Wizz Air said it has contacted local stakeholders but has no positive developments to report. “The CAD [Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate] can reverse this change and keep Serbia aligned with the rest of the European community. Our aim is to remain based in Belgrade, grow, secure the thousands of direct and indirect local jobs. By operating inbound flights only, many Serbians would lose their jobs. We've reached out to several local stakeholders but cannot report on any positive developments at this stage”, Wizz Air said.
The carrier accused the Directorate of amending its regulations fifteen years after it opened its Belgrade base with the sole purpose of targeting Wizz Air. “We're the only foreign airline that wanted to invest in the Serbian market, because we believe in connecting the Serbian people to the rest of the world. For the last 16 years, any other airline could have done the same as us, but they chose not to. This rulebook change was specifically targeted against Wizz Air to try to limit competition for the domestic state-owned airline, plain and simple”, the airline noted. A petition calling for Wizz Air’s base to remain in Belgrade has so far generated close to 5.000 signatures.
Last week, the European Commission confirmed it had been contacted by Wizz Air. “The Commission has been contacted by Wizz Air regarding recent changes made by the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia to the Regulation on Issuing Approvals to Foreign Air Carriers for Performing International Public Air Transport with the Republic of Serbia. The Commission is in contact with the Serbian authorities on the matter, with a view to checking the compatibility of this Regulation with Serbia’s obligations under the European Common Aviation Area Agreement”, the Commission told EX-YU Aviation News.
They weren’t commited to Serbian market when they withdrew planes from BEG and reducing capacity, while growing on other markets. Seems that check is due now
ReplyDeleteThe have 20% of the capacity at the airport what do you mean no commitment.
DeleteWhat are you going on about? They cut BEG when they cut everything else. For two years now they were the engine of growth at BEG.
DeleteThey cut BEG in 2014 too.
DeleteYes after the first round of Serbian protectionism. They realized the market was there so they agreed to pay normal charges.
DeleteFYI JU has also cut BEG many times so why support them with such protectionism?
Btw since you mention 2014, why didn't the Serbian government do this back then? Why did they care more about W6 revenue than them supposedly breaching law? What changed since 2014 beause the law didn't.
Delete@9:04 Air Serbia also cut capacity in 2024, I guess they're not committed to the market either and should be chased out?
DeleteAir Serbia increased its capacity by 6.2% in 2024 compared to 2023.
DeleteOverall on a yearly basis but in winter 2022/2023 they cut capacity.
DeleteIn the winter of 2022/23 compared to winter 2021/22 capacity increased 32%.
Delete9:14
DeleteThat’s a lie, like a most of your comments. They moved plane from BEG to BUD to grow on Hungarian market
@09:32 lets stick to the importance of wizzair in Belgrade
DeleteAnon 09.35
DeleteDo you have a source for that claim?
Admin, I'm very surprised to see you take sides
DeletePointing out that the statement is incorrect is not taking sides. This is the eighth article relating to the Wizz Air base.
DeleteIt is kind of funny to accuse someone of taking sides because had they taken a side I assume they would not have published this article in the first place.
DeleteWizz Air's East European bread and butter is oversaturated by Ryanair. With yields trashed in most bases, they can't do a Ryanair-style "I'm out"—so instead they fight the Serbian government for good yields at Belgrade, rather than go to other airports where Ryanair is waiting.
DeleteLess competition never helps consumers.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteYes. And I, as a Slovenian, cannot understand why Serbia would want an even higher unemployment. So much diaspora looking for jobs across the EU, and the country seems commited to even less jobs. Why? And people in Serbia are praising this “strel v koleno”. It’s like Brexit - boxing in helps no one.
DeleteNot many unemployed nowadays in Serbia, though.
DeleteBut I`m pro Wizz here, anyway.
Full support for wizzair from me!
ReplyDeleteAnd zero from me
DeleteFrom me too!
DeleteLets have a poll and see wich side is more popular
DeleteWith only 5000 signatures, seems that you’re only one that supports them. You also left 5000 comments here
DeleteWhy wasn't this issue addressed back in 2011 when the base was opened? That's what I still don't understand.
ReplyDeleteBecause they were favourized.
DeleteI hope both sides find a compromise. Serbia needs Air Serbia, but it also needs competition and foreign investment.
ReplyDeleteI don’t understand what are you trying to say? There are 23 other companies at BEG.
DeleteThere are 2 companies based at BEG. And one, state owned, wants to squeeze out the other one, which is the biggest competitor. As simple as that and everyone sees it except those blinded by political propaganda
DeleteWizz Air has every right to challenge the decision legally if it believes it breaches the ECAA Agreement. That's what courts are for.
ReplyDeleteYeah, courts are super fast.
DeleteBon voyage
ReplyDeleteBon voyage to low fares and affordable traveling.
DeleteBon voyage to Serbia's reputation as a open aviation market
DeleteLol. Sure. Like Serbia is the first market some random low-coster threw a hissy fit over. The demand is there and will be filled by competition.
DeleteSerbia is the random throwing a hissy fit in this game. Not wizz. Wizzair can definatly live without Serbia, but Serbia depends on the good will of the outside world for its aviation, so lets remember that.
DeleteThere is no guarantee that someone will step in. Why change something that works and something which has worked for over a decade?
DeleteWhy they left TZL in an afternoon, when they are so committed to markets? They will do same in Serbia, if they find more attractive market. Nothing to be sorry about them. They will follow rules or go out. Simply as that
DeleteI will repeat what I already wrote. No one besides JU would profit from this. With less flights by Wizz Air there will be less ethnic travel, less tourism and it will become extremely difficult for most Serbs to travel abroad. Just look at the way JU treats INI and KVO. They simply do not care about Serbian passengers. All they care is to charge €400 to fly around Europe, that is why Wizz Air is a problem for them.
ReplyDeleteI really hope the Serbian government reconsiders this since voters and your average Serb won't profit.
+1
DeleteDon't write nonsense. I have never paid a ticket with JU 400 eur. I travel an average of 7-8x a year.
DeleteProbably because you book months in advance, like 6 or 7. If you book a month, two or even three fares are extremely high. So please don't accuse others of writing nonsense especially when there is no way to check if you are really flying that often.
Delete+1
DeleteBTW I checked the first week of August for BEG-PAR, JU on average charges between 20.000 and 25.000 one way to CDG.
DeleteWizz Air to BVA is roughly 9.000 RSD one way.
You still think we don't need Wizz Air in BEG?
No. On the contrary. I have never booked 6-7 months before a flight. Sorry, but that's my experience. In over a decade of flying with JU, I have never paid so much.
DeleteThats great. But so what? Doesnt mean wizzair should lose their base in Belgrade now does it.
DeleteI am sorry but the post about CDG flights proves that your experience is not the norm Anon 09.32
DeleteWell, I bought a BEG-ZAG ticket with Air Serbia weeks ago for 250 EUR, so they are no low cost. Stop spreading the lie that they are, and that they are enough for the demand there is out of Belgrade!
DeleteBelgrade needs both a strong JU and a strong Wizz hub.
DeleteFour years ago Air Serbia was vilified for flying to Moscow and other destinations in Russia, and after much pressure from Brussels the airline reduced the number of flights. Political pressure is nothing new.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteIt will be interesting to see if they actually sue the Serbian government. Beogradska Arena just sued them for 53 million RSD. I wonder if W6 would get any damages from them when they win?
DeleteThe Europeans even sent us bomb threats because of those flights.
Delete@09:33 that is an outrageous comment that should be removed
DeleteAir Serbia was going to corner that market and the EU airline companies couldn't have it.
DeleteWhy?
DeleteWhy? It happened, even the countries from which the bomb threats came from.
DeleteSerbia has daily bomb threats in schools, hospitals, and other public places sent regularly from email addresses in Poland, the Baltic states and other "like-minded" regions.
DeleteThe amount of flights hasn't reduced but increased ever since, both in frequencies and destinations.
DeleteSure, because Serbia is one dependent country
DeleteWhat a tragic state of affairs. Good luck Serbian consumers.
ReplyDeleteNothing tragic about this. Wizz will find a way to stay relevant in the Serbian market and Air Serbia needs the space to grow. Circumstances are different now from when the Wizz opened its base at BEG many years ago.
DeletePoor Air Serbia grew to 40 planes and more than 100 destinations. And Wizz grew to 4 planes and 25 destinations
DeleteThis dispute is becoming embarrassing. Hopefully the Commission's review provides a clear answer
ReplyDeleteLow cost airlines come and go. Belgrade survived before Wizz and it will survive after Wizz if necessary.
DeleteSure, the airport will survive, but folks will pay higher fares!
DeleteAirlines such as JU come and go too. Just to add some balance to your statement.
DeleteJU had been around for 80 years and didn't dissapear even during the hardest day of its business. Wizz Air has closed multiple bases throughout its relatively short existance.
DeleteCzech airlines had been around quite a while. I would bet on LCCs being more important in the European aviation market in 2040 than airlines such as JU.
DeleteI have no issue with Wizz and hope they keep their base. But JU is certainly more important to BEG than Wizz.
DeleteWhen the day comes that JU begins to decline, and decline all airlines do, perhaps this will be an interesing part of the history.
DeleteAnd what will happen when Wizz begins to decline? Since you say that "all airline do". Will this be an interesting part of the history?
DeleteWhen wizz declines another LCC will grow in its place. We have enough evidence of this over the past thirty years.
DeleteHello to everybody in this blog . I am from Greece and just saw this article . In my opinion wizz air must not leave . I have to travel 4 times a year to the island of Kalymnos from Athens with Sky express the sole operator . Even with pso they get from the state never found a ticket under 230€ return . And we are talking about a flight distance of 183 miles .
ReplyDeleteInstead of loosing time writing ridiculous statements, appeals and press conferences, they should better prepare documentation for Serbian AOC
ReplyDelete
DeleteLOL as if they will give them. The home carrier has problems to compete with 4 W6 planes yet you want them to start flying to the most lucrative markets Montenegro abd Russia. Cant be for real
I still think common sense will prevail. It would be a shame to lose one of the biggest airlines in Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is just negotiation through the media. Both sides are trying to gain public support before reaching a compromise.
DeleteHonestly it will end as silently as Č-land ended. As if nothing happened .
DeleteWhere is VINCI in all of this? They have been very quiet.
ReplyDeleteSerbia cannot expect to become an aviation hub while making it harder for airlines to invest.
ReplyDeleteWell its never going to a hub on the size of Budapest etc due to other issues such as infrastructure and overall economic out. But yeah i agree.
DeleteAir Serbia has grown despite Wizz Air being based in Belgrade. I don't understand why anyone would think it needs this kind of protection.
ReplyDeleteWell, that is as simple as it gets: with no wizz, they will be able to sell more expensive tickets. And that increases revenues, and allows for a sustainable long-term bussiness.
DeleteBut only unrealistic people could think JU would be able to cover and take over 2 million W6 pax.
DeleteMaybe this is some complex plan with Michal O'Lery so that FR can come in and show the amaters how to really make money flying lol
DeleteWe hear Wizz's version almost every week now. I'd like a detailed explanation from the Directorate explaining why this amendment was necessary.
ReplyDeleteWhat baffles me is why is Wizz continuing to sell tickets past November if they think the base will close?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the chances that Serbia actually wants Wizz Air to set up a Serbian AOC so they can collect additional corporate taxes? Maybe that’s what the whole scandal is really about, just done in a very Balkan way. At the moment, as far as I understand, only the staff pay taxes through their local employment contracts. But if Wizz Air opened a Serbian AOC, the airline itself would also become subject to corporate tax, which would bring extra revenue into the state budget.
ReplyDeleteThe main downside of a Serbian AOC would mostly be for Wizz Air. Right now, Serbian crews are licensed on EASA-registered aircraft (like HA or 9H), which allows a lot of operational flexibility. For example, during the summer peak, they can support other bases such as Budapest, Warsaw, or elsewhere, and crews from bases like BUD, OTP, or SOF can also temporarily help out in Belgrade when needed. If Serbia had its own AOC, that flexibility would end because of the national registration framework. That’s probably one of the reasons why Wizz Air isn’t interested in a Serbian AOC-both from an operational and tax perspective.
Wizz Air Malta itself was originally created largely to optimise tax and regulatory costs compared to Hungary. I hope Wizz will stay. For everyone hating them how they cut capacity throughout the years-yes, identically to other bases, so such arguments don’t hold up. They are not perfect, but let the passengers decide who should stay in BEG and who shouldn’t. Not corporate(JU) or State games…that’s what the free market is about.
Very well said.
DeleteDoes Belgrade need Wizz base for growth? It has more than 8% growth this year, and had 5.5% in 2024 when Wizz made drastic cuts. With BEG having 9.8M this year, and with only 5% annual growth after, it will have 11.9M in 2030 and 15.2M in 2035, which is ahead of actual capacity.
ReplyDeleteBelgrade will not reach 15m if it limits expansion of airlines basing aircraft there. This is a cut throat world and Belgrades growth is not guaranteed.
Delete