Air Serbia has handled over 4.19 million passengers so far this year, overtaking its 2023 end-of-year result. It is now expected to welcome a total of 4.4 million travellers this year, making it its second busiest, behind the 1987 record set by its predecessor JAT Yugoslav Airlines. “In less than a year, we have earned the trust of over 4.19 million passengers who have chosen Air Serbia for their travels. We are aware that their expectations are high, and we will continue to improve all areas of our business to justify our passengers' trust every day. We remain dedicated to growing and improving, listening to the needs of passengers and striving to offer them even more travel options”, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said.
The Serbian carrier has seen a relatively strong performance throughout 2024, registering growth almost every month year-on-year, with exception to November, when it had 0.8% fewer travellers, amounting to 2.400 fewer passengers, on the back of a 3.7% decrease in the number of operated flights. The carrier handled 295.828 passengers last month and maintained 3.427 flights. Air Serbia’s busiest month this year was August when it welcomed 558.524 customers on board its aircraft, followed by July with 548.009 passengers.
JAT, as Air Serbia’s predecessor, saw its busiest year in 1987, when it handled 4.531.000 passengers. Of those 2.225.000 were welcomed on domestic flights. Although JAT’s total passenger count fell by just under 1% in 1988, the decline was solely due to a 6% decrease in passengers on domestic flights (2.109.000 travellers), while a record was achieved on Euro Mediterranean operations (2.003.000 passengers), as well as a long-haul flights (379.000 travellers). Furthermore, in 1988 the carrier uplifted a record volume of cargo - 43.081 tonnes.
In the years that followed, both passenger numbers and cargo fell progressively. The crisis began in 1989, when declining living and social standards, high inflation and politics affected the aviation sector. The political unrest in China, and the forced closure of the Yugoslav consulate and subsequent expulsion of diplomats in Sydney, Australia affected passenger numbers on the two markets. Operations were also influenced by internal problems which started to arise at the company, including issues over the introduction of a new reservation system and flight delays. As a result, the airline and its subsequent successors never managed to handle over four million passengers again, until last year.
Is there any chance they can reach 4.5 million this year?
ReplyDeleteI don’t see how it will not happen. If November had 300 K, December have to be stronger. At least 380K, which would have to break the record.
DeleteIf 4.19 was reached these days, and we are well into December, then there are about 25 days to reach over 300,000, with fewer rotations than 2023. A tough job, although not impossible.
DeleteHighly unlikely!
Delete4,19 was reached on 04.12. So there are 27 more days, among with highest volume around Christmas/New year holidays
DeleteSo BEG won't reach 9 million this year?
ReplyDeleteHow did you expect it to reach it? It had 7.1 million at the end of October. Also, you expected it to add over 1 million passengers in 2024 considering it had 7.9 million last year.
DeleteHe didn't. He just wanted to write something negative. Some people live for it.
DeleteWell, it will be close. If JU have 4.5 mil and it’s about 50% of BEG…
DeleteI believe BEG will have about 8.450.000 maybe a little less passengers at the end of 2024 .
DeleteGod you BEG cheerleaders are annoying, chill out.
DeleteIf JU controls40%- 50% of the market and if they will have 4.4 million then it makes sense for BEG to be around 9 million.
Chill out
At the beginning of the year it seemed like a very credible take to reach 9, 9+ million given the growth rates BEG experienced. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances with Wizz and Marathon, it won't this year, but it's not to say the growth it experienced prior to these issues won't come back.
Delete9:59 Who or what rocks your cradle?? Nobody here is on any kind of hysteria, except you. Cool/chill/buzz off/out
DeleteBravo Air Serbia!
ReplyDeleteLet's hope they continue to invest in expanding routes and improving service to maintain this momentum.
ReplyDeleteThey have 5 announced for next year already: Shanghai, Mykonos, Olbia, Ibiza and Florence.
DeleteCongratulations to Air Serbia. Some airlines in the region still below 2019 passenger numbers.
ReplyDeleteWhat region? In EU or in Western Balkans?
Deletein the former Yugoslavia. And you are becoming very boring asking the same question.
DeleteOU, which is indeed is below pre Covid levels, is not serios competition.
DeleteHappy for Air Serbia, but the slight drop in November shows there’s room for improvement.
ReplyDeleteIn December it will be the same
DeleteThat is bad news for BEG, especially if you take into account the W6 engine issues.
DeleteMaybe they should have attracted a few more foreign airlines instead of depending just to JU and W6.
This is bad news for you: BEG dependency on W6 and JU did wonders for airport growth over the past 10 years. Even worse news for you: Air Serbia already scheduled more flights for upcoming summer season when it really counts, and Wizz has outlined return to growth. BEG already attracted some really big airlines like China Southern. Transavia is arriving next year and airport announced new incentives. Three more bridges will be built by 2027. Ten million passengers are within reach.
DeleteNice to hear! Maybe it is time for consolidation , stabilise schedules, true to cut wet leased and make more flights operated by AirSerbia crew,and work on frequency but before everything to work on hard product. But overall we can be satisfied if we think where company was 5-10years ago
ReplyDeleteThey have already announced 5 new routes for next year so there won't be any consolidation. This was the year of consolidation.
DeleteSome of the routes are old one as Florence. But consolidation was more concerning airplanes, services, building crew, exist wet leasing etc. and 5 routes are n
DeleteSome planned increases will be also removed.
Delete"Some of the routes are old one as Florence. "
DeleteThe ONLY one is Florence. But I like your use of the word "some". Could you tell me what other routes are "old ones". Shanghai maybe? Mykonos? Since you say that some routes are old plural I would love to know which other ones.
Interesting comparison with JAT's numbers from the ‘80s. Times were different then. Let’s see how they handle further growth in 2025.
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia is doing a fantastic job considering the challenges of the industry.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteBreaking records is great, but November’s dip in passengers is a reminder that consistent performance is key. Hopefully, Air Serbia finds ways to boost demand in the slower months.
ReplyDeleteHe keep saying that they will improve all aspects of the business quality wise but I see nothing done except that all segments are going downhill.
ReplyDeleteHe has been singing the same song since he came to ASL.
DeleteAir Serbia setting new passenger record is the best response to those unqualified amateurs who claimed passengers would leave Air Serbia in droves as a result of operational issues last year.
ReplyDeleteIt's telling when his "correspondents" are completely oblivious to his mistakes and failed predictions. They are no experts either.
DeleteWould be intresting to see what it overall avarage load factor
ReplyDeleteIn 2023 the average load factor according to their annual report was 78.8%. Let's see if they managed to grow that this year.
DeleteThat LF is actually not that bad for a legacy carrier.
DeleteAlso would be intresting to see by regions or between short and long haul flights
DeleteIdemo dalje...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting background about the JAT numbers.
ReplyDeleteWhat about profitability? Is this really the best use of public money?
ReplyDeleteWhat? They already said they are profitable this year and will end year in profit.
DeleteHow profitable? What is the return on invested capital (by taxpayers)? Is this the best use of taxpayer money? (spoiler: it's not)
DeleteIf you are writing a comment with an agenda, what is the point of asking? Since you have no figures, it is interesting that you already have come to a conclusion.
DeleteWhat agenda? Air Serbia has been hemorrhaging taxpayers' money for years on end, and finally managed to turn a measly profit and now it's beyond criticism?
DeleteIt will take years of much higher profits for taxpayers to break even (especially if you consider the opportunity cost). And that's all setting aside the question of how justified it is for a state to operate a commercial airline.
You literally don't have a single figure to back up any of your claims.
DeleteBrate uporedi OU i JU pa će ti biti jasno šta je bacanje para.
DeleteAre you claiming that Air Serbia hasn’t been loosing money hand over fist for years and years?
DeleteYou have no evidence of any of the bull you have written.
DeleteWhen first A220 arrived, high-ranking public figures went on a record how critical flag carrier is for country's tourism & overall economy and pledged government support for it. There was no mention if profitability of that airline is of any concern for the government, if that was the best use of public money, if they expect return on invested capital (by taxpayers) and if it's justified for a state to operate a commercial airline. In EU no less.
DeleteDidn't know the story about consulate. Thank you.
ReplyDelete