NEWS FLASH
Due to mandatory aircraft maintenance checks on its sole Airbus A330-200 aircraft, Air Serbia will cancel four return flights between Belgrade and New York from September 24 until October 6. In a statement, the carrier said, “The technical check is performed every two years in line with industry standards and the airline was offered the option of two date periods. Air Serbia opted for the period when the aircraft was operating fewer flights with the least affected number of passengers. Those travelling on the four affected dates, on the Belgrade - New York - Belgrade route operated by YU-ARA, will be rebooked onto other airline's flights or offered a full refund”.
That plane was out for maintenance for about a month back in Jan-Feb. It had somewhere between 1500 and 2500 flight hours since then. That plane does not need to be out for 10 days of regularly scheduled maintenance after only 2000 or so FH. Something is wrong here.
ReplyDeleteThis October check is a regular two yearly check two, just like in 2017. The February period was a different kind of maintenance check. They are not combinable
DeleteАнон 10:52ч is right. Definitely something wrong to ground an aircraft during an extremely important month such as September.
DeleteOnly 4 affected dates during 11 days span in Sep/Oct? Are they not flying at least 4 times a week during that period? Why is Etihad not offering A330 like they did last winter?
DeleteFrom Air Serbia twitter announcement: "Air Serbia always plans (aircraft maintenance checks) at the start of low seasons when demand and passenger numbers are lower"
DeleteLow season officially starts from Oct 27, not from Sep 24. Published passenger numbers on this route are not low in September as per this DoT report:
https://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/06/air-serbia-registers-growth-on-us.html.
Passenger numbers are lower during eight other months of the year according to that report.
Air Serbia PR failure.
DeleteWould be nice if they could repaint that awfull tail during the check and return the JU logo!
ReplyDeleteThey won't. It's a one year contract.
DeleteThat aircraft is doing amazing job. In the last 3 years very minimmin impact when come to maintenance and cancellations considering 6 days rotation a week to JFK
DeleteIf you need regularly scheduled maintenance (every 2 years), wouldn't you plan for it and not sell any tickets during that period? Or better yet, how about sublease a replacement aircraft so it doesn't interrupt your operations? Running a long haul operation with a single aircraft is a joke.
ReplyDeletePopo: 100% correct...
DeleteAlmost used like Singapore Airlines aircrafts on Singapore Kuala Lumpur route.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else unmoved about US as a destination? Sydney, Beijing, Bangkok would be much more exciting. Weird how times change.
ReplyDeleteI feel planning is not a strong point of Air Serbia. I recently had my flights, booked for February 2020 ( yes, early planning for Venice Carnevale is necessary) cancelled and rebooked for a day later!!!! So hotel and local transfer bookings all need changes. Really Air Serbia??? You’re unable to plan with confidence for the next 6 months!
ReplyDelete