Air Serbia plans to introduce three Airbus A320 aircraft and an Embraer regional jet into its fleet next year, while continuing the retirement of its remaining Airbus A319s. The airline is also considering expanding its ATR72-600 fleet beyond the current ten aircraft to support further regional growth. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, the carrier's CEO, Jiri Marek, said negotiations for the third A320 were now effectively complete, while fleet planning for the 2027/28 winter season was already underway.
"I think it's 99% secure. For next year, three A320s will be coming, while one Embraer is already secured as well. That's what we are planning for the season", Mr Marek said. Air Serbia will simultaneously continue replacing its older narrowbody equipment. "After the season, there will be two additional A319s leaving the fleet. We are already contracting aircraft that we will receive in the winter season of 2027/28", the CEO noted.
The airline is also reconsidering the long-term size of its ATR fleet. Having completed the renewal of its turboprop aircraft with ten ATR72-600s between 2022 and 2024, Air Serbia is evaluating further additions as it seeks to strengthen connectivity across Southeast Europe.
In contrast, no immediate changes are planned for the airline's four-strong Airbus A330-200 fleet, with the carrier instead focusing on optimising utilisation and potentially increasing frequencies on existing intercontinental services.
The CEO also indicated that Air Serbia was satisfied with its current wet-lease arrangements, which involve airBaltic and Bulgaria Air contracts extending until October 2027. However, the carrier could gradually take more flying in-house as its pilot resources improve.
"At the moment, I think we have stabilised the portfolio with two operators. The contracts are valid until October next year, and we are satisfied with that", he said.
"I think we are finally moving out of the period where our new pilot resources were usually only replacing retirements, because we have a lot of senior teams who were still from the JAT period. We are starting to see that we can also grow our pilot portfolio. In that case, if the market does not grow strongly, we will definitely take more operations back in-house".
Mr Marek stressed that future fleet decisions would remain dependent on market conditions, including aircraft leasing costs. "As market conditions continue to evolve, we remain attentive to opportunities that may arise within the aircraft leasing market and will continue to approach fleet planning with flexibility and agility. We have proved several times that we are flexible and agile", he concluded.
Is it known who is the previous operator of the planes coming for summer 2027?
ReplyDeleteI would rather see them get more flying out of the existing four A330s before committing to a fifth. Additional frequencies would make the long-haul network more convenient.
ReplyDeleteThat appears to be the immediate priority.
DeleteAnd what they have said, no?!
DeleteWhere are all those anons who were claiming just few weeks ago that 5th aircraft is necessary because of Miami introduction? And when count of the total rotations during winter and summer season was presented to them, they started with insults...
DeleteHopefully some of this extra capacity also gives them more breathing room when an aircraft goes technical. A busy summer schedule needs a bit of spare capacity.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the midlife 787-8 that Air Serbia was assessing for their fleet is that still an option? It was posted on aviation week website
ReplyDeleteIf you read the entire article, it is not a serious statement at all.
DeleteClearly not.
Deletelol it “not serious” it was literally an interview with Marek himself and he stated it maybe it is for future plans. Every single time you guys reply “maybe if you read the whole article” I did. I was just stating the fact that not even long ago it was published in aviation week and it was an interview with marek and he stated that so I was just wondering. Some of you people are just so funny to me, simple question that’s all
DeleteThere are several reasons why it’s a suicidal idea.
DeleteBoeing is significantly more expensive to lease. It requires completely different type rating, while current A330 share commonality with the rest of the A32x fleet and relaxes crew management. Maintenance is far more expensive and complex due to limited MROs. Also, spare parts are rare and expensive, so maintenance of those birds is logistical nightmare for the company.
Did you actually read the full interview or just the first few rows which are available to general public?
DeleteFour A330s for now seems reasonable. Getting the frequencies right on the existing long haul routes should take priority.
DeleteAssessing an aircraft type does not necessarily mean a decision has been made to introduce it. In this interview, Marek said the immediate focus was on making better use of the four A330s. That does not rule out a different long-term fleet decision.
DeleteMy dream from Friday came true, Air Serbia will assess 787 for the future use. Didn't have to wait long for the dream to come true. Now please note 787 costs should not be compared to A332 but A339.
DeleteI think it will remain a dream for a while
Delete"In contrast, no immediate changes are planned for the airline's four-strong Airbus A330-200 fleet, with the carrier instead focusing on optimising utilisation and potentially increasing frequencies on existing intercontinental services."
@10:24 bless.
DeleteThe obvious question is what happens after October 2027. Will both wet-lease contracts be renewed, reduced, or partly replaced with their own aircraft and crews?
ReplyDeleteGood question. Highly possible air baltic won't be around anymore by then
DeleteWhat happens with those planes if the airline goes bankrupt?
DeleteBringing them back to lesor. Only 8 pcs are owned
Delete" After the saeson , there will be two additional a319s leaving the fleet " Does anyone know which season means ?
ReplyDeletesummer 27
DeleteThank you anon 09:08 .
Delete"pilot portfolio" is a strange phrase :)
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAll seems very measured and sensible.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that they are already contracting aircraft for winter 2027/28. Would be good to know how many of those are replacements and how many are intended for actual fleet growth.
ReplyDeleteHopefully all three arrive early enough to be ready for the start of the busy season.
ReplyDeleteOnly one additional Embraer secured so far. I was expecting that part of the fleet to grow a little faster, especially with the A319s gradually leaving.
ReplyDeleteWith their own Embraers plus Bulgaria's plus Baltic's A220's there is a solid regional jet fleet already.
DeleteAt what point do they start considering the A321?
ReplyDeleteDoes not seem like something they will do. There was interest a couple of years ago but not anymore.
Delete@09:30 hopefully never. They have no need for them.
DeleteIf they could get a couple of A321s for summer only as wet leases that could work. But having own ones could be tricky to fill fin winter operations
DeleteI think there are a couple of routes where they could be successfully deployed.
Delete^ You might think so but it would be a complication they do not need. Flexibility is key and the A321 would be an error, which is why they don't mention it.
DeleteWell, it is flexible to feature both A320 and A321.
DeleteA321 would likely make sense if they go for the LR or XLR to reach markets where the A330 is too much capacity. For the European network, A320 is more than adequate.
Delete@09:41
Summer only wet leases are also more expensive compared to wet leasing for an entire year. JU's network lacks frequencies not capacity per rotation. You need to be able to schedule the aircraft in a minimum of 3 of the 4 waves.
JU will not go for A321. You realise there is huge room for increased frequencies before largescale increases in capacity. @10:58 JU is not going to be getting XLRs lol. Temper your expectations greatly.
Delete@09:40 - At some point the airline will definitely grow enough to warrant A321 (or A330) or intra-European routes, it's only a matter of time. Same as it happening with the A319 getting swapped for A320.
Delete^ At some point, perhaps, maybe, someday... the airline has lots of 'bulking out to do' and we are seeing that. A330 intra-European, honey..seriously? that's never going to be a common occurrence.
DeleteI'm most excited about the fact that these incoming planes should have a special livery.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteIs there a timeline when they will finally make a plane order themselves?
ReplyDeleteThey originally said when they get to 40 planes. But we are already there.
DeleteAt this point it makes no sense. Look at OU and the result of ordering new planes which they don't even own.
Delete@09:46 do they need to?
DeleteDo they not? Why do companies buy new aircraft, when they can use the used ones?
DeleteThey need to insure sound economics, solid customer base and sound network before any adventures with expensive orders. Slow and steady is a good tactic. Ordering factory new aircraft for quite a while yet would be the fastest way to create trouble for the airline.
DeleteGood news
ReplyDeleteIdemo dalje ...
ReplyDeleteits only 09:49 bro.
DeleteThere is a lot happening between the Airbus replacements, Embraer growth and possible extra ATRs. Good to see.
ReplyDeleteWill there be enough space at BEG to park all these planes?
ReplyDeleteGood question
DeleteThey are never all there all at once.
Delete@10:26 As i understand it Belgrade has 38 parking spaces. If one looks at this morning's departures there were 31 aircraft on the ground (from all airlines). In the morning rush the airport is nice and full. At several other times of the day there is plenty of space. I just did a very quick look but I'm sure there are people who know exactly what capacity is used at each time of the day.
DeleteWould is happening to the departing A319s. Another airline, storage or spare parts?
ReplyDeletei think most are being stored by the lessor
DeleteAn extra ATR could also be useful for testing a regional route without committing too many seats. I wonder how much room there is for destinations that mainly generate connecting traffic.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure what you mean? I think your statement is a bit confused.
DeleteMany regional routes generate a great deal of connecting traffic. Tirana, Skopje, Sofia etc. This is what JU have done very well in developing. If you mean testing routes that are almost exclusively transfer then the launching of Cluj next spring is an example of them being quite 'brave', because point to point traffic on such a route is almost non existent (at present at least).
Extra ATR's doesn't necessarily mean route growth. The regional network is more aligned to connect to the Western European network and not necessarily long haul especially TATL. Extra ATR's also allow for extra frequencies and in turn better connectivity to the long haul network.
Delete^ that is needed
DeleteWould be interesting to see the economics of keeping an older aircraft for another year versus leasing its replacement at current prices.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure they did that
DeleteThe fleet just keeps growing
ReplyDeleteSame as the airline is growing
DeleteAnd more good news!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2026/11/air-serbia-doubles-sarajevo-operations.html
They really need to expand ATR fleet.
Where are they going to get the ATR for this?
DeleteSome routes that have matured are being upgraded to Embraers. So it makes room to add something new. But soon they really will need more ATRs.
DeleteMakes sense. Thank you
DeleteHas the ATR that was hit by ground handling in BEG this summer returned to service?
DeleteI don't think so
DeleteIt hasn't. YU-ASF has been out of action since 28 July when it got hit.
DeleteIt's taking a long time to return it to service
DeleteMost likely missing part(s) on the market.
DeleteThis is amazing for SJJ as passengers couldn't catch many of the new routes by JU due to the timetable.
DeleteReplacing Getjet for Airbaltic was an amazing mistake. Now, with Expo in Belgrade, what will happen if the baltic airline goes finally to bankruptcy? Better taking back Getjet, with good planes and good crews, not this air Baltic
ReplyDeleteAir Baltic are considered the best wet lease partner JU has had. New planes with onboard wifi and good crew. GetJet had horrible pitch and the crew was not much better.
DeleteThey'll be fine. Don't worry. Expo will be gone and forgotten by the end of summer and idemo dalje...
Delete^ you wrote the whole comment just to voice you dissatisfaction with Expo which has nothing to do with anything?
Delete@14:47 Getjet good planes and good crew, what?? They were the worst, that`s why JU got rid off them...And not mentioning intentional slow flying to save the fuel even when they were hours behind the schedule....Hope fully never again, I wouldn`t buy any ticket for the flight operated by them...
DeleteJU pays for the fuel. Why would they intentionally slow down?
Delete@15:53 Are you sure about that?
DeleteBravo Air Serbia 🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
ReplyDelete