Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot has delayed the planned resumption of flights from Moscow to Ljubljana and Tivat until April 30 at the earliest as authorities have not given the go-ahead for services to Slovenia and Montenegro to resume. Operations were initially scheduled to restart on March 28 after more than a year. Flights to Zagreb were not scheduled to resume in March and the route’s fate remains unknown at this point. The Russian carrier has only restarted services to Belgrade out of all the former Yugoslav markets. Flights are capped by the Russian government at two per week per operator. Both Russian and Serbian citizens can enter each other’s countries with a negative PCR test. Russia has so far only allowed the resumption of flights to twenty countries.
In late 2018, Aeroflot launched daily services from Ljubljana to Moscow and saw excellent results on the route, increasing capacity shortly after the launch and scheduling two daily rotations for the 2020 summer season, however, those never materialised due to the Covid pandemic. In 2019, a total of 72.498 passengers flew between the two cities. On the other hand, Russia is Montenegro’s largest air travel market. In 2019, 631.571 passengers flew between Moscow and Tivat alone, with Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Ural Airlines, Red Wings and Yamal all serving the route.
The resumption of flights between Moscow and Belgrade has resulted in a travel boom between Serbia and Russia. Tour operator TUI Russia noted a surge in bookings to Serbia immediately after the restoration of flights in October. “Serbia has never been in such demand before. And the New Year holidays were sold out quickly. The most popular destination was the Kopaonik mountain resort, which accounted for about 70% of all sales to Serbia. The resumption of additional flights to Belgrade from April will reduce the cost of airfares”, the tour operator said. Last Sunday, Russia’s Nordwind Airlines commenced flights from Moscow to Belgrade, becoming the third carrier on the route. Aeroflot continues to upgrade its capacity on the service, deploying the wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft between the two capitals on one of its two weekly flights for most of December and January. It has also scheduled the twin-aisle aircraft for February 6, February 20, March 6 and March 13. On the other hand, Air Serbia, limited by the two weekly flight cap, has operated numerous charters to Moscow, on occasion using its wide-body A330-200 as well.
Crazy to think it will be over a year without flights to Moscow from Slovenia.
ReplyDeleteIt will be year without flights to Moscow from many markets worldwide.
Delete"In 2019, 631.571 passengers flew between Moscow and Tivat alone"
ReplyDeleteWOW
I'm surprised they don't fly to Podgorica.
DeleteI am not surprised, most passengers are tourists from Russia as well as Russians who purchased property next to the sea.
DeleteAeroflot will just send all the passengers to Tivat via Belgrade, JU has a code on all SU flights ans SU has a code on all JU flights.
DeleteAll? In your mind.
DeleteYes all, because there is no other way to reach Tivat with Aeroflot other than via BEG.
DeleteFor like a 4 months outside summer season.
DeleteEven in summer. If Aeroflot does not resume flights to Tivat, how do you suggest Aeroflot could shuttle passengers to Tivat?
DeleteMost Russian citizens arrive via Istanbul, using Turkish Airlines. Very few come with AirSerbia.
DeleteSince when does Turkish Airlines fly to Tivat?
DeletePogdorica?
DeleteWe've been talking about Tivat the entire time. Not Podgorica.
DeleteTivat and Podgorica are very close and when you have no other option, It's normal to fly to TGD instead of TIV, it was always like that, even in 70s. Many tourists arrive to TGD and are then transferred to the seaside as it is very, very close. Anyone who has ever been to Montenegro knows that.
DeleteAny numbers or logical arguments to back that claim of TGD? To me it makes zero sense. JU has multiple daily flights to both Moscow (with SU codeshare) plus multiple daily flights to TGD/TIV.
Delete''To me it makes zero sense''
DeleteAre you even aware of the size of Montenegro or how close TGD and TIV are? TK had multiple daily flights to both Moscow and Podgorica too. If the price and convenience are superior i wouldn't be surprised if more people chose TK rather than JU. I am not the original poster and i don't know what airlines Russians are choosing to get to Montenegro, but it surely doesn't make zero sense
So no numbers or anything, just some anti-JU theories. I see, thank you. If we are to use facts and logic then your argument as well as the one above make zero sense since MOW-BEG-MNE market is much higher in terms of frequencies of passenger numbers. But sure, people will rather fly on a daily TK flight to MNE.
DeleteAnti-JU theories hahahah, so you can't have a normal discussion here without being accused as anti-JU. As i said, i don't know what airlines Russians are flying to MNE. Do you have numbers of how many Russsians are flying to TIV via BEG? Again, before the pandemic there were 2 daily TK flights to TGD and even more to Moscow. Now tell my why on earth, does it not make sense for people to choose TK instead of JU? Are you that delusonial?
DeleteWill they ever resume ZAG?
ReplyDeleteI hope ZAG doesn't become a seasonal route and that it returns on a year-round basis.
DeleteDon't think that will happen.
DeleteI hope ZAG returns, seasonal or not
DeleteWas ZAG daily on Aeroflot?
DeleteI think daily in summer, 4 weekly in winter.
DeleteIt was downgraded to SSJ even before covid, it happened once they launched LJU
DeleteWhat means downgraded to SSJ?
DeleteSSJ=Sukhoi Superjet 100
DeleteIt's downgraded because SSJ has fewer seats then the Airbus A320-family fleet which was used before.
DeleteMeanwhile LJU was upgraded from SJJ to A320-family fleet.
DeleteWas ZAG daily with a320?
DeleteZAG was on A320 before SU launched LJU then A319 started appearing until finally they downgraded the route to SSJ. LJU on the other hand was constantly boosted from the moment it was launched. SU even planned double daily flights on the A320.
DeleteLJU was severely underserved and finally LH Group's monopoly was crushed.
Nonsence. SU doesnt have A319 for more then 5 years.
DeleteI find it interesting that they fly year round to TIV in normal circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWell have you seen the passenger numbers?
DeleteLet's not forget that in spite of the Rasha eVisa introduction for EU citizens, it seems to be frozen. Serbs don't need visas to enter RU and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteAs they postponed so many routes so many times I have doubts they will start LJU and TIV on 30th April.
ReplyDeleteBoth LJU and TIV were very busy for them so I am sure they will be back.
DeleteMaybe an opportunity for Croatia Airlines to start flights to Moscow?
ReplyDeleteI don't think they will. They cancelled their seasonal LED flights.
DeleteI think their logic is that it's easier to just send passengers via VIE, MUC or FRA.
DeleteWhat opportunity? Is Russia allowing flights to Croatia?
DeleteOU thought about it a few times but always gave up on the idea.
DeleteIt's questionable whether they will resume the seasonal LED flights, let alone launch Moscow.
DeleteI think OU could make Moscow work seasonally. Azur Air applied to fly Zagreb seasonally from 2020 but dropped the plans before the pandemic.
DeleteOU could easily operate daily Q400 flights to DME.
DeleteCould the Q400 make it?
DeleteWhat a fun it would be for passengers to fly with Q400...
DeleteLol
DeleteAlso that rotation would be way long to have an aircraft deployed somewhere.
DeleteQ400 cannot make it to Moscow. But there is demand for OU on that route for sure.
DeleteQ400 on such a route would be torture for passengers
DeleteThe discussion is pointless. Q400 does not have the range to reach Moscow from Zagreb. Simple as that.
DeleteThey could operate it via Warsaw and offer connections on lo
DeleteWell no they can't because they have no codeshare or commercial agreement with LOT to Tivat.
DeleteINA had oil fields concessions in Siberia. Construction companies from Croatia worked a lot in Russia. Tourists both ways year by year more and more. Far East - China, Korea, Japan-shortest and best way to go. And Croatia Airlines operated SVO,for all above mentioned reasons. But then they decided to quit it in order to provide transfers and feed Mutti. Very good! Bravo Hrvatska!
DeleteAnd they should for profitability feed nothing? Or fly daily to Kansas City and 3 daily to TGD?
Delete@An.14.38
DeleteThe fact that you repeatedly accuse me of something I never said, speaks a lot about you. I suggested daily ZAG-NYC, yes, and gave examples of cities, listed in the Routes, which could feed NYC-ZAG from one side, through alliance partnership, and yes, I mentioned TGD as one of the cities which could feed the service from the other side, by flights operated by OU, and in the situation when YM ceased operations. I am actually sorry for you for not being able to understand what I suggested , no matter what your reasons are. And I am kindly asking you to stop writing lies about me because people can actually find here exactly what I wrote and conclude that you just make fool of yourself proving to be right with lies. And speaking of OU profitability,please don't, because everybody knows that OU is deep in red, and makes no profit at all, on the contrary, it survives just by immense state subventions and aid. And unlike me, who suggest change of unprofitable model, and instead feeding others for peanuts, start its own serious operations, which have market and potential, you suggest to keep the status quo, and even write lies about me, simultaneously not giving one single suggestion what to do. And just the last sentence - whatever reply you give and whatever lie you write, I will not discuss with you any more because you simply don't deserve it.
Well this is shaping up as another terrible year.
ReplyDeleteIndeed
Delete:(
ReplyDeleteThey are a great airline. Hope to welcome them back.
ReplyDeleteGood to here there is so much demand for SVO-BEG flights at the moment.
ReplyDeleteSince the majority of Russians are going to Kopaonik, it would be more convenient if there were flights to Nis.
DeleteAt the moment flights without restrictions (quarantine) are allowed only between BEG and SVO.
DeleteThe Russian government does not want to announce a clear date for resumption of air traffic to most international destinations. There are many influential people in Moscow who do not want this happen any time soon.
ReplyDeleteRussia has been so odd with these flight restrictions
DeleteRussia is in no rush at all to re-open their borders.
DeleteSerbia vaccinated 5.3% of its population against covid. I hope that once we pass 10% restrictions will be lifted, especially with places like Russia and Turkey. We are currently sharing 6th position with Malta.
Delete1. Israel 50.2%
2. UAE 29%
3. Seychelles 26%
4. UK 11.7%
5. Bahrain 8.5%
6. USA 7.5%
7. Malta/Serbia 5.3%
9. Iceland 4.5%
10. Denmark 3.8%
Remaining ex-YU countries:
Slovenia 3.1%
Croatia 1.7%
N. Macedonia 0%
Montenegro 0%
Bosnia 0%
Will Aeroflot be sending ore A330s to Belgrade?
ReplyDeleteFor February they are sending A321s on both days but they originally planned to the that from mid January but sent A330 last two Saturdays.
DeleteRead the article guys. It tells you the exact dates
Delete"It has also scheduled the twin-aisle aircraft for February 6, February 20, March 6 and March 13."
Oh. I didn't see! That's great news.
DeleteInteresting Aeroflot never considered Skopje
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how poorly Russia is connected with some ex-Yu markets. No flights to Bosnia at all?
DeleteNeither SKP nor OTP were in the Moscovite radar. Demand was always very low. Russians traditionally visit Serbia, Bulgaria and Crna Gora. After all, traditions and language are quite similar. It is in SKP but guess OHD should be more popularised.
DeleteOn the other hand you have a lot of charters from Russia ,Ukraine, Belarus to Tirana .
DeleteAlbania is becoming more and more popular for tourists, well before Corona ...
That's because Russian developers bought a lot of land along the Albanian coast. Same with MNE some 20 years ago.
DeleteLove that plane line up on the photo.
ReplyDeleteThe livery is beautiful.
DeleteIt would be great to get also some flights from LED to LJU in the summer schedule.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Rossiya could start flights.
DeleteI don't think we will be seeing any new route any time soon.
DeleteSad to see them delay flights again.
ReplyDeleteI think they will be delayed past April too.
DeleteI'm a bit surprised about them delaying Tivat. Montenegro has removed PCR requirement.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is a genuine health concern.
DeleteReally? They were flying to BEG in November and December during the new wave. And top of that allowing entry for Serbian citizens with negative PCR.
DeleteWell it could be that Russians already went for summer holidays to places like Turkey so they are not rushing to spend winter on the MNE coast which is not warm. Russians are massively going to Dubai these days, like the rest of Europe is. Here in France people are going crazy for Dubai and I know at least 10 people that went before stricter measures were introduced.
DeleteI am so glad to see they returned to Belgrade so early and are having success on the route.
ReplyDeleteI am glad too but tickets are horribly expensive (approx 50% higher) than prior to the Covid charade. When you add the PCR testing it became now a luxury to travel.
DeleteLuckily there is Nordwind now, they are not too expensive.
DeleteHopefully they resume it earlier
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in Russia:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.rt.com/russia/513731-mayor-curfew-cancel-restrictions/
Interesting. Perhaps it has something to do with their vaccination program.
DeleteCan be. For sure it is very political. Like the whole Covid-19 thing.
DeleteMakes you wonder how flights to Slovenia or Montenegro would prove a greater risk.
DeleteWhy am I not surprised that another airline has delayed their return to Ljubljana :(
ReplyDeleteThis does not have much to do with LJU or the market. In fact Aeroflot wanted to come back to Ljubljana at the end of March but the Russian government is not allowing it.
DeleteIt's all political
DeleteSlovenia has quite good relations with Russia.
DeleteCrazy what this pandemic has done. Aeroflot had 3 daily flights to BEG before the pandemic. Now it's 2.
ReplyDelete*2 per week that is
DeleteThere would be more if there wasn't a limit on the number of flights allowed. That is why Aeroflot is sending the A330.
DeleteCan we hope for a second weekly flight with Nordwind ?
DeleteHow many passengers flew SVO-ZAG in 2019?
ReplyDelete60.067
DeleteWell, this is bad news. :( Looks like another year will be wasted. Their restrictions are political, has nothing to do with Covid that much. For example, Serbia has over 1,500 new cases daily for the past 1,5 month while Bosnia & Herzegovina has barely 500 daily, yet we are under ban to travel to Russia. Great.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's all political, look at what's going on between Brussels and the UK. Also it might have to do with the fact that Serbia is vaccinating people much faster than Bosnia is.
Delete