Air Serbia plans to operate its most ambitious summer network to date, with the airline introducing 21 new routes over the coming months. Coupled with the new destinations added over the winter, the figure grows to 25. In addition, the carrier will maintain the twenty new routes launched last summer, with exception to Trieste, although Air Serbia previously indicated seasonal flights to the Italian city would be restored. This summer, the Serbian carrier is strengthening operations on a number of routes by adding extra frequencies. Cities that will be served with the same number of flights or exceed pre-pandemic summer 2019 levels include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Bucharest, Cairo, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Larnaca, Ljubljana, London Heathrow, Madrid, Malta, Milan, New York, Paris, Podgorica, Prague, Rijeka, Rome, Sarajevo, Sofia, Skopje, Stockholm, Tirana, Tivat, Venice, Vienna, Zadar, Zagreb and Zurich.
Detailing the strategy behind its aggressive growth, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, recently said, “We proved in 2022 that growth was the right choice. We made it and it brought us back to profitability. We are making all the right steps this year in order to make it work and we will do it again next year. We learned during Covid that leisure and diaspora-driven routes were the least affected and the ones which came back really quickly. That was the main pillar of our expansion in 2022 and the majority of our routes were leisure and diaspora and they stayed over the winter. Our expansion this year is driven by the same factors and, on top of that, we are increasing connectivity, that is, densifying the existing network. I think the magical formula is the fast reaction. Everything is now happening last minute, so the faster you can react, the more benefit and opportunities you can unlock for yourself”. Despite turning a number of former charter destinations into scheduled ones, the airline will boast a strong charter season from both Belgrade and Niš. Its scheduled operations out of Niš and Kraljevo will remain unchanged this summer.
The 2023 summer season begins this Sunday and runs until October 28. Please note that the weekly frequencies listed below are preliminary and based on current availability in the GDS (Global Distribution System). Air Serbia is prone to making additional changes to its network mid-way through the season. The table below displays the peak weekly frequency on each route during the course of the summer season. Increases in frequencies on select destinations do not come into effect until mid-June. You can also review the summer season network that will be operated by Croatia Airlines here, as well as the one planned by Air Montenegro here.
Departing Belgrade
Departing Niš
Now that's a network
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know why Air Serbia recently changed some of their departures to odd times, like 17.07 or 20.32?
DeleteLjubljana being only 14x when they were saying it's going to be at least 18x compared to Budapest being 17x weekly straight from the getgo doesn't seem right. Is the Budapest route being hiddenly subsidized? I completely understand market penetration but it just doesn't make sense
ReplyDeleteBEG-BUD was massacred due to poor performance. It will have 7 or 9 weekly for a long time.
DeleteThey never said Budapest was going to be 17 weekly from the start. Quite the contrary. It will grow from 10 weekly to 17 weekly.
DeleteThey also said they hope LJU would be 18 weekly. They never said it will be. And if you think 14 weekly is "only" then you should look who flies to Ljubljana and how much.
BUD frequencies were literally reduced in the system, they were 14 from the start and reduced to 9. That's what they were selling my good old friend.
DeleteSo why is that an issue? Do they have some obligation to Slovenia where they have to fly triple daily?
DeleteThey are serving Ljubljana with more frequencies than they did in summer of 2019, until Adria went bust.
DeleteAny LJU flight is above 80% now, and we aren't even in the summer season yet. Thus the decision about leaving lju at 14x and going to 17x with a new route that is 2h away with car isn't really something anyone expected. Thus my question about the subsidies
DeleteWhy would it be "hiddenly subsidized"? Please don't make things up.
DeleteWell of course you have to find something to complain about.
DeleteHidden subsidies are quite nore common than you think. It could be a landing fee that's covered by the local government, it could be airport fee that's lowered by covered by the government etx. Remember we are rhe balkans
DeleteEvery airports gives certain incentives for newly launched routes. That's not hidden and it is on Budapest Airport's website. You creating an entire conspiracy because you are upset Ljubljana isn't the most important destination in their network is kind of crazy.
DeleteWorst thing a business can do is stagnate in a market where they are experiencing growth. If LJU flights are full then they should have given them priority and boosted either capacity or frequencies. The other day BLQ-BEG on the A319 operated with 129 passengers. Good thing that they are responding by adding more flights. Demand seems to be there.
DeleteIt's nice that they are adding new destinations but it's more important that they are focusing on growing in markets which are responding positively to their product.
I hope no one is suggesting that JU is neglecting Slovenian market because the truth is completely opposite. Many things can be said about JU but this one, come on...
DeleteCongratulations, AS! You are most welcome in Slovenia. This is quite the network.
Delete@ anonymous 9:15
DeleteThe distance Bg - Bud is 358 km or about 3 and a half hours, without waiting at the border. Are you knowingly breaking the law and driving that route in 2 hours?
Maybe JU expected to get some money from Slovenian Government but LJU decided to give it to the other companies and therefore they kept LJU on 14 weekly?
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/03/slovenia-to-outline-subsidised-air.html
I guess they don't want to increase LJU and other destinations, including CDG, because they still aren't sure about their fleet for the summer. Their ATR fleet will be stretched, so I guess they are waiting to see when will additional aircraft arrive.
DeleteAirSerbia is on fire. :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning friends.
ReplyDeleteDue to a combination of weak sales and a chronic fleet shortage, Air Serbia has pushed back the launch of BEG-ESB from 28th May to 7th April.
It doesn't help that TK flies this route 4 times per week with much better times and that JU sales team has performed really poorly.
Any idea which other route launch might get delayed?
It's delayed by a week lol
DeleteWell, for now. Not a good sign after reducing BUD. They started these routes too early. Should be in May or June.
DeleteWhere were you when Turkish delayed Izmir-Belgrade by 2 months? There was no good morning to friends then :(
DeleteAnon Troll @9:03
Delete"Air Serbia has pushed back the launch of BEG-ESB from 28th May to 7th April."
Sounds like to me they moved up the launch date by 7 weeks. So all good, don't fret.
No it was moved from March 28th to April 7th.
DeleteExcellent network. Good luck Air Serbia.
ReplyDeletePrepare yourselves for many delays again and travel with scrap wet leases !
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you worry about your own airline that's in shambles and leave us alone?
DeleteThey introduced 4 routes with a total of 5 departures per week!
DeleteImpressive! Bravo Air Serbia 🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
ReplyDeleteVery good network. I just hope they will have enough planes to maintain it.
ReplyDeleteTo me the most impressive increase are:
ReplyDeleteBarcelona at 9 weekly
Larnaca at double daily!
Vienna at 18 weekly.
I am surprised in a positive way how strongly the Spanish market has performed considering JU was not even operating scheduled flights to Spain until 2019. Not to mention Barcelona was 2 weekly.
DeleteIn my opinión next winter Tenerife, and next summer Alicante
DeleteI also think Tenerife will be added in W23/24
Delete5 Spanish destinations is simply awesome! Yes, they are missing Alicante and Tenerife for sure. I think it will be their next big market.
DeleteFive destinations in Spain are more than enough !
DeleteJU should now focus on increasing frequencies .
Daily Madrid and at least three times weekly Malaga .
And at least 4X VLC.
DeleteEnough or no but Tenerife must be tu next, Alicante is posible todo but Valencia is not far from Alicante,so perhaps only Tenerife will the next and last destination to Spain .Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia Palma,Malaga, and Tenerife
DeleteWhat about IBIZA ?
DeleteThere is not need for Alicante, since Valencia is so close, and tourist town mostly vidited on Costa Blanca are between Alicante and Valencia. Tenerife yes, or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria could be even better, cause its nicer island, main island, and closer to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, where most of the tourists go ( together with Gran Canaria and Tenerife, off course)..Now Air Serbia needs to concentrate on increasing frequencies to some spanish cities- primarily Malaga, and one more rotation for Madrid
DeleteCan't wait for Chicago :) it will be a historic day, that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteLCA with 14 weekly will be interesting to follow especially with Wizz Air doubling their frequencies starting from next week.
ReplyDeleteI was looking at W6's fares to LCA and they seem to be doing very well. On the 13th, 27th and 30th one way tickets are selling for 33.000, 42.000 and 44.000 RSD.
Interestingly most sales seem to be on the Belgrade side.
Average BEG-LCA fare in April is 17.340 which is quite high. Let's see how JU competes with them especially now when Wizz revised their flight times with both morning and afternoon departures from Belgrade.
What is generating this growth to Larnaca? I'm a bit surprised. Ok, I understand there are tourists but tourism was present in Cyprus for decades. How did it explode for JU and W6 from last year?
DeleteCyprus became much more popular in recent years among Serbian holidaymakers. Also, Wizz Air launching BEG-LCA forced JU to reduce their fares.
DeleteFurthermore, Wizz Air's flights always have Romanian and Croatian passengers meaning BEG expanded its catchment area to include these two countries. If you are from Slavonija or from Romanian Banat and need to get to Cyprus, then BEG is your most convenient option.
By the way, Wizz Air revised their LCA schedule just recently meaning that they are paying attention to this market and that they are determined to keep on fighting JU. This is their new schedule:
-2---6-
BEG-LCA 17.40-21.10
LCA-BEG 21.45-23.35
Last summer LCA used to arrive at 00.45 and since it was their last flight of the day delays were extremely common.
The blog djaftekurafte says it's because of the Russians. They also think that 134 passengers enter the A319 in Moscow and then 280 of them leave in Belgrade and 350 of them continue to fly to LCA, FCO, TIV, TGD, MAD, CDG, JFK, MXP... The Russians are the explanation for all the routes.
DeleteSome of them might coming from IST and then continuing to LCA. I guess that happens but those are not hundreds of people for sure.
DeleteCyprus is beautiful place and quite expensive. I suspect good portion of transfers are going via Belgrade could be travellers from Russia.
DeleteGrowth of Spain on the other hand is fuelled by just preference of Serbian tourists. Also something that was unknown because there were no direct flights until just recently is instantly more attractive.
Cyprus was always popular with Serbians.. a lot of travel agencies advertise good deals
DeleteI must admit that they now finally have a really respectable route network.
ReplyDeleteI really hope they will keep all the new destinations. We will see.
ReplyDeleteThey kept all of them from last year.
DeleteImpressive network for a regional airline, no one can deny it.
ReplyDeleteAnd for mini-hub!
DeleteHappy to see Cairo back after so many years
ReplyDeleteyes but who is going to Cairo in the Summer ???
Deletewow, this looks really impressive on a map!
ReplyDeleteThey have covered Croatia completely.
ReplyDeleteRomania should be their next focus especially since most destinations can be served year-round and Blue Air collapsed.
DeleteMoldova might be a market to watch. Wizz Air withdrew and Air Moldova is on the brink of collapse.
DeleteMoldova is currently an unsafe country. Especially not for Serbs and companies from Serbia. Let's just remember the statement of their politicians.
DeleteWizz Air withdrew because of safety. Don't think any airline will rush to launch flights there any time soon.
DeleteWith Krakow being launched this year seems like Poland is a bigger focus than Romania. If Krakow performs well then maybe they could look at Wroclaw next, it's another destination which can be reached by ATR.
DeleteWhy not Belarus.. Minsk is so unserved within Europe at the moment
DeleteSerbia has sanctions imposed on Belarus. No flights allowed.
DeleteIf I'm not mistaken, they fly the most destination to Italy right?
ReplyDeleteYes 9 cities. 10 if they return to Trieste.
DeleteWhat happened to Lyon and Brussels? Btw I'm really impressed to see this massive network growth. On top of that JU will operate many charter flights. It's also nice to see that seasonal flights from INI and KVO are restored!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean what happened with Lyon?
DeleteOnly 2x weekly, the loads were quite good during the winter season.
DeleteHow do you know LF was good?
DeleteI actually flew to LYS for a couple of times, the LF was ok, 50-60% I'd say. On some days they were operating E-195 and the LF was even higher.
DeleteThis means that the LF is low and there is no need for additional flights. Plus flights are on Mondays and Fridays. What to expect if they add on Wednesday or Saturday?
DeleteI do like when people judge a route's performance and profitability based on a single LF on a single flight in a single direction in the winter.
DeleteLF to Lyon is one of the lowest in the network and ticket prices are very low.
DeleteBased on what do you know that. You work at JU?
DeleteProbably based on - Trust me, my friend...
DeleteReally impressive! Let's hope they don't mess it up...
ReplyDeleteMiddle East destinations missing big time
ReplyDeleteMarek said in an interview that in the Middle East Beirut will be the next destination to be added. But he said that yields are low.
DeleteThat just doesn't add up. "Next destinations should be A, but A has low yields and we will not launch it". Than look at destination B, at least Middle East has a lot high yield markets.
DeleteWell that's not what he said. Go back and read what he said. He said they won't introduce BEY until they further increase frequencies on European destinations with high transfer volumes.
DeleteAgree. Excellent approach of JU.
ReplyDeleteIt would not be any pitty if they quit quarter of them at the end of season.
That is the trial and error approach, certainly with pre-analysis which always is loaded with many unknowns in the equation. It is common in any business, which is acceptable by any person being executive and run any business.
Otherwise, stagnation is killing.
But out of 20 routes introduced last year, 19 are in operation (and they said the 20th would come back too).
Delete2022 expansion was proven!
DeleteEven if they drop quarter of routes from 2023 expansion it is still more than great!
Yes, whoever run a company may only applaud to this strategy of JU!
Earlier this week, VCE-BEG had 44 passengers on the AirConnect ATR 72-600. The pilots were interestingly enough Serbian. Passenger mix was I’d say half Serbian, half foreign.
ReplyDeleteI was also flying last week BEG-FRA with Dan Air and it was the second time that the crew was Romanian, but the pilot was Serbian.
DeleteAnd what was the LF?
Delete94 passengers on A319.
DeleteThanks.
DeleteSpanish routes certainly have the potential to increase frequencies, but I think the problem is the fleet. I hope that soon we will receive information about the arrival of new aircraft from the A320 family. It's going to be a crazy summer for JU, good luck.
ReplyDeleteIt looks pretty tight. If plane gets out of service and repairs take longer, meltdowns are an avoidable. Does Air Montenegro operated by Air Serbia continue this summer?
DeleteNo. It was published here
DeleteMr Marek added the airline expects to operate a fleet of up to thirty aircraft this summer. “This summer I would say we will have 28 to 29 aircraft and in terms of wet-leases we would expect four to five A320s or Boeing 737-800s and maybe one A319." Plus 2 ATRs wil be wet leased
Also
"One Airbus A320, which has been painted, should arrive in March, and start operations approximately in April. We are looking into adding an A319, which was not originally planned to join the fleet this year, but the deal is quite attractive and will most likely go through. We have signed a letter of intent for two more ATR72-600s, but because of maintenance and redelivery from the previous lessor, one will most likely arrive in May, and the other in August”.
https://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/03/air-serbia-to-grow-narrow-body-fleet.html
Very nice developments from JU this summer.
ReplyDeleteJasmineeeeeee! Dje si? Jel' te bar malo sram?
ReplyDeleteOtvara liniju za OMO.
DeleteMr Bajic is the best C.E.O in the region!
DeleteAnd let's not forget that these are only JU flights and this summer BEG will have also many other destinations with Wizzair, AirBaltic, Jazeera...
ReplyDeleteWill be very interesting to see how they will perform in VAR and end the long annoying dominance of OS that have been operating for such a long time including TK. Although, TK adjusted their timetable similar to JU's one on some days, but JU has very good prices. They should perform well in Italy and Spain because they are not well connected with VAR. The VAR-BCN route was cut by Wizz during the pandemic and there was demand.
ReplyDeleteIf they perform well, it might end up a year-round destination. BOJ also has quite a lot of potential even if it is June-September. It traditionally has more traffic than VAR, but VAR has much more year-round destinations so why not BEG as well in winter.
Zaista Er Srbija iznenadjuje mnoge od nas. Ipak vreme Er Srbije tek dolazi. Povecanjem dugolinijskog saobracaja na deset destinacija. Tri do USA. Tri do Kine. Jedna do Kanade.
ReplyDeleteTri do Dalekog Istoka. Zatim uvecanja saobracaja na mrezi Aerodroma Srbije. Uvecanje letova za Afriku. Formiranje kargo servisa sa par aviona za pocetak.uvecanje mreze carter saobracaja. Zavrsetak izgradnje Aerodroma i stogodisnjica Nacionalne kompanije ostvarice se.
Srbiji postaje saobracaj imperativ razvoja zemlje.
Prevazilazeci sve sto se dogadjalo u saobracaju. Ukliucujuci i razvoj komercijalne avijacije. ✈🌐🛫
Someone using AirSERBIA app/website? I've noticed when you select flights to Lisbon after April 15, there are no direct flights shown in the results. Instead, only the ones with layovers. Anyone noticed this?
ReplyDeleteThey are available on site, stop sharing misinformation.
DeleteTuesday 18.04. BEG-LIS 155,84€.
DeleteSaturday 22.04. the same price.
Direct flights. It’s normal.
Very aggressive expansion, which I support, but am very afraid about delays and customer reactions. My last 2 AS experiences were really bad on delays, I mean bad. Still I wish them well and really want AS to become regional powerhouse. Long time ago on the west coast US, Reno Air became very aggressive with routes from Nevada, but at some point could not handle it and had issues with delays. I am not saying this is the same thing but remembered it. AA bought them after few years. Posted on djaftekurafte air blog some time ago too.
ReplyDeleteDid you end up getting compensation for your delay?
DeleteMoscow silently increased to 14 weekly. Love how no one in JU is mentioning Moscow in any statement, smart move IMO. With the tensions between Serbia-EU-Russia drama, I am not sure for how long would this flights stick.
ReplyDelete14 pw since mid-December. They only reduced it to 12 in mid-February, and now they're bringing it back to 14. So it's not an increase.
DeleteWhat drama? EU can't can't tell Air Serbia where not to fly?
DeleteMost certainly there had been drama just one year ago. This approach of incremental increase is much much better.
DeleteEU actually wants Airserbia to fly to Russia they need a couple of Airlines to handle conectivity for all sorts of reasons. I was recently on a flight Vienna-Belgrade-Moscow most of the people where foreigners from EU.. I was talking to a Hotel Manager he was Italian and a German who works for a German Company in Moscow. Apparently he flys regularly for business and to visit family between Germany and Russia through Tel Aviv, Cairo Istanbul or Belgrad
DeleteIn the text is missing one destination Banja Luka. I hope that Air Serbia will increase flights number to Banja luka at least 3 times a week with morning and evening rotation in total 6 flights. That's a minimum
ReplyDeleteIt's listed in the text and map.
DeleteGonna be a very busy summer for JU crew.
ReplyDeleteNo double daily to SJJ?
ReplyDeleteIt has always been daily.
DeleteI know, but we heard some rumors that SJJ is extending its working hours
DeleteI'm afraid JU can't add flights based on rumors.
DeleteSince Air Serbia is owned by the government, I wonder how much money they are gonna pay this summer in vouchers and compensations to the customers for the certain huge delays and flight cansels !
ReplyDeleteHow many comments are you going to write? You weren't happy with the responses you got for your first one this morning?
Delete"Prepare yourselves for many delays again and travel with scrap wet leases !"
Good luck Air Serbia! Record number of passengers is within reach this year.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteLooks great and I hope Nis can see some additional destinations once renovations to Nis airport are completed.
ReplyDeleteRespectable network for sure, and I wish that they consider major Romanian expansion next year. It seems as the perfect market for transfers..
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the next focus should be on frequencies. With only 14 destinations, in peak season, having double daily or more flights, it is definitely limiting connectivity to their network. Certainly they are aware of it, but they could increase frequencies in total by 50% with the same network and get great results
That is their next target
Delete“Our priority will now be switching towards more densification in Europe. We will densify our network in the whole of Europe and the region. There are still a couple of routes we are looking at in Europe, but I would not disclose them just yet. As a hint, the new routes might be outside of our current bank structures so we might start to create additional banks, for example like our flight to London, within this wave of departures. The routes we are looking into involve longer flying time. Maybe some of them will come as early as next year. However, I would not rule out even earlier introduction”, Mr Marek concluded.
https://www.exyuaviation.com/2023/03/air-serbia-outlines-route-development.html
I dont understand why Banja Luka is still 2 weekly. It is impossible to connect to any flight with the current schedule
ReplyDeleteGood luck Air Serbia,nice network and great potential!!!The time of glory coming(again)🍀
ReplyDeleteBought Amman-Budapest today Wizz. Last year they say we will have Amman, than nothing. Unless you go to Tel Aviv and risk israel stigma in pass, sometime even seperate piece of paper wint help at the border.
ReplyDeleteIs Amman part of Ex Yu? Budapest for sure is not. Topic is Air Serbia summer network.
DeleteDon't be so narrow-minded. Air Serbia is European airline with big potential.
DeleteAmazing. Does anyone think Split line should be year-long?
ReplyDeleteyes but 2x a week to connect on transatlantic could work
DeleteBefore becoming year long they should first get daily ..
DeleteMore routes = More Aircraft, They can lunch Miami flight instead of Toronto.
ReplyDeleteAdmin - Trieste is on sale right now. They will be flying to TRS twice per week. Please update the article. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAdmin, you are missing FCO on the map.
ReplyDelete