Air Serbia intends on bridging the gap between its turboprop and narrow-body Airbus fleet with the introduction of wet-leased Embraer aircraft operated by Greece’s Marathon Airlines, which it eventually plans to turn into dry-leases. It has so far added one E190 aircraft, with an E195 due to enter the fleet next month, and potentially a third one in September.
Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Pawel Skuteli, Embraer’s Regional Director for Airline Marketing EMEA, said, “Air Serbia launched over twenty new routes this year. Adding Embraer E-Jets to the fleet will help to further fuel this growth. Efficient regional jets offer more flexibility and can serve as route-openers on markets that would be too thin for a larger narrow-body or too far away for a turboprop aircraft. E-Jets also help to tackle seasonality, one of the key challenges for airlines in the region. Historically, capacity in January has been at only 40% of what it is in August. Efficient regional jets are a perfect tool to maintain connectivity by replacing larger aircraft in low-demand months”. He added, “This is especially important when an airline is developing a hub just like Air Serbia is. We have seen new wide-body aircraft joining its fleet. With the increased number of long-haul flights, there will be a need for more spokes and more frequencies to feed the network year-round. E-Jets are proven hub-feeders for major airlines in Europe flying complementary to narrow-bodies from main airports, on markets that require either increased frequencies or smaller capacity aircraft. The good fit of E-Jets for the region is also validated by the schedules of other European carriers. On routes from hubs like Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris, or Warsaw, E-Jets are very often the most popular type”.
Mr Skuteli noted Embraer and Air Serbia have good relations. “We have been maintaining a close relationship over the years discussing different opportunities. But Air Serbia, as the fastest-growing airline in Europe, is really in the spotlight right now. While the industry is still recovering, only now approaching pre-pandemic levels, Air Serbia succeeded in growing its capacity by over 50% vs. 2019. This is a remarkable achievement. We are very proud to see the first Embraer E-Jet painted in the Air Serbia livery. It is worth noting that Air Serbia was already using a wet-leased E-Jet from Air Montenegro, on a short-term basis over the winter season. This experience demonstrated that the type adds value to Air Serbia’s network and strategy. Now we are very happy to see more Embraers flying in Serbia and developing cooperation with Marathon Airlines”. He added, “Ultimately it is up to the airline to decide on its strategy and fleet composition. What Embraer offers is the continued support for the E-Jets E1 and the possibility to grow with the new E2 Family - the most advanced and cost-effective single-aisle aircraft. We decreased the fuel burn per seat on the E195-E2 by 25% in comparison with the E195-E1. This means that existing operators can easily transfer to a new platform while drastically cutting costs and emissions to grow in a sustainable manner”.
Marathon Airlines’ E190 aircraft is now operating on a range of routes for Air Serbia. This August it will be most commonly used between Belgrade and Rome, followed by Hamburg and Frankfurt. The E195, which still needs to be delivered to Marathon Airlines first, was initially scheduled to commence commercial operations on Air Serbia’s behalf last week, based on GDS availability. However, this was pushed back to August 2 and has now been moved to next Saturday, August 12. Based on the GDS, the 118-seat plane will make its debut on the Belgrade - Amsterdam service, followed by Tirana and then Cologne that same day. This is still subject to change. Air Serbia plans to deploy Embraer aircraft on 152 flights departing Belgrade next month or a total of 304 operations.
I agree. This is the perfect plane for JU. Should have been incorporated into the fleet years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou can't have 30 routes and fly 3 different manufacturers. Adria had a case to show with Saab, CRJs and Airbuses
DeleteMaybe a long term vision is to implement E jet and get rid of all ATRs. After all, they are all leased, not owned by JU, so it should be simpler to swap.
DeleteGuys, E-jets are going to replace the A319. Air Serbia will operate the ATR, E90/95, A320 and A330.
DeleteThat's perfectly ok.
4 different aircraft families, pilot groups etc. seems too much for me for an airline the size of JU.
Delete@ anon 09:10
Delete+1
ATR is irreplecable in next couple of years.
Anon 09.12
DeleteIt's not too much if JU can make money with them.
@ 9:12
DeleteI agree.
09.12
Deletedisagree
Most European carriers have between 3-5 types in their fleet. JU previously had 4 types with 20 aircraft, now it will be 4 types with 30+ aircraft.
DeleteHaving a couple of everything isn't the way to go, sure, but 4 types is ok. None of the types overlap (for example A320 and B737).
Plus with the price of oil being this unstable it's better to keep the ATR
DeleteATR is key to JU's success. The regional spoke destinations are extremely price sensitive, and JU is doing well precisely because it operates the absolutely cheapest aircraft possible on those connecting flights.
DeleteFour types (ATR, E90/95, A320, A330) is the correct path, but if it must be three types, then E90/95 is clearly the weakest link
Embraers are great planes and Jat did consider them at one point. I remember they even operated a promo flight between Belgrade and Podgorica.
ReplyDeleteHere it is
Deletehttps://www.airliners.net/photo/Embraer/Embraer-170LR-ERJ-170-100LR/680846/L?qsp=eJwljcEKwjAQRP9lzjlYSgVz07vowR9YNlst1DZsNmAp/XeT9jZv4M2s4Hky%2BdlriQKPJKT8gUMkpW%2BCX0GDslJvd5pyT2xZReGbzhU1T6YLfNtdHNKsdiuAQCZXZokmAUf/0FAlBEm8j7/rWXOqWfR5YHsuGIYUR9pnxGgYsW1/Fa82UQ%3D%3D
I flew on HOP Embraer a few weeks ago. Maybe I experienced an old airframe but I wouldn't say it is a great plane.
DeleteHOP! fleet is abused how much they are being used. Also those Ejets are on their way out so I doubt AF really cares about the overall state of the cabin.
DeleteI had the same, not so great experience with Embraer jets. Las year, I was on Helvetic E2 from ZRH to LJU and just a month ago on Lufthansa Cityline, from FRA to LJU. The take-off was fine, but the approach to LJU in both cases was nauseating. The airplane kept dropping and making sudden moves. I had a feeling like we were going to crash down. To its defence, we were sitting in both instances in the back of the airplane. I know sitting in the back can be less comfortable but I remember when i used to fly on Adria's CRJs, back or front, those flights were always so smooth and comfortable. After my first flight on Embrare, I though, maybe it was the pilot. However, after the same happened the 2nd time, I am starting to think it's the airplane.
DeleteI'm starting to think it's just you
Delete@Aninymous 14:13 that has nothing to do with the airplane, nor the crew flying it. I understand that the chances of the general public having any understanding of flight are slim to none, but as a pilot I just want to say - please educate yourself a bit.
Delete@ Anonymous 12:51 The fact is that some planes are more comfortable than others (noise, vibration, size of the airplane, where you sit on the airplane, etc.). As a so-called pilot, you should know better before telling someone to educate themselves. Maybe you should work on your manners first.
DeleteAlitalia 10 years ago, British, Bulgarian, the Embraers ate a dream.
DeleteInteresting that JU is reducing capacity on BEG-AMS just before KL boosts capacity on the route. One is going from A319 to E95 while the other is moving from E90/E2 to B73W/738.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Air France, KLM seems to be doing well in Belgrade. Good for them. Hopefully now that JU has the jungle jet they could become even more efficient.
It's a one off. They are not replacing A319 with Embraers on the route.
DeleteI actually wouldn't be surprised if they do. It might make their performance better on the route. After all if LOT can send the Embraer there then so can JU, nothing to be ashamed of.
DeleteI am more worried about the E being sent to ZRH and FRA which are major hubs of their arch nemesis. JU should put some ads in Frankfurt to promote its service. It's a massive market that every airline in the world is fighting for.
KLM is often overbooked in economy, no wonder they’re upgrading to a bigger aircraft.
DeleteI think that a JU route INI-AMS would be very profitable.
DeleteJU did not go through with INI - ZRH... if that particular route is not sustainable I am having hard time believing that Amsterdam would be
DeleteWell in AMS they could make use of KLM's network something they couldn't do in ZRH with LX.
DeleteWe would JU want to feed KLMs network?
DeleteJU and KLM have a codeshare in place for over a decade. JU feed to a couple of carriers in AMS.
DeleteHowever, this was pushed back to August 2 and has now been moved to next Saturday, August 12th
ReplyDeleteWell Marek is right, the market conditions are insane and it's hurting JU.
There is 737 with Greek registration flying for them nowadays so I think Marathon leased that one out, so JU relationship doesn't deteriorate
And how much would it cost to retrain pilots, crews, where would you do maintenance since Jat Tehnika doesn't have certificates for Embraers?
ReplyDeleteYou do know they would get support from Embraer to do training, familiarization, simulator, and everything operational wise? I mean, this same story was brought up once Airbuses were introduced - "oh come on, we have Boeing, we do not have certificates" etc .
DeleteAlso Jat Tehnika is not the only MRO provider worldwide, ASL is slowly orienting towards other more reliable providers. ASL only does line maintenance in Belgrade. Everything else is handled by AVIA PRIME (Jat Tehnika) and Turkish Technic.
New pilots are being trained over winter and they should join the airline before summer 2024. They just need to get through the winter.
DeleteReally looking forward seeing Embraers around. It will nicely diversify the fleet and offer a right aircraft for a right type of operations. Especially having in mind the need to replace 319 with 320 - which only is a logical step forward.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, Embraer 195 is currently undergoing a check and a painting in Embraer facility in USA, Macon (MCN) airport.
+1
DeleteBy the way, yesterday it was reported in Montenegrin media that pilots are massively quitting Air Montenegro and moving to Marathon.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense. Many of Air Montenegro's pilots are actually from Belgrade. This is the perfect opportunity for them.
DeleteThat is going to be a major issue for MNE going forward.
DeleteUpgrading Tirana is a sign that a demand for Albania is off the hook
ReplyDeleteAlbanian tourism is on fire plus Albanians travel a lot.
DeleteWell Tirana is the perfect market for the Ejet. A319 is too big while the ATR is too small. Similar situation with Prague and Bucharest.
DeleteASL needs 5 E175s and 5 E195s
ReplyDeleteE175 is too small for them, they don't need it. E90 is a much better option given the planes economics.
DeleteI also think the E-190 is the one to go for. E-175 is too small and too similar to the seat capacity of the ATR. To have the correct spare aircraft in case of disruption, I think it makes sense to go for a single type only, so I am surprised that they are taking in the E-195 as well. I think it is too close in size to the A319, so they could just as well take in more of those. Better with 100-110 seats.
DeleteStrange that this smaller plane will be deployed to Rome; my thought was that FCO is always packed.
ReplyDeleteYes, but with Wizz. Not with JU prices.
DeleteA lot of capacity has been added on this route.
DeleteA friend of mine flew to CIA a few days ago and he said the A321 was 90% full. Very good news for the market, we need more affordable flights such as those.
DeleteTheir 1st E-195 has landed 36h ago to commerce maintenance and painting, lets hope it's ready by 12th
ReplyDeleteI think 10 day should be enough for painting right?
DeleteYes if there isn't B or C checks planned, but I'm almost certain that at least B check will be preformed seeing aircraft being out of service for a few months
DeleteWhat is the current registration of the plane?
DeletePR-AXB, some reported that the plane in question is PR-AHY, but that plane hasn't taken off since April, so it could mean that AHY is coming in September
DeleteI believe it is N361AZ. Not sure
DeletePR-AXB
DeletePR-AYH is N361AZ with new reg, seems like there is a problem with the aircraft so now Marathon is fast-tracking the arrival of the September unit (PR-AXB)
DeleteThanks!
DeleteN361AZ landed in BIKF (KEF).
DeleteIt is just time and money loss for Embraer to talk to Air Serbia. They will just wet leaase planes.
ReplyDeleteYou can't even read the article, and you expect us to debate you? Cmon
DeleteDo you think Embraer does not know that ASL will wet//dry lease planes at some point? And you still think they would be only interested if they actually buy those planes? You then have no idea how procurement and support works in aviation.
DeleteEmbraer gets a new customer. It does not matter if that customer bought an aircraft directly, or have just leased it from ACMI provider, or leasing company. He is the customer. They help with maintenance, crew training, everything. It was always the case, and it will always will be the case.
Agree with the above comment. If you read the article you can see that Embraer even knows they used to wet lease Air Montenegro's E195.
DeleteIt is full time job for several analyst at Embraer. Not like Purger.
DeleteIt's simple, really. If the second-hand Embraer market does well and customers (both operators and wetlease customers) are happy, the market will have faith in Embraer products, their long-term value and order new aircraft. If Embraer wouldn't work like this after the aircraft left the factory, new orders would quickly dry up.
DeleteHow much do the new E2 jets cost?
ReplyDeleteJudging by how there isn't a major backlog, I think you can get them relatively cheaply if you buy directly from Embraer, if you lease I have no idea
DeleteApproximately
DeleteE175-E2 - US$56,4 million
E190-E2 - US$64,6 million
E192-E2 - US$72,8 million
I don't think there are any orders for E175-E2.
DeleteScope clause, the US regional airlines can't touch it. And the 220 does the job better, but for a bigger price tag.
DeleteI'm glad to see that Embraer is engaged and are in contact with Air Serbia.
ReplyDeleteGood plane for passengers, bad for cargo
ReplyDeleteWhy?
DeleteCargo compartment is small in size compared to A319
DeleteI doubt they carry much cargo to secondary destinations where they will be sending Embraers.
DeleteLjubljana Belgrade for example has 1-2 daily cargo only flights alone in addition to JU, so for some markets it's pretty big
DeleteThose LJU cargo flights are not for local demand, they are used by UPS and TNT.
DeleteDHL now sends the cargo B738 to Bologna.
@09,52
DeleteIts cargo capacity is smaller than the A319 because the aircraft is smaller.
i think there is industry standard for aviation cargo pallets. the embraer cannot take those pallets.
DeleteAir Serbia Airbuses do not take ULD containers - baggage is taken manually into cargo hold (as well as cargo). No specific pallets, like you can see with LH or TK.
DeleteCan the E195 land in Kraljevo?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there are any plans to use Embraers on Kraljevo routes.
DeleteIt is a sensible solution for the future in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteEmbraers are a very reliable and efficient aircraft and already used by so many European airlines.
ReplyDeleteI think E-90 will make a lot of sense in Niš instead of current A319.
ReplyDeleteLet's wait and see, maybe they'll add additional routes if they get paid
In summer A319 is perfect for INI routes, HHN, IST and even CGN on some days are full. E90 could be used in winter.
DeleteThey need Embraers badly
ReplyDeleteit took over a year but I am happy Air Serbia is reading this blog and my comments. Have been fighting for Air Serbia to have a majority embraer fleet for over a year. perfect for the region and the requirements of serbia.
ReplyDeleteYou da man Slava.
DeleteSure it is because of you.
Delete@12:41
Deletei am positive it was becuase of me.
but they didnt follow all my advice.
I said the E170 and E175 would be perfect, because they can be rotated and used at INI and KVO. there is demand to get good loads from those airports.
still think the E195 is too big for INI.
Good load doesn't always equal profit.
DeleteThey should hire you hahaha
DeleteI would turn Air Serbia into a 100 fleet airline in 3 years.
Deleteits not hard to be honest, main thing needed is not to think, behave and operate like the corrupt and criminal people.
but incase anyone from JU is reading my comments today.
start flights to Sydney.
lease an a350-900 ulr. because the 1000 is too big and the 900ULR can be flown from belgrade to auckland also.
or if the a350 is too expensive
the A340-500 can make the distance to sydney
Boeng 777-200LR can make distance from belgrade to sydney.
Damn you are delusional.
DeleteSlav man, please sober up and stay on your meds.
Deleteguess everyone should be sober like everyone at air serbia before 2014 or sober like Jasmine and yanko gorgiev.
Deletewould have great success.
You need reality check.
DeleteSlava for predšednik.
DeleteI realise that Slav.Man's posts are a joke, but just in case some readers don't understand how the industry works, here's why it's not possible to grow to 100 aircraft in three years:
Delete- Air Serbia won't have enough instructors and examiners to train the number of pilots that quickly
- Aircraft lessors will (naturally) find the plan unrealistic and won't hand over their aircraft, at least not at reasonable rates; neither would banks offer a favourable loan in case of purchasing aircraft
Nobody should take the SYD "ideas" seriously, though, so I hardly need to comment that.
True dat.
Deletepeople fighting for corrupt syndicate inside JU working overtime tonight.
Deleteany companies ability to train or acquire pilots is dependent on their ability to organize and their desire to work for the plan.
or is JU magically limited to training only a few? is there a cap for serbia we aren't made aware of?
aircraft lessors would give planes as long as you have the funds to pay.
Sydney is the biggest market with non-direct flights to europe. if chicago works for JU so would Sydney.
sure 100 in 3 years was a bit of a joke. but nothing listed was a genuine reason it wouldnt work.
a genuine reason it would not be able to happen is something like space for the aircraft. since 100 aircraft would be used to carry about 15 million passengers and serbias airports wouldn't be able to process all those passengers from JU plus foreign airlines.
"If chicago works for JU so would Sydney" that one statement says everything.
DeleteSlav.man is the Serbian equivalent of pozdrav iz Rijeke
DeleteIf it was as simple as you present it, why has no European airline gone after direct flights to Australia? One would think TK would. Even though they have A350's and B787's which in theory could do non stop IST-Australia, they still haven't launched anything (MEL via SIN in the plans, however not non stop). No LH, no OS, no MS, no AF. Much closer to Australia and with a massive market is Air India and they're barely flying to Australia in comparison to other Asian carriers. And yet somehow JU will make magic.
DeleteA companies ability to train new recruits is down to their available resources to do the training. JU don't have full training resources for its current fleet, with anything requiring a simulaor needs to be done outside of Serbia. Although somewhat adequate, JU is lacking investment into their training facilities for current operations. Finance also plays a big role into their growth and JU have only last year started making profit after 3 decades of losses. They don't have finances for new aircraft, which they definitely need, let alone to support growth of over 200% in the space of a couple of years.
BEG this year is unable to adequately handle the current traffic it has this summer with growth of around 25%. You are suggesting growth of 1 airline of well over 200%. Its not just gate space, its also maintenance facilities, catering, fueling, luggage facilities, cargo, runway capacity just to start the list.
A fleet of 45 own aircraft in the next couple of years is already optimistic, which is not even half of what you're suggesting. Over 30% of the current fleet is wet lease with JU experiencing difficulties adding additional dry leases they desperately need. Growth of 20-25% this year has not been handled the best and they've had to make cutbacks last month.
Slav.Man: It's not a problem that you have ideas that are too simple to be realistic. We all have to start somewhere and can't know everything from day one. What I would, however, recommend is to show some humility. Training captains do not grow on trees. There is no magic in this constraint and it does not only affect Serbia. No airline can grow as fast as you propose. Regarding your denial of how aircraft lessor pricing works, what can I say...
DeleteThe size of the BEG-SYD market is relevant, but is very far from being the only variable.
Yield (low-yielding VFR demand?) and seasonality affect the revenue side, while the cost side is a big black hole:
Type cost of having separate aircraft type (for example, what to do when it's in maintenance, planned or unplanned?) without economies of scale, strange schedule differing from day to day since the route is far longer than the aircraft turning around in 24h, fuel consumption for such a long sector (think about the weight of the aircraft at take off and the extra fuel used to fly that extra weight - ultra long haul only works if you get premium yields), etc. etc.
I would launch MAN route with that E-Jet
ReplyDeleteSo what are we thinking?
ReplyDelete4 A330-200
12 A320
10 ATR72-600
8 E-195
3 E-190
What about A321?
DeleteLong term:
DeleteA332 x8
A321 x4
A320 x16
E195 X10
E190 x5
ATR72 X12
Btw E195 and A320 is a gap.
DeleteMyb keep a few A319 afterall.?
Myb?
DeleteMaybe
DeleteI think E Jet can wonders for JU especially in developing eastern European routes, similarly like what it has done for LOT. JU needs frequencies to compete, while in places where there's not that much p2p demand E90 is cheaper to fly than A319 and more popular with passengers compared to ATR. Hopefully they build a serious E90/E95 fleet in the coming years with at least about 10 aircraft, and not just a few to fill in the gaps here and there
ReplyDelete@anon 12:06
DeleteAmin.
They can also serve sexy airports like LCY (London city). That would be impressive.
DeleteIs there really a market for BEG-LCY? Much better to increase frequencies to LHR instead
DeleteYou need to buy very expensive slots to increase Heathrow.
DeleteWhat’s the difference between a wet-leased and dry-leased aircraft ?
ReplyDeleteWet-leased aircraft are operated by the airline you are leasing the plane from, meaning in this case Marathon Airlines so the crew is Greek, they are also responsible for maintenance and insurance. A dry lease is operated by the airline that actually leased the plane which in this case would be Air Serbia. Meaning crew would be from Air Serbia and Air Serbia would be responsible for its maintenance and insurance. Usually wet-leases are shorter term and aircraft won't be painted in full airline livery. But, for example, the upcoming E195 will be painted in full JU livery since they plan to eventually dry lease it.
DeleteWet leasing aircraft is like getting an uber - you get a driver (pilot), car (aircraft) and they sort everything out for you (flight attendants)
DeleteDry leasing is like leasing a car - you get a car (aircraft), but that's about it, so you need a driver and people helping you operate your taxi (so pilots and flight attendants)
Anonymous 12:30
DeleteSo the second E195 will have a Serbian registration, AirSERBIA crew and pilot ?
All ERJ's will initially be wet leased.
DeleteNo, as the article says it will be wet leased but eventually they will be dry leased.
DeleteThe A319 is no longer an efficient aircraft and slowly being phased out by many carriers. However, it's also worth mentioning that the E2 did not sell well either due to the A220. A220 is just a way much better and good product. However, Embraers are very reliable and count on them similar to the ATRs.. it all depends on how you look at it. Good luck, JU.
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia has been complaining of seasonality of long-haul destinations. Kudos to Embraer sales for pointing out E jets could help Air Serbia tackle long-haul seasonality.
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia can not plan for couple of days in advance, does anybody knows are A321s still in game?
ReplyDeleteknow
DeleteWhat happened for the A321, i’m wondering
ReplyDeleteApparently taken by another airline.
DeleteThe Avianca ones are both in Adria Tehnika, so there is a chance...
Delete