Air Serbia says it is on track to achieve another record year in terms of passenger numbers, although it does not expect to surpass the five-million-passenger mark in 2026. "I think it is still too early to say exactly how many passengers we will handle, but a new record will certainly be set. We will be able to make more accurate projections after the summer season, which is always the main driver of passenger traffic. There are also a number of factors still to play out, including geopolitical developments and last-minute booking trends”, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said. He added, “At the moment, we are seeing weaker demand for charter flights, particularly to Egypt and Turkey. However, we believe this will be offset by strong demand for our Mediterranean destinations, such as Italy, Spain and Greece. Therefore, I would say we should have a much clearer picture and more concrete figures by the end of September”.
The CEO noted he would be satisfied if Air Serbia achieved passenger growth of 3% this year, although the airline's target is closer to 5%. “So, we will not exceed five million passengers this year, but we believe we can come close to that figure”, Mr Marek said. The airline has introduced five new routes so far this year, with the sixth, to Alicante, to be inaugurated this afternoon. A further four will follow up until December.
Last Friday, Air Serbia welcomed its millionth passenger on long-haul flights since launching wide-body operations under its current brand. The airline inaugurated its first long-haul service, between Belgrade and New York, on June 23, 2016. “Reaching the one millionth passenger on long-haul flights is an important moment for our airline and confirms the trust that our passengers have given us for nearly a decade. We are immensely pleased that we are marking this milestone during a period of expansion of our network – just a few days ago, we re-established direct Belgrade - Toronto flights, after a 34-year hiatus, and we will also soon mark the tenth anniversary of the New York service. The new Toronto service is especially important, considering the numerous diasporas, as well as the demand for a direct connection that has existed for a long time. Such network development offers passengers better connectivity with crucial destinations around the world”, Mr Marek concluded.
A very respectable figure for the country size and organic and measured development of this airline.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree.
DeleteYeah but the you have places like Iceland and their FI which shows how much work there is left.
DeleteIt's ridiculous to compare Iceland with Serbia, specially given the geographic constraints.
DeleteWhy? A country of just 170.000 created FI so Serbia should be able to build an airline carrying 10-15 million people, especially if you add transfers
DeleteSome of you are so delusional. You realise Iceland is an island? Open an atlas.
DeleteCan you stop being so rude in your communication?
DeleteOpen their website and look at their network. Who do you think flies to all those cities they fly to? It's people who have nothing to do with Iceland or the fact it's an island. Stop commenting on this topic if you are going to be so rude and impolite. Who are you to call others ignorant when I just proved you are exactly that.
The biggest tourists in Iceland are Americans and the majoriy of passengers at Keflavik Airport are point to point. So yes they certainly do fly there as does everyone else since it is difficult to swim to Iceland.
DeleteComparing an island nation with any market in mainland Europe.is beyond me.
DeleteYeah Anchorage-Keflavik is there because of transfers. There were between 500.000 and 700.000 US tourists in Iceland, a 27% drop. KEF welcomed 7.5 million and 30% are transfers on FI.
DeleteSo if this result can be achieved at a country of just 170.000 people, then Air Serbia should be able to handle 10 to 15 million passengers.
So stop trying to be witty because statistics just proved how wrong you are. I don't understand why you are setting the bar so low for Serbia, JU and BEG.
Again have you opened an Atlas to see where Iceland is and why Americans might find it a natural point for transfer? I beg you, open an atlas.
DeleteSomeone wrote it's a respectable figure and it sets this guy off like showing a bull red.
DeleteYYZ, JFK, BOS, DUB, LHR... are all logical points where Americans might transfer flights. KEF is an artificial hub the same way DOH or DXB are. Goes to show how competent the Icelandic people are.
DeleteTheir advantage is that they can use narrowbodies in both directions for transfers, towards America and towards Europe. And that’s due to their specific geolocation. Please open google maps if you don’t have atlas
DeleteYou do realize that FI operates B767s? So it's not only narrowbodies.
DeleteSo someone says that JU should do better because they can and you get triggered by that and you keep on insulting people? I think JU should and could do a lot better. Being 34th in Europe is not a great result.
They should aim for 10 million passengers, it's not unrealistic.
^ and that's why you don't run an airline. It would be bankrupt within days. The only triggered person is you. Someone wrote good result and you wrote another 50 comments how it is a disaster
Delete1 million long haul pax is quite good considering the realatively low level of fights
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia had one widebody and one longhaul destination until 2022. Passenger numbers skyrocketed since then
DeleteI remember when critics said New York would not survive beyond the first few years.
DeleteThe airline's network today is unrecognisable compared to a decade ago. Whether people like Air Serbia or not, its transformation has been remarkable.
DeleteFor me, the biggest story is not the passenger record but the fact that the airline is celebrating ten years of New York service. Few would have predicted that back in 2016.
DeleteAirSerbia made 7-8 flights per week to Russia in the beginning of 2022, and will make 33 flights per week in June 2026. I guess the majority of them with 100% LF.
DeleteTalking about 1M long haul passengers here
Delete@10:36
DeleteRussia isn't long haul.
Growth of only 3%-5% suggests Air Serbia is starting to mature. The days of double digit expansion every year were never going to continue indefinitely.
ReplyDeleteIf they end the year close to five million passengers and make a healthy profit, 2026 should be considered another very successful year regardless of whether the five million mark is reached or not.
DeleteI disagree. Their growth should be in the 5-10% as they are still a small carrier. They are like the 40th in Europe.
Delete3 to 5% means that they don't have much market expansion.
DeleteThe challenge in the coming years will be to consolidate their position.
It would imply improving the product and retain the transfer passengers on the longer term.
For most Air Serbia is chosen for price not quality.
Is there any country in Europe (except Latvia) that is similiar to the size of Serbia and that has bigger national airline?
DeleteNo.
And btw, Air Serbia is 34th in Europe, not 40th.
Another pathetic lie.
There is Austria and Austrian Airlines, then there is Portugal and TAP, Finland and Finnair, Ireland and Aer Lingus etc.
DeleteStop calling people pathetic. Why are such insults allowed?
Wow 34th.. what an achievement. If anything is pathetic then it's not my comment but their ranking.
DeleteWhat is your issue with them. Did they fire you or something?
DeleteThere are about 200 airlines in Europe, so being 34th is certainly not a "small carrier". Lol. They are certainly in the top 20% of the largest carriers in Europe.
DeleteThere are about 200 airlines in Europe, so being 34th is a huge achievement, considering where they were 10-15 years ago. They've shown steady and consistent growth in the European airline sector. Being in the top 20% segment of European airlines by size is an achievement, but you are obviously not here to have a logical discussion, but to provoke.
DeleteSerbia 6.6 million people
DeletePortugal 10,4 million
Austria 9.2 million
You want Air Serbia to be bigger than Lufthansa, Turkish, LOT, Air France, British, Iberia, Aeroflot, ITA, TAP, Aegean? Does Serbia maybe habe bigger per capita comparing to these countries? Does Serbia maybe have bigger population? Does Serbia have sea access like all above mentioned countries?
Delusional.
What does Ethiopia have? It's one of the poorest countries in the world and is experiencing civil unrest in certain regions. Yet ET has become a global carrier.
DeleteIf I understood correctly, you are saying that where JU is today it's as good as it gets? Bizzare, I disagree with that and you are all attacking me for that. Kinda strange guys.
Only bizarre person is you. Complete and utter lack of aviation knowledge, geography and economics. That's why you write comments online lecturing others and don't run an airline
DeleteThe fact that they are talking about a record year despite all the geopolitical issues and fuel price volatility says a lot about how resilient demand remains.
ReplyDeleteGrowth is becoming harder because comparisons are now against already strong years. Maintaining momentum is more difficult than achieving it in the first place.
DeleteNo it's not because there are so many markets where JU can still grow. They can start by brining back frequencies they cut on BEG-CDG. That would be a good start
DeleteThey didn't cut frequencies. They fly 14 weekly like last summer. Please stop making things uo.
DeleteYes it's 14 like last summer. And like winter. The one that cut is easyjet that even suspended the route for most of the summer. But don't say t Nbhat, he will get angry. Does not fit the narrative.
DeleteI am referring to the 10.20 and 13.20 departures they had in the past. Please try to keep up
DeleteHow many years ago? Since you seem to be comparing more than 1 year ago
DeleteWhat has that got to do with anything? He said it's becoming difficult to grow and I told you that it isn't. They can start by bringing back the frequencies they cut last spring.
DeleteIt does. I mean there are fewer flights to Zagreb than 35 years ago. Context is important.
DeleteAnd despite what Vucic said about Croatia being 'smart' for cutting flights.
DeleteWhat has ZAG got to do with anything? 35 years ago BUD, OTP, WAW... were all behind BEG.
DeleteThose extra CDG flights were cut last summer, not decades ago.
Nope last summer they had 14 flights like this summer. Better luck next time.
DeleteBravo Air Serbia!
ReplyDeleteIf they have 5% growth that's around 4.8 million at the end of the year
ReplyDeleteDemand for Egypt and Turkey has softened across Europe
ReplyDeleteThe real milestone will be when Air Serbia carries one million long-haul passengers in a single year 😀
ReplyDeletethe bigger success is proving that a carrier from a relatively small market can sustain multiple intercontinental routes.
Delete+1
DeleteBravo Air Serbia 🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
ReplyDeleteThe airline appears to be growing at a healthy pace
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if they end up exceeding their own forecasts. Air Serbia has often been conservative with projections and then delivered stronger results.
ReplyDeleteThey still haven't had any major frequency cuts despite some people writing here that it is a matter of days
ReplyDeleteThey had cuts, just last month KRK and something else was cut. Also they have minimal growth this year so there isn't much to cut.
DeleteKRK was cut by one weekly flight. There was an article here.
Delete"they have minimal growth this year so there isn't much to cut."
Hahaha they have 100+ destinations and you are saying there isn't much to cut. Blind hatred sometimes fogs up your mind it seems.
This needs to get the award for dumbest comment of the year
Delete"they have minimal growth this year so there isn't much to cut."
So what do you call 3% growth at the 40th biggest airline in Europe other than minimal?
DeleteSo what do you refer to them not being able to cut anything, otherwise they probably would right? Since you avoided that part I guess you agree it falls in a very dumb category. Think more next time you are consumed by hate. Take a few very deep breaths.
Delete3-5% growth doesn’t align with 5 new aircrafts and 8-9% more routes. Growth will be a lot higher. 5 million at least
ReplyDeleteThey have retired aircraft too.
DeleteWhatever happens this year, the airline has already achieved something significant by turning Belgrade into a much better-connected airport than it was ten years ago.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how much of the growth is coming from transit passengers versus local traffic.
ReplyDelete40% transfers.
Delete^ He was not asking about that. You have to read again.
DeleteGreat, another record. Now can we finally get some lower fares on regional routes? The airline is doing well but passengers should feel some of the benefits too.
ReplyDeleteLol low fares on JU? Sure.
DeleteThat actually have some great fares but not on regional routes because they have no competition.
Delete*they. I purchased LIS return for 90 euros.
DeleteYeah if you book a promo six months in advance. Check LIS fares until the end of September
DeleteYeah check it on any European legacy carrier. If you are dumb to book a last minute ticket in June, July and August then you should pay a high price. Planes are full.
DeleteRegional fares tend to be decent where JU has decent frequencies. Quite a few regional routes are underserved which drives up the prices. JU is outgrowing their waves and will need to be abit more strategic in boosting regional frequencies as it is not feasible to have midnight rotations to all regional destinations ie: connecting regional routes with other regional and long haul routes.
DeleteI was just trying to book my flight from Thessaloniki to Rijeka but as both are in the same wave I can't have intraregional connection. Facilitating greater intra regional connectivity might be smart
DeleteProbably because you are the only one trying to book a flight between Thessaloniki and Rijeka.
DeleteSpend the evening in BG and do it that way
DeletePUY or ZAG would be the alternative, RJK is only 2 pw. PUY is 3 pw split in the morning and evening waves.
DeleteDBV, SPU, SJJ and OTP would be good candidates for those extra frequencies. Quite alot of interesting options in that midday wave plus long haul.
Good for Air Serbia
ReplyDeleteHow they would describe strong demand for Greece since they have only add 2x Santorini flights and downgrade frequency on some islands and also capacity from previous year operated by mostly GetJet aircraft
ReplyDeleteBecause this is a PR statement. Whole point is to show a positive picture, not the reality.
DeleteBEG this year is doing really well thanks to W6
Well the first issue is that your statement is not true. They only decreased frequency by 1 weekly flight to 1 island. And this was before the current crisis.
DeleteThey also cut some flights to ATH
DeleteThey actually have more flights to Athens then last summer. I know it does not fit your narrative but at least don't fabricate thingsm
Delete@anon 09:53
DeleteCurrently JU has 15 weekly flights to ATH from BEG
Last year at this time of the year they had 13 weekly flights from BEG.
Stop spreading lies.
There goes another toxic idea
DeleteThey did not downgrade their own frequencies for any of the islands. Charters are a different topic, you should consult tour operators for that.
DeleteYes, they did downgrade Heraklion
Delete'Downgrade' from 4 to 3 weekly. Have you maybe thought that now because there are much more Greek destinations on offer, fewer people are going to the same place they have gone for years?
DeleteSo by very close to 5 million passengers they mean that 4,700,000 is a little bit to 5 millions ? Okay .............
ReplyDeleteThat would be under 3% growth. First you must learn maths. Ok?
DeleteDon't expect too much 🤣
Delete4,570,000x3%=137,100 . 4,570,000+137,100=4,707,100 . You were saying............?
DeleteI have my fair share of criticism of Air Serbia but I notice whenever there is some news about them there is this avalanche of comments to prove that they suck, that all the growth does not matter, that all the new routes do not matter because they cut Karkow from 4 to 3 weekly. Like seriously. The arguments are so weak it makes you look petty.
ReplyDeleteYou are totally right.
DeleteSome people have personal problems with JU generally including its growth and they bring their frustrations here trying to polute this blog and minimize JU success.
Any topic in the Western Balkans is politicised, whether those criticisms are fuelled locally or from the neighbourhood.
DeleteRather tragic isnt it?
DeleteI certainly don't think they suck and I believe they are doing a good job in many areas, but let's be fair - having a passenger growth that is pretty much similar to a country's BDP growth is not a huge success. Most of the people that are glorifying these results don't have a clue about business, because main rule is - go big or go home. If you don't grow fast enough, you'll be eaten alive by larger competitors. And their results and ambitions don't say they are growing fast enough anymore. What lines they cut and what new lines they introduce is their operative work, only thing that really matters are the figures at the end of the year.
DeleteThey have introduced over 40 new routes in 3 years from one of Europe's poorest countries. Problem is, some of you live in dream land.
DeleteCongratulations. I enjoyed my flight on the inaugural YYZ-BEG and hope they grow for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteSame experience and same wishes!
Delete