Air Serbia is seeking a third Airbus A330-200 aircraft in order to further expand its long haul operations. The carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, told “Routes”, “At the moment we are looking for a third A330 aircraft, just to be ready. We are currently working on the shortlist of the third A330 aircraft with the same engine type as on our current A330 fleet and getting ready for the opening of the market ... Sourcing a long haul aircraft could take up to nine months or more. Having said that, we were able to introduce our last addition to the fleet in less than four months”.
Expanding the company’s operations to China will be a priority once the country eases its Covid-19 restrictions. Services to Tianjin, which were launched just ten days ago, are now sold out from Belgrade until January 20. “Tianjin is one of the biggest cargo hubs in China and also contributes to positive trends of passenger bookings”, Mr Marek said. The airline is looking at introducing services to Shanghai and increasing frequencies to Tianjin, once pandemic-related constraints are eased, which may occur sooner rather than later. China’s aviation regulator said last week it plans to increase flights with a goal to restore the country's average daily passenger flight volumes to 70% of 2019 levels by January 6. Between January 7 and January 31, average daily passenger flight volumes should increase to 88% of 2019 levels, before the Covid-19 pandemic began. The industry should be in a "stable recovery period" by the end of March, the regulator said.
Air Serbia is also looking at adding another destination in North America once it acquires its third A330 jet. “Some of the logical choices would be Miami or Toronto”, Mr Marek noted. The Serbian carrier is set to commence three weekly flights to Chicago next May and will increase frequencies to New York to daily. Based on indirect traffic volumes, the busiest unserved North American destination from Belgrade, following the launch of Chicago, will be Toronto, followed by Los Angeles, Miami and Washington. However, these numbers only take into account those passengers either starting or ending their journey in the Serbian capital and do not factor in potential transfer demand from other markets.
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Good to see that we won't wait six years again for the next long haul expansion.
ReplyDeleteI just wonder, who will fly them, and who will maintain them... They dont have pilots and mechanics for 2 aircfraft and there is no site of changing that... I dont know how will they go through this season.
DeleteAnon @08:13
DeleteYour comment actually shows how much clue you have about what is going on in Air Serbia. They are hiring new pilots as they are training others for A330 and implementing mixed fleet option e.g. after 500 hours on A330, you can return and fly both narrow body A320 series as well as A330. Many first officers are now on ground school for aircraft commander course (e.g. to become captains), so they have plenty of room for new ones incoming.
No one is adding more capacity without proper crew and fleet planning.
When it comes to maintenance - AtiTech in Naples is going to handle C checks on A330 fleet as well.
They should be getting command upgrade, but are being postponed because of lack of pilots to fly the unrealisticly expanding network.
DeleteThe CEO made a slavery decision to make roster changes in 12 hours in advance. So the crew are actually on standby all the time.
Although expansion looks good from the inside, JU is a horrible place to be working at. Crews will start leaving the company soon.
@anon 08:18
DeleteI must say you are the one without clue, you are clueless what is happening in the company. Look how much pilots they need and how much they will hire. They will take pilots for 330, but who will fly 320? I suggest to ask around pilots who are working for AS, and you will see what am i talking about. But you didnt answer me what about mechanics? You think there is sufficient people for the work? You speak about C checks, do you know there are others checks beside c check? You know
that malfunctions happen every day who will adress that? You talk about Naples, do you know ARC will not go there for 12year check? Please ask around from people working there.. From your comment i know tou dont know anything.
Imagine they choose Miami over Toronto :D
ReplyDeleteMiami is actually a good choice. There is a large Balkan diaspora not just in Miami but in Florida in general and it is also a popular holiday destination
DeleteAnd it is a year round destination.
DeleteWhen I say year round I mean it is warm and worth visiting throughout the year and is not as seasonal as Toronto.
DeleteBeen in both and would always choose Miami 😅
DeleteAnd unlike in Miami, there are frequency limitations in Toronto. Not to mention it is a much more expensive airport to operate to.
DeleteMIA is also a good transfer point to Central and South America. Especially if they have a codeshare with American Airlines.
DeleteNot sure why is Miami being mentioned. Vucic said Toronto would be next
DeleteMaybe you should read the article. Vucic was just saying what he was told by the CEO who can change his plan or could have mentioned both.
DeleteSo CEO is against Toronto?
DeleteI assume he has data based on which he can make a decision and based on that he can see if they can make money year round to Toronto flying twice per week.
Delete@10,19
DeleteI would of thought frequency limitations would hold them back from YYZ, but smaller frequencies don't seem to be a problem for them since ORD will start with 2, later 3. I don't think it'll take them long to negotiate for more frequencies to Canada once launched.
@10,55
You obviously haven't read the article.
ORD will be a success and I bet that it will go daily in the nearest future after lounch!
DeleteAnon 12:29 No one is forcing Air Serbia to fly to Toronto year-round. Toronto could be launched as a seasonal service, extending start/end dates as justified. Operating Toronto in the winter would likely be at a loss.
DeleteBEG-MIA and back has 10k annual passengers. BEG-YYZ has 40k. Checked couple of EX YU airports where Air Serbia could pick up some transfers and they all have higher passengers numbers to Toronto than Miami.
DeleteFLL or MIA would be a great choice including transfers. Also with the fast train to Orlando starting up you may be able to pick up additional passengers that could take it down for the flight or take it up to Disney.
DeleteLogical choice, starting Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Why not add Orlando for direct access to Mickey? All of it before Toronto. The Twilight Zone, airline edition.
DeleteReading is fundamental. I obviously said OR not and. My understanding is that FLL offers lower fees that MIA.
DeleteWith more Balkan connections and a codeshare, the US market could perform extremely well.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThey said that would soon announce codeshare agreements with big US and ME carrier.
DeleteExcellent news
ReplyDeleteMIA 2 times per week would be great.
ReplyDeleteAgree. I think Miami could work really well.
DeleteBased on what?
DeleteI know a lot of people from the region living there and I would travel from podgorica at least once a year in business to escape the winter.
DeleteInteresting. Nice to see US market developing for JU. Many were saying here that there would be no passengers.
ReplyDeleteAlso good to see TSN performing well for them. Both cargo and passenger wise.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Air Serbia. This is quite a good development.
ReplyDeleteHow about they focus on staff retention. Cabin crew are quitting in big numbers due to a bad work environment. Fewer people are applying each time. Last time in total less than 400 applied.
ReplyDeleteBtw in administration they are offering starting salary for 80.000 RSD.
DeleteLol
Anonymous 09:12
Delete80.000 RSD is way more than most people make in SR.
Umm not really. Most trafikas are now offering 80,000 net pay.
DeleteA cashier in Aman makes 70.000 Dinars.
DeleteMany have left them to work in the private sector usually getting twice what JU was offering them. I'm talking about managers and so on.
1. No they don’t leave in “large numbers”. Some just want to move on from being waiter on a plane.
DeleteNo, trafika workers don”t earn 70000. In Belgrade they on 60000.
Yes, less people apply since there is virtually no unemployment in Serbia and jobb offer is great.
AirSEBIA rocks.
I would and i can agree with you.
DeleteI respect all the professions overthere on the market.
This is simply profession for itself.
Money has been became i huge issue and plus the working condition in the company.
7 days and one day off not to mention 4 sectors in on day with minimum rest.
Hopefully the new agreement will be reached otherwise no one once to work for company like that.
JU will need to improve salaries.
DeleteCrew salaries are a joke, Wizz air offers much better conditions in their Belgrade base.
DeleteStarting salary is around 45 - 50.000 dinars before all payments for block hours, etc. You do end up around or over a 1.000 eur. But imagine you get sick, you go back down to 400 eur salary. If you do not own an apartment in Belgrade and pay rent, you simply cannot cover the very most basic costs. Would anyone put themselves in such a financial risk when they can make at least a stable 1.000 with great ease in Belgrade in other places?!
Not to mention the working hours, minimum rest and overall atmosphere in the company and employee relations. I want JU to succeed, I am proud of the accomplishments they made, but under the hood there are a lot of problems
Wizz Air offers better conditions? Are you serious? Not only is their pay low, their shifts are also crazy. On my flight Hamburg-Belgrade 2 weeks ago I overheard a female crew member tell a passenger she doesn't know where she is at the moment and that her shift has been going on for 12 hrs. Their pay also depends on on board sales. So please don't comment on things you don't know.
DeleteSituation with crew is almost the same in every single European airline. Perhaps you missed all the strikes at many European carriers this year? Anyway crew is currently negotiating 3 year pay contract with management.
DeleteThis job offer says it all....they require 70 thousand things from you and require so little from you:
Deletehttps://www.airserbia.com/en/footer_menu/corporate/careers/working-at-air-serbia/available-job-posts
When it comes to strikes, JU managment was very successful in breaking up pilot/crew union. Former union president was removed from his post as soon as he became the union president and they sent him to be a driver for crew vans. Now JU is being sued, and it is only a matter of time when the lose.
DeleteSo people are affraid to unionize which further prevents them from going on a strike. They "rebel" in a different way, just by giving up and quitting, either working for WIZZ in Belgrade, Middle East or switching industries. Aviation isna global industry, there competition is not local "trafika" in Belgrade but rather other global airlines
I'm simply telling you the situation is identical in almost all European airlines. They are understaffed and underpaid. No one forces people to work in the airline industry or as crew for that matter. Working conditions at Wizz Air are worse than at Air Serbia (at least in Serbia). Can't speak for others although I also regularly listen to crew members working at Middle Eastern airlines ranting about anything and everything, from working hours, working environment, collogues etc, as if someone took their hand and forced them to work there.
Delete12 hours working time has almost become a norm in JU, particularly in summer. This summer people were even going beyond, although it is illegal.
DeleteTo sum it up, JU needs to significantly improve working conditions for its crew, otherwise there will be no one to fly on these new routes
Sourcing adequate amount of crew will definitely be a problem. 6 month contracts will definitely need to be something that they change. Salaries are ok, but definitely could be made better. Working conditions definitely need to be improved, along with other benefits such as annual leave, staff travel, perks that attract people to join the industry in the first place. Alot seems to be last minute decisions (ie aircraft and crew) which gives the impression of disorganisation. Launching new routes earlier this time might help with better planning, and it seems they have been sourcing aircraft since mid last year, both of which is a positive sign that they're improving on that end. There will also come a point that they'll need to consider hiring crew from outside of Serbia's borders, I think it's something that they can do sooner rather than later. Perhaps starting with those already in Belgrade would be a good idea. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to find some Bosnian, Montenegrin or Macedonian nationals that would join the airline. If other airlines could do it, JU can certainly do that as well.
DeleteAnonymous11:58
DeleteThe example I gave about Wizz Air was not during the summer, it was 2 weeks ago.
If you dislike your job and working conditions so much, quit.
I think JU cannot hire as crew foreign nationals. Maybe Open Balkan countries fall under a different regime, not sure
DeleteYes, now it is possible for Macedonian and Albanian nationals to work in Serbia without any need of additional documentation or permits.
DeleteDocuments for foreigners isn't difficult to arrange, JU would have no issues there. The government could even facilitate for JU easier access to these crew employment visas if they wanted to ie make them free when fixed to a contract. Other airlines do it, it wouldn't be difficult for JU to have that arranged for them. Besides, Wizz is hiring from all over the Balkans and it doesn't seem to be a problem for them. Not to mention that 1000+ ex-YU nationals employed in Middle Eastern carriers.
DeleteFact is Macedonia has lost quite a large portion of its population. It is known to have dropped below 1,7 million now and it was 2,1. Situation is similar in Albania and this even before joining EU. Imagine after that. Also, many Macedonians have Bulgarian passports and work freely in Western Europe where the salaries are higher. It will be difficult for JU to hire people from the region. Maybe Vietnam or India.
Delete@Anonymous10:12
DeleteIf 10% is no unemployment, then I guess there's no unemployment in Serbia indeed. https://seenews.com/news/serbias-jobless-rate-drops-to-98-in-q4-775328
How many long haul routes can they realistically have with 3 A330s?
ReplyDeleteDepends on the frequnecies.
DeleteI think 5
DeleteDepends on frequencies, i.e. one will be needed only for JFK
DeleteIt can do 5 rotations, up until this winter one aircraft was doing 6 rotations to JFK but New York is much closer than MIA for example. Shanghai is also further away, especially now when they have to svoid Ukraine amd south of Russia
DeleteWhat are they going to do with 3 A330s in winter?
ReplyDeleteIt is possible that they will introduce some seasonal long haul winter destinations.
DeleteZanzibar, Thailand, Maldives... all possibiltiies.
DeleteMiami is a great option for this reason... MIA's demand to/from Europe has a double peak (one in winter and the other in summer)
DeleteThe China gamble during Covid paid off.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising they keep sending YU-ARB to Tianjin. It can take on more cargo than YU-ARC.
DeleteAnd what about Lagos? Are they reading this portal at all?
ReplyDeletePlease don’t remind us about that...
DeleteThey do! Lagos or other destinations in Africa will come sooner or later.
DeleteMarek is hinting at 9 months so we could expect the third A330 to enter service in August?
ReplyDeleteSeems realistic.
DeleteJasmineeeeeee!!!! Dje si????
ReplyDeleteokay dude it’s getting irritating, the article ain’t bout OU but JU. If you don’t want to congratulate or comment JU’s development then move on with your spamming
DeleteA, Jasmne, znaci tu si
DeleteEvala na tvoju zalost nisam, kazem samo da je jako licemerno konstantno lamentovati nad Kroacijom jer si zatecen/a utiskom napretka Er Srbije. Ne treba se uporedjivati ni sa kim, zato ne spamuj nebitnim komentarima.
DeleteMa sta se odma ljutis jarane, pa sto ne volis kad ti neko rekne istinu, pa sam si biro bit Uhljeb, omogucavat kriminal i korupciju, i uvuc se tol'ko ne noge da vire no samo stopala. I umjesto da se ljutis, bolje jednu zapjevaj, rokersku, more i iz dila s Jugotonom. A Air Serbiji pusti da nam i oni voze putnike, malo je samo Cartel, Amerikanci, Korejanci......
DeleteGood to see they are planning ahead.
ReplyDeleteAt this JU will have 5 A330s by the end of the decade.
ReplyDeleteIt will be much earlier.
DeleteThere are a lot of ex-Yugos in Florida. Miami could work.
ReplyDeleteagree
DeleteIt's good to be optimistic
ReplyDeleteSo a third plane might arrive sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteWhy not look into the A330-300?
ReplyDelete-200 has better range.
DeleteIt has better cargo.
DeleteAir Serbia doesn't need that range.
A330-300 is much better choice for Air Serbia.
DeletePerhaps the ARD will be -300?
DeleteHopefully so.
DeleteThey're getting stuck with A330-200 the same way they were with A319 in the past.
It's a lease, you're not stuck with it. When the lease ends it's bye, bye if there are better options available.
DeleteWill be interesting to see 5-6 long-haul destinations
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly will be so interesting about it? It could be exciting, it could be many other things, but why interesting?
DeleteAll these plans sound great. I just don't know how they are going to finance it.
ReplyDeleteWell they added around new 100 weekly departures so the money coming in will be significant.
DeleteTaxpayers
Delete@anon 9.56
DeleteSubsidies for JU are not included in the 2023 budget. Cope harder.
You are right, there are no subsidies. But there is nothing preventing JU for putchasing another 1.5% of JU from Etihad and paying a lot of money. That money would go into JU as it will technically be the issuance of new shares and share dillution of EY's existing shares.
DeleteSo not a subsidy but purchase of new shares issued by JU. Much cleaner and effective than a subsidy
You have another airline in the region that got more than double the money JU is getting for recapitalization and it has very little to show for it other than 13 international destinations and a growing number of ad hoc winter flight cancellations.
DeleteAbsolutely, just shows that there needs not to be a subsidy for JU to receive money from the government. If it was up to me, I would have given them much more as they are putting the money to good use
Delete+100
DeleteChina will be a success no doubt.
ReplyDeleteAnd it will open up sooner than expected. Next summer season it will be open to foreigners.
DeleteGood luck! Hope it happens.
ReplyDeleteThis is in line with what VINCI outlined they expect when they took the BEG concession.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Well done JU.
ReplyDeleteGood that they have clear idea about direction that they are going toward
ReplyDeleteMiami over Toronto? Potential codeshare partner AA has a hub in MIA, airport is cheaper and has year round potential. All of that can't hide the fact in 2019 Toronto had almost four times more passeners to Belgrade and back compared to Miami. Not 4%, not 40%, four times - 400% more than Miami. Nothing can close that gap. Therefore any decision to pick MIA over YYZ would be a joke.
ReplyDeleteWhatever they choose, they will most likely eventually fly to both.
DeleteEventually Air Serbia could also fly to Washington, LA etc. Choosing Miami before Toronto would be unjustified. Miami is 2800km longer return trip compared to Toronto. It is harder to schedule as it takes longer for return trip.
DeleteMiami would not be attractive to Belgrade tourists esp during winter. They would need US visa in any case. Even with visa, Belgrade based tourists prefer summer over winter vacation. Take Hurgada for example. There are at least 10 times more passengers during 42 degree summer heat compared to balmy winter 22 degrees. Same would be the case with Miami that feels like 42 with humidity in the summer. Miami is not going to be a year-round destination
DeleteIt will be because it won't rely only on tourists. Getting a US visa is also a rather easy process.
DeleteIf it won't rely on tourists then it is diaspora. No one can deny 4 times more diaspora potential of Toronto
DeleteBTW four times more is 300% more, not 400% :D
DeleteThat justifies Miami then :D
DeleteLet them fly to Toronto only during summer and to Miami only doing winter
Deletethat makes sense
DeleteMiami is better option than Toronto..Toronto pax would be just diaspora, and seasonal, during summer months..Family of diaspora cannot visit them because of strict rules for canadian visa..MIA attracts not just doaspora, but big portion of tourists, MIA is the biggest hub for all south/central america and caribbeans..And counts for annual pax numer to MIA from Belgrade are not true, many Serbians travel to MIA from other EU airports as start point, because tickets are double cheaper than if your start point is BEG
DeleteMy guess this third plane will come mid summer next year.
ReplyDeleteSounds plausible.
DeleteMarek said a few weeks ago that their goal is to have 5 widebodies in the fleet.
ReplyDeleteWhy are they only considering the A330? Why not another plane type for long haul operations?
ReplyDeleteWhy would they go for a heterogeneous fleet with such a small number of aircraft?
DeleteBecause it is the best for Serbia and serbian budget.
Delete@10,23
DeleteBecause it is more cost effective to do this. Every new type you introduce needs separate crew training, separate pilots, separate set of spare parts, larger changes to capacity makes it inflexible to move around if changes occur. Randomly taking on aircraft types just increases expenses.
A330 lease rates are quite attractive at the moment which might be pushing JU to take advantage of that sooner rather than later.
JU officially declared a war to OS, this is going to be interesting...
ReplyDeleteLol with 19 planes half of which turboprops?
Delete@anon 11:20
DeleteSo what? Wizz has how many planes yet JU is fighting with them
Those massive expansions are so questionable...
ReplyDeleteFour weekly to Chicago? Have we missed an increase announcement?
ReplyDeleteThe Serbian carrier is set to commence three weekly flights to Chicago next May and will increase frequencies to New York to daily.
DeleteIt was written four weekly at the time when I had written the comment. I am not stupid and blind. It was changed after.
DeleteNeznam koliko uticemo svojim pricama na razvoj Er Srbije.
ReplyDeleteJedno je izvesno. Er Srbija se preobrazava u naprednu malu kompaniju. Sa nastojanjem da se uzdigne u velicinu srednje avio kompanije u ovom delu Evrope. Proslava stogodisnjice pocetka Er Srbije ce potvrditi strategiju kojom se krece.
Na trecem A330 bi bilo pozeljan lik naucnika Milankovica. Sa time bi se zaokruzilo Trojstvo najznacajnijih naucnika kod Srba. Tesla, Pupin, Milankovic. Za buduce A330 mogli bi nositi imena Osnivaca AeroPuta Tadije Sondenmajera i drugih dostojnika iz istorije komercijalne avijacije Srbije.
Srecna Nova 2023 Godina.
Rodney Marinkovic and Aviation Enthusiast Associate Group. 🇷🇸✈🌐🛫🇦🇺✈
I'm just scared of operations collapsing mid summer when one or two planes will inevitably broke down and we'll see absolute chaos in BEG.
ReplyDeleteThis expansion is absolutely amazing but risks are high, and we already saw this summer how one issue can escalate
Literally the same story each year. They are not stupid, they will have enough planes and people to operate uneventfully.
DeleteJust to let you know, nearly every signle airlines has their fleet pushed to its limits during summer and chaos occur to them also when a plane breaks down. But nobody is talking there about it, unlike here.
I'm more scared about them making huge investments right before a potentially massive worldwide recession
DeleteI believe BEG was a bit problematic for them this summer as well due to the construction. That should be pretty much mostly complete by the summer making operations more smoother for them.
DeleteActually even in winter schedule they keep on being late quite a bit.They have daily delays with regards to major hubs in Europe; they have a very short rotation time for congested airports + when you add de-icing that leads easy to 30-40 minutes delays.
DeleteThat, and construction at BEG as well continues to provide some challenges. Runway has been downgraded to CAT I temporarily, TWY C is currently closed until the 26.12.
DeleteCompare to others they are doing amazing when comes to delays and cancellations. It is funny to me how people on here think that AS should have a few extra aircrafts on standby at the side in the hanger and use them iwhen scheduled aircraft goes maintenance.
DeleteNot a few, but at least one A319 during the busiest time of year along with the crew on stand-by. The winter schedule is not that tight and can compensate for a grounded aircraft (although I am not even sure about it with all new flights being introduced), but in the summer, it will be close to impossible. The cost of a single A319 will be still less than a combined cost of delays, lost connections, crew and travelers' frustrations and compensations that will be paid out to stranded passengers. By far the most significant issue is the level of stress that these situations pose on staff which turns into the number 1 reason for quitting.
DeleteNext summer scheduled traffic from BEG
ReplyDeletehttps://postimg.cc/hJJpx5XW
+ ORD, JFK, TSN and PEK
More to come. Wizz seems to be playing around with frequencies at the moment, I'm sure they'll introduce something. I don't see them not reacting to JU's expansion. Marek also began to mention up to 30 new routes for JU next year, which until a few days ago the talk was of 21 new routes. Perhaps it's 21 from BEG and a couple of routes from INI?
DeleteVery cool photo, very cool abd impressive at the same time!
DeleteAfrica and the Caucasus region need some improvement otherwise it is pretty good as is.
DeleteMaybe India could work too?
ReplyDeleteDoubt it. You need a visa to enter India and Serbia is reintroducing visas for Indian citizens from 1.1.2023.
DeleteA lot of countries need a visa for India, including Commonwealth countries (e-visa), as well as Serbia. From personal experience, India e-visa application and approval doesn't take long. As long as there are e-visas between the two, traffic shouldn't be a problem. Potentially not viable in 23', but beyond Belgrade-Delhi or Mumbai can be realized, hopefully not with a narrowbody.
DeleteAnything in India would most likely be exclusively transfer. Not many Serbian nationals vacation in India while the number of Indians visiting Serbia is definitely going to drop starting 01.01.2023 once visas are reintroduced. There is a whole list of destinations that have higher O&D demand that will have higher priority.
DeleteDoes anybody know why today’s JFK flight has JU502 as a flight number? Is it something new? I remember all JFK bound flights had 500 as a flight number.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I think it's because YU-ARC was flying from JFK to BEG as JU501 at the moment when ARB took off for JFK.
DeleteMakes sense, thanks!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSinisa Mihajlovic as Pupin and Tesla?
ReplyDeleteJust no.
DeleteTime has come for Air Serbia to open new separate divisions under the same or different brand for specialized charter and cargo divisions.For charter they will need high density layout of Airbus 320 or A-321 with engines of their choice.For cargo A-330-200F would be great starter.Is this good idea or not folks?
DeleteYes.He fully deserves it.May he rest in peace.
Delete@20,56
DeleteYou might have missed the info but JU removed the dedicated business class cabin from the A319 and A320 fleet back in 2017. Their narrowbodies are already in a higher density configuration.
Next to no European carrier have dedicated charter brands as it overcomplicates things for 0 benefit. Plus it increases negative responses from passengers when they don't fly the airline "that they booked with" incase an aircraft is subbed, something that was common in JU when they had the Aviolet brand. Either you are maximising aircraft utilisation by mixing charter and scheduled ops in a single brand or increasing expenses by having more aircraft and more crew doing less work. Separate uniforms don't look good when using charter brand crew on mainline routes. Charters are focused in a 3 month period, what about the other 9 months? Again dilute the mainline brand with charter aircraft flying mainline routes or park them for 9 months?
Marek also talked several months back that the 2 ATR's are likely going to be converted into cargo aircraft.
Mislim da je Majami rezervna varijanta ukoliko se Kina ne otvori za nesmetane letove. Toronto je sigurno opcija 1 za treći A330.
ReplyDeleteProblem je sto ako se Kina ne otvori, Er Srbija pokrene Majami kao rezervu i Toronto a onda se Kina otvori nekoliko meseci kasnije. Peking i Sangaj imaju mnogo veci potencijal nego Majami. Sta onda, ugasiti Majami posle par meseci da bi poceli novu destinaciju u Kini?
DeleteKeep in mind that they will change more and more A319 to A320 following rising LF. If that patern continues it will be at least couple of weekly flights with A330 to places like CDG, SVO, ZRH, BCN, TIV, TGD in next 2 or 3 years.
Delete@21:42
DeleteAko se Kina otvori dodaće četvrti A330 i problem je rešen,
Both, passengers and carrier would save more money if they decide to the airport close to Toronto like Hamilton or Kitchener. Easy to park, no waiting time etc
ReplyDeleteKitchener does not have operations for widebody and runway is too short. Hamilton is cheaper but you are losing connections at Pearson.
DeleteSince it would be Terminal 3 for sure, they should have a codeshare with WestJet for connections to western Canada
I will split comment in three parts in order to be published maybe i missed that info but thats beside the point JATBEGMEL 23:43 but regardless i still believe AS needs dedicated charter division that works in concert with mainline that operates separately but still completes specific charter needs of the home company with high density A-321 for example.Business class must not never be neglected and must be present on all planes even on ATR-72 at least in strict minimal numbers if you ask me because that's money multiplier.Nothing should be neglected!It's great when you mentioned next to no European carrier have dedicated charter brands because overcomplicates things when it comes to charter methinks it simplifies better work division,gives better focus and fills specific needs to the airline.There are some other companies in the world that have low cost airlines and even charter airlines inside their own company.That is not a burden for a company that's an asset.I think AS should look into there own case and create special charter department inside their airline and at least adapt themselves to the Serbian situation and reality not just copy and imitate what ever other European company is doing.
ReplyDeleteNow when it comes to the charter brand Aviolet or Aviogenex what ever you like and separate uniforms to me thats just minutiae and besides where did i mentioned new or different uniforms for the charter division that's irrelevant and everything need to be streamlined from the start.Custumer satisfaction depends on the company performance so that too is very debatable."Charters are focused in a 3 month period what about other 9 months"Well i dont think charter division of AS is a office for pensioners that will sit back and relax do nothing,smoke some cigars and eat burek and so on as you said for 9 other months at least we agree for three months it will be busy but i am sure there is a lot of beach charter destinations starting from Morocco all the way to the Jordan and more interesting points in Europe.My favourite is Charm el cheikh in Egypt but that is now beside the point.Look when it comes to another 9 months again don't forget Kopaonik and Zlatibor exists elsewhere in Europe too for winter destinations but i will let travel agencies of Serbia take care of that aspect analyse that issue and let them find some jewels.Also if need be plane can be leased for other European airlines and why park plane on tarmac on Nikola Tesla airport if can be leased to the other airlines in Europe or elsewhere.I never mentioned Air Serbia charter airline needs ten planes from the start.Why jump to ten planes from the inception start with one plane and go with the flow and let it grow.Animawings ,company from Bucarest, is example that needs to be carefully observed and as Air Serbia i will consider purchasing some shares of that company if calculus is right.Now bare in mind when it comes to visa to the Serbian tourists,depending of the country,that is another issue but it is very important to understand Serbian travel tendencies and act accordingly.
ReplyDeleteBear in mind thing looks differently from Marek chair and i dont have all the details of AS situation or insider information about LF on AS flights but i personally support Marek all the way because at least he is trying to do something.When it comes to AS Cargo yes ATR-72-200 it's a good start but there is lot of potential with A-300-200F on flights to China for example and combine that in same AS Cargo division and possibilities are endless.Also thank you for you great reply JATBEGMELI i intentionally did not mention some details in the beginning in order to spark some replies and thank you for your respectful post because usual Serbian profanities are not present in your post.If you ask me the biggest danger to the AS evolution is AS itself with Incompetency of their workers,politically party appointed directors and managers and the biggest one political situation and instability with KiM inside Serbia.We all remember devastating sanctions to the Serbian economy in the nineties and strategic situations with Serbia overall that can menace Air Serbia progress and profit in case of sanctions against Serbia in case of war again.Thank you for your great reply JATBEGMEL.Cheers!
ReplyDeleteOrlando 70+ mil. Tourists annually.
ReplyDeleteMiami, 20+ mil. Tourists annually.
Diaspora though?
DeleteEx-YU crew are in Tampa, Clearwater, St.Petersburg.
ReplyDeleteSome are in Sanford and Orlando, plus Jacksonville and Miami northern Cities, Pompano, Hollywood etc.
Which ex-yu airlines have crew in Florida???
DeleteExYU refugees crew status.
DeleteSettled in Florida.
So ex-yu airlines have crew who now live in Florida?
DeleteNo ex-Yu crew in Florida at all. Anon @10:42 does not know what he talking about.
DeleteHe is probably talking abut where the diaspora is located. Using the word "crew" on an aviation blog was a poor choice.
DeleteYou could be right. But i have never heard of significant Balkan diaspora in Florida. That guy seems confused anyway.
DeleteHe’s correct about diaspora in FL but Jacksonville to Miami is a 5-6 hour drive. Tampa also is several hours away from MIA.
DeleteBEG - IAD would be sooo nice...
ReplyDeleteBut is there demand?
DeleteAir Serbia very strong expansion, best in region, and top 10 in the world. For 5 years best in the world
ReplyDeleteMIA is a strong hub for all central and south american destinations, caribbean as well. Besides that, many pax from Serbia travel to MIA from other EU cities on non-connecting flights, because if flying from BEG as start or end point, prices are double higher..Last 4-5 years I flew to MIA from LIS, AMS, CDG etc. with prices less than 300$ roundtrip..so those figures about MIA pax from BEG ( 10k annualy) are not valid. Not just for diaspora, MIA would have good numbers as transfer hub especially during winter months..Lot of tourists these days go to warmer climate destinations during our winter, and numbers can only increase. MIA would be better choice than YYZ, which would rely only on diaspora, and seasonal travel. Don't forget that families cannot visit our diaspora in Canada, due to strict visa procedures, and for USA is much easier
ReplyDeleteMislim da im kanada daje max 2 leta nedeljno a zauzvrat trazi reciprocitet da i er kanada leti za srb.. to se monopolistima me svidja pa cenim da je cak i majami opcija izglednija od yyz
ReplyDelete