Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has held an airline planning workshop with Air Serbia in Belgrade as it looks to develop deeper commercial engagement with the country’s flag carrier. The Boeing Airline Planning Workshop is typically designed to help carriers analyse traffic flows, identify underserved markets and assess aircraft economics. Boeing uses these sessions globally with airlines to showcase how its aircraft can support different network strategies through performance modelling and market forecasting. Emphasis was also put on renewing the long-haul fleet with 787 Dreamliners and reaching new far-away markets. Air Serbia retired its last Boeing aircraft in February 2021, with the carrier and its predecessor operating Boeing 737s, 727s and 707s.
The US Embassy in Belgrade noted, “This collaboration reflects the momentum we are building in US - Serbia relations, with partnerships focused on tangible results and shared objectives. Boeing’s presence in Belgrade underscores confidence in Serbia’s aviation sector and its strategic importance”. It added, “Air Serbia holds a unique position as the only national carrier in the region offering direct flights to the United States, serving as an important economic and strategic link. The airline’s continued expansion contributes to stronger regional connectivity, the creation of new jobs, and the further strengthening of Serbia’s international presence”.
In March, Air Serbia said it was looking to grow its Embraer fleet while retaining a mix of ATR turboprops, Airbus jets and regional aircraft, noting that the ongoing war in the Middle East could prompt it to seek newer models sooner rather than later. “While it remains uncertain how long the conflict in the Middle East will persist, the business case last year did not justify new aircraft acquisitions, as the higher ownership costs were not offset by fuel savings. However, with fuel prices now significantly higher, and with uncertainty over how long they will remain at these levels or continue to rise, the economics have shifted considerably. That said, the situation remains fluid. Aviation is a constantly evolving industry, and we must remain adaptable. At present, market conditions are favouring aircraft manufacturers. New-generation aircraft deliver meaningful fuel savings, and as fuel prices increase, so too does demand for more efficient equipment. Our main strategy is not to take aircraft when we need them, but when there is a good deal and we have communicated that to lessors”, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said.
Doesn't make any sense if they are planning on keeping the A320 family. In that case getting A330 NEOs or A350 is more possible
ReplyDelete787 would be a far better fit than A330 if they want thinner long-haul routes with lower risk.
DeleteYou would have to have pilots just for that frame then... Doesn't make any sense
DeleteLot of airlines are now ordering Boeings to get into Trumps good books.
Delete* i don't mean the airlines but the countries they are from
DeleteWell in Europe Boeing has lost the game on narrow bodies (except our Irish friend) the trend is heavily towards airbus
DeleteIf they haven’t had a330-200, used China Southern 787-8 seems to be good fit. Since JU already has a wide bodies, it is nice to see Boeing people in Belgrade. Buying 787 even troops JOLCO would be financial catastrophy!
Delete@ anon 09:09
Delete+1
Since Generalštab project has cancelled, GoS desperately need a deal with Trump and suddenly this Boeing thing doesn't sound weird.
Trump won't be there forever and he does not come to Serbia so JU could place the order as Chinese companies did it.
DeleteSince Vucic was rejected on Trump's event GSs does not need anything, especially not "desperately".
What chinese companies? What are you talking about?
DeleteCOMAC's C919 and the widebody C929.
DeleteA joke i assume?
Delete@12:45
DeleteI assume that @11:02 meant - in the same way China yesterday announced that they will buy 200 Boeing aircraft, but that is nothing more concrete than a LoI. If JU do the same and say that they will do it, without placing any firm order, they could wait for DJT to leave and then forget about it. The only thing about that is that I don't see DJT leaving on his own free will. He will leave when his health fails him, not sooner.
Would love to see the JU livery on a Boeing plane.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteToo bad the 737s didn't get the Air Serbia livery
DeleteYes, would look great on a true classic.
DeleteNo. Airbus is good and fine.
DeleteBoeing trying to win back a former customer after Air Serbia became almost entirely Airbus/ATR. Makes sense.
ReplyDeleteEmbraer presented the E2, Airbus presented the A220... JU looked but did nothing. It will be the same now.
ReplyDeleteJU won't switch to Boeing as they are only now starting to stabilize their fleet. Also they got a bunch of A330s and I doubt they will give up on them so soon.
Boeing needs customers badly after recent years, so I’m sure they’re pitching hard.
DeleteI suspect this is more about data and network planning than actual aircraft sales, but of course Boeing will use every opportunity to sell metal.
DeleteThanks for your replies guys. I would love to see JU livery on B789 but I think the investment is not worth it, it would be too expensive since JU won't need more than 4. I don't think B788 would make sense for JU.
DeleteSure. A330/800 makes perfect sense
DeleteThe only way I see JU going for the B787 is if they go B737Max to replace the A320's. I think this scenario is highly unlikely.
Delete@09:03
Thats not how things work. Being presented an aircraft doesn't automatically mean immediate purchase. They're evaluating their options and it'll be some time before a decision is made.
And just because they have a certain type in their fleet doesn't mean they will not go for a competitor. JU went from B737's for the A320 family. LOT recently ditched Embraer for A220's. QF is moving away from B737's in favour of newer Airbus's.
I would love to see what their suggestions were for future network expansion
ReplyDeleteCluj on a 789
Delete^ the Cluj obsessed people would say that would make complete sense
DeleteTrue hahah. But a 787 in JU colours would be a beauty
Delete😂😂😂
DeleteThe fact Boeing discussed network planning suggests Air Serbia may be studying routes we haven’t even considered.
DeleteBelgrade’s geography actually gives Air Serbia some interesting possibilities eastbound and transatlantic if aircraft economics work.
DeleteIndia seems to be all the rage right now. British Airways, KLM, Swiss... have all grown since the war with Iran. Maybe it's time for JU to look at DEL, BOM or HYD.
DeleteThat has been discussed a lot here. India doesn't work for JU apart from the one person who says always it does.
DeleteWow, talk about being condescending.
DeleteTalk about constantly bringing up India.
Delete@11:40
DeleteWhy exactly doesn't India work?
Alot has changed in the past couple of months where the ME3 cannot provide the capacity it once did. People haven't stopped travelling, instead they're looking for alternatives hence other airlines providing that extra capacity. India isn't allowing TK the extra capacity so the extra lift has to come from somewhere. A BEG-DEL rotation can be done in under 20 hours. What might not have worked 6-12 months ago doesn't necessarily mean it won't work now.
It doesnt work for Air Serbia. Fleet wise and operational wise. So idemo dalje
DeleteHow so?
DeleteFleet wise, they have room for 4 pw (DEL) leaving each 4 A330's with ~24h ground time once a week.
Operational wise, the rotation (DEL) is quick enough (19-20 hours) for them to offer connections on a fair number of routes in the departure/arrival waves of choice, including US routes.
Indigo is looking to expand it's European network and have previously expressed interest in cooperating with JU.
Give it a rest
DeletePeople forget JAT was a serious Boeing operator. This wouldn’t exactly be a strange reunion.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Although that was a lifetime ago
DeleteDifferent times, different circumstances. Yugoslavia had to be a loyal customer of US products because of political backing from Washington.
DeleteTo be honest, they served them well. And do remember JAT took delivery of the 737-300 before the first A320 was even produced.
DeleteTrue. Actually in 1990 JAT makes first mention they are looking into A310 and A320. They started taking European produced ATR at the end of the 80s. They made deal with SNECMA (today Safran), for joint engine bench in Belgrade in 1988. They were definitely looking into European aircraft.
Delete^ has nothing to do with it. If it was political, they would do it the other way around. Anyway EU could not care less if an airline has second hand Airbus planes.
Deleteso, you think FB, OU and LOT all getting the airbus A220 is a coincidence? how beautiful is the world you live in..
DeleteI don't think it's a coincidence. Ordering brand new planes brings a lot of financial benefits. Leasing 15-20 year old Airbuses does not
Delete09:30 haha you must be really naive if you think politics doesn't play major role in selection of aircraft which cost hundreds of EUR.
DeleteAgain you didn't read what I wrote. Anyway, leasing second hand Airbuses under the suggestion of Etihad 13 years ago had little to do with EU. JU ordering brand new planes would.
DeleteJU should not order new planes, it's an unnecessary expense for them. They should focus on flying second hand planes. They also work on fixing their cabins and maybe introducing new seats wth USB plugs etc
DeleteWith the price of oil being what it is fuel efficient planes can't come soon enough!
DeleteAlthough fuel is only aspect and JU buying new aircraft is not something that will be done soon. Which is one of the reasons its doing so well. Its going for solid and sustainable growth which is great.
DeleteMid life leases have so far been great but that can only go so far. Its allowed for their rapid expansion the past few years but JU is approaching a size and point where they need to start looking at something new and long term. Fuel is one aspect to look at, but so is dispatch reliability and overall maintenance. Current profits aren't enough to cover a total fleet renewal plus extra capacity for growth but they'll need to start somewhere.
DeleteHonestly, Boeing should first prove it can deliver aircraft on time before airlines get too excited.
ReplyDeleteThat would make no sense as JU is heading to a 100-percent Airbus fleet. A350 or A330neo are way more appropriated.
ReplyDeleteAgree. If they decide to renew their long haul fleet A330neos would be the best option since it would not mean to reinvent their long haul market
DeleteEmbraer's and ATRs are not Airbuses you know.
DeleteThat 787 looks like a beauty in Air Serbia colors
ReplyDeleteWould look nice on an A350 too 😉
DeleteIt does!
Deletehttps://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/large_1054054_vg2ojuzgxl5dybgtctbithkuc.jpg
This is either the start of something big or absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Boeing just wanted to remind Air Serbia it exists.
DeleteLol good point.
DeleteIf Boeing wants Air Serbia back, they’ll need to offer exceptional terms. Marek has made it pretty clear price is everything.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Boeing will be willing to offer JU the same terms and conditions it offers to airlines like UA, EK and BA.
DeleteWhere exactly did I say that? Calm down.
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised if he said it. The other day I flew on their A320 and it had the pink Wizz Air interiors. They should change that as soon as possible and put their cabin.
Delete^ You are the only who sounds upset.
DeleteThey will change YU-APT cabins once it goes to heavy maintenance.
Delete^ source for that?
DeleteThe same was done for YU-APO. YU-ARD/E also both got cabin work done this past winter. Nothing unusual.
DeleteIf it's narrow body Boeing, I ain't going.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete@11:56 which is lucky because 737s from Belgrade are relativly uncommon unless one is going to Turkey or flying Norwegian.
DeleteThey will end up ordering Embraers in the end.
ReplyDeleteQuite likely. Their Embraers have so far done wonders for their network even at a smaller number.
DeleteBoeing must be desperate lol
ReplyDeleteFunny how every airline suddenly becomes interested in fuel-efficient aircraft the moment oil spikes.
ReplyDeleteWell it makes sense actually.
DeleteIt is logical, especially for airlines who had made their fleet strategy around the assumption that jet fuel would have been at only half the price it currently is.
DeleteNorse Atlantic is about to shut down. Lots of 787-9s are going to hit the market.
Beoing isnt in great shape and needs customers, can they deliver is the other questions, how the world is moving best no go down that path, stay with airbus as its local
ReplyDeleteA338 is dead in the water. A339 is bigger than current A332, A350 is even bigger. A332 is still efficient on shorter longhaul routes such as BEG-JFK or BEG-YYZ but runs out of steam on potential longer routes such as BEG-LAX.
ReplyDeleteIf Air Serbia wants to grow to 7-8 widebodies, a mix of 788 and 789 might be an option. Smaller one for frequency and thinner routes, 789 for growth and frequency-restricted destinations such as YYZ. Dreamliner can unlock ICN, TYO and LAX in the future.
2 variants of the same type I think is unnecessary due to JU having so few widebodies and their routes being highly seasonal. US typically peaks between June and September and then you're stuck with that capacity for another 9 months, at best 6. JU lacks adequate frequencies to make connections via BEG more attractive so they would benefit more from smaller aircraft and more frequency rather than the other way around. In that sense, the B787-8 would fit perfectly however I believe that would push JU back to Boeing for narrowbody replacements for fleet commonality and I doubt we will see that.
DeleteA330-900 might be larger but it has a similar range to the B787 allowing JU to go where the A332 limits them (LAX). The A330 already in the fleet, transitioning to the neo isn't too dramatic compared to the B787. Sticking to Airbus for narrowbodies would simplify things for JU and open the possibility to consider the A321LR/XLR.
This is just a routine sales/commercial team visit. Nothing to see here. Next
ReplyDelete