highway.
DeleteI mean serbia snd Montenegro
DeleteWell, I drive to Montenegro regularly. No big deal.
DeleteSure. Thats why most of ppl drive instead of flying, right
DeleteEx-yu is imaginary enough even without the intra.
Delete@10:22 Lots of people do drive and there are also a number of buses operating, I`m not quite sure what your point is? The railroad on the other hand has been in awful state for years, albeit only in Serbia.
DeleteIf government taxes and surcharges (for airlines) were not as high, fares between Serbia and Montenegro would be lower. For the time being they will remain as they are.
Deletewow Air Serbia had more passengers to Skopje than Croatia Airlines which has more weekly flights and much more capacity. And I remember reading comments here how Croatia Airlines is “killing” JU in Skopje.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, only routes to be below their 2019 levels are those operated by OU. I guess it's not the market but the airline serving it.
DeleteExactly why I love all these number articles. Puts a lot of things into perspective and a lot of conspiracies to rest.
DeleteI think LH has had an impact on OU's Skopje performance. Not that its performance was ever great but they used to have more passengers than JU. Obviously the tide is changing.
DeleteDon't forget also that JU is constantly adding new routes and expanding its network including long haul providing more and more transfer options. OU is adding places like Berlin and Stockholm which have been available nonstop from Skopje for years.
DeleteBy wondering certain ANALyst, poor Serbs and Montegrins are flying a lot more than wealthy Croats? There must be some error in these numbers
Deleteactually Adria had (positive impact) on OU's numbers to SKP in 2019 even only for Q3/Q4
DeleteWhen did JU actually manage to surpass OU in Skopje?
Deletepost pandemic
DeleteWell JU has a network designed to support its region routes, OU makes no such effort so until this changes, the gap will continue to grow. If Air Serbia commits to Split or Dubrovnik year round, we could even eventually see Split/Dubrovnik to Belgrade overtake Split/Dubrovnik to Zagreb.
DeleteOU made cuts to its ZAG network = less transfer pax
DeleteBy 100 pax, I still find it surprising how JU with a much better network isn't far more ahead
DeleteOU will have to work really hard to fill those brand new shiny A220's. JU has the perfect turboprop plane for the regional routes, has decent network out of BEG unlike OU in ZAG. More E-jets would also be useful to step in to strong performing routes. Imagine OU sending 100+ seat A220 to ZAG-OMO once Dashes retired. Having that in mind, year round BEG-SPU with ATR 2-3 pw in the winter sounds realistic.
DeleteAnon 14.58
DeleteI think OU has a lot more O&D passengers since Belgrade and Skopje are linked with a highway. The road to Belgrade is at least 360 km shorter than it is to Zagreb. Add to that the RS-HR border and you have flying as a very attractive option. I think this is what is keeping this route alive. I honestly don't know why would someone fly (and where) with OU from SKP. OU's offer is generally atrocious.
If WizzAir opens Skopje-Zagreb you will see that the market is there, just not for OU. If OU offered cheaper tickets i would consider visiting Zagreb, but giving 150 to 200 euros for one hour flight on an airline which doesnt even provide anything except water in economy? Definetly no. I would rather catch W6 to LJU and then a bus to Zagreb or i will give 150 euros but to Air Serbia or Turkish Airlines.
DeleteGood that there is growth year over year on all routes.
ReplyDeleteInteresting numbers to see
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at the strong growth on TIV route compared to 5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know the reason?
DeleteLot more transfer passengers now for Tivat. Montenegro coast is more well known now compared to 5 years ago as word spreads from people visiting.
DeleteRussian transfers also had a role there.
DeleteWhat about YM going bankrupt? Maybe a lot of their old passengers who flew non-stop to Europe ended up flying via BEG? On top of that add the Russians.
DeleteNo numbers on the Skopje-Split flights?
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder how much more growth there can be from BEG unless JU starts adding additional departures or capacity.
ReplyDeleteLJU seems to be performing well for JU. Hopefully they bring back the E90/95 in the future.
LJU performance is impressive considering the increase competition from LJU with more nonstop flights.
DeleteHahahaaha increase competition in LJU? What drugs are you on?
DeleteNice! What is the LF on LJU - INI flights? Are those performing well?
ReplyDeleteLJU - INI LF is arround 44,5%. Was cca 14 900 awailable seats in 2024.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteAre you sure this flight is operated with an A319? If so, then you're right. But as far as I know, it's usually operated with an ATR72, in this case the load factor would be around 91%. I really hope that's the case otherwise, I don’t understand why they wouldn't use a regional aircraft like that for this route.
DeleteINI-LJU flight are operated by ATRs.
DeleteIm am sure. 52 weeks , 4 flights in both way. is 208 flights x 72 sits is 14 976 sits. In 2024 was
Delete6 655 passenger. LF is then 44,4%.
Trust OU to be responsible for the only red on the table lol
ReplyDeleteWho else...
DeleteAdmin, do we have LF for JU's flights to TIV and TGD?
ReplyDeleteI think there is much more potential for JU on the BEG-SJJ route. They just need to add more frequencies or operate it with a better schedule.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThere is nothing wrong with the SJJ schedule. It just lacks more frequencies.
DeleteBEG-INI?
ReplyDeleteAlso INI to TIV and LJU.
DeleteBEG-OHD?
DeleteWe need more LCCs operating intra EX-YU flights.
ReplyDeleteWon't happen before more ex-Yu countries join EU because like this, they can't operate between two non EU nations.
DeleteI'm sure an LCC would jump at an opportunity to operate BEG-TGD/TIV if it could.
DeleteMany people thought how airlines would jump at the opportunity to fly ZAG-DBV/SPU but as we see no one has shown even remote interest for over 10 years since this has been possible.
DeleteLCCs don't have appropriate aircraft for these routes to offer high frequency service.
Delete^ People said that for SKP-LJU with Wizz but look at how well it is performing on that route.
DeleteThe high density guy strikes again 😃
DeleteKeep in mind SKP-LJU is subsidized.
Delete@9.40 keep in mind that has nothing to do with the success of the route
DeleteAny numbers for BEG-INI-BEG? I know it's a fery but it is an Intra-ExYU flight anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt is actually the only domestic flight in Serbia. And the data are well kept secret, I`d say. God knows why.
DeleteIt shouldn't be a secret. Nobody expects wonders. Even 20-25 pax on the leg is amazing for a position flight. At least some costs are covered.
Delete@ 10:13
DeleteTechnically, there is also BEG-KVO-BEG as domestic flight. But with no passengers though.
Funny in the end ljubljana has flights to almost all ex yu countries 😂
ReplyDeleteI think it has the most flights to ex-Yu cities after BEG actually.
DeleteLjubljana is a yugo melting plot
DeleteWhat is the reason for Ryanair not operating Zagreb Dubrovnik and Zagreb Split?
ReplyDeleteno incentives. They could also smash 2-3 weekly to SKP
DeleteMaking profit is incentive enough for Ryanair. Esp in a market still down 11-12% from 2019, with single operator flying smaller capacity aircraft.
DeleteCould it be that an active PSO is preventing them from launching this route? Would be funny if FR actually introduces these flights once the contract expires. It would disqualify ZAG-DBV as a PSO service meaning OU would be left without a lot of money.
DeleteAs an EU airline, Ryan could also apply for PSO, right?
DeleteThere were some articles about it here last time. Ryanair said it asked for the terms of the PSO but in the end was not interested in applying.
DeleteI am sure the Croatian government made it in such a way so that OU ends up as the most convenient carrier. It wouldn't be unheard of.
DeleteAdmin, some figures for BEG-ZAD?
ReplyDeleteWould love to see the Air Serbia-Air Montenegro duopoly broken up.
ReplyDeleteAnd Croatia Airlines monopoly on busiest domestic routes.
DeleteWhy? Outisde the busy summer season fares are really not high. Summer season is not an indicator since all flights out of BEG are expensive. As mentioned above, both Serbia and Montenegro have high charges from airlines so JU and 4O are really not to blame here.
DeleteThe fares on all intra ex Yu routes are very high. Maybe only exception s SKP-LJU and INI-LJU.
ReplyDeleteThey should not be high on Croatian domestic routes since it is PSO which means the state pays for them for the purpose for tickets to be low. But that has not stopped OU charging expensive fares.
DeleteIn my opinion ZAG-DBV and ZAG-SPU should not PSO at all. I'm sure both routes are profitable.
Deleteone way BEG-SKP are 120€ return, thats not too much.
DeleteWhat are the numbers on SKP-SPU?
ReplyDelete"JAT Yugoslav Airlines handled 2.255.000 passengers on domestic services. Other domestic operators included Adria Airways and Aviogenex."
ReplyDeletewow. I remember reading somewhere that BEG-DBV was even busier than BEG-ZAG.
Well of course. It took the fastest train only 4 hours to Zagreb, flights were not that popular. Much more people used to fly to Ljubljana, on two airlines. Actually, even from before WW2, Belgrade-Podgorica route was most of the time No 1. In the 1950s for instance, it carried one third of all Jat`s domestic traffic.
DeleteAny news how the INI flights are going between Belgrade and Ljubljana?
ReplyDeleteSorry just Belgrade flights*
Deleteif the flights would be friday sunday there would be more traffic. LJU-INI
DeleteIncrease in last 5-6 years is not really significant...Airline industry all over Europe experienced boom after Corona, especially from 2023...these numbers should be higher
ReplyDeleteSome haven't increased but decreased.
Delete+100
DeleteIt’s strange how’s Serbia and Montenegro have a LOT
ReplyDeletemore passengers than Croatia, despite a lot smaller touristic potential and worse economy. Oh, wait…
Montenegro has more passengers than Croatia?
DeleteYes, on routes between Serbia and Montenegro. Or you think that Croats use those routes?
DeleteWizz just spawned 54k pax in ONE year, with 3 weekly flights.
ReplyDeleteFrom Ljubljana too
Even the difference between JU and OU on Sarajevo isn't that big of you take into account that OU has double the number of flights and more capacity per flight.
ReplyDeleteWhy not post all the intra ex yu flight numbers. Would be super interesting to see where everthing stands.
ReplyDeletenot all numbers have been published
DeleteAdmin do you have numbers for SKP-SPU ?
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines should launch ZAG-TGD and ZAG-TZL, subsidised by Montenegro and Tuzla Canton respectively, and Wizz Air should consider SKP-SJJ or even better do SKP-SJJ-LJU-SJJ-SKP.
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't Zagreb subsidised those flights?
DeleteLCC don't do the stop routes
Delete00:19 Not a stop route, just two separate routes using the same plane.
DeleteWhat about Mostar? Where are ZAG-OMO, BEG-OMO?
ReplyDelete