Air Serbia has confirmed it is planning to introduce flights to Yerevan following the recent introduction of services to Tbilisi and Baku. Speaking at the Slovenian Aviation and Tourism Summit last week, the carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, “It’s just a matter of time and it is definitely coming. We are not focused solely on the summer and winter seasons. We launch new destinations whenever the timing is right and we have the aircraft capacity available to support them. Yerevan is planned as a year-round destination, so its launch is not tied to a specific season and can take place whenever we are ready to introduce the service. It is coming”.
Mr Marek said frequencies on existing routes to Tbilisi and Baku will be increased. “We already serve all of Europe’s primary destinations, as well as a large number of secondary cities, which means our core network is already well established. At this stage, growth is increasingly focused on adding frequencies and strengthening connectivity. Destinations such as Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan are unlikely to be sustainable purely on point-to-point demand between Serbia and those markets. Their success depends on having a strong network that can provide connecting traffic. Since we already have that network in place, these destinations are essentially plug-and-play additions and have performed very well”.
He added, “Baku is set to be increased very soon. We already boosted operations in September to cater for demand during the Formula 1 event. Following the launch of the route on May 3, we recorded an average load factor of 95% during its first month of operation. We have also already increased Tbilisi from three to four weekly flights, and we hope to further expand both destinations going forward”.
Commenting on operations further afield, such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in Central Asia, the CEO noted they are part of the airline’s five-to-ten-year plans. "The challenge with these destinations is that they occupy an aircraft for a very long period because of the flight time involved. When you operate routes of that length, you effectively lose the aircraft for the entire day. At the same time, we still see significant opportunities to increase frequencies on shorter routes, where the same aircraft can perform two or even three rotations per day. That is why our current focus remains on maximising the utilisation of our fleet and developing markets where additional frequencies can generate the greatest returns. These destinations will come in time, but at this stage I cannot say exactly when”.
95 LF for Baku in first month is fantastic
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAir Serbia's expansion eastwards has been one of the more successful aspects of its recent network strategy.
DeleteAerologic was right years ago.
DeleteYears ago JU did not have so wide network as now so it would not have been successful at that time.
DeleteNow it is a totally different story.
How are Alicante and Nizny Novgorod loads so far?
DeleteNizny Novgorod is mostly full. Don't know about Alicante.
DeleteIs it a reason why they cancelled it 2 days ago?
DeleteIt was cancelled 2 days ago because there was a drone attack and the airport was closed.
Delete^ Don't worry about him. He had to write something to look smart and funny.
Delete^ who is he?
DeleteFamous Palermo guy, pink sheriff and stale sandwich. It's always him
DeleteYesterdays GOJ (Nizhny) was almost 100% full
DeleteGreat news. Yerevan is the logical next step.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thing is that they're sending A319 (sometimes even A320) to both TBS and GYD and not E95.
DeleteThere is a sizeable Armenian diaspora across Europe, and Belgrade could capture some of that traffic. I expect the route to perform very well, especially if schedules are coordinated with Air Serbia's Western European banks.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteGood point.
DeleteIt sounds like destinations such as Almaty, Astana and Tashkent are definitely on the radar down the line.
ReplyDeleteUzbekistan has become a major tourist destination, even P2P would work with seasonal flights
DeleteRussians are covering demand mostly. Central Asia would be smart move now, not in 5 years. Even with wet leased capacity
DeleteNot saying that they can't work, but don't lose sight of the length of the rotation. Belgrade to Almaty is more than twice as far as Belgrade to Yerevan. JU is rather sensitive to the rotation length - recall this was the primary reason they dropped Abu Dhabi as a destination (which at the time was pretty big for them since this is how they captured a lot of the Asia and Australia market)
DeleteWell, Tromso is not so close, yet we will fly there. Now is the chance to start those medium haul routes and establish them fuelled by huge Russian diaspora all around. Until Aeroflot starts again, JU should mature those routes already.
DeleteAlot has changed at JU since then and we are seeing more longer flights with JU (KZN, GOJ, AGP, LIS, OPO, GYD, TBS, MAD, soon TOS and TFS) although not quite the 12 hour rotation previously with AUH. Also for the past couple of years they have been scheduling flights outside of the usual waves which is encouraging to see. I wouldn't be surprised in a year or if 2 they start routes ~5 hours from BEG (not including TFS this year).
DeleteYerevan is a no brainer. The indirect traffic from Russia alone is huge.
ReplyDeleteJU could really benefit from getting a lot of connections to the rest of Europe from Armenia.
+1
DeleteGood to see management focusing on frequency increases rather than simply chasing new destinations. A daily flight to Tbilisi is probably more valuable than launching another route with only two weekly frequencies.
ReplyDelete'chasing new destinations'
DeleteCandidate for comment of the day.
That opinion is knowledge from the ZaMa Academy
DeleteIf Air Serbia really wants to dominate the Caucasus market, it should also consider Kutaisi. Wizz Air has built significant traffic there and there could be opportunities for connections through Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteKutaisi wouldn't make sense. It works purely because of the wizzair base and most passengers don't actually originate there. Batumi would make more sense, it is the second largest city, a sizeable resort and is dominated by Turkish. The only EU connections are seasonal Riga on airbaltic and occasionally Warsaw on LOT.
DeleteBetter Batumi or Trabzon than Kutaisi in the middle of nowhere.
DeleteBatumi would be a better choice by far.
DeleteIn recent time, Batumi is rising as new market for people who invest in apartments. Few commercials rose to me on Instagram, even though I was never interested or ever spoke of such possibility. I couldn't believe apartmants start from 20k USD o.O
DeleteOnce more Embraers arrive, we may see a wave of additional destinations and frequency increases.
ReplyDeleteWhen will more E1 arrive?
DeleteAs per current statements, no new Embraers are expected. They have 8 (4 wet lease, 4 dry lease). They are still waiting for two A320s to arrive
DeleteTwo E95 are planned next year
DeleteDo you have any supporting link for that claime?
DeleteHis source is: trust me bro!
DeleteI wouldnt be surprised if more Embraers do end up coming. They seem to be doing wonders, why wouldnt they get more of them. They are deployed regionally, for thinner European routes, Caucuses. They seem to be everywhere :)
DeleteYerevan, Baku and Tbilisi are exactly the sort of underserved markets where Air Serbia can differentiate itself from larger European network carriers. Few airlines in the region are willing to serve these destinations directly.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, they are much better connected than some airports in our region. There are already plenty of low-cost airlines. Georgia is a better connected to Europe than Slovenia...
DeleteGeorgia is well served by both low cost and legacy carriers. The issue there is that Tbilisi airport (Groupe ADP) has insane fees, resulting in limited low cost presence (Easyjet, Transavia, Norwegian). Wizz is strong from Kutaisi, but it isn't ideal for people living elsewhere. Air Serbia with daily flights fromTbilisi could definitely be a more appealing option than a 3 hour train to kutaisi airport for many Tbilisians.
DeleteAlso oriented to Turkey (TA
DeleteTAV*
DeleteThe fact that Yerevan is planned as a year round destination is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see whether Yerevan launches with three or four weekly flights. Given the performance of Baku and Tbilisi, I wouldn't be surprised if it starts with four weekly services from day one.
DeleteYerevan have FlyOne and Wizz Air with over 60 routes and other low-costers like Transavia, Eurowings, Pegasus and a lot of traditional aircompanies to hubs LH, A3, TK, LO, OS, SN, GQ.
DeleteFlyOne Armenia is based in Moscow not Yerevan. Most of the passengers are Russians, so unofficially there are flights from Moscow to Larnaca, Tivat, Milan, Chisinau, Amsterdam, Paris. Georgian Airways has a similar scheme from Tbilisi. That is why JU is on the right track
DeleteWizz is not with transfers it's p2p from Armenia
Delete@9.32 Tbilisi has much bigger presence from European carriers but seems to be doing rather well for JU.
DeleteTbilisi is a bit larger and wealthier market than Yerevan.
DeleteNot exactly. It is more touristy, but mostly low-yield.
DeleteNow when I checked, it seams like Yerevan has a narrow margin better purchasing power. Who would though.
Delete*thought.
DeleteArmenians need Schengen visas, Georgians don't. That's a big factor there.
Delete@Anon 09:44
DeleteNone of what you wrote is true dude!
?
DeleteFlyOne is based in Moldova. All the FllyOne Armenia flights are to/from Yerevan.
DeleteOn paper and by document yes. Check passengers to Tivat or Larnaca 😁
DeleteLove it
ReplyDeleteSo when could it start?
ReplyDeleteEither this winter or next summer is my guess.
DeleteHopefully in the winter. There will be extra capacity during winter
DeleteThe route could attract not only transfer passengers but also growing tourism . Armenia has become increasingly popular among European travellers. Plus Russians.
ReplyDeleteI suspect Yerevan could also generate religious tourism traffic too.
Delete^ true
DeleteReligious tourism could work both directions Serbia-Georgia/Armenia.
DeleteBaku's strong performance proves there is demand for destinations beyond the traditional Western European network. Hopefully this encourages the airline to continue exploring similar opportunities.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things Wizz is missing for not getting Serbian AOC.
DeleteI wonder if they would get Serbian AOC if they applied....
Delete@ anon 12:18
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised if they apply and get at the end, who knows.
Yes I'm sure W6 would be allowed by the ministry to fly from BEG to Georgia, Armenia, the Middle East, Montenegro and Albania just because they got a Serbian AOC! 🤣
DeleteAir Serbia seems to be following a "connect first, advertise later" strategy. Many people still don't realise how extensive the airline's network has become.
ReplyDeleteThey do a lot of advertising online and they currently have a major ad campaign on billboards in Serbia.
DeleteObviously they don’t need it.
DeleteBut it's simply not true that they don't do it.
DeleteWhat about becoming a sponsor for ABA League?
DeleteSimilar to Turkish Euro League.
Yeah right, not sure how our neighbors would react for playing in the Air Serbia ABA League
DeleteI think it's a policy not to sponsor any local sporting teams.
DeleteTo add to that I know it is a policy. This was introduced in 2013 because Jat was forced to sponsor many clubs and made a huge loss from it, apprently.
DeleteABA league is regional league. If Air Serbia sponsors it, all teams should be required to travel with Air Serbia.
Delete^ SMFH
DeleteWell, they should add Cluj and Dubai to cover full league, both long overdue. Maybe Bratislava next season, as I have heard.
DeleteHi Cluj!
DeleteI would like to know how much of the traffic to Tbilisi and Baku originates in Serbia and how much is connecting.
ReplyDeletemajority is connecting
DeleteI flew Belgrade - Baku maybe 10 days ago, LF was around 90%, most of the passengers were either Azeri or Russians.. really few Serbs were on my flifht
DeleteThe biggest challenge will be maintaining competitive fares. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and several Gulf carriers already have strong positions in these markets.
ReplyDeleteDaily Tbilisi service would attract more transfer traffic. 3-4 weekly is very limiting.
ReplyDeleteWell, they said it.
DeleteThey already increased it once.
Delete'3-4 weekly is very limiting'.
DeleteSecond candidate for comment of the day award.
The good thing about these Caucuses routes is that they can also be served by Embraers
ReplyDeleteThe fact that we are now talking about Central Asia shows how much the airline has grown.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat.
DeleteYerevan was to be expected.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see that Baku is performing well. There were some sceptics here.
ReplyDeleteReally!? Never happened before.
Delete🤣🤣🤣
DeleteIdemo dalje....
ReplyDeleteGreat destination to complete Caucasus triplet. Air Serbia is approaching the snowball effect, where adding almost any large destination airport will successfully feed into the rest of the network.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat.
Delete