Air Serbia will increase frequencies across its network this May ahead of the peak summer months, with services from Belgrade to fifteen destinations to be increased during the coming month. The airline will begin to boost its frequencies from mid-May and will operate up to 243 weekly departures from the Serbian capital. Despite plans to resume its seasonal operations to both Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don next month, these have now been pushed back until June 12 and June 19 respectively. However, their comeback will depend on the reopening of the airports by Russian authorities. Both have been closed since late February due to the war in Ukraine and their proximity to the warzone.
During May, Tivat and Zurich will boast the most frequencies within Air Serbia’s network from Belgrade, followed by Podgorica, Paris and Vienna. The only destination on which frequencies will fluctuate throughout the month will be Larnaca, with operations peaking during the second week of May at four per week, before being decreased back to three weekly rotations. The Serbian carrier will also run two weekly flights from Niš to Cologne, Hahn, Istanbul and Ljubljana, in addition to the domestic four weekly Belgrade service, while from Kraljevo, the airline will maintain operations to Turkey’s largest city. Overall, from the Serbian capital, Air Serbia will serve 40 destinations during the month of May.
Air Serbia Belgrade operations in May
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, frequencies are subject to change. The Serbian carrier plans to further grow its weekly number of flights throughout its network in May and June. It will also introduce new destinations from Belgrade to Trieste on June 1, Lyon and Hanover on June 3, Bari on June 5, Bologna and Nuremberg on June 6, Salzburg on June 7, Palma on June 11 and Rijeka on June 15. Furthermore, new routes from Niš to Athens, as well as from Kraljevo to Tivat will be inaugurated on June 15.
Good to see growth across the board although frequencies on some routes, particularly in the region are quite low
ReplyDeleteYes, Banja Luka seems to be eternally stuck at 2 weekly.
DeletePersonally I think it's a mistake they are not putting a greater focus on BNX. Yes yields might not be fantastic but volume is there. Thanks to subsidies they can offer low fares on this route and steal many customers from bus companies.
DeleteThe Banja Luka flights don't seem to connect onto any of their waves anymore.
DeleteI think that's because they don't have enough aircraft for it to be operated during one of the waves.
DeleteThe Banja Luka potential is not being capitalized as much as it should be. There are a lot of opportunities for that market, especially with the O&D passengers who would rather take a 30 minute flight over a 5-hour drive. It will be interesting to see the effect future Trebinje flights will have on the TIV loads.
Delete@16,33
DeleteThey could see the effect now if they wanted to and launch OMO. No need to wait for Trebinje. They're short of ATR's, while available aircraft are wasted on routes that should be on an A319 ie BLQ, PRG, VCE.
Unfortunately Air Serbia is reducing BNX in the last period. I am surprised they don't increase the flights. Once upon a time they had a daily flights. Timetable is bed, for example from BEG to BNX 06.45. And stil Air Serbia is a state owned company.
DeleteThe only good-functioning airline in ex-yu.
ReplyDeleteNot that there are many ex-yu airlines left...
DeleteOU functions even better!
DeleteSure lol
DeleteGreat to see LHR finally back to daily :))
ReplyDelete+1 it was down to three per week during the pandemic. Nice to see demand recovering to/from the UK.
DeleteDo they have more slots available at Heathrow?
DeleteYes, they have 9 in total during the summer.
DeleteGood so still room to grow. But I doubt it will go up to 9 weekly this summer though.
DeleteIf the UK were to lift the visa requirement we would see and exponential growth of bookings from BEG to LHR. Maybe Serbia should impose reciprocity measures and require visas for UK nationals. I'm sure that within a few months the visa requirement for both would be mutually lifted.
Delete@16,37
DeleteI agree. UK citizens can even enter Serbia with just an ID card!
The United Kingdom doesn't have ID cards.
Delete@16.37
DeleteWhile I believe there are cases when reciprocity should be pursued (in fact, it should be a rule, with some notable exceptions) - and while UK would fall under that category, now that it's out of the EU - I do not think for a second introducing visas to UK citizens would force the hand of the UK Gov to revoke visas for Serbian citizens.
@19,59
DeleteYou are right. Serbia allows entry with an ID for EU members, UK being a former member, however entry requirements haven't changed. Completely forgot they didn't have them :D haha
I still don't understand the logic of not resuming Tel Aviv.
ReplyDeleteLong sector, doesn't fit into the waves.
DeleteTLV is an expensive airport.
Israel has still not removed certain restrictions like testing upon arrival for foreigners.
Arkia resumed flights with a very competitive plane (E95).
Interesting, didn't know about the testing requirements. Although Tel Aviv is expensive as well, in terms of accommodation which makes it less appealing to tourists.
DeleteThis is from their ministry of health's website:
DeleteAll travelers arriving in Israel must go into isolation, regardless of their age including those considered vaccinated or recovered. Travelers are required to stay in isolation until receipt of a negative result on the PCR test performed upon entry to Israel or for 24 hours, whichever is earlier.
Thanks. I do hope JU returns one day. It's sad they don't serve the Middle East at all anymore.
DeleteFew days ago Arkia sent me an email that my flight on June 13 (TLV-BEG) is cancelled. No explanation, no alternative offer and (still) no refund. Bte I'm not flying with them to Israel so not sure about other flights.
DeleteFrom what I noticed, Arkia moves around their flights to BEG quite a bit. For example their whole May schedule was completely changed some two weeks ago.
DeleteTLV and CAI will definitely not resume this summer (if ever)
DeleteI think there was issues with slots. I am sure you mentioned something about it @nemjee.
DeleteThe 10 am flight from BEG was decent, connecting with JFK and regional arrivals outbound and the early evening European departures. The midnight departure was the awkward one as it arrived quite late into BEG for the morning wave. If they brought forward the departure, it would be slightly shorter than AMM and fit their waves better for connections.
Regardless of the restrictions, there is a tonne of European flights out of TLV including from RO, LO, LH, U2, W6, LX, A3. JU has pulled back for reasons other than just flight duration and restrictions. My guess is not enough aircraft, same as for AMM. Sales might be terrible at their job, but I find it hard to believe the 2 destinations not having a decent amount of pax to operate, while charters will be stronger than ever this summer. 4 flights went to HRG the other day, one after the other and the season has just started.
And yet they can't lease a larger aircraft.
DeleteOne can get slots at TLV but they won't be necessarily good ones, similar to LHR.
DeleteThat is why JU's schedule was all over the place. That is where you need to pull some political strings to make sure your economic interests are met.
I think Israeli carriers have the upper hand because point of sale is in Israel. Tour operators are way more friendly with their local airlines than with JU. For example, even today, Metropol has an exclusive deal with Israeli tour operators who mostly fly on Israeli carriers.
Nice lju is 11, but I would prefer a320 on fewer frequencies
ReplyDeleteI guess they need it for transfers and connectivity.
DeleteI don't mind flying on ATR (especially -600) as long as I have more frequencies.
DeleteAccording to Fraport, LJU will be 12 weekly starting from 30th of May. 5 days double daily.
DeleteMore frequencies is definitely what the majority of passengers require. Soon their entire ATR fleet will be replaced with the -600s so it will be a more comfortable experience.
DeleteA320's is way too much, but perhaps when it stabilises at 3 daily they should look at bumping up a couple of the flights to the A319.
DeleteGood that they are increasing FRA to 6. Are there plans to go daily?
ReplyDeleteYes, they go daily in June.
DeleteI wonder how they manage to compete against Lufthansa on this route.
DeleteWell, it helps that they are cheaper than LH, that's a start. Also their schedule isn't too bad plus they have to remain competitive now that Wizz is flying BEG-HHN.
DeleteBanja Luka needs to buy AT46 and fly double daily flight on route BNX - BEG- INI,investor Serbia and R.Srpska
ReplyDeleteCan they manage all these increases with current fleet?
ReplyDeleteAn ATR72-600 and a A319 are coming in the next few weeks.
Delete1 ATR and 1 A319 is currently confirmed and is being prepared to join the fleet. More will follow.
DeleteLCA has been a star performer but I think Wizz Air has affected them quite a bit. They have a very good schedule this time around and competitive pricing. Wizz Air has a 22.00 departure from LCA to BEG which gives you a whole day in Cyprus. Now around the holidays some of their flights were completely sold out.
ReplyDeleteI guess they are profiting from JU not adding more flights. A family member is flying BEG-LCA this Thursday and there are only two seats left in business. This shows that JU could/should have added more departures from BEG.
Wizz flies to LCA with 321 right?
DeleteYes, twice per week on Wednesdays and Sundays. Their schedule is something like this:
DeleteBEG-LCA 18.30-22.00
LCA-BEG 22.30-00.15
Which of these routes are at pre-pandemic levels?
ReplyDeleteParis, New York, Barcelona, Madrid, Tirana, Zurich, Tivat, Podgorica, Venice, St Petersburg.
DeleteNot bad at all.
DeleteLondon and Frankfurt will join in June.
DeleteVery nice developments from JU this summer.
ReplyDeleteThey need to find a way to improve their sales so that their summer seasonal routes can survive the whole year.
ReplyDeleteSales need to be improved for the entire network.
DeleteAgree with @9.24. And so they can better compete against Wizz instead of losing out on routes like Nice.
DeleteWell Wizz Air is putting up a fight this year. They didn't give up on Oslo, they are going to be offering the most seats to BCN this summer, they are fighting back in LCA and they beat JU in NCE.
DeleteI don't think Air Serbia can beat them in a one on one fight which is why they need to do a better job in attracting transfers.
They have had a couple complaints on social media with OSL being oversold. They could of added an additional flight there. BCN could of had at least a 4th weekly considering the A330 will operate on Sundays due to demand. Next week, JU fares are around 180€ return, while Wizz is around 100€. LCA has seen a few timetable adjustments not just with Wizz but with JU as well. Looks like the fight is still on there.
DeleteJU would be more competitive if they didn't overcharge on flights where they don't have competition. People's first choice for a good deal is usually not with JU, and I have seen cases where people buying tickets with Wizz rather than JU, even though JU was cheaper and more convenient due to the mindset that JU would be out of their price range.
I have friends who work at LCA and they told me that JU is constantly full yet they are not adding flights. I can only assume they don't have enough planes to do so while night flights are not popular with locals.
DeleteWizz Air started really badly in LCA, as in 30 to 40 passengers. Now they are doing really well with 150 to 180 passengers per flight. I guess their life was made easy by JU not responding to all this. They have been stubborn with their two daytime flights. Now W6 added their Sunday flights are much more convenient for locals.
W6 doesn't stand a chance now against JU since Marak said that Air Serbia is Wizzier than Wizz.
Delete@nemjee
DeleteI guess the night flights are better for transfers. ATH is the only other decent hub that is offered from LCA before 10am.
Of course but then they should have introduced the one Sunday-Monday at night.
DeleteI believe Austrian Airlines has an early morning departure from LCA, I think it departs at 06.25.
Good luck on Valencia route. I really hope it works out. Anyone know how it is performing?
ReplyDeleteSo far so good, tour operators also offer packages to Valencia, demand is there !
DeletePlease start Dublin and Lisbon!
ReplyDeleteDoubt we will ever see JU start these flights.
DeleteWithout 2 more waves, we won't see destinations like this IMO. The flight times don't fit their current waves.
DeleteWhat happened to PUY and ZAD?
DeleteThey start in June as usual
DeleteThey really should have kept both atr 75s and they NEED to add at least 3 a319/20 s
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point of increased traffic when they DO NOT know how to sell tickets and when they have issues with their online site. About 2 weeks ago I was trying to purchase a ticket SVO-BEG-SVO in May and the only available flights in their system were Thursdays, all other days were marked as unavailable. I had no choice but to buy a ticket via Istanbul. Out of curiosity I checked the JU site a few days ago and there was an available flight for almost every day in May however with another 100e on top of what they were asking initially for the Thursday flights. In other words either the prices were not finalized 1 month prior to travel or they had a system glitch but at the end of the day it results with a lost passenger. And who knows how many more!?!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they processed cancellations from months ago for people who were booked to fly in May?
DeleteI doubt that would be the case. It seemed very strange in the first place that they had available seats only each Thursday but no other day within the month. As far as I know the booking systems automatically renew every day and on a larger scale every Sunday.
DeleteOdd. Could be their sloppiness. They didn't increase capacity I assume?
DeleteApprently the JU website was under attack as well, not just the BEG website. Rumour is they played with the booking algorithms that took JU a couple of days to notice.
Delete40 destinations is impressive. And it will increase to 50 in June.
ReplyDeleteSounds promising
ReplyDeleteThis is a good year for JU with new destinations and new aircraft.
ReplyDeleteBut no long haul expansion it seems.
DeleteAlso no space flights either, what a disappointment! They are obviously loosing the race!
DeleteThey gave up on trying to be competitive in long haul sector. They are barely participating. Almost the same frequency, just one plane and one destination as 5-6 years ago.
DeleteLike the team stuck in the middle of the second tier league, no ambition to win and join the first tier league, always finding excuses and complaining how expensive it is to play the game.
Dane please come back!
Delete^ No thanks.
DeleteSez who? Someone scared of changes and happy with current status quo? Passengers and businesses are not happy and want someone that can get things done.
DeleteGood to see Air Serbia growing
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame for not introducing Amman and resuming Tel Aviv and Cairo flights. But something tells me that they're more cautious and stay safe on profitable routes only.
ReplyDeleteThere's obviously a stagnation in transfer passengers across the network, not a very good sign, let's see what happens next. Recovery won't be that fast as some people here initially thought, fear of new Covid mutations, Ukrainian invasion, gas & oil prices, inflation etc.
From what I can see LO seems to be in turbo mode these days despite being highly affected by Ukraine. They just announced CAI flights, 5 per week with B738.
DeleteAirlines like JU and LO need to grow in order to be competitive and convenient for transfer passengers.
"From what I can see LO seems to be in turbo mode these days despite being highly affected by Ukraine."
DeleteI'm inclined to say that the collapse of their eastern markets is precisely why they are in turbo mode elsewhere. They desperately need to employ all the capacity they have, so they're throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.
Sarajevo is surprisingly low frequency. Didn't they have more flights in the past?
ReplyDeleteWizz Air happened in Sarajevo...
Delete20.000+ din fares to SJJ is what happened. Great potential wasted on overcharging the market. The one daily flight that used to be on the route isn't convenient for business travelers either.
DeleteWhat a joke.
DeleteThe price might have to do with high fees. And yes, I know Wizz Air has a base but Wizz Air was given special prices through a tender which was only open for LCCs.
Delete@00,37
DeleteQuick search, random dates 2 weeks from now (I used May 9th - May 13th). Ticket price: 23.461 din (199€) no baggage (Economy Light). Taxes: 4.963 din (42€).
Tax break down: pax services (BiH) 2.121 din, departure tax 181 din, security tax (Serbia) 528 din, airport tax 115 din, pax services (Serbia) 2.018 din.
Fees have been lowered in SJJ.
SJJ also offers various incentives for airlines already flying there. JU adding even 1 additional flight per week would receive subsidies provided that it operates over 95% of its current scheduled flights over a 12 month period. The subsidies last 3 years. Minimum requirement is 40 additional departures over a 12 month period. Additional 5% discount given if the additional flights are during the winter season. This info is from the SJJ website.
I doubt those Krasnodar and Rostov flights will happen this year.
ReplyDeleteWhen does JFK go 6 weekly? June?
ReplyDelete3rd week of June.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteWhy is Zagreb so low? I was really surprised to see that Tirana has more flights than Zagreb even though there is a lot of traffic between the two ex-yu cities. Both Croatia and Serbia are close in terms of culture, language and business. On the other hand Albania and Serbia are somewhat enemies. I would imagine that at least 14 flights per week would be needed. I hope that Croatia Airlines can step in an introduce a daily flights towards Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteWell you see that many including FR are reducing ZAG so demand has gone soft. TIA on the other hand is booming and has become a much larger market overall. JU is just adapting to current trends. That's all.
DeleteZagreb isn't too far to reach by car, excellent highway all the way. The only downside is crossing the border, especially in the summer months, which can take hours. If there is no hold up at the border, it's quicker to drive. Also, JU's prices isn't attractive for the average traveler between the 2 cities.
DeleteTIA is much further, not as easily accessible by car. There is no direct highway link with Tirana. Albania is also not as easily accessible by car to Western Europe as is Croatia.
Also Albania and Serbia are not enemies. There is passport-free travel between the two.
DeleteThere is a lot of traffic to Tirana because, among other things, there are a lot of transfer passengers from Tirana, particularly to New York. Also Albania is becoming a popular tourist destination for Serbian citizens since everything is cheaper than in Serbia, people are friendly and the coast is nice.
DeleteWhy Helsinki is still out of the game?
ReplyDelete