EX-YU airlines see passenger growth

Air Serbia remains busiest in the former Yugoslavia

The national carriers of the former Yugoslavia have fared generally well during the first six months of the year, with the majority registering passenger growth. Air Serbia, Adria Airways and B&H Airlines all saw their numbers improve during the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period last year, while Croatia Airlines recorded a small decline in numbers as it continues with its restructuring process.

After six months, Air Serbia continues to maintain its position as the busiest carrier in the former Yugoslavia. According to Belgrade Airport’s financial report for the first two quarters, the Serbian national carrier welcomed 964.708 passengers on board its aircraft during the first six months, an increase of 71.1% compared to the same period last year. The airline saw its passenger numbers rise 75% in the second quarter alone. In addition, Air Serbia’s passenger share at its Belgrade Airport hub has soared by more than 10%, from 37.4% last year to 48.5% in 2014. The Serbian national carrier operated more services than its Croatian counterpart in the first six months, running 13.538 flights, up 76% on last year.

The former Yugoslavia’s second busiest carrier, Croatia Airlines, handled 801.288 passengers in the first six months of the year, down 1% on the same period in 2013. Out of those, 567.430 passengers were welcomed on international flights (same as last year), 212.109 on domestic services (down 3%) and a further 21.794 travellers on charter flights (a decrease of 6%). Overall, Croatia Airlines saw its numbers improve on flights to and from Belgium (+28.7), the Netherlands (+10.8), Bosnia and Herzegovina (+6.9), Austria (+6.5), Germany (+4.2) and France (+1.1). On the other hand, the carrier recorded poorer results on services to and from Italy (-12.5), the United Kingdom (-10.7%), Macedonia (-8.4%) and Switzerland (-3%). Passenger numbers on other markets detracted a total of 19.2%. The airline operated a total of 12.266 flights, up 3% on last year.

With its new business model in place, which has seen Adria Airways transform into a hybrid full fare – low cost airline, the Slovenian national carrier welcomed almost 478.000 travellers during the first six months, an improvement of 6.6%. In June alone Adria handled 110.000 passengers, up 3.8% on the same period last year. The airline’s busiest routes so far this year have been Frankfurt, Zurich, Munich, Moscow, Brussels and Vienna. The Slovenian carrier is extremely happy with the performance of its newly launched flights to Prague and Warsaw, as well as services from Tirana to Frankfurt and from Munich to Lodz in Poland. Notable growth has also been recorded on the airline’s seasonal flights from Ljubljana to London Gatwick and Pristina to Malmo.

Despite its troubles, B&H Airlines also recorded passenger growth during the first six months of the year. The carrier welcomed almost 18.000 travellers, an increase of 20.6% compared to the same period last year. Of those, 1.155 passengers were carried on charter flights.

Montenegro Airlines has not made its quarterly or annual passenger results public in years. On the weekend of August 2 and 3, the carrier said it handled 7.006 passengers during the two days, 3.666 of which were carried on Sunday alone, its best 24-hour result on record. It outperformed its previous best result set on July 20, 2014 when the airline welcomed 3.124 passengers on board its jets, which was its busiest day since 2007.

Airline	PAX	Change (%)
Air Serbia	964.708	▲ 71.1
Croatia Airlines	801.288	▼ 1.0
Adria Airways	478.000	▲ 6.6