Air Serbia to phase out A319s within five years


Air Serbia plans to phase out its ten-strong Airbus A319 fleet within the next three to five years by replacing them with both A320s and Embraer E195s. It is also considering the newer-generation E195-E2. Speaking to the TangoSix portal, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “In the next three to five years our A319s will gradually leave the fleet and will be returned to their lessors. A number of them will be replaced with the larger A320s, while the rest with Embraers. I see that there is a lot of confusion in the professional community, so I will try to explain this as simply as possible. Our fleet strategy is very clear: if the direct operating cost of a particular aircraft is genuinely lower than that of a current type we are using, we will opt for that new aircraft. At present, we have no economic justification to replace older Airbus models with neo versions, as the reduced fuel consumption cost is not sufficient to cover the high costs of owning a new aircraft. Passengers certainly won’t pay a higher fare just because they are flying on an Airbus neo”.

Mr Marek explained the carrier is seriously considering the newer E2 version of the Embraer as well. “We started testing different types of regional jets, such as the CRJ and Embraer, even before the Covid-19 pandemic. The E2 is, on paper, much cheaper than the A319 and seems like it could also be cheaper than the E1. If we grow with Embraer, and if the E2 proves to be cheaper than the E1 in practice, why should we wait?”, Mr Marek said.

The airline plans to introduce the first of two dry-leased E195-E1 jets into its fleet in the coming days, after several delays. Mr Marek explained the delays were of a regulatory nature and that the airline did not incur any losses as a result. “Currently, unless there are any unforeseen circumstances, we expect to start scheduled operations with our first dry-leased Embraer in the first half of October. The second one should join during November. The technical condition of both aircraft is perfect. It is well known in our industry that having flawless documentation is one of the main prerequisites for an aircraft to be able to fly. When it comes to introducing the Embraer into our fleet, that’s exactly what it’s about. This is a new type of aircraft that we are adding to the fleet, and we wanted to do it gradually and in a professional manner”, the CEO said. 

Mr Marek added, “It's true that we aimed to have the first Embraer introduced at the beginning of July. Before explaining why this deadline was not met, I want to emphasise that the two aircraft, although parked at Belgrade Airport, are not our expense since their lease payments only start from the moment the aircraft pass our technical acceptance. Our goal was to have them in the fleet during the summer season. However, we also had a plan that if any potential delays occurred or if we observed strong growth in demand, we had enough capacity within our Airbus fleet to respond to market changes, as we have done several times in the past. When we determined that the increase in passenger numbers was higher than our available capacity, we decided to engage additional resources. Therefore, in no way were we financially disadvantaged by their planned delay in entering service. On the contrary, we earned more due to high demand and their replacement with Airbuses that have a larger capacity”.

The head of Air Serbia Tehnika, Miroslav Musulin, noted the delay in introducing the Embraer aircraft primarily comes down to two reasons: a thorough verification of the aircraft's technical history and supply chain issues impacting parts availability. Since this is a new type for the fleet, Air Serbia wanted to ensure a proper integration, which involved extensive documentation review and technical inspections, according to Mr Musulin. Complications arose because the previous operator, who was also the owner, had disorganised records, requiring Air Serbia to trace every component's service history. Additionally, parts that previously took a week to procure now take several weeks due to current market conditions.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:07

    Good to see they are actually serious about the E2.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:31

      Wrong move, the GTF engines are problematic and Pratt is focused on fixing their A320neo version.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:08

      It's not like the engine issues will last forever, c'mon now...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:43

      The engine issues will last for as long as other airlines have them. When JU gets them it will be the best decision ever!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:39

      By 2026 PW GTF engine issues should be resolved, by 2028 every aircraft in fleet should have their engine sorted! So by 2026 expect E-190e2, e195e2 in JU colors!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:07

    Who was the previous owner of the Embraers they have now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:09

      I think Great Dane Airlines

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:10

    So how many A320s and how many E195s would replace the A319s? Five each or?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:13

      would say 3 or 4 320s and rest E1 or E2..

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:34

      No, there have to be more than just 10 birds. Expo expansion requires at least 7 A320 and 15 Ejets

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:58

      You really think they will add 22 planes to the fleet within the next 3 years? How many pilots would they need?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:04

      Well if you look at the past 3 years, they added 10 ATR, A330, several A320s. It's not impossible.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:16

      They added just 5 new ATR's. Other 5 replaced the old ones, -200 and -500's.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:53

      hahaha what a childish dream 22 new planes in 3 years.. Dude I am JU fan too, but please be realistic.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:58

      Its not impossible to add so many planes for three years, but where will they use them? They are not LCC to deploy one to each base.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:53
      They will add 7 this year (3 ATR's+2 Embraers + 2 A330), so I also don't think that 22 in 3 years is that unrealistic

      Delete
    9. Anonymous11:35

      Also they plan to remove 10 A319 planes, so getting 22 new planes is adding only 12 planes.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous11:48

      Yes they added this year X planes, but how long they planned that. Its not like they are adding every year 4 to 5 planes.. 22 planes in 3 years is something that only rich and steong company can substain.. JU is neither rich nor our country to take on itself the cost. 10 to 12 planes in 3 years is acceptable and realistic.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous12:46

      Yes, I think they will boost around 20 more planes until Expo and after the peak they will probably release A319. Maybe some oldest even before Expo

      Delete
    12. Anonymous15:00

      How many 320’s (wet+ dry) currently in fleet? With predictions that Belgrade airport will pass 10 million passengers in 2-3 years they have to address fleet sooner than later.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous11:48
      Considering that they are adding 7 planes in a year that wasn't very ambitious for them I don't think that growth that big or larger in period prior to Expo would be surprising. Also, I think that richer and stronger companies can handle much more than 7 planes per year.
      Everything else aside, if there is a business case (enough demand), financing shouldn't be an issue.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous16:54

      10:53 Childish??? Dude, they are wetleasing 7 planes already. And add only 5 more every year! Use calculator if you need.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous17:39

      22 new planes in 3 years is not wet dream, but imagination.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:11

    It is a sensible solution for the future in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:12

    Now this explanation about delay of Embraers makes sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:12

      But they still miscalculated the entry into service date really bad

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:58

      yes they did. but explanation of tech guy not CEO or politician makes most sense.
      additionally, it shows only now how owner was obtaining spare parts, here and there and serviced its planes.. like Balkan regular guy services his car.. not officially but at some random neighbor garage service.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:17

      Due diligence is important.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous22:58

      +1

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:12

    The A319 is no longer an efficient aircraft and is slowly being phased out by many carriers. So it makes sense

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:46

      Otherwise, a lot of customers for used and new A320 plains beside A321 for LCC.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:14

    Fleet in 5 years will be ATR, E95/E95-E2, A320 and A330

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:20

      That's perfectly ok.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:25

      Isn't this too diversified?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:37

      No

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:42

      It will have 3 aircraft types in total. How is that an issue?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:47

      When you have a network of over 80 destinations you need to have a diversified fleet. You can't fly with an ATR to Guangzhou.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:18

      @09:14
      And perhaps a couple of A321s.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:22

    makes sense

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:24

    What registration are E195-E1 ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      OY-GDA and OY-GDB will be registered YU-ATA and YU-ATB

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:26

    They absolutely need some A321's as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:29

      Does not look likely for now
      "As EX-YU Aviation News learns the airline is no longer entertaining the idea of adding A321 aircraft to its fleet for the time being. Last year, the carrier said it saw potential in the addition of the narrow-body jet, which can seat up to 220 passengers. The plans involved leasing two A321s that had been parked at Ljubljana Airport for some time. However, due to a significant rise in aircraft leasing rates over the past year, the airline no longer sees the addition of A321s as economically viable."
      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2024/09/air-serbia-to-optimise-wide-body-fleet.html

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:50

      Just wait for good deal to show. They will take it in no time

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:28

    How come there is not a single word about ARD and ARE arrivals?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      There is a word in the linked text. YU-ARD should be arriving sometime next week. It is delayed because Lufthansa Technic is missing a piece for the forward landing gear, a cardan pin joint, and there is a global shortage of them. The missing piece was discovered during maintenance. They have since found it and plane should arrive shortly.

      YU-ARE was was originally planned for October or November arrival.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:33

      In the October issue of their inflight magazine, the third A330 is listed in their fleet page :)

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:02

      https://online.flippingbook.com/view/829411766/120/

      Link directly to the fleet section of the magazine

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:08

      E195 listed too!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:38

      True, didn't even notice the E195s

      Delete
    6. Anonymous14:59

      Lufthansa Technic is missing a piece for the forward landing gear? It just so happened for part that has major shortage? After what happened last year when leasing company decided to pull appart A330 while next A330 got damaged and then vehicle damage on another A330 this year? It can happen, but you are more likely to get hit by a lightning than all of this. Is someone trying to slow down A330s getting to Air Serbia?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous15:24

      Interesting take on the situation...it is a bit, to say the least..odd.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous03:59

      It's not odd at all. The missing part was found during technical inspection of the aircraft, which is why the plane goes into maintenance. The maintenance of the aircraft was awarded to Lufthansa Technic which was announced months ago.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous21:07

      If you win a lottery 3-4 times in a row, someone from the Lottery will knock on your door. Tell them it's not odd at all.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:33

    Phasing out A319 has already been announced several times and by now several AC should have already been returned back to lessors. Can we trust Marek this time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:36

      What are you talking about? They previously said they plan to do it. Now they gave a clear timeline.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:57

      Not correct, it was stated at some point that 2 A319 were to be returned last year.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:02

      Where was it said?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:59

      On this portal sometimes 2 years ago

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:46

    I prefer flying wit eJets. The 2-2 seating with big windows are much better than A319/A320s

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:44

      definitely 2-2 is much more comfortable flying experience than 3-3. and that would really help for reputation of JU in the region and especially for the passengers from the rest of the world to choose JU.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:47

    good choice, Air Serbia

    ReplyDelete
  15. Vlad09:54

    I just want to thank the admin once again for providing us with insider information and analyses not available elsewhere, as well as providing quality journalism every day at 9:00. It's a joy to read every morning and a desperately needed breath of fresh air in regional aviation coverage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:59

      +1 couldn't agree more.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:59

      +1000

      Delete
    3. Anonymous23:04

      +1

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:59

    Will the Bulgaria Air E190s continue to fly for Air Serbia this winter?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:03

      Yes, they already confirmed it
      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2024/08/air-serbia-sees-potential-in-up-to.html

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:06

      Thank you

      Delete
    3. Anonymous03:58

      Have a feeling they might eventually dry lease these

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10:24

    So we will see a lot frequencies increase because of capacity change, e.g. CDG 14x weekly with A319 must be converted to 17x weekly with E1, just to retain same capacity.

    They filled the gap between 72 and 144 seater, but I wouldn't get rid of all A319, at least keep a couple of them. The next capacity, 180 seater might be too large and it could easily happen that E1 might be often overbooked on busier routes, so it's better to upgrade it with A319.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:49

      I think that was the main idea with the Embraers. Increase frequencies while keeping overall capacity the same. That way you offer more connecting options in different eaves.

      Delete
    2. E2's have more seats than E1's. It's not A319, but it could be a good addition. Also, if I understood correctly, costs of running A319 and A320 are currently pretty similar, so there is no logic in keeping A319 if you can have more capacity for the same money.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:53

      There was no logic starting with the A319 whatsoever in the first place.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:15

      11 years ago the situation was different.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:49

      amazing how much of a dud the a319neo is. the a319ceo has been great use for JU and yet there is no demand at all for the neo version to replace the current fleet since its working. they could even probably get a great deal from airbus for the a319neo that they would jump at the chance to sell.
      great news that they take the fleet renewal seriously and the 2-2 layout of the Embraer's is si much better also.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:24

      @12:15

      Why was it different?

      Even back then was known that costs between A319/A320 are similar but that the first carries significantly less pax.

      I don't know why in the world they ordered 10 of those and only 2 A320.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:28

      The costs are similar but the issue is finding available A320 on the market. That's why A319s are still in the fleet and will be in next couple of years.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous15:07

      Well, I'm sure 10 years ago it was not so difficult to find A320/A321, especially with Etihad help.

      But they opted for A319. 🤦‍♀️

      Delete
    9. Anonymous15:08

      Especially during Covid times, that was the moment to snatch A321's they needed.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous15:09

      This is a lack of long-term planning by previous management, nothing else.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous16:34

      Long term planning during Covid, LOL.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous21:31

      Exactly.

      Long term planning 10 years ago when it was obvious A319 is useless for a hub&spoke airline.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous22:22

      @10:24
      If they lived for years with a gap between 72 and 144 seats, I think they can live with a gap between 118 and 180.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous00:09

      Anon 21:31 Lufthansa still operates some 30 A319, classic engine. It's fine for hub and spoke airline. Mighty Air France even operates A318!!!!!!!!

      Delete
    15. Anonymous10:12

      Cause they have no choice.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:49

    What is the average age of their Airbus fleet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:57

      14.2 years is average age of all A319s in JU fleet.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:45

      According to planespotters the average age of JU's a319 is 17.8 years . APA and APB 20.1 years and the APM is the youngest ,14.4 of age .

      Delete
    3. Anonymous03:47

      It says 14.2 on airfleets

      Delete
  19. Anonymous11:05

    This has an order for 10 E295 written all over it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:33

      Hope so. Would be nice for them to finally get brand new aircraft

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:29

      Yes, love is in the air.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous03:47

      Seems like it

      Delete
  20. Anonymous11:33

    Smart

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous11:43

    E295 in a reasonable configuration has 132 seats compared to 144 JU A319 has, wouldn't that make it more of a direct replacement? The notion of filling the gap with mix of E jets and A320 made sense with E1, but with E2 surely such idea needs a bit of revision, no?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:53

      That's 10% seat cutoff, which is reasonable , the gap between ATR to E295 would then be the same as it would be between E295 and A320

      Delete
  22. E bravo. Looking forward to seeing upgraded interior with better quality Embraer and increased frequency from BEG. Hopefully they will finally spend some consideration to use the new planes from INI.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:46

      Embraer has never had better quality interior than Airbus.

      Delete
    2. depends on airline hard product and the model of the aircraft. the e2 definitely much nicer than the 14+ year a319.

      Delete

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