Airbus is continuing to pitch the Airbus A220 aircraft to Air Serbia, noting that deliveries can be secured despite a backlog. Johan Pelissier, President of Region Europe at Airbus, said, “When the time comes for Air Serbia to replace its A319 fleet, and considering the success we have seen with the A220 across Europe, it would make strong sense for the airline to look closely at the type. It offers a comparable size, but also provides greater long-term flexibility. Given the growth in this region, Air Serbia should avoid limiting itself to a product that could constrain its future development”.
Mr Pelissier added, “The A220 has been a very successful product, and it is true that direct procurement for this aircraft family is unavailable before the end of the decade. However, solutions can be found. The A220 is a strong fit as a replacement for the A319, as demonstrated by a number of operators, including in Europe”. He noted that the A220 engine situation is moving in the right direction. The Serbian carrier has previously expressed concern with the aircraft type due to ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine reliability issues. Approximately 17% to 20% of the global A220 fleet is currently grounded as a result.
Air Serbia has said that its recently concluded wet-lease arrangement for two Airbus A220 aircraft from airBaltic, increasing to four from this summer, will enable the airline to trial the jet’s performance. “We remain committed to innovation and technological development, all with the aim of strengthening our competitiveness in the European market. This type of aircraft will be an important model and reference point for future decisions regarding the composition of Air Serbia’s fleet, in line with the continued development and implementation of the company’s strategic plans,” the carrier said. The airline plans to deploy the aircraft type on its upcoming two longest intra-European routes during the 2026/27 winter season - Tenerife, with a flight time of four hours and 45 minutes, and Tromso, with a flight time of three hours and 55 minutes. However, Air Serbia has so far expressed a greater willingness to expand its Embraer fleet and potentially modernise its mid-life aircraft with new E195-E2 jets.
I believe that Embraer is much better solution for JU.
ReplyDeleteToo small capacity to form the backbone of the narrow body fleet.
DeletePlus Airbus is close to announcing the extended A220-500 version with about 35 rows. Its CASK will be unbitable.
Definitely.
DeleteJust great product. EgyptAir and Air Austral already retired that junk, only 2-3 years old
DeleteE195 E2 >>> any A220
DeleteTrue dat.
DeleteJU is going for Embraer. They just announced last week they will expand the Embraer fleet further
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2026/03/air-serbia-plans-embraer-expansion.html
Croatia Airlines is profitable with a220 so I think every airline should look at them and make exactly same move to bankruptcy
Deletethe airlines that have retired the e2 are not those of great standards and quality. yes there are some benefits to the a220 over the e2 but air Serbia doesn't need those. the extra range isn't something they would be utilizing. Yes its also larger for comfort for customers but again air serbia isnt a high premium quality airline for that to matter so much and the difference isnt that huge like comparing an atr comfort to the a220. its slight difference that more premium travellers will care for or able to pay for.
Deletethe E2 is more reliable and cheaper and much faster to obtain. less time for training for all pilots and crew and technicians especially since they already operate the E1's. but if the E1 are doing a good job there's no reason to rush and look for something else.
Who retired E2?? Egypair and Austral retired almost new A220s, because of constant techincal issues. And not only engines
Delete@ Slav.Man
Delete+1
Normal that aircraft manufacturers are trying to secure new orders.
ReplyDeleteAirbus has no credibility after what it pulled with Serbia back in the day.
DeleteWhat are you talking about?
DeleteMr. Johann Pelissier may continue to pitch his "successful" product across EU based airlines, where he has leverage. Air Serbia, thank God, isn't on that list.
ReplyDeleteMethinks it is far better to buy used for a fair price from a gulf carrier. I suspect that they will be selling a lot of airplanes in the near future.
DeleteLargest A220 operators are Delta with 84 planes, JetBlue 60, Breeze 54 (all from USA).
DeleteSure, it os Candian product, designed for USA market. But Airbus is now trying to push it in Europe also
DeleteAt the end of the day JU will go for midlife E195 E1s.
ReplyDeleteIf it helps them to make a profit and make their network wider - why not?
Delete+1
Delete+1000
Delete@...Which is reasonable.
DeleteGrounded mainly cause of engine issues, and not the aircraft itself. From a passenger perspective, it is probably the best narrowbody aircraft around. Toilets in the front, even ok for plus 190 cm people. Embraer front toilet for plus 190 cm, absolue impossible, except u seat down.
ReplyDeleteCan planes fly without engines? No.
DeleteSo, forget it.
A big advantage of A220 over E2 is the upcoming A220-500. It can replace the A320 and the fleet would be much simpler.
ReplyDeleteOf course it will not. A220 can't fit standard cargo container. No future in it
DeleteHow important is cargo for JU in short haul?
DeleteIt is important for every airline. Generally no future in that plane, to replace A32x family
DeleteI do not see many airlines putting containers on short haul flights with A320s. The lack of capacity to carry containers can also be said for 737s, but airlines are still buying and using them. Cargo holds secondary role for all airliners.
DeleteOn 320 you can have or not the containers installed.
DeleteIt's adding weight and reduces volume.
For some operators it's an interesting feature if they have a huge hub and a well developed cargo operations.
Not the case for JU....
Engine issues are still a major red flag. If up to 20% of the global fleet is grounded, I don’t see how this is a safe bet right now.
ReplyDeleteNo need to rush into a big order given the current uncertainty.
ReplyDeleteAgree. We see from the region what a bad selection in aircraft type can do to your bottom line.
DeleteIt's the moment to put an order..... remember what FR did after 09/11 and built their expansion on that move of getting 738 for almost peanuts.
Delete6x A332
ReplyDelete12x AT76
24x A319
Realy ?!! They are retiring their a319 and you are talking about 24 a319 ???
DeleteAgree about AT72-6
DeleteAgree about A332, not so sure if there is room to deploy 6
A319- absolute not. Not only JU, almost all airlines are phasing them out or planning to do so in favour of A320.
So, combination of A320 (with CCQ with A330), and Embraer are what JU in my opinion, should continue doing.
Fully agree with PIR.
DeleteJU should look to get a couple of A321s as well.
DeleteE195-E2 seems like the more logical choice. Lower risk, and Air Serbia already has experience with Embraers.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, both options make sense. Comes down to availability, price and reliability at the time of decision.
Delete@anon 09:22
DeleteAlso, I wouldn't underestimate poltical decision like in OU.
maybe you'll be right and would be a big factor to appease France yet again. like they did with the Rafael's. that's unfortunate.
DeleteEmbraer quietly winning this battle. No drama, proven product, available sooner.
ReplyDeleteAirbus says the engine situation is improving, but we’ve been hearing that for a while now.
ReplyDeleteI just hope they avoid too many subfleets.
ReplyDeleteAirbus pitching an aircraft it can’t deliver until the end of the decade feels a bit detached from reality.
ReplyDeleteThis looks more like Airbus keeping the door open than a serious near term deal.
ReplyDeleteOr just Sales Managers has to fulfill their worktime somehow.
DeleteDidn't JU already announce it is replacing A319s with A320s and E195s?
ReplyDeleteYes they did
DeleteIt’s not finalized, so there is opportunity for competition. For example stretched A220 instead of A320?
DeleteStretched A220 will not appear before 2030-35, if ever.
DeleteWhy not consider a mixed approach? Smaller Embraers for frequency, something larger for growth.
ReplyDeleteExactly, get E2s to replace current E1s and then get A220s to replace the A319.
DeleteAirbus talking about “flexibility” is ironic given the current delivery and engine constraints.
ReplyDeleteIf they expand too quickly with the wrong aircraft it could undo a lot of recent progress.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, whichever manufacturer offers the better deal at the right time will win. Not necessarily the better aircraft.
ReplyDeleteE2 is far more cheaper. And JU is already expanding crews. No brainer for JU
DeleteDo not buy any aircraft with PW engines, A220 or E-2
ReplyDelete2 A350 (for ultra long haul)
ReplyDelete6 A330 (for long haul)
14 A320 (for Europe-Middle East-North Africa-Central Asia)
36 E195 (for regional/European waves - Balkan, Eomania, Poland, Greece...)
10.41
DeleteNo way it will ever happen. It's ok to have nice wishes but there is simply no money for development like this. And do you really think JU should do the same mistake OU did changing 70 seater turboprop for much larger jet, simply not suitable for regional flights? No.
We will see soon enough what will happen with LO and OS when they turn Ejets into A220s
Delete2 A339
Delete6 A332
15 A320
15 ATR 72
8-10 E195/E190
No way JU is getting rid of ATRs, far too important for their regional network. A339 is a bit of a stretch but is more plausible than A350 due to capacity and would likely only come if JU were to launch routes such as LAX or HND/NRT.
Luckily, Air Serbia does not take advises from the "experts" on this blog otherwise they would end with Russian Suhoi jets. They are using the aircraft via Air Baltic and they know the economics of the A220 on their routes. Let me remind you that JU already knows what this plane delivers and how it impacts the bottom line. On the other hand, it is only a sales visit, quite normal and does not really mean anything. If I were JU, I would be interested just to hear what Airbus has to say.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI am surprised Airbus didn't use the opportunity to also present the case for A330-900. Higher capacity for future growth to destinations like JFK and frequency-restricted YYZ, ability to operate BEG-HND and BEG-LAX, lower fuel consumption. If not outright purchase, lease could be an option for Air Serbia.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling they will just lease the new planes instead of purchasing, for example they could lease NEOs or A220s, but order E2s straight from manufacturer. I think that is most likely
Delete