No because that would increase expenses since crew would have to sleep in a hotel.

OK, they can rise the ticket prices

Yeah but it's not their business model. Also for their passengers it doesn't matter when they arrive. Wizz Air is mentioning early morning departures to take a hit at JU.
They need gates in the morning, gotta carry all those transfer passengers while O&D gets to be rescheduled at a later time... full support for W6!

Blah,blah, blah. Stop spreading stupidness. BEG have enough gates and building new ones. Wizz may always use bus gates which are cheaper, if that is the matter. But it's not. It's about following the rules

He probably meant airbridges which are not enough otherwise airlines such as KLM, Austrian Airlines and two Lufthansas would not be regular visitors to the remote stand each night.

Meanwhile Wizz Air's FMM, EIN and NYO used airbridges this morning. So now we see why JU wants them gone at that time. They need these airbridges. It's obvious.

Fun fact, BEG does not charge for use of air bridges. Probably one of the rare ones in Europe. That's why Wizz uses air bridges.

The number of airbridges is fewer than needed. Hopefully sooner or later this issue is addressed by VINCI.

Yes, they are adding airbridge gates at the moment. Does not seem like you are really following the developments at BEG, other than about Wizz.

Belgrade airport has three times number of airbridge gates of Venice airport

VCE is a leisure airport, BEG is the main gateway of a landlocked country

It has more jet bridges than Budapest and more are under construction. Not sure what your problem is.

Stansted with 27m passengers has 11 airbridges, Sofia with almost the same as Belgrade has 7. So all comparisons and discussions about airbridges are totally silly.
Its good to see Belgrade expanding its gate/airbridge/remote stand capacity. Good for all. The more airlines, and bases of airlines the better!

11:12
That is so true. But sadly some people insist on reducing airlines, bases and options for travelers.

@12:07 +1

The fact that Wizz uses stands with airbridge is only because it’s easier for the airport operator itself. They don’t have enough capacity in terms of buses and bus drivers to provide efficient boarding/deplaning of A321, especially during peak summer season (as we can see leased articulated buses from Trans-Jug this summer). That’s why it’s more convenient for the airport itself to park legacy carriers with less plane capacities on remote stands.

When crew members shuttle themselves to Budapest or Sofia, it is legally classified as commuting, not positioning. Since aviation law does not mandate a pre-flight hotel stay, they can report straight to the aircraft upon arrival. When it comes to rest at BEG, there is no law explicitly asking for hotel stay.

No way, Malovic has his ear. Only thing that can save Wizz Air in BEG is to get the student movement to start talking about this.

Government is entering crisis management mood ahead of the elections. They just lowered fuel surcharges by 10%. They are becoming quite desperate.

Agreed

I wrote million times that JU have no problem with W6, but you are repeating your agenda as a broken record. JU is growing and expanding, setting records every year, as well as BEG airport. There are 23 different companies at the airport, but only you pronounce JU guilty for W6 breaking laws.

JU growth:

2025: 3%
2026: 2.9%*

*so far

On the other hand, BEG growth is much higher than this and it correlates with massive growth Wizz Air has. It's naive to think JU wouldn't have a problem with Wizz Air as they are stealing a lot of market from them. Don't forget that Wizz Air has no transfers so they are carrying locals.

Just look at the Palermo success story. JU has been flying there, has not boosted it and it mostly flies the E95. Wizz Air launched it this year with high density A321neo (239 seats) and they are already boosting it in August!

You really think JU has no problem with W6? I want facts and valid arguments and not just insults from you.

JU grew 100% last 4 years (from 2.6 mil to 5 mil this year), so don't spread his false agenda all around. W6 didn't grew at all. It still have 4 planes as 4 years ago. And Palermo is your good old argument with 4! (FOUR!) per week! That's really amazing success :-))) You are so annoying repeating same BS as a broken record.

It doesn't matter how much it grew in the past 4 years when their growth is slowing down. This slowdown is coinciding with W6's rapid growth in BEG. Funnily enough, JU's rapid growth happened while Wizz Air was struggling with engines and could not expand. The moment they started expanding JU growth almost stopped. Heck so far this year it's even lower than last year. Remind us all here, how much is BEG growth this year?

FYI Wizz Air operating 4 weekly to Palermo using high density A321neos while relying on locals is more than impressive. Especially for their first year of operations. Tell me, how many flights does JU have? You know, since they have been flying for much longer.

The increase is for one month....

How much did JU increase Palermo? You know it must be huge if you are belittling Wizz Air's increase..

Air Serbia operates 43 weekly flights to Italy and serves 10 cities in Italy. They have added frequencies this year on several routes to Italy.

JU can't compete with W6 CASK. Pure and simple. One is flying 240 seat NEOs the other much older aircraft.
Our market is not business heavy and the big majority of passengers make the choice of who to fly primarily on price.
I also believe JU leadership is behind this and are using the state to get Wizz kicked out so that they can start charging much higher prices on a number of routes.

Just my2cents

@09:54
+1
What's good for JU is not necessarily good for travelers, the country's economy or Belgrade tourism.
But JU is the baby of the president and instead of forcing the airline to better compete with the other airlines is instead trying to reduce completion by closing Wizz Air's base.

Unfortunately it is true.

^
+100

+1

you are just repeating 1000 same comments. Byw, what happened with FDH?? JU management banned it?

@9:40

Stop lying! W6 is just restoring its old capacity, doesn’t grow even for 1 %. They had 4 planes when JU had 2,6 million and same 4 now when JU will hit historic 5 million. Which means W6 can not stop or even slow down JU growth. Except in your false stories

@11:13
Why are you accusing people of lying when W6 has greatly increased capacity to BEG with aircraft from its other bases in Europe?
Don't you know that?

I am not accusing, that’s a fact. You know very well that W6 cut its capacity in 2024 due to PW engine problems and finally now its restoring it. It’s not a growth it restoring old capacity. Growth is 0% compared to 2024, just doesn’t fit in your fairytales

3% growth is for now, by the end of the year it will be more than 5% is that little for you? JU id doing excellent and will do so regardless of Wizz staying or not.

People on here definitely have problem with the JU and their constant grow and success . No idea why they are even competing then with W6 when they are completely oposite service. Personally I would not fly with Wizz as my experience with then was not great and so far Jzu meets my expectations every time I fly with them. JU haters might have daily sickness when they see their continued success, but that is just the fact.

Not from me

But from me

Support for wizz from me.

Any particular reason? Any valir argument? Or just subject feeling Hey I don't like you, get out of my garden?

Not from me either

Yes, left stranded and late for hours several times. Thanks, but no thanks. Ever again

That is a pity, for you. I've also had issues - just like i have had with many of the 100+ airlines I've used around the world. One, or even two mishaps do not make me say 'never again', its just silly to. But each to their own.

Not from me!

People may use W6 freely only if they are going for coffee to Paris, Milan, London etc. Even if you have touristic vacation connected to specified date or time, you will never be sure if you will arrive on time or arrive at all. Not to mention something more seriously like a business trip or some other obligation.

@ anonymous09:34

Lets do some basic rough math shall we.

Wzz

239(avg seats per plane)x4(number of planes)x6(avg daily sectors per plane) x 365(days in a year)=2.1m seats available. Wizz air sold last year 1.9m seats or 90% roughly.

Ju
80(avg number of seats across types)x40(number of planes with all the ACMI)x6(avg daily sectors per plane) x 365(days in a year) = 7m seats available roughly.

Last year JU sold 4.6m seats in 2025 or 66%.

Now tell me again how ju is doing better than wzz? When you spin your little numbers you always forget to mention number of planes. If wzz would be allowed to bring 5 or 6 more planes ju could shut down operations.

Yes from me big time!

Truly embarrising.
I always wonder how such decisions could be brought only in my Serbia. How is it possible that we always have to go backwards when whole Europe goes forward?

Why is the interest of small group of people more important than working places, connectivity, possibility to fly cheaper and getting more tourists to Serbia?
Why always here?

Look, I would be ok with this if Air Serbia boosted their winter flights by 20% to compensate for this. However their winter network is always pathetic and they have not responded at all! That is why we need Wizz Air to stay.

JU's winter network is alot better the past few years and very far from pathetic. Seasonality on several routes has been reduced (last winter BRI, SPU, HAM, GOT, FLR, HAJ), new destinations in autum, winter and spring (TFS and TOS confirmed) while new summer routes typically start earlier than previous years with most staying on into the winter. This is more than decent for an airline the size of JU.

Hey guys, you complain about corruption and now when we have to comply by the laws instead of taking the blind eye as we have for 15 years with corruption and neglect you are now complaining? 🤣 do we want corruption or follow the laws?

Quote: "We want the institutions to do their job!" - fine, Directorate is doing their job, following THE LAW to the letter so no base in BEG for Wizz. End of story.

Maybe no ground for reaction?

Nothing, as usual. They are too busy being useless and collecting fees.

There is nothing to react to. The changes made by the CAA are in line with European regulations. That's why they won't react.

This was a dumb move by JU, they just irritated millions of happy Wizz Air customers.

Wizz Air will retaliate and I see them considerably boosting BEG. Good thing is that MAD is staying and they will for sure introduce VLC.

People are really overestimating, thinking the EU will bend over backwards for a private Hungarian airline which has been voted one of the worst in Europe numerous times. And I say this as someone who hopes their base stays open. But a reality check is needed.

Why not? The EU has suspended a lot of funding for Serbia so it makes sense to use Wizz Air to pressure them even more.

They are not going to use a privately owned airline to pressure anyone. They could not care less. And the European commission wanted to award Serbia last week with opening of new cluster in EU negotiations process.

Are you sure? They didn't mind defending Rio Tinto until recently? The EU will back private companies as long as... you know... they have direct interest. ;) ;)

Exactly. They have no issue with the administration. They have done everything they have asked. One of the biggest non-EU donors to Ukraine, biggest exporter of munitions to Ukraine and Israel, requirements regarding Kosovo fulfilled. They really could not care about your human rights. It's just for show for the public. As for Wizz Air, they could not care less about them either. Now, if it were something that would impact or target Lufthansa, that would be different.

@9.28 yeah I'm sure. Them doing nothing for months is proof enough.

No they would not profitably fill an a321 out of Maribor to Belgrade. Dubrovnik and Split perhaps, Tirana unlikely.

Neither has NYO or MMX been discontinued or suspended from BEG.

They will be discontinued this winter since the government isn't backing down from this nonsensical move.

You have no idea if it will be discontinued. If you read the article, it says they will keep majority of their flights.

If you read the article you will see that they mentioned Scandinavia as a problem for them so the likelyhood of them being cut is quite high.

FYI MMX and NYO are two airports located in Scandinavia.

Again, you have no idea it will be suspended or discontinued.

Neither do you.

Unlike you, I never claimed I did. You claim it will be suspended or discontinued even though you have no clue.

I think it's just an example because there have been some W pattern flights between BEG/SKP bases in the past.

Back in the day they used flights from Sofia. I remember flying with a Bulgarian speaking crew once. Gosh i hope wizzair keep their base. Yet more bad press for Serbia is not welcome.

When TZL gets it's third based plane lol it can offer some W patterns

because they still earn the money
yes, less that they earning now, but they are still earning

Because the Serbian market is not that big and not worth the investment.

They seem to be fighting mighty hard to keep those 4 aircraft in BEG for an unimportant small market.

And serbia seem hell-bend in demonstating its lack of commitment to joing the EU and sticking to a situation that has been around for 15years. So its all one big old s*it show.

Your above comment is pointless in this discussion. You mentioned the market is small and unimportant. I pointed out that they seem to be fighting a lot for a small and unimportant market.

And those wishing to drive the wizzair base out seem very worried by 4 aircraft.

Right, so you have nothing to follow up so you are now just writing nonsense.

Obviously your original comment was off because they do find their Belgrade base important otherwise they would have packed up and left just as they have packed up and left many other bases.

Wizz should stay in BEG, if for nothing else, for the competition purposes to JU. Passengers would not want to pay extremely high fares, which would happen if they leave BEG. Some of us remember well how it was before Wizz arrived, during Jat's last days before rebranding. They used to rip you off everywhere they can, and I am sure would be happy to do it again, if allowed. But I think EU will inevitably step in as well...

Neither W6 not FR need a local AOC to operate bases and EU flights out of Macedonia, Albania, Morocco, Georgia, Armenia, Bosnia, Montenegro or the UK.
Why does the GoS insists on one? Would they allow them to fly anywhere they want INCLUDING outside the EU if they got an AOC like JU?
I seriously doubt any LCC with a Serbian AOC would be allowed to fly to Montenegro, Albania, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, the Caucasus or North Africa.
We should stop kidding ourselves that this situation is anything other than protecting JU from competition.
I wish this people and the commenters supporting this actions which are straight from the 90s would just fly with JU more in order to support it even when the tickets prices of other airlines are cheaper. But I really doubt that they do.

What do the 90s have to do with anything? You post a good comment but then you shoot yourself in the foot with added nonsense.

Well, your hysterical commenting gave you up again. We can see in Croatia how OU, despite the presence of FR, still ripping you off for every ticket, no matter to where. So, it's expected JU to keep their business model, with or without W6 present. Except in your false prophets. W6 is not the only competition in Serbia. There are 25 different companies also. You know, JU is growing and keeping profitability, which means doing everything opposite to OU. Adding new planes, routes, passengers requires fair and competitive ticket prices. But you know all of that, just doesn't fit in your narrative.

Creating an AOC for 4 aircraft in a relatively low yield market doesn't make financial sense, and it brings a lot of operational inflexibility: they can't rotate the airplane easily in and out of base, as it can't be flown by crews with just an EASA licence. If aircraft has a technical issue outside of Serbia, it would need a Serbian-licenced engineer to fix it, and good luck finding that in some random airport around Europe, compared to an EASA A320 engineer, which there are thousands of them. When one of the aircraft goes in for heavy maintenance, they would need crews from different base to come in for a few weeks, and fly that aircraft, as it will be on a different AOC, etc.

It's just not worth it for Wizz Air, not to mention there's probably no legal justification for it. If Lufthansa don't need a Serbian AOC to operate BEG-FRA, why would Wizz Air need it to operate BEG-HHN?

Because it is not the same and you are well aware of that.

And as you are well aware it has been acceptable for 15 years, establishing a convention.

@Anon 12:26: What's the practical difference between an airline that has their aircraft based in EU, but overnighting in BEG, and an airline that has their aircraft based in BEG? Honest question.

12:37, its called corruption not establishing a convention.

@12:24

Yes, W6 would loose some advantages with opening Serbian AOC and some money. That's why they're resisting so much. But they may also gain even more, if they are ready to work hard. Routes to Montenegro and Russia are very lucrative. And they may always use wetlease from original W6 if they are needed. They are simply not creative enough to see further than their nose

13:07 THE PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE is that with a Serbian AOC BEG will be tied to Serbia only! Let me explain it this way: Every based plane in BEG and everywhere else needs around 10 pilots and above 40 flight attendants. These people can get sick, have mandatory trainings every 6 months, need to go on leave, have 3/4days off a week. All of this must be taken into account so when you book a flight you have enough people to legally take off!!! But if out of a sudden a few people get sick or demand to be off a certain day and there are not enough left people to step in, then what would Wizz do? Arrange pilots and flight attendants from Budapest, Sofia, Rome etc!!!! But if we have a Serbian AOC with Serbian registered plane, this flexibility ends!!! Which means more cancelled flights, more employees than needed(therefore higher costs). This is one of the many reasonable reasons why Wizz is fighting against AOC. I don’t get this hate towards Wizz, really. But people usually regret when it’s too late…

It is particularly sad that we are trying to reduce pax numbers just a few months ahead of EXPO.

^ same person: expo is pointless, it's small expo, no one will come because of it...

Well many people rightly hold those views. Add in expensive ;)

Unfortunately no. But it will not reach BUD or ATH with W6 as well. There goes another of your useless arguments...

^
True dat, it is as if they want to sabotage the EXPO and reduce international visitors to it!
People saving a few Euros by flying an LCC spent a whole lot more money to the destination they visit and the local economy thrives.
The other countries seem to have understood this, hopefully ours will too.

Who said BEG should/could reach BUD and ATH numbers?
Reaching TIA would be more than enough but if this closing of base nonsense happens it certainly will not.

Unless Tirana's growth completely stalls or hits a capacity ceiling, the gap between the two airports will actually continue to widen rather than close. So Belgrade will not reach Tirana numbers even in the medium term.

Who cares if BEG reaches TIA or SOF or whatever other airport, apart from few enthusiasts here?

Somehow W6 is more useful for TIA than BEG. Maybe government should subsidise them in order to base 10 more planes at BEG, to level with TIA? And close JU, of course

but only at the expense of TZL flights and im not sure if thats a win win situation.

to "use it' they would need to fly the first segment from TZL and im not sure that base has potential for more flights atm. we are talking about daily flights to DTM and FMM or destinations like Nice or Alicante which have zero chance from TZL

Exactly. Its more probably Budapest or Sofa based aircraft would be used if such a sad state of affairs is forced upon them.

Being close to Belgrade doesn't do anything good, they need to be close to destination to fit the 4 leg rotation in pilot limits. Also, last time they closed Tuzla base because weather was messing with the schedule, adding W flights will only make it worse.

The fact that you blindly believe that they closed the base due to weather haha

They caused this problem!

^ That has yet to be conclusively proven. As many people have noted, both Wizz and JU have done well. This rocking of the boat will have long term consequences - potentially for both airlines and I would suspect that JU management are not actually pushing too hard for it. It rings of political incompetence - of which there is plenty of talent.

^They are all complicit.

Looks like its a big evil conspiracy to push W6 out of Belgrade, with JU, government, VINCI, EU/EASA, DCV and some commentators here. At least that's how others present here.

Izvor "trust me bro".

^ Pa procitaj clanak pobogu. Sta "trust me bro"? Bukvalno su to rekli.

+1

Of course what you wrote is no reflection of reality. Belgrade Airport oddly does not charge airlines for the use of air bridges. That is why Wizz Air is using them in the first place. So they won't sell anything "for a higher prize". Even if they did charge jet bridge use, which they don't, do you really think an airport would make more money from jet bridge use than daily handling, landing and parking fees for 4 A321neos and 2 million passengers annually that Wizz Air generates?

who is talking only of jet bridges, they have overall best price for handling and landing fees compare to all airlines in BEG. Thats sometning on what airport will get more revenue if they bring someone else than them...

Identical copy/paste comment every time Wizz@BEG is the topic. Did repeating it made any difference?

Oh behave