TRIP REPORT: Air Serbia, Sarajevo - Belgrade

TRIP REPORT

Arrived for my flight from Sarajevo to Belgrade last week around two hours and twenty minutes prior to departure. To my surprise, check-in was already in progress. Two check-in desks were dedicated to this ATR72-600-operated flight. It turned out that well over 80% of passengers were transfers, maybe even 90%+. In front of me an Italian couple was travelling to Milan, behind me a Bosnian lady and her family were traveling to Amsterdam, and from their chat I could hear they regularly take this route to/from Amsterdam.

Sarajevo Airport is small but efficient. The ground floor has a few shops and some nice greenery, although some of them appear to be drying out. Security is on the second floor, where there are also some shops, however, the layout is such that it looked deserted, and everyone simply goes immediately through security. However, I might be wrong as I’m not a regular at this airport and it might have simply been empty when I was there. There are two security lanes, although only one was operational at this time.

Passport control was also relatively quick, however, there is construction work going on as it seems additional passport control booths are being installed. A new duty-free shop is located after security. I must say that in my interaction with everyone at the airport, from the check-in lady to security and the passport control lady, everyone was extremely polite, friendly and chatty (in a good way).

I headed to Sarajevo Airport’s lounge, which I read on this site was opened last year. I have Etihad Guest gold status so was under the impression I could gain access, as is usually the case on Air Serbia economy class tickets. The polite receptionist told me that Air Serbia does not have a contract with the lounge, but I was able to get access through my bank card.

Lounge entrence

The lounge is relatively large, considering the size of the airport and was relaxing and quiet compared to the very busy gate area outside. Food offer is basic, made up of packaged sandwiches, croissants and pastries and, curiously, a big selection of various nuts. There are also chilled drinks. I appreciated that there were also power ports at every seat.

Our flight was slightly delayed due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft. When boarding commenced, the aircraft, being an ATR72, was obviously at a stand. We went down the gate and then waited in the stairs for around 5-10 minutes until we were allowed to board.

There were two younger female crew members working on the flight, who were polite and friendly. The flight was full with perhaps 2 to 3 empty seats.

The ATRs are in good condition, bright and clean, although a bit tight when full.

Following the safety demonstration and the pilot’s welcome, we pushed back for a rather long taxi to the runway.

The flight was uneventful (except for the scenic departure with mountains on one side of the airport and moody weather on that day). and lasted just 45 minutes. During that time, the crew distributed packaged plazma cookies and a bottle of water to passengers. The crew member then went through with the buy-on-board menu, but no one purchased anything.

We made up for some time and once we landed the aircraft parked at the remote B stands across from the terminal. The recently opened rapid exit taxiways certainly make a noticeable difference, and the taxi time has been reduced at the airport.

After landing we were bussed to the terminal. In a first for me, we were not bussed to a gate, where one would have had to go up the stairs to the terminal building and then have a very long walk to get to passport control or the transfer area. Instead, we were bussed to the ground floor where we entered the area just before passport control. I don’t know whether this is something new, or it is standard procedure for flights where transfer passengers must go up to security again and cannot enter the gate area straight from the plane.

In any case, it was welcomed as it cut the arrival process by a good 10 minutes. I used the automatic passport gate which took seconds and was in the baggage claim hall in no time to pick up my bag. The new automated taxi receipt system is a much-welcomed change and they were smart enough to put them in baggage claim rather than arrivals (although there is one in arrivals too). The former taxi voucher desk is now a currency exchange. They also seem to be building something again in the arrivals hall next to the new (yet to be opened) WH Smith.

Automated taxi receipt machine

All in all, a good flight and a good airport experience on both ends.

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