It has been fascinating to observe the evolution of Air Serbia. The airline was based in its present kind in 2013, as a three way partnership between the federal government of Serbia (51% stake) and Etihad Airways (49% stake). As Etihad developed its technique, it progressively decreased its stake within the Serbian nationwide service, and as of 2023, Etihad absolutely reduce ties with Air Serbia.
Serbia’s authorities has remained invested within the airline, and has continued to develop Air Serbia. The newest a part of this plan has simply been introduced, because the airline intends to double its lengthy haul fleet, as flagged by EX-YU Aviation Information.
Air Serbia will function fleet of 4 Airbus A330s
Within the coming months, Air Serbia is planning on growing its Airbus A330 fleet from two to 4 jets, doubling the service’s lengthy haul capability. Each airline executives and authorities officers have confirmed the plans, and have introduced that the airline intends so as to add these two further A330s to its fleet by Could 2024, in time for the summer season 2024 season.
It hasn’t but been introduced the place Air Serbia will purchase these jets, however presumably they’ll be used jets acquired from different airways.
For some context on Air Serbia’s present Airbus A330 fleet:
- In April 2021, the airline took supply of an A330-200 with the license plate YU-ARB; this plane first began flying in 2008 for Aeroflot
- In November 2022, the airline took supply of an A330-200 with the license plate YU-ARC; this plane first began flying for South African Airways in 2011
Previous to that, from 2016 till 2021, Air Serbia flew a special Airbus A330-200 with the license plate YU-ARA, which first began flying for Jet Airways in 2007. This plane was leased by means of Etihad, provided that on the time, Etihad had a stake in each Air Serbia and Jet Airways.
The explanation the airline swapped one plane for an additional was as a result of it may get extra favorable lease phrases on these planes. You possibly can learn my overview of Air Serbia’s enterprise class right here.
How Air Serbia will develop lengthy haul flights
It appears that evidently Air Serbia is completely centered on the US and China on the subject of lengthy haul service. Presently the airline flies to:
- Chicago (ORD) — 2x weekly in winter, 3x weekly in summer season
- New York (JFK) — 3x weekly in winter, 7x weekly in summer season
- Tianjin (TSN) — 2x weekly in winter, not at the moment scheduled for summer season
So, what are Air Serbia’s plans with the extra Airbus A330s? The airline intends so as to add flights to Guangzhou (CAN) and Shanghai (PVG). Whereas flights aren’t on sale but, the plan is to supply 2x weekly frequencies in every market.
Past including new locations, Air Serbia hopes to supply greater than day by day service to New York in summer season, and in addition desires to have sufficient spare plane to have the ability to carry out unscheduled upkeep with out the operation completely falling aside.
A couple of ideas on how Air Serbia is evolving:
- It’s good to see the airline seemingly succeeding on its New York route, to the purpose that greater than day by day frequencies are deliberate in summer season; then once more, filling planes throughout the Atlantic in summer season is kind of simple
- Previously there had been speak of Air Serbia flying to Toronto, however that seems to not be within the playing cards
- Since Air Serbia isn’t within the European Union, the airline is uniquely positioned to supply flights to & from Russia, so I’m shocked that’s not being exploited extra when it comes to the community (since there’s no have to fly from Russia to China through Serbia)
- Does anybody absolutely perceive Air Serbia’s China service? Is it about cargo, about shut enterprise ties, or simply about serving precise passenger demand? As a result of you probably have the choice to fly mainly anyplace on this planet, it’s stunning that Tianjin could be your first vacation spot after New York…
I’d be fascinated to understand how Air Serbia is actually doing financially. As a result of the airline is authorities owned, we don’t have a real sense of the corporate’s financials. Is Air Serbia truly creating wealth, or is the service’s progress extra about increasing the financial system in Serbia?
Backside line
Air Serbia is doubling its lengthy haul fleet, because the airline plans to amass two further Airbus A330s earlier than the summer season 2024 schedule. The airline at the moment flies to Chicago, New York, and Tianjin, and needs so as to add service to Guangzhou and Shanghai, in addition to growing service to New York.
I’m curious to see how this evolves, and the place Air Serbia acquires these jets.
What do you make of Air Serbia buying two extra Airbus A330s?
