airBaltic will commence its two-year wet-lease agreement with Air Serbia this Saturday, initially providing two Airbus A220-300 aircraft along with crew, maintenance and insurance. The number of aircraft will increase to four from the summer of 2026. Andrejs Martinovs, Chairman of airBaltic's Supervisory Board, revealed the carrier beat fourteen other European companies competing for the contract. The airline also played down concerns raised by Latvia’s State Security Service over Air Serbia’s operations to Russia, stressing that its aircraft will not be deployed on those routes. Between November and the end of March, airBaltic’s A220-300s are scheduled to operate a total of 848 Air Serbia operations (or 424 flights in each direction).
airBaltic will make its debut on behalf of Air Serbia on November 1, operating the morning service between Belgrade and Zurich. In an unusual twist, both Air Serbia and Swiss will be utilising wet-leased airBaltic aircraft on the same route this winter. So far, airBaltic’s A220-300s have been scheduled on select Air Serbia flights to nineteen destinations from Belgrade during the winter season. These include: Malaga, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Athens, Barcelona (one flight), Paris, Dusseldorf, Istanbul, Larnaca, London, Lisbon, Madrid, Malta, Milan, Porto, Oslo, Thessaloniki (one flight), Valencia and Zurich. The aircraft will be used most frequently on services to Paris (107 flights in total), followed by Amsterdam (71), London (38), Oslo (35) and Larnaca (34).
The A220 offer a step-change in cabin profile versus the outgoing GetJet A320s that served on behalf of Air Serbia over the past years, while also letting the Serbian carrier gather real-world data on costs and passenger feedback before any future narrow-body refresh. The Serbian carrier has explicitly positioned the deal as both a capacity bridge and a live A220 evaluation platform. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News in June, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, “We’re actively exploring long-term fleet development. However, this is a complex process, not only due to limited availability in current order books, but also because many of the aircraft types we would logically consider still face ongoing engine reliability issues. We’re determined not to repeat mistakes made elsewhere in the industry. At the same time, the secondary market is becoming more active, which aligns with our current fleet strategy. While we’re certainly examining future fleet renewal, I wouldn’t expect any firm decisions before 2027. And even then, deliveries will depend on availability”.
A220 is a huge upgrade compared to those GetJet A320s. Passengers will definitely notice the difference.
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteGetJet and its A320s were a bad choice of wet leasing partner. Glad to see them go.
DeleteAgree, very uncomfortable, used them both to and from LIS 3 weeks ago.
DeleteThey were not a bad choice capacity wise.
DeleteYeah, they will see the difference in capacity.
DeleteWelcome Lufti to Air Serbia!
ReplyDeleteHope this is the start of ever grater cooperation between the two.
No connection whatsoever.
DeleteNo thanks
DeleteIsn't LH the 2nd largest shareholder after the state of Latvia?
DeleteYes with 10%. And for you that means Air Serbia is integrating with Lufthansa. I really wonder where some of you make some conclusions.
DeleteHe didn't say they are integrating. He just welcomed them and hopes for more cooperation in the future. Calm down.
DeleteWhy would LH cooperate with JU? They compete for transfer traffic in many of the same markets.
DeleteI'm sure LHG is worried about JU's hub stealing connecting passengers from them.
DeleteWhy fly daily as a Balkan or a Greek flyer with LHG airlines or UA to ORD when JU offers you a one weekly flight?
My last flight from Athens to BEG in September 50% of passengers transferring to Germany (and they were all German npt Greek). Can you believe they didn't choose LH? There were quite a few transfers to Zurich toom
DeleteThey do not live from chipos but from managers.
DeleteFind it funny they are putting this plane on ZRH route considering Swiss is also using them.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by how many airlines applied.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they chose BT.
DeleteIt was by far the best possible partner with the newest fleet! Good choice!!!
DeleteLooks like European ACMI market is overstated.
Delete^ it is. Post covid boom is over.
DeleteFirst plenty of offer on the ACMI market this winter and then any ACMi operator applies to any contract.
DeleteSo 14 contenders in the JU tender is nothing exceptional, the opposite of having just 2 or 3 contenders would have been worrying.
And yet European aviation sector continues to grow substantially. 🤷♂️
Deletehttps://airserviceone.com/europes-winter-capacity-hits-record-high/#:~:text=It%20plans%20to%20boost%20its,%25%20year%2Don%2Dyear.
^ no need to get your knickers in a twist. ACMI airlines are facing preassure because there is less of a need for them as aircraft are becoming available on the market and there are fewer staffing shortages compared to 2-3 years ago.
DeleteHopefully JU will now be able to increase frequencies to destinations such as OSL, CPH, HEL, ARN and even launch new ones like MUC, TLV, CAI, BEY.
ReplyDeleteHow will these A220s make a difference? They simply replace the GetJet A320s.
DeleteA220s are a LOT more economical than A320ceos.
DeleteWith much lower CASK a lot more routes and weekly frequencies could now operate profitably.
The A220 in JU colors is great news!
The A220s won't be in JU colours, just like airBaltic's A220s operating for Swiss are not in Swiss colours.
Delete^ That is a shame.
DeleteThey will probably interchange the aircraft on a regular basis so it does not make sense to paint them.
Delete@Anonymous 09:13
DeleteDidn't know that, thanks for the info!
State of the airline so poor, that they offered a brand new A220 for a lower price of a 20 year old A320
ReplyDeleteIt has about 30 seats less you know. Plus much lower operating costs.
DeleteSounds like a good 2 year deal for us, and if things go well both sides will make a profit.
DeleteThanks for the full list of destinations these birds will be operating. I wonder if they will also use them on charters
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. I assume they need A320s on charters
DeleteWould be nice to add some JU's logo sticker next to the door, or "Operated for Air Serbia" sticker. This of course works only if the same machines are going to be used for JU's flights.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what were the other airlines that applied.
ReplyDeleteI know that Get Jet applied again. Not sure about the others.
DeleteI really don’t understand this move. You retire your own A319 and than wet lease same capacity aircraft. You will save 10% fuel, but pay much more for everything else
ReplyDeleteBut it cost much operating old aircraft.
DeleteIf you don't have enough flight crews of your own you really have no other choice.
DeleteIt is a two year agreement. And Marek openly states the reason why he is doing it.
DeleteNo, Marek did not openly state the truth and that is that they don't have enough pilots to operate their own flights. That is why they doubled their Bulgarian E90 fleet this winter.
DeleteThose A319 wasnt theirs but leased as well
DeleteIt is far more cheaper to pay dry leasing, maintenance, insurance and crew, then wet lease all of that. Otherwise, every company would do that. If they lack crews, they may hire it. Although, there are more than 250 pilots already at JU
Delete^ at the end of the day none of you know what kind of deal they made and most of you ignore the fact that longer term wet leases are cheaper. And other airlines do it too including the epitomy of greatness for some here Lufthansa and Austrian and Swiss and Wizz Air and many others all with ongoing long term wet leases.
DeleteLufthansa, Austrian, and Swiss airlines have strong labour unions with high demands. This was the reason they opened Lufthansa City, to have a fresh start with new union agreements. This might make it cheaper for them to wet lease from countries with lower salaries. I doubt that Latvian pilots and crew are paid less than their Serbian counterparts.
Delete^ you absolutely don't know what the payments for wet leasing entails. Also if 15 airlines applied, you can bet that Air Serbia didn't choose the most expensive. I like how everyone here is always under the impression that JU is losing money and/or spending the most money. In fact the absolute opposite is the truth. It is profitable and in my opinion making too much savings in certain aspects. And unlike Charlie and yourself, I'm sure they made the calculation whether it is cheaper for them to wet-lease or not and how much leasing would cost. Of course, everyone here also conveniently forgets that leasing also means additional costs for maintenance etc.
DeleteYou do not have to know leasing contracts, when it is common business knowledge. The more integrated a company is, the better the margins. Companies which own their planes, have their own crews, have their own MRO, tend to do better than others by the simple fact that profits are pooled. Wet leases are to add capacity fast with minimal investment. They do not make sense for long term.
DeleteHere it is more than obvious that no one needs to know anything to give their expert opinions and conclusions and present them as matter of fact. You are right about that. Anyhow, you should inform Austrian of your concerns. They too have long term wet leases.
DeleteAustrian's wet lease is a different story. They are leasing a sub-fleet, serving very short routes with an aircraft type they don’t operate at all. Wet leasing the mainline fleet is a completely different matter. It’s common knowledge that wet leases are used to add capacity in the short term when options are limited. However, they should never become the standard of airline operations. If wet leases were the cheapest option, the industry would be full of virtual carriers. Why bother having your own fleet when you can simply sell tickets on flights operated by others and be cheaper than the ones that own, maintain and crew their own planes? But as we know, the industry doesn’t operate this way. Your mission seems to be to protect JU’s actions no matter what and try to make the discussion personal with others. Instead of repeating the same tape over and over, try to discuss and listen to others’ ideas.
DeleteThe issue is that internally you don't know what makes sense for them as you have no inside knowledge of their costs, cost structure, the value of their agreements, maintenance, etc. On the other hand, I see Swiss has been wet leasing A220s for years, an aircraft type they have in their fleet and it seems they didn't have the expert knowledge not do wet lease these aircraft.
DeleteI am repeating: It make sense to wet lease E195 and A320, which you still don't have enough in your fleet, but to retire A319 and then wet lease same capacity plane is beyond my comprehension. Surely, I don't know the deal with BT, but hopefully to will find out one day.
DeleteWell, maybe A319 pilots are needed for A330... we do not know the information upon which the company is being managed.
DeleteWhats being conveniently left out is the the A319's leaving this winter will be replaced 1 for 1 with dry lease A320's. This fits into JU's fleet strategy mentioned over 1 year ago.
DeleteLast winter, JU had 0-1 E195 in the fleet (YU-ATB was in NAP for 2 months on maintenance) while FB had 2 E190's in BEG. This upcoming winter will see 4 dry lease E195's (an increase of 300%) and 4 wet lease E190's.
A220 falls more in the category of capacity between the ATR and A320 rather than an A319 replacement, and how a unified order will serve as a replacement, which is more than evident in the article. A320's will remain, next to no airline is ordering the A319neo, so it's the smaller aircraft they want to see prior to finalising a deal. E190/195 is very much tested, Embraer had the E2 on show in BEG, only aircraft left is the A220. It's also worth mentioning that LOT went with the A220 rather than the E-jet E2.
Regarding maintenance, since that isn't done in BEG, typical costs in regards to maintenance increases with empty aircraft needing to be sent around Europe wherever possible for maintenance. YU-ALY today flew out to France, SOF and NAP are also usual spots for maintenance. That needs to be factored in when talking dry lease vs wet lease.
In the end, I wonder which aircraft they choose to order in 2027.
ReplyDeleteA320neo, E2 or A220.
DeleteA220 for sure if A220-500 is launched, but I`m afraid stretching the -300 series from 150 to 160 pax means we might not see that. But it might also meet Air Serbia`s expectations.
DeleteProbably E2s because Airbus backlog is huge and deliveries will occur in the 2030s if an order is places in 2027.
DeleteBut then they`d still need A320.
DeleteMaybe there will be a wide body order.
DeleteAir Serbia ordering NEW planes would be the best thing they’ve done since rebranding.
Delete@Anonymous 09:38
DeleteThey'll probably lease some A320neos after their initial operators return them to lessors when the (usually) 12 year leasing deals start to expire.
Meanwhile a lot of A320s are going on the market. Spirit alone is removing 80 of them.
Delete^ Yes but they all have Pratt engines.
DeleteAir Serbia won't order A220, but E195E2. A220 is far more expensive and a lot less comfortable. Also, maintenance is more expensive and backlog is huge
Delete
DeleteAnon 10:59 thank you for the laugh about the E195E2 being a lot more comfortable than an A220!
You are very welcome!
DeleteAnd also, JU would need whole new line of crew with A220 type rating. That won't happen, luckily
DeleteAir Serbia should focus more on owning aircraft rather than long wet-leases. How long can they rely on ACMI partners?
ReplyDeleteThey can't because pilots are still leaving. They need ACMI because of that.
DeleteWhere are all these pilots going? Wizz? Easyjet? Or the gulf region?
DeleteHe does not know. He is guessing.
DeleteGreat news for frequent flyers. Cabin comfort will be on another level. Larger windows, 2-3 seating layout, quieter inside. Finally!
ReplyDeleteHow many weirdos who likes middle seat.
DeleteThat's the OU lover who claims that A220 is more comfortable than 195 E2. Funny guy
DeleteAirBaltic must be printing money with all these ACMI deals. Swiss, Eurowings now Air Serbia. Their business model is evolving fast.
ReplyDeleteActually airBaltic's financial situation is far from great, which is why they have started ACMIs.
DeleteThey are printing money, alright, just a shame there’s that (-) sign in front of the numbers. They lost 118m in 2024 with a revenue of 747, meaning they have a profit margin of negative 15%. From 2019 to 2024, they only made profit one year, and total loss of 558m. Their finances are similar to OU, just on a larger scale.
DeleteState-sponsored loss-making ACMI company. What a business model.
That may explain why Air Serbia wet leased them. They are simply cheaper than owning plane and crews. And Lithuanian state pays the difference
DeleteYou mean Latvian state?
DeleteI think all 3 Baltic states are the owners
DeleteAir Baltic is 88.37% owned by the state of Latvia, 10% by Lufthansa Group and the rest are private shareholders.
DeleteMaybe ASL may buy sone after seeing how good and popular they are with passengers.
ReplyDeleteMr Marek , anyone who has money can buy brand new airplanes ! All the other things you say are just excusses !
ReplyDeleteYou must be new here, we all know that.
DeleteAlso BT must be desperate if they outbid 20 players with brand new, state of the art planes. Good for JU I guess.
Where did you get 20? Did you evem read the headline at least?
DeleteDo they return FB E190s?
ReplyDeleteNo, 4 FB E190s are operating this winter for JU.
DeleteWhy does Air Serbia have such a constant problem to either hire, or retain pilots and crew? It seems like the best solution would be to use your own planes and crew on all JU flights. That's what passengers expect.
ReplyDeleteI don't see complaints that Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings and Wizz Air all have wet leases with aircraft from other airlines and crew.
DeleteWe are not Swiss, Germans or Austrians. We are talking about JU year round wetleasing MAINLINE capacity.
DeleteSwiss, Germans and Austrians use wet lease on their mainline routes year round.
DeleteAir Serbia has consistently wet leased 4-6 aircraft for quite a few years. Do you not think it be cheaper for them to have their own planes, or dry leased, than having to wet lease?
Delete^ exactly the same other airlines are doing.
DeleteWhy do you keep bringing up other airlines? I'm talking about Air Serbia and the service they provide. Which should be use of their own aircraft with full JU logos, signage and trademarks.
DeleteI am bringing them up because it is a common occurrence worldwide and not unique to JU. Your shock and dismay about it is what is odd.
DeleteOk man, I'm shocked and even dismayed. Don't know how I'm going to get through the rest of the day.
DeletePoint is that you have no argument other than, well other airlines do it.
Yes, they do. And Air Serbia does it for the same reason.
DeleteWell, they`ve been growing for some years now. And that means they needed extra cacapacity all the time - it would be next to impossible growing their own resources (including human) to keep the pace.
Delete@13:30 I agree. And it keeps some flexibility. If, hypothetically, JU had 10 A320neos suddenly arrive they would not be able to fill them and operate them efficiently. I think there is a degree of Air Serbia's success in the past few years that has been down to being able to adjust to market conditions in what is both a price sensitive and rather uniquely located market.
DeleteJU should start ordering their planes. They showed to us and to themself that there is stable growth (if the fleet is there) and they became stable airline. Next step should be buying more Airbuses A320 and Embraers, in my opinion. That way, they could work on increasing frequencies on existing routes and open new routes from BEG, INI and KVO.
ReplyDeleteCan they afford to do it with their own revenues? That is the major question when thinking about buying instead of leasing. And will JU or any airline of its size make an order large enough in order to get discounts from Airbus or Embraer similar to those its competitors get?
DeleteI am thinking W6, AZ, A3, TK, OS, LX, LH, KL, AF etc.
I don't know the answer, I am just thinking out loud.
What do you guys think?
LOOOL, bro read what is profit of AS. They have on account over 100 million euros, but they need more for insurance of payments. Also planes are not paying by cash, lol. Payments are annual loans with down payment.
Delete@ 11:26 As the 33rd largest airline in Europe I don't think JU has much ability to negotiate significant discounts on orders. Even if it were to order factory fresh aircraft they would only ever do so on relatively modest number of frames given their requirements for aircraft of varying sizes. That being said its not impossible. If we look at the airlines just ahead of Air Serbia in terms of passenger numbers (Icelandair and Sky Express in Greece) we see two airlines who have received very large numbers of new aircraft in the last few years and for whom discounts were reported.
DeleteI think we sometimes forget that going forward there is no guarantee that JU will continue its momentum and market share unless it really forges a niche role for itself. Airlines do come and go, as the history of aviation (especially in central and eastern Europe) tells us.
To me it seems quite a good move to use AirBaltic and keeping a degree of flexibility in their operations and I'm looking forward to flying the A220s out of BG.
Mr Mareck outlined several times that is hard to find free capacities among other problems like spare, maintenance slots etc. And now we have 14 airlines with free capacities bidding for Air Serbia. Odd
ReplyDeleteYes, that was the case when he said that. Up until 6 months ago it was difficult to find any decent mid age aircraft. Now there are many after several airlines went bankrupt in the last month and Spirit is on the verge of bankruptcy and returning over 80 aircraft to lessors. You have to learn that aviation industry is dynamic and changing.
Delete@ACMI and dry leasing is not that same @anon 13.33. What an idiotic comment.
Deleteoes anybody knows, in general terms, how much is montly lease for new A320 compared to 15 year old, same plane?
ReplyDeleteGoogle is your friend.
Delete