Speaking at Routes Europe in \u0141\u00f3d\u017a, Air Serbia’s CEO, Ji\u0159\u00ed Marek, described the carrier as a “small regional airline looking to grow.” It launched 20+ routes last year, including Tianjin, China. And there are even more additions this year, including Chicago O’Hare. While JAT was no stranger to long-haul, it is still comparatively new for Air Serbia.<\/p>\n
Two more A330s are coming
\nAir Serbia launched long-haul operations between Belgrade and New York JFK in 2016. It used YU-ARA, an A330-200 leased from equity partner Etihad, which was returned in April 2021.<\/p>\n
Now it has two A330-200s: YU-ARB (ex-Aeroflot; delivered in April 2021) and YU-ARC (ex-South African Airways; November 2022). The second aircraft enabled the launch of Tianjin last December.<\/p>\n
Click here for Tianjin-Belgrade flights.<\/p>\n
AirSERBIA (Nikola Tesla Livery) Airbus A330-243 YU-ARB.jpg (2)
\nPhoto: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.
\nConfirming what has already been reported, Marek said a third and fourth A330-200 is coming. However, slots for maintenance, painting, and so on, are a hindrance, and is somewhat delaying plans. He suggested that Air Serbia may have up to eight widebodies eventually, and dismissed the possibility of the larger and heavier A330-300.<\/p>\n
Chicago starts on May 17th
\nAir Serbia’s Belgrade hub revolves around diaspora: both Serbian and those who are from (or whose heritage is from) the wider Balkans, together with elsewhere, including Israel and Greece. Chicago is no exception.<\/p>\n
Starting on May 17th, it will target some of the 200,000+ roundtrip passengers who traveled between Chicago and the relevant countries in 2019, with 30+ possible connecting markets.<\/p>\n
Click here for Chicago-Belgrade flights.<\/p>\n
Air Serbia CEO
\nPhoto: James Pearson I Simple Flying.
\nVisiting friends and relatives demand can be lower-yielding and summer-seasonal, negatively impacting economics. Without prompting, Marek disclosed why Chicago was chosen over Toronto, which is an even bigger market, saying,<\/p>\n
“Chicago is less seasonal than Toronto, and it is a much stronger freight market.”<\/p>\n
Stay aware: Sign up for my weekly new routes newsletter.<\/p>\n
Why China?
\nMarek said that, pre-coronavirus, around 145,000 Chinese citizens visited Serbia in 2019, “more than enough for a non-stop route.” Obviously, it depends on much more than that.<\/p>\n
Unlike other parts of Europe, Serbia does not require Chinese citizens to have a visa, providing an “important opportunity” and one source of passenger traffic. Marek said that it can sometimes take a Chinese citizen two months to secure a visa for particular European countries.<\/p>\n
Air Serbia Tianjin launch
\nPhoto: Air Serbia.
\nChinese investment also drives passenger traffic, likewise Chinese labor. So too does Air Serbia’s growing Belgrade hub, providing easy access to the wider Balkans and beyond. Marek did not mention freight, but it is presumably considerable, especially involving China.<\/p>\n
Shanghai is next?
\nAccording to Marek, Tianjin is profitable and very popular (95% seat load factor, but no reference to fares, of course). Given this, he said Air Serbia will launch Shanghai next, which is in the final approval stage.<\/p>\n
In 2019, more than 145,000 people traveled between Shanghai and the Balkans, with Serbia by far the largest market. Thereafter, Beijing and\/or Guangzhou are likely, but bilaterals remain a problem.<\/p>\n
Air Serbia’s long-haul network
\nImage: GCMap.
\nThree long-haul routes this summer
\nAir Serbia’s frequencies vary, which enables it to more effectively align capacity to demand and improve loads and yields. In August, these will operate:<\/p>\n
Belgrade-New York JFK: daily
\nBelgrade-Chicago O’Hare: three weekly
\nBelgrade-Tianjin: weekly
\nClick here for JFK-Belgrade flights.<\/p>\n
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comment section.<\/p>\n
We hope you like the items we recommend and discuss! Simple Flying has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. This won\u2019t affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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