Air Serbia’s fleet to grow up to 24 aircraft by 2016
Air Serbia has revealed plans for its future fleet which will be based around narrow body Airbus jets and regional turboprop aircraft. While government officials previously announced that two leased Airbus A319s would enter the fleet this month, the airline’s new management says the two aircraft, which will feature the Air Serbia livery and cabins, will enter service on October 1, with a further eight progressively entering the fleet until the end of the year. The aircraft will have a layout of 138 economy class seats and further eight seats in business class. The jets will carry out a total of four daily rotations, ensuring maximum utilisation.
Air Serbia is expected to place an order for ten aircraft from the Airbus A320 family later on this year for delivery by 2015. The airline will finance the aircraft through a financial bank loan which will be guaranteed by Etihad. In addition, while it has previously been stated that Dash aircraft are likely to replace the ATR fleet, the management is now considering replacing the ATRs with the newer generation ATR72-600s. Initially three ATRs (owned by Jat) would be replaced while the other two will be replaced once their four year lease is up. Current medium term plans outline that the Serbian carrier will have a fleet of up to 24 aircraft by 2016, with fourteen to sixteen narrow body jets and an additional six to eight turboprops planned.
Jat Airways pilots and cabin crew will begin training for the new aircraft in October. Pilots will undergo training at both the Etihad and Air Berlin training centres, which will take up to 24 days. Cabin crew members will undergo a week long training course in Belgrade. By the end of 2013 the entire crew will be able to work on the new aircraft. The first set of crew members have already been selected for training. The first two Airbuses will be piloted by Etihad staff until late October.
too bad. I was hoping they would go with Q400s
ReplyDeleteSo the planes are delayed again? Jatovanje Etihad style. Nothing changed. lol
ReplyDelete2 a/c are entering quicker than expected. Its not like there isnt a/c in the fleet already, and there are a few B733's which can still fly. No need to overnight change the entire fleet. Besides, if it wasnt for EY, those B733's would still be flying the summer 2015 schedule!
DeleteKeep comforting yourself ;)
DeleteDelayed arrival of new planes or expedited sell-off of old planes... Hmm, I wonder which is better.
DeleteQ400 is not so good airplane! Croatia has big problems with their reliability, so does Austrian (tyrolean), flybe... Pretty much everyone. ATR is far better for maintenance and reliabilty, but is not so modern in terms of comfort and speed.
ReplyDeleteEither way, ATR still the best turbo prop!
the only problem Croatian Airlines has with the q400 is their pilots looking for an excuse to complain about something
DeleteAustrian and flybe have problems with Q400? In which parallel cosmos? For sure that is the reason why flybe order more Q400!
Delete146 seats in a A319........that s not EY layout.... wondering what Kind of C Class they have
ReplyDeleteEY has 90 in Y and 16 in C
LX has 108-138 seats depending on how much C Class
JP has 135 seats
OU 144
does that mean that there won't be the integrated entertainment system?
Delete146 for an A319 seems alot. I dont think it will be that much unless they intend them to be all Y class, but it has been mentioned that J class wil remain.
DeleteAs for the IFE system, I think it will be something similar to the one in EY. Would be funny in the music section seing 'Grand Hitovi 2013' albums :D
why would u need an IFE for a 2 hour flight?? just a waste of money
DeleteEK offer IFE on DXB-DOH, DXB-MCT which are half an hour flights. Not to mention KHI, BAH, JED, RUH, KHI, AMD, MED, BSR, KWI....nothing new there. Many airlines actually offer IFE on short flights, even wifi and mobile services such as aeromobile. It enhances the onboard experience. The IFE system could be a way to promote Air Serbia, its frequent flyer program, destinations, Serbia as a country, Belgrade etc. I think the complete opposite and feel it is slowly becoming a standard feature to full fare airlines.
Deletestandard feature? surely not in Europe
DeleteWell,Serbia is not Europe.
DeleteThus let become IFE standard in Air Serbia!
Its obvious that standards in the Gulf states are far superior than in pretentious Europe.
So much for the EY product within Europe... Do we know if J class is going to be euro-style or a real deal?
DeleteHonestly, I will give up IFE in a heartbeat for a more cushioned seat (yes, I'm getting old and really hate the thin LH seats)...
Does anyone know if there are going to be changes to the luggage policy? The Jat deal (30kg in as many pieces as you want) is much better than you typically get in Y class...
All of us are impatient a bit ;)
DeleteLet's wait and see, I am sure they will offer a great product.
No one likes to fly ATR!
ReplyDeleteI have asked my friends from Jat...3 old ATRs will stay 2 more years, 2 ATRs 72-500- 4 years....replacement of ATRs are expected in 1915th.Maybe Air Serbia might lease 3 more 72-500 but it is just a speculation.Old ATRs are still in good shape and they could make a profit
ReplyDelete24 planes and 4 daily rotations, does that eventually mean 96 (give or take few) daily return flights?
ReplyDeletewell i guess its not possible to have 4 daily rotations with all aircrafts. For example ac wich serves Abu Dhabi route can make 2 dily routes
DeleteI am flying to IST on August 15th and they change the plane, instead of B733 i would fly with ATR, 2 hours and 30 minutes, so i am not very happy.Wondering why are they use ATRs for longer regional flights!! The name of new company should be PPP airlines (PROFIT PROFIT PROFIT)
ReplyDeletewhat other reason does an airline, or any other company, exist?
DeleteIf you don't like it, you could always buy a more expensive ticket on Turkish Airlines.
Personally, I've flown Jat BEG-IST on the ATR and didn't find it that horrible. I preferred that to paying more on Turkish.
Why not try Pegasus? They're advertising return flights for 60e now
I bought the ticket by travel agency and they told me that was the best solution because of the price of the hotel and other benefits.I never fly with low coast companies regarding of coasts of luggage..i love ATR but 2 hours and 30 minutes is way too much long.I was one of the first passengers of Jat ATR, flight from BEG - PDG in nineties..And i really think that ATR 72-600 would be bether solution for AirSERBIA than Q400
DeletePeople still use travel agencies? How quaint.
DeleteYou should try Pegasus. They are a really nice low-cost.
I paid 133 Euros for ticket and 4 stars hotel wold be around 65 Euros per night, i have free transfer to hotel, why not to use travel agency. Next time i will try Pegasus if i would stay in IST shorter....my luggage will be more than 40kg now.I have some business there in IST.
DeleteHey Doot,
DeletePlanning a skiing holiday in Queenstown New Zealand for later this month. Cheapest I can find on line for airfares, accommodation and car hire is $950 Australian per person 3 night stay. Called a travel agent today and was offered the exact same for just over $600 per person.
Sometimes it is still a good idea to use travel agents. They have to compete with on line booking sites. This is why competition is good!
Dusan, if one isn't satisfied with two and a half hour flight by an ATR one can go on foot.
DeleteJatovanje again!
ReplyDeleteJat announcement: 2 A319 in August
Now: 2 A319 in October
Jat announcement: 8 A319 till end of 2013
Now: 8 A319 till 2015 (737-300 will have 30 years than)
Jat announcement: Q400 instead of ATR till summer
Now: Ancient ATR 72-200 will stay till 2016, and ATR 72-500 till 2017
nema jatovanje. u did not interpret the text correctly.
Delete8 319 will follow by end of 2013.
Additional and probably A320/A319 neos by 2015
So it was mistake of ExYu mode, because 15 minutes ago it was that A319 will come till the 2015.
DeleteAll 10 A319s arrive until the end of 2013.Still is an issue what will be with ATRs and their new livery, that is all!
Delete@Anonymous at 12.49PM, I would kindly ask you to refer to the previous article where it was said that two aircraft would arrive by the end of August and to note who said it. It was quoted as Siniša Mali, the financial advisor to the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister. I cannot take responsibility whether his comments will turn out to be true or false.
Delete@Anonymous at 12:33 PM
DeleteTry to refrain from quick conclusions, mate. Everything will be fine with Air Serbia much to your disbelief.
Hope to be so with your home airport's new terminal as well.
Peace on Earth ;)
can we change the name to serbian aviation news.... only thing thats interesting rest are pretty much dead
DeleteYou mean Belgrade aviation news...
DeleteThere is not much more left of Serbia actually.
ExYu, why on Earth you think that you was addressed here? Of course information about August coming of Airbus was not coming from you but officials and that makes it Jatovanje (if that was your mistake that will not make it Jatovanje).
DeleteThere are some of us that appreciate your work a lot, and criticism was not on you. Especially not this one!
Sali Purger,
ReplyDeletewhere u the guy from Zagreb on the AlJazeerah discussion round about EY/JU Impact to the regional airline market? You re working for Aeronautika, right?
Yes, that was me. And I write for Aeronuatika.
DeleteYou were pretty awesome there. The Bosnian "expert" on the other hand...
Deletehahaha!
Deletelol lol lol
Purger v Purger, clearly one of you is evil twin.
@ Purger or JU520,
DeleteIs there a link to this? I would love to see it.
Yes, i agree with the comment above, Purger you showed that you know what you are talking about and you were impressive...but Bosnian "expert"...i mean really!
Delete@Q400
DeleteIt's on Al Jazeera Balkans, search it. It's a 30 minutes talk with Tango Six' editor, Bosnian goverment "expert" and Purger.
is it this one ?
Deletehttp://balkans.aljazeera.net/video/kontekst-dominacija-bliskoistocnih-aviokompanija
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteOMG who the hell invited the Bosnian guy and Petar Vojinovic? They are both clueless, then again one could see that through TangoSix.
DeleteThanks Purger for the insights! It was a pleasure listening to your numbers we don't hear very often. Feel free to link your future interviews here, I believe many will be interested to hear/read it.
DeleteThank you for your praising. Well, Bosnian "expert" was really not in same level. One just wonders, how Bosnian air traffic and development is conduct if that is one of the leaders (he was head in charge of founding Bosnian CAA).
DeleteI am sorry that I did not have more time. I want to mention another 3-4 important things, but...
And that comment at 4:13 PM is not mine, but again from that child to take my nickname. Of course I don't have PhD in Aviation.
OT:
ReplyDeletehello , new Wizz destinations from SKP
Paris Beauvais, Brussels Charlero and Frankfurt Hahn
.. and a second based A320 from mid-April 2014.
DeleteWow, greate news, I hope to see ATR 72-600 :))
ReplyDeleteBut, again, the stroy really remids me of something like. Jatovanje >>>upgrade>>> srbovanje in d er.
Trying to be smart and funny at the same time is not easy. In your case definitely so...
DeleteMode thank you for deleting these comments from guy to use my nickname in vulgar way. That is only way that he will be discouraged.
ReplyDeleteThe only worse thing than being talked about is not being talked about :)
DeletePurger, I know the comments are not from you. In fact they are from the same person that often leaves spam comments about Zagreb Airport and the same person, that for some reason, vents their frustration about the Aviokarta portal here.
DeleteThanks ExYU!
DeleteThe honeymoon period over so soon?
ReplyDeleteSorry just taking the mickey.
Seriously, these are big changes and and one or two delays can be accepted and appreciated. I would start to be worried if there is another delay come October.
Who mentioned 24 aircraft, Air Serbia or the Serbian government? This seems very ambitious even by 2016. The order for the A320s mentioned here as well seems out of line of what Hogan clearly stated, that Air Serbia would be involved in the future order of single aisle aircraft for the entire Etihad group and partners to consolidate cost. This good even be of the 737 Max type so why is Air Serbia or the Serbian government talking A320 order by year end already????
I wont say Jatovane continues, still too early but very confusing and mixed messages coming out here.
You forgot that Serbian government signed the contract in 1998. with Airbus for buying 8 A319s planes and payed 40 million $ in advance...so, Etihad(AirSebia) and Serbian government must solve this problem first.
Delete@Q400
DeleteForget about jatovanje and all that bull...
There are so many rumors and "rekla-kazala", but counts is what comes out from the airline officially, isn't it?
@ Dusan,
DeleteIt was reported that Etihad would solve the Airbus problem for Jat / Air Serbia and Hogan Said Etihad will decide on what aircraft the new airline will receive so why is Belgrade making false claims about aircraft orders again....JATOVANJE!
@ Anonymous 1150 PM
'There are so many rumors and "rekla-kazala", but counts is what comes out from the airline officially, isn't it?'
This is where it does fall in the traditional line of what has become known as Jatovanje. What is officially from the airline? 51% still owned by the Serbian government and they are talking about a unilateral order of A320s by year end when Hogan just last week said that the aircraft will come from a collective narrow body order for the entire Etihad group. So is Etihad running the airline or the Serbian government?
If there is a unilateral order for Airbuses by year end than you know that Etihad is already failing to deliver on what they promised in running the airline. Personally I think this is just crap coming from someone who is just trying to get attention just like the other report about flight to New York via Zagreb and Ljubljana . lol
From 1 August is what Etihad says, not Government etc... You can listen what others might say and draw your conclusions the way you like, who cares anyway, offical is what comes out from Kondic' s Management. Enjoy your day!
DeleteI look at the Belgrade Airport Site, and live Departure and Arrival Screens. When you press the call sign (flight number), to get the flight details, it still comes up as Jat Airways. Well they weren't prepared. lack of professionalism. If flight radar can switch to Air Serbia so quickly, why couldn't the airport.
ReplyDeleteDude? We're talking about Serbia here.
DeleteSeriously, website is still branded as Jat... It will be confusing if BEG starts displaying flights as Air Serbia
DeleteLike others I was initially underwhelmed by the tail design but after three days my opinion has completely changed. It definitely grows on you.
ReplyDeleteagreed :)
DeleteI don't like the engines, better just red and blue with horizontal divide, no curves.
DeleteAnd the Air Serbia title looks too messy.
+1
DeleteTail is just fantastic, typo and font so so...
Not great, but not bad either.
The livery is gruesome!
DeleteAt least they will save a lot of money by avoiding to invest in a better livery.
Livery is great!
DeleteWhat a lovely change from those Jat's dots.
Really good work, all the best to JU.
The new mark of the company is disgusting. I do not even like how they've painted the engines.
DeleteVertical stripes would have been better .
DeleteLike the one onAeroflot.
And the # looks like the cheap tattoos that were fashion in the late Nineties.
When it comes to airline liveries, it's all about personal perception and taste, usually between love and hatred of certain design. For me, Air Serbia's new livery is a decent one, especially tail design and logo, it' s unique and easily recognizable.
DeleteSafe skies from October, Air Serbia!
For me, this livery is quite good on Airbus,but i can't imagine it on ATRs .....they should show the public ATRs with new livery.Something mysterious is happening with ATRs.....
ReplyDeleteI always get a headache from reading about Jat, Air Serbia.
ReplyDeleteSo many news and always contradicting each other.
Help yourself and your head, stop reading it.
ReplyDeleteQatar Airways will be increasing Doha-Belgrade flights to four times per week starting with September 18.
ReplyDeleteIt is because Qatar business people are coming to Serbia and Qatar biggest investment fund is interested for investments in Serbian agricultural and military industry.Next year Qatar Airways will fly daily to BEG
DeleteI guess they need more frequencies to compete with now pretty crowded BEG market (East bound). EY, TK and SU daily vs 3 weekly QR is pretty big difference...so they aim to improve their offering. Time will show (bear in mind that JU starts AUH as well) if market is overserved and if somebody will pull the plug on BEG or decrease frequencies.
DeleteOther airlines are not afraid of Air Serbia ? Easyjet, Alitalia, Qatar Airways and Wizz Air ( to BVA) have recently added one weekly flight each !?
ReplyDeleteAfraid is pretty heavy word. Do JU and Easyjet and Wizzair even compete for same markets? I doubt that new JU will be after low cost level f pax as yield wise it is pretty suicidal. Qatar probably needs to step up given EY entrance and offer more frequencies...I don't see where they and JU collide...?
DeleteFully agree with you.
DeleteThank you for the tip mate but i will stick with aspirine.
ReplyDeleteWhen will Air Serbia's Winter '13 timetable be finalised and bookable?
ReplyDeleteI hope Air Serbia gets A319 with V2500 engines like Etihad has. On the other hand, on the CFM Engines Jat Tehnika could do the overhaul!
ReplyDeleteWhat's your opinion?
Best wishes from Basel and great interview PURGER!
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