NEWS FLASH
Air Serbia saw its passenger numbers grow on flights between Belgrade and Sofia during the first half of the year. The carrier handled 23.776 passengers between the two cities, representing an increase of 22.6% year-over-year. The airline maintained all its services between the two capitals with the ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft, with the exception of two rotations maintained by the Embraer 190 jet, wet-leased from Bulgaria Air. Air Serbia's average cabin load factor on the route stood at 70.1% for the six-month period.
Bravo Air Serbia 🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
ReplyDeleteIs70.1% LF sufficient for being economically sustainable?
ReplyDeleteWould have expected this route to be well over 80% LF.
This is short flight on ATR, which has break-even at around 50% LF.
DeleteNonsensical sentence. Break-even depends on yield and not LF.
DeleteWell, first half of the year includes the slowest months, so it should be better at the end.
DeleteYes, brake even depends on yield, but also on operating costs. In case of SOF I believe that we have here low operating costs (short flight combined with ATR76) and not that cheap sales price. Every time I checked price was never under 140 EUR for return flight.
DeleteYes, Air Serbia is rather expensive on BEG-SOF. I think that even with relatively modest loads they are doing ok.
DeleteMarek stated few times that break even on ATR is about 50% LF average at JU routes. On SOF could be even lower, regarding the ticket prices
DeleteNot true: look at the 44% LF for OU to SJJ: It is a much shorter route than BEG-SOF, yet that should be profitable at 50% LF on the ATR and ZAG-SJJ not on the DH4??? com on...
DeleteAgain, depends on yields and plane consumption. ATR is far more efficient than Dash
DeleteThis is a particularly useful link in the region. Before Air Serbia launched it I remember the many years of having to take the bus... and even the train on this route. I remember a particularly lovely 16hour journey during winter when the heating went off :)
ReplyDeleteWell, there were other options, like transfering at Vienna... My colleuague went on a business trip from Belgrade to Sofia some two years ago - through Frankfurt :(
DeleteIndeed there were! But during the early 2000s that not something finances would allow.
DeleteAnonymous11:20 That is just some random stuff as the bus trip is about 7h, it's comfortable, convenient and almost completely on a highway. With check in times, airport transfers, transfer time in Germany etc. it just makes no sense to do that lol
Delete^ You would be surprised how many people used to fly to Sofia via Vienna.
DeleteIt doesn`t, but corporate logic often is not immune from illogical acts...
DeleteSOF-BEG is good option for Moscow.
ReplyDeleteVarna makes much more sense for tourists.
DeleteVarna is for transfers. Possible year-round service.
DeleteI didn't know Sofia had such weak results before. Let's hope JU adds more flights in the future now that they are doing better.
ReplyDeleteSerbian carrier on a route to Bulgarian capital with Bulgaria Air plane and Serbian cabin crew. Crazy. Good result, anyway.
ReplyDeleteDid you even read the article? Only 2 flights in 6 months were operated by Bulgaria Air equipment.
DeleteI did my friend, don't worry. My comment refers to those 2 flights. However, if this growth trend continues, I'm sure E190 will be scheduled on pair with ATR to SOF. Like OTP lately.
DeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDelete