Air Serbia handled its four-millionth passenger of the year last Friday, achieving the milestone almost a month ahead of 2023 when the figure was reached on December 13. The airline is now on course to overtake the record set by its predecessor JAT Yugoslav Airlines in 1987, however, it will be a close call. JAT carried 4.53 million travellers 37 years ago, which is yet to be overtaken by any flag carrier from the former Yugoslavia. Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “We have carried our four-millionth passenger in 2024, which opens the possibility of finishing the year with a new record and exceeding the 4.19 million passengers we carried in 2023. The New Year holidays are ahead, which are a time of relaxation for most people, but for us in aviation, it's a time of increased traffic intensity. I am confident that we will be ready for this period and the new year in 2025”.
Air Serbia has decreased its scheduled capacity by 3.4% during the fourth quarter of the year when compared to the same period in 2023, while the number of flights has been reduced by 2.4%. However, during the January - November period, scheduled capacity has grown 9.4%, while flights have increased 6.4%. “If Q4 goes well, we might even surpass the JAT record, but it will be tight”, Mr Marek previously said. During the fourth quarter, the airline is expected to put its second 118-seat Embraer E195 aircraft into operation and take delivery of its fourth 262-seat Airbus A330-200 jet.
The CEO previously noted that demand for air travel has been weaker across Europe this year. Major sporting events which took place this summer, like the Euro Football Championships in Germany and the Summer Olympic Games in Paris did not generate the expected spike in demand. “You see a lot of capacity reduction by a lot of airlines, even low cost carriers. Everyone is using the engine issue as an excuse, but it is not only engines, it is demand. Another thing we are noticing is that after Covid-19, the season was extended through September, October and even November, which were very strong months. Last year it was already a bit softer. This year, for example, is the first year where we saw charter capacity reduce in the double digits, percentage wise. This is partly because of geopolitical issues, mostly driven by Egypt, but also partly because we now have a significant number of leisure destinations in our schedule, which is becoming more of a preference to the classic charter operations”, Mr Marek explained.
Doubt they can reach another half a million passengers in a month and a half but good luck
ReplyDeleteIt will be very close
DeleteMight happen in the last days of 2024.
DeleteWill be interesting to see what next year holds for them
ReplyDeleteWell we know that at least 4 more routes are coming: Shanghai, Mykonos, Ibiza and Olbia.
DeleteShanghai not until January dude. Others later in Summer 2025. So how can you count those in 2024?
DeleteI didn't count them for 2025. The original poster wrote "Will be interesting to see what next year holds for them". So those destinations launch next year.
DeleteObviously they have improved the LF which is good.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteCrazy it has taken 37 years for someone to even come close
ReplyDeleteWell the airline previously served a market of 20 million.
DeleteThe airline market of 1987 was WAYYYYY different than the airline market of today.
DeleteThe equivalent amount accounting for worldwide airline traffic growth (in real terms) not nominal terms is about 25 million. They are never going to beat JAT.
DeleteTrue comparison would be combining all of exyu airlines together agains JAT.
DeleteBut back in the day JAT wasn't the only Yu airline...
DeleteWhat you want to count Aviogenex and Inex Adria. They were both charter
DeleteAdria was not a charter airline. It had scheduled flights and that includes scheduled flights from Belgrade too to places like Larnaca.
DeleteSorry Inex Adria did have some domestic scheduled.
DeleteInex Adria was largely charter until 1991 when YU broke up.
DeleteIt had scheduled internetional and domestic flights no matter how you spin it. In fact from the early 80s it had more scheduled than charter flights So you are wrong.
DeleteLarnaca was JP’s only scheduled international until 1991
DeleteYour evidence please?
DeleteAdria also flew scheduled Ljubljaba-Belgrade-Algeirs flights.
DeleteThey did. But they were known for gasto charter flights to Germany. Nevertheless, they had pax and should be considered when talking about exYu aviation. It is more than JAT.
DeleteBut record was only JU’s not JP, JJ or JR
DeleteThis is a discussion after the comment of 11.28h
DeleteWell OU and 4O did not exist in 1987 and JP and JJ no longer exist now. A better comparison would be against another European airline of that size in terms of European rank,
DeleteWell, OS and TK were smaller then.
DeleteAnd CSA and Malev don't exist anymore.
DeleteIf we want to make those kind of estimates, the only correct way is to see total market back then and now, to derive percentage of it and to apply on JAT record figures. Even then we would get nothing reliable, but at least we would put it in some tangible perspective.
Based on the number of passengers carried, JAT was the seventh busiest European airline in 1987 based on IATA's statistics.
DeleteJAT was servicing 15 domestic airports, most of them with international routes, and a population of 22 million. Air Serbia is servicing two airports, and a population of less than 7 million.
DeleteThe strategy of becoming a hub for foreigners in transit is obviously working (and the sanctions against Russia aren't hurting either). While large EU carriers are eliminating their routes to China (extra two hours around Russia makes it too expensive), JU can expand, flying directly across.
Does anyone else have problems exporting the AirSerbia boarding pass to Apple Wallet? I flew JU at least several times this year, and this never worked. It’s strange because they offer the pass as Apple wallet compatible
ReplyDeleteWorked for me just fine. Last one I added was in October.
DeleteDidn't work for me either
DeleteSame here about two weeks ago. They need to improve their IT department.
DeleteNever managed, allways use pdf version. Minimum they could make that you have boarding pass in Ariserbia app
DeleteI've used the wallet boarding pass on my last five JFK-BEG flights without any issues (out and back, so ten times). It loaded right away.
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy they are doing well. Not so happy about the service quality in general. Flew with them to Barcelona on Friday. Wet leased plane with terrible pitch. Sandwiches which were downright awful, literally everyone gave them back to the crew when she came to pick up trash. I don't now if they changed something but they used to be much better. Crew barely spoke English, was wondering what would happen if there was an emergency onboard. Maybe time to privatize the company again.
ReplyDeleteI hope they use their profits to invest more in their product.
DeleteUnfortunately, current management has the mindset that passengers don't care and that they can treat them the way they do. In the long run it will come back to bite them.
DeleteMaybe they're right. Swiss has better product but it can't beat JU's frequencies to Zurich. Similar with Austrian and Aegean. AF and BA left...
DeleteWas it a Fly2Sky aircraft? I've only heard bad things about their planes.
Deletethe crew on the other hand are generally more helpful and polite than JU crews.
Their service quality is definitely going down hill. Recently purchased exit row seat with them and for the second time was told they changed between the two planes of the wet lease operator (same aircraft type). Was given the last row instead. Asked, can't they just give me the exit row and they said, "it is occupied". Basically they stole around 1,800 RSD for me for a second time. Never buying "preferred seat" with them again. Honorary mention should go to the terrible Menzies staff at the airport who were shouting at a Chinese passenger rudely because can you imagine he could not understand the guy barking instructions in Serbia.
Delete@9.32 no it was Get Jet but the one with terrible pitch. Staff were nothing special. Asked the crew to buy a coke and she said later. That later never came.
Delete@09:37 and @09:36
DeleteSMFH. It is as if some employees hate their job so much that they are actively trying to attack their customers...
I have had the same issue with buying an exit row seat. Purchased exit row for Belgrade-Chicago. The only reason I was aware of what was going on was because I'm an avgeek and was following for the 4 months between buying my ticket (and seat) and the actual flight. The exit row seat does not come cheap on the A330. Air Serbia kept changing between Pupin and Tesla on this flight. Every time they change the plane everyone that chose a seat gets given a random seat instead (not the one they chose). So if they selected an exit row seat, get tossed somewhere else and don't notice and someone else buys the exit row, bad luck. To make things worse, you actually have to physically call them to ask them to move you back to exit row because if you want to do it online they make you pay AGAIN! Nuts.
DeleteYes, seat selection is ridiculous. I'm an Etihad Gold tier member and with it have complimentary seat selection. Not on the Air Serbia site. They make you pay for any seat and even when you pay for it there is absolutely no guarantee you are going to get it, as mentioned by others. Mind you, Air Serbia does not actually recognize your tier at all. In fact they have completely removed addition of frequent flyer number.
DeleteBad practice and, I think, against the law.
DeleteTerrible. What is the "customer experience" manager doing?
Delete@10.00 unfortunately many working in JU today are Singidunum University graduates who finished university at 21 and are already in high positions. That's why last week everyone subscribed to their newsletter mailing list got an invitation to their corporate Christmas party by mistake. It took them 5 hours to send an email that it was a mistake. While I commend Marek on implementing growth he has let service and quality standards go down the drain.
DeleteZurich? Swiss beat them there. Not only do they have triple daily in winter but this summer they even had 23 weekly! JU tends to send the E90/95.
DeleteJU tends to send to Zurich whatever it has free that moment in hangar and they're still having considerable number of flights to Zurich, at quite a price...
DeleteIs seems to me that the airline actually doesn't want to have a frequent flyer program.
DeleteMaybe unlike all other network carriers of the world estimated that it won't bring it any benefits and that its customer base have little competitive alternatives in BEG.
For the last 2 years, the sandwiches they've been serving have been terrible and I never eat them.
DeleteLoyalty is a key driver for growth and FF programs are the best example of harvesting on customers' loyalty. It is a common belief that it's 5-7 times harder (and more expensive) to get new customers than to keep the existing one.
Delete@Anonymous 10:57
DeleteThat is very true!
It is ridiculous that you have to call them to make them add your Etihad guest frequent flyer number. There is no way to do that online. And then you need to write several emails in order to get the miles. It’s never prompt and automatic as it should be. There is also no way to change your ticket online if you have purchased the light or standard fare! You need to call them and go through the lengthy procedure.
DeleteMost of the flights for Spain are operated by GetJet..They quite degraded their service lately....Many seats didn't have safety info card, and last month I flew 4 times with them, none of the seats had Elevate Magazine..Pockets were just empty
DeleteI flew with them 6 times in 2024, 0 complain . There were 2 slight delays and that is it. Airport agents were great, crew always friendly and officiant. No idea why people complain about the legroom for 1-2 hrs flight. They are more then ok and always clean aircraft. Sandwiches are free of charge and they always taste great. Keep up a great service Jzu as many of us appreciate it.
DeleteI wander if Air Serbia has service quality control over wet leese carrier companies? It would be logical, because they fly under AS name..Those companies need to have similar standards like AS implemented on their aircrafts...Difference is significant, during summer I flew few times with Air Serbia to Spain ( once to Barcelona and once Palma) and quality of service was quite better than GetJet to whom I fly most of the time when going to Spain..Also length of flight differs..Air Serbia mostly manages to cover up loss of time on departure, even comes earlier to destination, and GetJet never, even if they are 2 hours late on departure, they never speed up..Often even takes them longer time than scheduled flying time..In september it took them 3 hours 15 min to get to Palma, that ridiculous..Month before I got with Air Serbia in even 1-2 min less than 2 hours
DeleteIt's true about the flight length, I have two completely different experiences with GetJet and JU to Porto. And it seems GetJet likes to have seatbelt sign on longer than necessary...
Delete"Everyone is using the engine issue as an excuse , but it is not only engines. It is demand " Well bad news for you Mr Marek , Aegean with 8 neos not flying due to engine issues goes for a new record with 16.500.000 passengers this year.
ReplyDeleteHe is not talking about passenger numbers but about capacity reduction. Read what he said again. As you see Air Serbia also has reduced capacity but it will still have a record number of passengers.
DeleteDemand is passenger numbers, not capacity (that's the Supply - opposite of Demand). He said it's not just about supply (engines - capacity) but about demand (missing pax)
Delete^ you really need to read again
Delete“You see a lot of capacity reduction by a lot of airlines, even low cost carriers. Everyone is using the engine issue as an excuse"
With the size of the coast and a thousands of islands it's easy to have 16,5 mil. JU is doing more than a fine in a small, poor continental country with one functional airport.
DeleteIt's not easy to have 16,5 mil nowhere. It's an understatement and lack of respect for people's work.
DeleteMarek is just coming up with excuses. They have enough demand in Belgrade, they don't have the planes to serve it. That is why they can't have more than 50% marketshare
DeleteI think almost everyone had reduction of capacity whis fall...It is very noticable
DeleteNot in BEG. Do you think OS sent the A320 to BEG yesterday because of falling demand? Or why they are not sending the Atr this winter? Or why LH sends A319 and A320 and no regional jets this winter?
DeleteWhen will they finally add the second Embraer to the fleet?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I heard not before spring. Anyway they don't have enough crew for the one they have now. That's why it's only flying two or less flights per day.
DeleteI noticed that even the one flying is very poorly utilized.
DeleteWhy are they going for Embraers if the crew is such an issue?
DeleteThat is pathetic.
DeleteEmbraers would be especially useful during winter with their capacity making them ideal for most routes.
@10:17 they do not have any other choice.
DeleteAnd at the same time are too unwilling to hire pilots and train them on the E jets.
Or improve the working conditions of the Airbus pilots so that they do not leave for other countries in such high numbers.
If that's true then they don't need planes at all.
Delete@10:23 I agree with that! But they seem to be eager to get both A330s and Embraers and have them parked in BEG.
DeleteThey still live in the past when it was hard to find a metal and easy to find a people. It changed and they must put people in the focus of their business. But I know this management can't do it, even if they would understand how impotant this issue is in almost every industry today.
DeleteThey thought Montenegro Airlines pilots would make the switch but they didn't. They wanted JU to pay for their rent in Belgrade. Most pilots are Serbs from abroad or those who got certified in the meantime. Still not enough to meet the needs. Very poor planning on their behalf
DeleteWow, aviation company CEO stated: demand for air travel has been weaker across Europe this year. Pretty bald statement, can't wait for the year end to check this. As per published results for H1 this is not true, demand is increased in Europe compared to 2023. Demand is significantly higher in our region where JU plays, with some 3 million pax more in first three quarters.
ReplyDeleteSeems like demand for air travel is greatly increasing everywhere apart from BEG.
DeleteALL the other countries in Europe, especially those in the Balkans have record number of people flying.
Maybe, just maybe it is Marek's performance that is weak?
BEG also has a record number of people flying. Heck, even JU has record numbers. It's not about that.
DeleteBEG would have bigger growth if Marek knew to do his job and if they had enough planes and pilots to fly them.
DeleteWhy are pilots in particular so reluctant to work for ASL?
DeleteMaybe, but BEG is not JU. If there's pax it shouldn't be a problem to get a carrier for that pax.
Delete@10:19 BEG doesn't seem to try hard enough to attract other airlines.
DeleteIt seems content with JU and W6.
But when both of them experience fleet and crewing issues there isn't enough capacity from other carriers to handle the demand.
Anyone else notice the old "JAT" logo on the hangar building? :D
ReplyDeleteYes, they never took it down. Hope they don't though.
DeleteGlory days. Still JAT Tehnika hangar though so makes sense
DeleteThat hangar could do with a bit of a renovation
ReplyDeleteIt is managed by a Czech company. Perhaps they should. They have proven themselves to be terrible though.
DeleteCan an A330 fit in the hangar.
DeleteThe DC10 used to be able to. Not sure what is the difference in size with the A330
Delete@anon 09:28
DeleteIf a B767 can or DC10 in the JAT days, A330 should fit easy.
During JAT time 2 DC10s could fit simultaneously fit inside if the hangar was cleared. So yes A330 can fit without a problem. During current B767 conversion there was usually another A320 or A319 inside.
Delete747s could fit in there
DeleteExactly. Only A380 can't.
DeleteHas Marek managed to make JU Wizzier than Wizz?
ReplyDeleteHe certainly tries!
DeleteYes
DeleteNow he's on a mission to become Jatter than Jat.
DeleteWhen will we learn that foreigners don’t know how to run our companies.
DeleteThat's not true. The company is run by a business professional, not by a local or a foreigner... We have local managers in other state companies, and they are in a worse situation than JU (which is the only one to make a profit).
DeleteSo professional that two A330s are shown parked in the picture. These bad boys should be flying all the time to make money not grounded by so called professionals.
DeleteIf it weren't for the professional management you would not have those A330s. You would have 12 planes falling apart like you had in 2013. Anyway be careful what you wish for. Would love to see your comments 6 months into a Bane Mallvic led management.
DeleteSorry dude but A330s came 2 ceos before Marek. Remember Kondić and Naysmith?
DeleteMaybe you're right but my point was: it's not up to the nationality of the CEO.
Delete^ I really hope Malovic for CEO for you dude. You're gonna love it.
Delete@11.48 YU-ARC was leased while Marek was CEO.
DeleteSo falling apart that JU regularly scheduled the JAT 737-300s until a couple of years ago even though they were “Aviolet”. Those birds were wonderful.
DeleteWonderful for a museum exhibition.
DeleteIts hard to beat Wizzair
DeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDeleteГде тачно даље?
DeleteU ekspanziju ili u tavorenje.
DeleteAko su oborili prošlogodišnji rekord mesec ipo dana ranije, šta mislite, gde ide JU?
DeleteU ropotarnicu povijesti!
DeleteAnalitičar na aparatima 😀
Delete@admin do you have maybe information of routes that Jat served in ‘84 and with how many airplanes?
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia is setting another record and predictably skeptics are in full meltdown mode. Now it's time to turn up the heat on them. Last year certain self-proclaimed analyst declared passengers would leave Air Serbia as a result of operational issues and delays at Belgrade airport. That prediction of his didn't age well as Air Serbia is setting passenger record. His followers now have to question themselves for trusting and amplifying that falsr analysis.
ReplyDeleteClosing in on a 37-year-old record is really far away from turning up the heat.
DeleteSome people need help understanding: Turning up the heat is Air Serbia haters 😀
Delete.."Closing in on a 37-year-old record..."
Deletewhich was achieved when the airline had 15 domestic airports, more than half of which had international flights, and was servicing a market of 22 million, versus two international airports (practically, just one; Niš has very few destinations), and a market of under 7 million.
When will BEG October number will be revealed?
ReplyDeleteTomorrow evening
DeleteThanks, Admin
DeleteAI predictions:
ReplyDeleteWith Yugoslavia intact, JAT could have leveraged the country's geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Positioned as a hub for international transit, JAT might have become a strong regional airline akin to Turkish Airlines or Aegean Airlines.
Yugoslavia's intact economy would have played a significant role. If the country developed into a robust mixed economy, JAT could have enjoyed stable financial backing and a strong domestic market.
• A unified Yugoslavia would have meant a larger internal market with cities like Belgrade, Zagreb, and Sarajevo providing strong passenger and cargo demand.
• Political neutrality could have allowed JAT to operate freely across politically sensitive regions.
If JAT had continued operating in a united Yugoslavia, its passenger numbers would depend on its growth trajectory and global trends:
Passenger Numbers by Year
1. 1990s: ~2–5 million passengers annually, focusing on domestic and regional flights during early modernization.
2. 2000s: ~10–15 million passengers annually, with growing tourism and diaspora travel, especially to North America and Australia.
3. 2020s: ~25–30 million passengers annually, assuming Yugoslavia became a major transit hub like Turkish Airlines or Austrian Airlines.
Comparative Basis
• Aegean Airlines (2023): ~15 million.
• Turkish Airlines (2023): ~80 million.
JAT’s numbers would likely settle between these, leveraging Yugoslavia's strategic location and tourism.
1. Domestic (Short-Haul)
o Connect major cities: Belgrade, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Skopje, and Podgorica.
o Estimated flights: High-frequency, ~15% of total passenger volume (~3–5 million by 2020s).
2. Regional (Europe)
o Key hubs: Frankfurt, Vienna, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Istanbul.
o Popular destinations: Mediterranean hotspots (Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Split).
o Estimated flights: 40–50% of total (~12–15 million passengers).
3. Intercontinental (Long-Haul)
o North America: New York, Toronto, Chicago.
o Asia: Beijing, Shanghai, Dubai, Singapore.
o Australia: Melbourne, Sydney (diaspora focus).
o Estimated flights: 25–30% of total (~6–8 million passengers).
________________________________________
Fleet Configuration by 2020s
1. Short-Haul (Domestic/Regional)
o Aircraft: Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737 MAX for efficiency on high-demand routes.
o Fleet size: ~40–50 aircraft.
2. Medium-Haul (European/Regional International)
o Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR for long European routes or secondary Middle Eastern destinations.
o Fleet size: ~20–30 aircraft.
3. Long-Haul (Intercontinental)
o Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner or Airbus A350 for fuel-efficient long-haul routes.
o Fleet size: ~15–20 aircraft.