Air Serbia will take delivery of three aircraft by the end of October as the carrier prepares for a busy final quarter of the year. The airline is first expected to take delivery of a leased Airbus A320 aircraft, which will likely arrive in Belgrade this month. The plane is expected be one of its youngest fleet members and its second A320. This will be followed by the arrival of the airline’s second A330-200 wide-body jet in October, which has been previously operated by South African Airways. At eleven years old, the aircraft is slightly younger than Air Serbia’s current A330. The incoming twin-aisle jet is expected to have a swift entry into commercial service, with only the livery and seating upholstery to be changed for the time being. As a result, the jet will have 268 seats, with eighteen in business class and the remaining 250 in economy. During the aircraft’s next major maintenance check, the seating product will be unified to match its other widebody.
Over the next two months Air Serbia will also take delivery of its fourth ATR72-600 aircraft. A fifth will arrive in either November or December. The airline is studying options over the installation of ATR’s X-Space seating concept, which would enable it to offer business class seating on the turboprops, depending on demand. ATR bills X-Space as a “plug and play” solution that allows airlines to convert seat duos into premium seats, with the aisle-side seat’s back and pan removed and replaced with a side table. This would enable Air Serbia to offer a 1-1 configuration in support of a premium class configuration. The convertible nature of X-Space would allow the Serbian carrier to change its cabin layout ad hoc depending on passenger demand.
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| ATR business class seat |
Air Serbia is in negotiations with Airbus over the potential installation of the latter’s Descent Profile Optimisation (DPO) software upgrade for the A320-familly aircraft, as well as the A330s. DPO works by updating the Flight Management System (FMS) and reducing margins in descent and approach, enabling a later top of descent and reduced deceleration distance in level-off. The upgrade is performed in less than four hours and, on an A320, can typically save 75 kilograms of fuel per descent. Air Serbia estimates the amount of money saved through the reduction of fuel usage will pay for the software across its Airbus fleet itself. Furthermore, the airline would reduce gas emissions per jet.
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When do the wet leased planes start leaving the fleet?
ReplyDeleteI believe from this month they progressively start leaving the fleet up until the end of October.
DeleteThe business class seating in ATR is quite an interesting concept. I think it's good, especially for transfer passengers that are purchasing business class tickets.
ReplyDeleteDoes any airline offer business class on the ATRs?
DeleteTarom used to, I think they still do on the new ATRs.
DeleteJat Airways had it until 2009. The seats were the same but the business class cabin was in the last two rows of the plane (closest to the exit) and had separate catering.
Deleteis it posible to arrange this business seat so the pax uses the seat by the window and the aisle seat converts into the deck?
DeleteWell each seat is convertible, so I don't see why not.
DeleteLH was doing on 3-3 configuration folding middle seat on European flights why would not much poorer AS try to do this concept?
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Air Serbia expanding.
ReplyDeleteThey need A321
ReplyDeleteDefinitely nor in winter
Delete*not
DeleteThey should wet lease an A321 during the summer.
DeleteThey need more A320's to start. It would be a disaster if the A321 would go AOG as there wouldn't be anything adequate to replace the capacity.
DeleteWe saw this summer what that looked like. At least the extra wet leased capacity was identical to the A319's which provided alot of flexibility. Imagine having to accommodate 220 pax from an A321 into an A319.
Like Air Montenegro had a problem this year. That really had a big impact on them.
DeleteAir Serbia is such a dinosaur. So glad we've got other options these days!
DeleteMost are just replacements.
ReplyDeleteNice. They could use more ATRs to increase frequencies on some routes.
ReplyDeleteThey will. Next year they plan another 3 ATRs.
DeleteI believe Marek mentioned that they intend to have 10 ATR's in the fleet.
DeleteIt's nice to see an ex-Yu airline expanding, adding new routes and growing its fleet.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSounds promising
ReplyDeleteAny chance Air Serbia can organize a short business course for Party aparatchicks in charge of Croatia Airlines?
ReplyDeleteNo because they only accept LH approved courses.
DeleteGood one :D
DeleteOU don't need lessons from JU! The OU management are doing a fantastic job of running the company, have just added an A320 into the fleet, and have made great progress on recovery after COVID which will be seen when the 3rd quarter results are announced!
DeleteAdding 1 plane to the fleet after 3 years. Groundbreaking.
Deleteanonymous! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
DeleteIts not "running" but ruining the company.
DeleteBoth companies generate losses. One makes it public, the other one hides it. The one hiding losses is great and should give lessons? OMG!!
DeleteThe other one offers flights to 70 destinations, is upgrading service, expanding its fleet, offering long haul flights, better frequencies, better transfer options.
Delete@An.10.11
DeleteAir Serbia is not hiding losses. And Croatia Airlines is not publishing all money pumped in it over 30 years. Just btw. tell me one flag carrier not generating losses without state aid, worldwide. And as few posters above well said : we see results in case of Air Serbia, trying hardly and working hardly, over short period of time, to become recognised brand and bigger and better airline, even with current losses. In case of Croatia Airlines, we see inert, uninterested, incompetent, politically appointed individuals in an environment full of inefficiency, crime, corruption and nepotism, who spent more tax money over the past 30 years than Air Serbia, and result is humiliated pathetic feeder with network of 20 destinations, old fleet and average service, still making losses.
Just btw. tell me one flag carrier not generating losses without state aid,
DeleteJAT-Jugoslavenski aerotransport
Pozdrav
DeleteHow much money was spent on Air Serbia and its predecessor Jat Airways and how much was spent on OU.
How many times are you going to go in circles with this same discussion?
DeleteIt's humorous to compare a growing intercontinental airline lime JU with a contracting regional carrier like OU.
DeleteIts humorous to consider JU an intercontinental just because of few routes.
DeleteIt certainly is an intercontinental airline.
DeleteIt is not.
DeleteIt is as it has an intercontinental network.
DeleteYou have JU as an intercontinental airline and OU as a Lufthansa feeder airline with a grand total of 10 international destinations from its hub this winter.
Can't wait for so called analyst to publish exclusive breaking news about Croatia Airlines being an intercontinental airline with service to Tel Aviv, having the same number of intercontinental destinations as Air Serbia: 1.
DeleteThe "analyst" is busy trying to work out if JU is reducing ZRH or not. One day it is, one day it isn't. Give him some time, he will get there. Other super urgent breaking news exclusive will come in the mean time.
DeleteNot his first time though. Do not forget we he published that inagural flight from SPU to ARN was cancelled just because he didnt see it in some system.
Delete@An.12.12
DeleteI was referring to today's situation, not distant past
@An.12.32
You tell me. Give me exact numbers and prove me wrong
And all of you please leave alone my friend, World's premium Analyst and Kradeze sympatizer. Of course he can make 9 out of 10 mistakes, he is too busy leading Mazoretkinje 😃
I dont have any numbers. I supposed you had them because of you said that.
DeleteSo they are gonna have 19 airplanes . 10 a319, 2 a320, 2 a330 and 5 atr76 . Am I right ? Unless the leased a319 YR-URS from Romania will not leave the fleet.
ReplyDeleteIt will leave, they will have 19 planes.
DeleteIt will be interesting to see what they do next summer. My guess is more wet leases?
ReplyDeleteYes they already said how they are looking for a long term wet lease partner.
DeleteA bit disappointing that YU-ARC will have a subpar hard product, especially in business.
ReplyDeleteThere is a plan to unify this on both planes.
DeleteIt is only temporary.
DeleteAm I not mistaken that YU-ARC will have greater capacity than YU-ARB until they unify the cabins?
DeleteYes, it will have 11 seats more.
DeletePlease tell me the SAA seats have PTVs?
DeleteYes they do.
DeleteActually their economy looks better than on YU-ARB. The screens are bigger. It's business that sucks.
Deletehttps://thepointsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200103_South-African-Airways-A330-200-IAD-ACC-IAD_JTGenter-43.jpg
Thanks, yes economy looks better than their current one.
DeleteBusiness looks pretty similar to JU?
DeleteAny news on A330 seet reconfiguration into 3-3-3?
ReplyDeleteI think it is something they are just considering. If it does happen we could see it on YU-ARB after it goes into maintenance next month.
DeleteDo they really need the extra capacity on the A330? Other than making passengers feel like being in a sardine box. I hope they don't install the extra seat per row.
DeleteAir Serbia could do something similar to what El Al has done on their B787. Offer a small premium economy cabin with 2-3-2 configuration and then the regular economy with 3-3-3 seating.
DeleteNot a bad idea.
DeleteMuch needed additions.
ReplyDeleteHoping a third A330 will come next spring :)
ReplyDeleteDoubt it but I never expected them to get an A330 for this winter either so you neve know.
DeleteThere is an article talking about it published not long ago. From the pace of long haul expansion there is a high probability of a third entering next October, don't take my word for it. Depends on China opening up in my opinion
DeleteProbably depends on YU-ARC getting a C check. Don't forget as soon as it touches down ARB is going bye-bye to the doctors office.
DeleteAnd as they said they plan to extend the fleet and to have unified hard product so I'm guessing YU-ARC will be going away for a month or two at the end of the next summer season. Just in time one or two more long haul destinations and the third widebody to come into play.
Apparently the A320 that is coming will have sharklets.
ReplyDeleteNice!
DeleteThey should also look to improve their corporate offer especially when it comes to business travel. Right now there is so much room for improvement starting with their disastrous and useless corporate program. They should also work on their own loyalty program.
ReplyDeleteSerbian economy is performing relatively well and it will keep on developing in the coming years. Coming from a country whose IT sector generates billions of Euros, it's a shame JU has not managed to become tech savvy.
Unless they fully modernize and adapt, their will not be able to fully consolidate their position on the market.
Well said.
DeleteI'll add and say that there is lots of IT talent in Serbia and they can't get their app to work properly.
These IT investments are not cheap despite being extremely needed. I guess JU doesn't want to pay up which is a shame.
DeleteConsidering they want to buy Airbuses Descent Profile Optimisation software which is really expensive, I wouldn't say they don't want to pay up.
DeleteWell they are getting that in order to optimize fuel consumption which will lower their expenses. It's a different kind of investment.
DeleteInvesting in upgrading your commercial strategy is a whole different kind of business segment.
awww maybe now they won't have to cancel or hugely delay the evening LJU flights anymore
DeleteWhat do you mean? What is going on with LJU?
Delete"They should also work on their own loyalty program"
DeletePlease don't. it is too complicated, they need to "piggy back" some existing airline/program.
I understand limits of currently used Etihad FF program but it is anyway better then standalone program. If they could join some alliance it would be great, if not they might look for a partner to replace Etihad at least in FF area (I'm not sure how viable arrangement would be).
@13:46 - I respectfully disagree with you. The attached article explains how JU would make a lot of money if it did have a loyalty program: https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/07/15/how-airlines-make-billions-from-monetizing-frequent-flyer-programs/?sh=2f54171814e9
DeleteI think they need their loyalty program because through it they would have enough flexibility to be creative in terms of building customer loyalty. Unfortunately I don't think JU has any idea how to do it and I wonder if they even consider it as part of their growth strategy.
Delete@ Anon 14:27
DeleteYes, article in Forbes is probably correct for American Airlines & United and considering size of US market and considering habits of US passengers that generate most of the FF points (first, business & premium passengers). Not to mention other US specifics like credit cards that will give you additional points, other benefits etc. There is something called "economic of scale" - you can not simply translate this to local passengers, airline, market, etc.
@Nemjee 14:56
DeleteI understand what you mean although don't think they have some incredible opportunity to be creative. Nevertheless, they could do it anyway if they want to some level, just apply specifics to their own flights/passengers. I guess that number of passengers with Etihad FF status using Air Serbia is quite minimal.
Indeed, no one expects them to transform themselves overnight but they could make baby steps, move slowly in the right direction.
DeleteThis is something I was also wondering how come not a single bank in Serbia doesn't offer co-branded credit cards with AirSerbia or anything for that matter so you could get points or miles by using it.
DeleteLikewise interested to know
DeleteIndeed, not even the bank where JU has its own accounts.
DeleteI could take a wild guess regarding credit cards - one aspect is probably "cost of service" meaning there should be some extra margin either on bank side or on airline side to "cover" the benefits. Secondly, local habits - most of the people are still buying cards "over the counter", companies do it via invoices (it's not common to use personal credit cards although it is viable).
DeleteAs interesting point, even local issued American Express cards are excluded from the worldwide benefits program, you cannot join using them.
Bad news coming from China in relation to pandemic..I guess they have back up plans..
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean my friend? Tell us more.
DeleteThere is no news coming from China in relation to the pandemic. All the measures are the same as they have been.
Deletehttps://www.reuters.com/world/china/populous-chinese-cities-including-shenzhen-ramp-up-covid-curbs-2022-08-30/
DeleteNot sure what that has to do with JU's flights to Tianjian? They are not carrying tourists on this route visiting China at the moment so entertainment venues closing in a district nowhere near Tianjin isn't going to be a big concern for them.
DeleteThey are still pcr testing fish and ducks, so it will be awhile until they drop their covid restrictions
DeleteBut the service is aimed at Chinese citizens travelling to get home and Chinese workers...
DeleteYeah as a 320 pilot I'm gonna say that DPO bit ridiculous to even mention. We mostly fly our descents in open descent anyway, as with all that radar vectoring in busy airspaces you can't really give an accurate prediction to the FMS. I mean why is it even mentioned... It's way too technical and superfluous in a public statement.
ReplyDeleteIt is most likely that someone at JU greased their fingers with some bakshish by allowing this software to be purchased. I bet it will cost more than it will actually save.
DeleteYou might want to read the article before making such claims. They haven't purchased it.
DeleteRemember wifly? That turned out great...
DeleteWhat about it?
Delete