Half of Jat’s fleet to be renewed

Jat reports strong growth as the never ending fleet renewal pledge continue

Vladimir Ognjenović, the acting CEO of Jat Airways, has announced that Jat plans to renew half of its fleet in 2012. Speaking at the Belgrade International Tourism Fair, the CEO said that the airline will purchase 4 Airbus A319 jets as well as the regional ATR 72-500 series to renew its regional fleet. “All of the terms for the purchase of new Airbus aircraft will be specified within the next several months by the Serbian Government”, Ognjnović said. The Serbian Government has already confirmed it will back 180 million Euros for the purchase of new aircraft. Ognjenović also said that Jat is planning to renew its regional fleet next year by introducing the newer ATR72 model which, he says, is one of the most economical aircraft in the sky.

Meanwhile, Jat is reporting strong growth in 2011. In February the airline saw a 30% passenger increase. Following a successful discount fare sale, which is said to have led to an increase in passenger numbers, another one has just been launched. The Serbian flag carrier is also expected to end code sharing on the Adria Airways Ljubljana – Belgrade – Ljubljana service from April, Ognjenović revealed.

Jat to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik awaits Jat

Jat Airways will return to Dubrovnik after 20 years. The Serbian carrier will return to the Pearl of the Adriatic with 2 weekly flights, which will compliment Croatia Airlines’ 2 weekly service, which commences on June 20. The CEO of Dubrovnik Airport, Roko Tolić, told the “Slobodna Dalmacija” newspaper that Jat will fly to Dubrovnik every Friday and Saturday. The airport’s CEO was part of a business delegation visiting Belgrade this week. Croatia Airlines will operate seasonal flights from Dubrovnik to Belgrade until September 7. Flight details for this service can be found here.

Meanwhile, Jat is enjoying unprecedented praise from local media following its swift and successful evacuation of Serbian citizens from Libya. Yesterday, the airline operated its fifth evacuation flight from the North African country. Four flights were operated from Tripoli and one from Sebha in South-western Libya.

As the 2011 summer season approaches, EX-YU Aviation News will begin publishing preliminary summer season timetables from next weekend.

Montenegro Airlines in crisis

Montenegro Airlines treading on thin ice

For a second day in a row, Montenegro Airlines finds itself in the firing line. After it was revealed the airline owes 500.000 Euros to Skopje and Priština airports, the airline’s own pilots have now announced they will be launching legal action against the carrier. The Montenegrin daily “Dan” reports that pilots received their final pay checks in November. Furthermore, the airline owes millions to other airports in Europe. Montenegro Airlines’ CEO, Zoran Djurišić, admits that the carrier owes 40.000 and 60.000 Euros to Vienna and Frankfurt airports respectively. He explains that the carrier urgently needs 2 million Euros and notes that pilot salaries have been slashed by 30% so the airline can live another day.

Djurišić launched a scathing attack on low cost airlines, which are expected to enter the Montenegrin market this summer. He maintains that if low cost airlines come to Montenegro they should operate an all year round service and as a result, struggle. “Montenegro Airlines struggles for 8 months while low cost airlines will operate for 3 months and fill their aircraft to London, Paris and Moscow, services which we have nurtured for 8 months. I have cut pilot and engineer salaries by 30% so we can survive”, Djurišić says.

On Wednesday the airline suspended flights to Priština and Skopje indefinitely without prior notice. The Montenegrin Government attempted to sell 30% of the airline last year but there was no interest in the carrier.

Montenegro suspends Priština and Skopje

Unpaid debt forces cancellations

Montenegro Airlines unexpectedly operated its final service to Priština and Skopje on Wednesday, after it was revealed the airline owes thousands of Euros to both. Montenegro Airlines’ aircraft was stranded in Priština for seven hours after it failed to receive necessary clearances from local authorities. Radio station Antena M has reported that Montenegro Airlines owes 500.000 Euros to Priština Airport and was allowed to depart only after it deposited 50.000 Euros into the airport’s account.

Montenegro Airlines has denied the claims, saying that the aircraft was delayed due to the late arrival of incoming connecting passengers. However, no airline was late in arriving that morning into Priština. Furthermore, the national airline of Montenegro explains that it has suspended flights to Priština and Skopje due to poor loads. Late last year the airline’s CEO, Zoran Djurišić, said that the airline was doing particularly well thanks to flights from Priština and Niš.

This winter, Montenegro Airlines operated daily flights from Podgorica to both Priština and Skopje. There are currently no plans for the flights to resume in the summer.

Tripoli evacuation flights

Jat and B&H operating evacuation flights to Tripoli

Chaos has gripped the North African country of Libya, a temporary home for thousands of EX-YU nationals working mostly as construction workers, company representatives and hospital personnel. Libyans are revolting against Colonel Muammar el Gaddafi, who has ruled the country with an iron fist for the past 4 decades. Three Jat Airways aircraft were dispatched to Tripoli yesterday to evacuate Serbian and Montenegrin citizens, while B&H Airlines will operate an evacuation flight today.

Yesterday morning 3 Jat Airways Boeing B737-300s left Belgrade. The aircraft were expected to have a short stay at Tripoli Airport but were stranded for hours in the city as total chaos ensued at Libya’s main airport. One American who reached Vienna on a flight from Libya told the Associated Press the scene at Tripoli Airport was "total chaos", adding: "The airport was mobbed, you wouldn't believe the number of people”. Jat’s first two flights evacuated mostly women and children. Some 1.500 Serbian nationals reside in Libya working mostly in hospitals and construction sites. The airline has said it is prepared to operate additional evacuation flights to Tripoli if needed. Tonight, the Serbian carrier will operate its scheduled service to Tripoli via Malta, Vladimir Ognjenović, the airline’s CEO confirmed. The flight will operate under its normal routing, Belgrade – Malta – Tripoli – Belgrade.

Meanwhile, the Libyan based Buraq Air planned to operate its scheduled service to Sarajevo last night but the service was cancelled. B&H Airlines originally planned to operate an evacuation flight yesterday but was not granted clearance by the Libyan authorities. Nevertheless, the airline has been granted rights to operate an evacuation flight today with its Airbus A319. Buraq Air will also operate a special service today from Tripoli to Sarajevo.

Croatia Airlines operated a special charter flight to Tripoli on Wednesday night to evacuate its citizens. A Montenegrin naval vessel will evacuate EX-YU nationals from cities such as Benghazi where the airport has been destroyed.

Belgrade’s year to remember

More money, more airlines, more passengers

The CEO of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Velimir Radosavljević, says that 2011 will see record results for the airport. The CEO made the announcement after the airport posted a 21.5 million Euro profit for 2010 and recorded a 6% surge in share value this week. “In 2007 our profit stood at 4.5 million and today its 21.5. The airport is not acting as a monopoly, rather we are cooperating with various internationally acclaimed companies and are actively working on bringing new scheduled and charter airlines to Belgrade”, Radosavljević told the B92 network. He states that a total of 15 new airlines are operating out of Belgrade.

Serbia’s main hub is posting good results in 2011 with a significant passenger increase recorded. Radosavljević explains that Jat Airways has had a lot to do with the passenger increase but believes that the airport will see its biggest boom this upcoming summer season, which begins in just over a month. “This summer Jat will fly daily to Dusseldorf and Athens while low cost airlines will operate 7 daily flights out of Belgrade”, Radosavljević explains. Furthermore, Jat will reveal its 2011 summer timetable this weekend at the Belgrade Tourism Fair.

Due to encouraging operational results, the airport is expected to expand its facilities, in particular Terminal 2. The project design for the expanded Terminal 2 has been completed. This summer airBaltic, Croatia Airlines, Ryan International Airlines, Eagles Airlines, Dubrovnik Airline and Albanian Airlines are set to commence flights to the city while Wizz Air will open its base.

Belgrade – Croatia details to be revealed

Flight details to be revealed this weekend

Flights between Belgrade, Split, Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Pula are set to resume this summer. Jat Airways and Croatia Airlines have come to an agreement on who will serve which route and the public will be informed this coming weekend at the Belgrade Tourism Fair.

Currently, it is known that Croatia Airlines will operate flights between Dubrovnik and Belgrade, which are expected to commence on June 20. Jat Airways will operate flights between Belgrade and Pula. Croatia Airlines will most likely operate flights between Zagreb and Belgrade with the service codeshared by Jat Airways, although this has not been officially confirmed. Rumours are circulating that the Zagreb – Belgrade service will be brought forward and will start this summer instead of the 2011/2012 winter, as was initially planed. Finally, which airline will fly between Split and Belgrade remains to be seen.

Croatia Airlines has never operated scheduled flights to Belgrade while Jat Airways served flights between Belgrade and Pula in 2008, although both Zagreb and Split haven’t been in the airline’s network for almost 2 decades.

Montenegro to Brussels and Milan

Soon in Brussels and Milan

Montenegro Airlines will see some new additions to its 2011 summer season timetable. The Montenegrin flag carrier will be introducing flights from Podgorica to Brussels on April 15, operating 3 weekly flights with the Fokker F100 and Embraer E195 jet. Montenegro Airlines says that “Podgorica is a destination that does not only attract business travellers. Montenegro is seeking a rapprochement with the European Community and leisure passengers will be particularly impressed by its spectacular coastline”.

A few days prior to the Brussels launch, the airline will commence scheduled flights to Milan in Italy. The service, which will be inaugurated on April 8, will also operate 3 times per week from Podgorica. The airline already operates to Italy with flights to Rome. In 2010, some 40.000 Italian tourists visited the Montenegrin coastline.

The new route additions bring Montenegro Airlines’ network of scheduled destinations to 18. The airline is expected to face some tough competition from low cost airlines soon. Flight details for the new services can be seen on the right hand side in the new route launches section.

Morava Airport on track

Proposed design for Morava Airport’s passenger terminal

Serbia’s newest civilian airport, Morava, located near the town of Kraljevo in Central Serbia is on track to be opened by the end of the year. Morava Airport is located on the grounds of the Ladjevci military airport base, heavily damaged during the 1999 NATO bombing. Now, the Serbian Government, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, local authorities and USAID are investing millions into the construction of a new control tower, passenger terminal and the extension of the existing runway. The daily “Politika” reports that work is currently under way on the construction of power grids, sewerage and water systems for the new airport. This is expected to be completed by April. According to the CEO of Belgrade Airport, Velja Radosavljević, the construction of a terminal building, access roads, aprons and platforms should begin this spring. Some 22 million Euros will be spent on the project and Radosaljvević believes that the first promotional flights to Kraljevo will operate by the end of the year.

Several other municipalities and companies have also thrown in their support for the airport project. The automobile maker Fiat, which runs a car making factory in nearby Kragujevac, has requested for the airport’s development. Furthermore, it is believed that residents of the Raška District would use Kraljevo for flights to Turkey while tourists could use the airport as a transit point to the mountain of Kopaonik and the Vrnjačka Banja spa resort. Additionally, fruit growers from nearby towns and villages believe an air link to foreign markets would make their produce more competitive with others

The Ladjevci air base was built in 1965 and used until its destruction in 1999. Like most townships in Southern Serbia, Kraljevo has been struggling economically and some members of the local parliament have expressed their concern on spending so much money on such a project. In late 2010, Kraljevo was devastated by a powerful earthquake, brining it more hardship.

Strong start for Zagreb as Rijeka falters

More passengers using Zagreb

Croatia’s main airport, Zagreb, started the year off on a high. Zagreb Pleso Airport handled 138.267 passengers in January 2011 and thus reported sound growth of 10.9% compared to the same month last year. This good result is somewhat overshadowed by Rijeka Airport’s performance. The island airport handled a measly 10 passengers, seeing its figures collapse 98%. Zadar surprised in January as passenger numbers declined 31.9%. This is despite the fact that there were more flights to the city this January compared to last. Mali Lošinj handled 72 passengers and reported growth of 36%, ahead of the likes of Osijek and Pula which saw their numbers slide. Dubrovnik welcomed more passengers, reporting a 15% increase, while Split’s growth stood at 1%.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in January 2011. Overall, passenger numbers at Croatian airports increased 8.8%. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers JAN 2011	Passengers JAN 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	138.267	124.676	▲ 10.9
Dubrovnik	20.656	17.957	▲ 15.0
Pula	752	1.239	▼ 39.3
Split	23.167	22.832	▲ 1.5
Zadar	1.204	1.769	▼ 31.9
Osijek	35	80	▼ 56.3
Rijeka	10	636	▼ 98.4
Mali Lošinj	72	52	▲ 38.5

Zagreb terminal dream to become reality

Bush and De Gaulle want Pleso

Zagreb Airport and the Croatian Government will, in March, award an infrastructure contract for the concession to build a new airport terminal. The Zagreb Airport terminal project is part of an investment program announced in September 2010, although the idea of building a new terminal is over a decade old. Aéroports de Paris or ADP (Paris Airports), the airport authority that owns and manages 14 civil airports and airfields in Paris, and the Houston Airport System, which runs Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, have expressed interest in bidding for the Zagreb Airport contract. Some 190 million Euros is expected to be invested in the long awaited new terminal.

Recently a delegation from Houston Airport System toured Zagreb, visiting the American Embassy in Croatia in a bid to secure government support. The Americans are a firm favourite to win the concession. According to current plans, the new terminal should spread over 65.600 square metres and should be 5 times the size of the current terminal. However, construction is not set to begin until August next year as the terminal will have to be designed on paper first, tenders for construction companies will have to be launched and land ownership issues will have to be resolved. The new terminal is planned to be built in 3 phases, with the first set to be completed in 2014. The current terminal will undergo a smaller expansion and face lift to accommodate the rising number of passengers until the new terminal is completed.

Wizz Air to Skopje

Soon in Skopje

It has been a Macedonian infused week of news and the latest is sure to be warmly greeted by aviation enthusiasts. Wizz Air is once again spreading its wings in the EX-YU region. The low cost airline will commence scheduled seasonal flights from London’s Luton Airport to Alexander the Great Airport in Skopje. Flights are set to operate 3 times per week, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The service will be inaugurated on June 20.

Wizz Air’s arrival in Macedonia is the first major win for Skopje Airport’s operator, TAV, which has been working on attracting low cost airlines to the country. Wizz Air CEO, Josef Varadi, told the “Utrinski Vesnik” newspaper that the airline is considering commencing flights to Skopje out of Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona.

There is more good news for Macedonia’s hub with Mat Airways planning to commence flights to Amsterdam this summer season. A total of 40 flights are planned between the two cities. Skopje Airport handled 700.000 passengers in 2010, an increase of 13.7% compared to 2009.

Flight details for the new Wizz Air service can be found in the new route launches section on the right hand side.

Skywings goes bankrupt

Skywings International 2008 - 2011

The Macedonian charter airline Skywings International (operating under the name Airlift Service), which took over the bulk of passengers from MAT Macedonian Airlines following its demise, is expected to declare bankruptcy, the Kanal 5 network reports. The airline was grounded back in December 2010 due to growing debt. While the airline’s CEO promised Skywings would be back in the air within days, the airline’s faith did not play out that way. Furthermore, Skywings has not applied for an air operator’s certificate (AOC), which is granted by the national aviation authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. Without it Skywings cannot fly.

Most of Skywings’ staff have already left the company, while its sales office in Skopje has been closed. Passengers who purchased tickets with the airline cannot refund them. A similar scenario took place with the country’s former national carrier, MAT Macedonian Airlines, which was grounded in 2009 and declared bankruptcy in 2010. Skywings International operated flights out of both Skopje and Ohrid to several major European hubs.

Skopje grows

Skopje’s new terminal under construction (right)

Construction of a new terminal at Skopje Alexander the Great Airport is ongoing. The airport’s operator, TAV Airport Holdings, has plans to turn Skopje into a regional leader and holds high hopes that Turkish Airlines will set up an airline in Macedonia, a move rumoured since the demise of MAT Macedonian Airlines. Alp Er Tunga Ersoy, the Deputy Manager of TAV in Macedonia, told the Southeast European Times portal, "Our goal is to make Skopje a popular regional hub by using its advantageous geographical location. Thanks to this investment, Macedonia will have state of the art airport facilities and Skopje's Alexander the Great Airport will be one of the main drivers of economic growth in the region”. After work on the new terminal is complete, Skopje's airport will be nearly double the size of those in Belgrade and Sofia, according to officials. The airport runaway is being extended by 500 meters to handle wide body aircraft for long haul flights.

TAV claims that without a national carrier growth at Macedonia’s airports will be blocked. The Turkish airport operator hopes that Turkish Airlines will set up a national carrier in Macedonia. However, they also hope that some of Turkey’s 10 million strong diaspora will reroute via Skopje on their way to their homeland. Work on Skopje’s new terminal is expected to be complete in time for the 2011/2012 winter season in October.

Renovations are also under way at Ohrid's St. Paul the Apostle Airport, and plans are going ahead for the construction of the Philip II cargo airport, to be located in Štip in Eastern Macedonia.

New fleet essential by 2012

Jat needs new aircraft to compete with others

The new head of Jat Airways’ Flight Operations Department, Vladimir Banjac, has told Jat’s Media Centre that it is essential the airline receives new aircraft by January 1, 2012 if it wishes to keep flying. “Without the purchase of new aircraft this year, or at the latest by the end of 2011, Jat Airways won’t have a chance to compete with other airlines from abroad and the region”. Banjac says. He believes that with new aircraft the airline could create a more ambitious timetable. Jat is hoping to finalise a 13 year feud with Airbus and receive 4 Airbus A319s, although the arrival of the aircraft wouldn’t begin until 2012. Banjac states that if Jat were to receive Airbus aircraft, the airline’s pilots would be trained for the new type within 2 months.

Last week one of Jat’s ATR72s, which has been grounded for more than 2 years, returned to the airline’s mainstream fleet. The Serbian Government has guaranteed a 140 million Euro loan to Jat for the purchase of new aircraft in 2011.

Jat’s acting CEO, Vladimir Ognjenović, told the Serbian public broadcaster, RTS, that the company is recovering. In January it sold 11.500 promotional discounted tickets and saw income increase by 27%.

Niš hopes for more passengers

Will Niš keep the momentum?

Niš Constantine the Great Airport in Serbia handled 23.627 passengers in 2010, up by 37.6% on 2009, thanks mostly to Montenegro Airlines. In 2010, Niš was predominantly served by 2 airlines, the low cost Italian Wind Jet and Montenegro Airlines. Despite subsidies from the city authorities, Wind Jet suspended flights from Forli to Niš back in October 2010. The city provided some 1.1 million Euros to Wind Jet and bought out 50 seats per flight, although there was an average of only 25 passengers during the peak summer season. It is Montenegro Airlines that has transported the bulk of passengers heading to and from Niš. The Podgorica – Niš – Podgorica service, which operates 5 times per week, is also subsidised, as the city purchases 40 seats per flight.

While Niš handled the most passengers since 2007, the airport will have to find new airlines if it wishes to attract more passengers. In late 2010 the airport was closed for several days due to a dire financial situation until its rival, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, provided it with some much needed cash. Last year, Adria Airways’ regional director for Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Orhan Hodžić, said the airline was planning to introduce flights from Ljubljana to Niš in the summer of 2011, although there is no evidence that the Slovenian carrier, which is struggling with its own finances, will be doing so. It is believed that the city authorities no longer have funds in order to subsidise airlines to commence flights to Niš.

Niš Constantine the Great Airport is currently advertising itself on the market, claiming that flights from Niš to Frankfurt Hahn, Zurich (4 times per week), Paris (2 times per week), London (2 times per week), Vienna (3 times per week), Munich (2 – 3 times per week), Istanbul (2 times per week) and Moscow would be a success.

TAROM to Rijeka

Soon in Rijeka

The national carrier of Romania, TAROM, will commence charter flights from Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport to Rijeka on June 14. Flights are set to operate once per week, every Tuesday. This is welcome news for the Croatian airport which hopes to see the number of passengers using its facilities significantly increase following a disastrous 2010. However, early statistics for 2011 paint a bleak picture for Rijeka.

The national carrier of Romania will continue its seasonal summer charters to Dubrovnik, after 2 sucsesfull years of operations. Flights to Dubrovnik will begin on June 16. The service will operate twice per week, every Thursday and Saturday and will operate with the regional ATR72 aircraft.

On the other hand, ČSA Czech Airlines has discontinued its seasonal summer flights from Prague to Dubrovnik and Split but will be increasing its frequencies to Zagreb, which was the airline’s first international destination back in 1930. Yesterday, low cost easyJet began flights from London Gatwick to Zagreb.

Air Berlin to Tivat in May

Montenegro to get low cost flights

As was reported last year, Air Berlin will commence seasonal summer flights from its Nuremberg base to Tivat. The Montenegrin Government signed the deal with a German business delegation earlier in the week. Flights will commence on May 18 and will operate once per week, every Wednesday. Flight details can be found on the right hand side in the new route launches section. Air Berlin is Germany’s second largest airline after Lufthansa and operates with a semi low cost concept. In previous years it has operated charter flights to the Montenegrin coast.

Meanwhile, Montenegro could be getting some low cost flights in an apparent shift in government policy. Last year, the Montenegrin Government claimed that no low cost airline was interested in commencing services to their country and that too many incentives would have to be given. The government is now singing a different tune. It now says that it will commence negotiations with 3 low cost airlines: Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet. The flights would operate on a scheduled basis. Previously, easyJet claimed it had no interest in commencing flights to Montenegro, Macedonia or Serbia. Currently, there are now scheduled low cost flights to Montenegro.

B&H suspensions under consideration

B&H still penning 2011 summer timetable

Following an article published on Monday, in regards to B&H suspending services from Sarajevo to Vienna and Belgrade in the upcoming summer season, the airline says that these routes are still under consideration. Despite the fact that passengers can no longer book tickets for these services from March 27, Edin Hrapović, from B&H marketing, says that the airline is still formulating its summer season timetable, just over a month from its initiation. While Vienna is likely to proceed into the summer season, flights to Belgrade are still under consideration. The airline is set to continue its flights to Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Zurich and its signature route to Istanbul. Summer charters will also be operated.

Meanwhile, B&H’s hub airport, Sarajevo, reported some good news as the airport handled 563.266 passengers in 2010, up by 6.2% on 2009. The airport saw the number of flights increase by 5%. 2010 marks Sarajevo Airport’s 7th consecutive year of growth.

Adria surpasses Jat

Adria carries more passengers than Jat in 2010

In 2010, Slovenia’s Adria Airways surpassed Jat for the first time in several years to claim second place as the EX-YU national airline with the most carried passengers, behind Croatia Airlines. In 2010, Jat saw a 1% passenger increase on 2009, carrying 1.065.767 passengers. Jat’s cabin load factor stood at 61% up by 4% compared to 2009. While Jat saw passenger numbers on flights to and from Montenegro increase by 40.000 and recorded an increase in the number of passengers on Euro Mediterranean services, the Serbian carrier marked a significant decrease in the number of charter passengers, from 124.693 in 2009 to 73.655 in 2010.

On the other hand, Adria Airways handled 1.170.235 passengers, which is 104.468 more than Jat. Its average cabin load factor stood at 65%. However, if only scheduled traffic was to be taken into account Jat would have come on top ahead of Adria. Despite Croatia Airlines seeing a decrease in passenger numbers in 2010, it is still ahead of its EX-YU counterparts, carrying well over 1.5 million passengers in 2010.

Strong start for Belgrade

Belgrade sees growth in 2011

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport saw its ninth consecutive month of growth. In January 2011, the airport handled 178.732 passengers, up by 14.2% compared to the same month last year. The sound result achieved was aided by a 7% increase in the number of flights operated to the airport. Serbia’s main hub expects to post even more convincing figures in the months come with Wizz Air opening new routes in April, Croatia Airlines and Jat Airways beginning flights to and from the Croatian coast, Eagles Airlines commencing flights from Forli and Ryan International Airlines inaugurating services to North America in the summer. In 2010, Belgrade handled 2.698.730 passengers, up by 13% on 2009.

Meanwhile, from Monday, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport shares have been placed on the Belgrade Stock Exchange with a starting share price of approximately 6 Euros. On Monday, most Serbian citizens over the age of 18 became owners of 1 airport share.

B&H suspends Belgrade and Vienna

No more B&H flights to Belgrade

B&H Airlines is set to suspend flights from Sarajevo to Belgrade and Vienna at the start of the 2011 summer season. The airline has already terminated services from Banja Luka to Vienna, which were originally set to end in March. B&H will operate its final flight from Sarajevo to the Austrian capital on Friday, March 25. During the winter, a total of 4 weekly flights operated to Vienna, however, recently, there have been frequent cancellations as the airline has been unable to fill seats. Meanwhile, B&H’s 6 weekly flights to Belgrade will also come to an end. The airline will continue to codeshare on Jat Airways’ service to and from Sarajevo. According to sources close to the airline, B&H planned to suspend flights to Frankfurt as well as loads have been light but in the end decided to keep the service until further notice.

With B&H cancelling many of its flights and no new destinations planned for the summer season, the national carrier of Bosnia and Herzegovina once again faces the prospect of having too many aircraft and only a handful of routes. Furthermore, the scheduled arrival of an Airbus A319 this summer is also under review. Amongst employees, dissatisfaction with Turkish Airlines (a 49% share holder), is growing as the airline continues to operate with multi million Euro losses and seems unable to expand. Turkish is keen to buy out the airline but the political limbo in the Federation is blocking the purchase.

Rijeka poised for a comeback

Soon in Rijeka

In the past 2 years Rijeka Airport has seen sliding passenger numbers and income while its counterparts across the nation reported record growth. However, the airport’s fortunes are expected to change this summer. Last year, Rijeka Airport’s management rejected Ryanair’s terms to commence flights to the island airport, however, it did not wish to make the same mistake again. From April 15 Ryanair will operate flights from London Stansted Airport and Stockholm Skvasta Airport 2 time per week, every Monday and Friday until the end of the summer season, in October. Rijeka was forced to make many concessions to the world’s largest low cost airline. A total of 250.000 Euros was paid to promote Rijeka on Ryanair’s website and another 62.500 for the flights themselves. Tickets can be booked from Monday on Ryanair’s website.

Ryanair won’t be the only airline flying out of Rijeka this summer. Croatia Airlines will compete with the no frills carrier on the London service while others will operate flights to Gothenburg, Riga, Bucharest and Moscow. According to the airport’s management, talks are already underway for new flights to be initiated during the 2012 summer season.

As a result, Rijeka expects to see an influx of much needed tourists in the coming summer.

EX-YU

As it once was ... Zagreb Pleso Airport

Flights between Belgrade and the Croatian coast will soon be reinstated and now, almost all of the main airports in the former Yugoslavia are connected through air links. In addition, Adria is set to begin flights from Ljubljana to Split, Montenegro Airlines has managed to connect smaller airports such as Niš with Podgorica and B&H Airlines is flying out of Banja Luka again.

In 1987, the golden year of Yugoslav aviation, JAT Yugoslav Airlines operated flights to 17 domestic destinations: Belgrade, Niš, Priština, Skopje, Ohrid, Podgorica, Tivat, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Split, Zadar, Pula, Rijeka, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Maribor. Seasonal flights were operated from Banja Luka , Portorož and occasionally Mali Lošinj. In 1987, JAT carried an impressive 2.255.000 passengers on domestic flights only, with an average cabin load factor of 63.4%. Furthermore, Adria Airways had a 15% share in domestic traffic by 1990. It is important to note that, at the time, road infrastructure was not up to standard and in some cases air was the only way to get to another city.

The most popular domestic flights during the 1980s were those from Belgrade to Dubrovnik and Split, followed by the service from Belgrade to Zagreb, Ljubljana and Podgorica. The most popular domestic flight from Zagreb, besides Belgrade, proved to be Split and Dubrovnik as well. On the domestic front, the most popular service from Priština was Belgrade while those in Skopje travelled most to Zagreb. Sarajevo’s residents flew mostly to Belgrade and Zagreb. Out of a 100% share on domestic services, 34% flew between Serbia and Croatia, 21% within Croatia, 9% between Serbia and Macedonia and Montenegro, 7% between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6% between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and 4% between Croatia and Macedonia.

On international flights in 1990, Belgrade held the largest share of passengers (67%), followed by Zagreb (23%), Ljubljana (7%) and Split and Dubrovnik (3%). JAT sold most tickets for its domestic and international flights in Serbia and the least in Montenegro. While more Macedonians purchased tickets for domestic flights, Bosnians bought more tickets for international flights. Despite Adria’s presence, JAT sold some 7.6% of its domestic tickets in Slovenia and 11.6% of tickets for international flights.

Although it has taken 20 years for relations to somewhat stabilise across the former Yugoslavia, the former market and passenger numbers are unlikely ever to be achieved again.

Turkish denies Jat interest

No Balkan Airways as Jat dumps Ljubljana

Turkish Airlines has denied that it wants to turn Jat Airways into Balkan Airways, a claim made by the Minister without a portfolio in the Serbian Government, Sulejman Ugljanin. The Beta news agency reports that the Board of Directors at Turkish Airlines was caught off guard by the minister’s announcement, explaining that no decision had ever been made to purchase the struggling Serbian carrier. “At the moment the Board of Directors has made no decision to form a strategic partnership with Jat”, a statement from Turkish Airlines reads.

Meanwhile, the Serbian carrier will suspend flights to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana as part of its destination rationalisation scheme. Passenger loads on the Ljubljana flights have always been light and the recent arrival of Adria Airways on the same route put even more pressure on Jat. However, the final nail in the coffin was delivered after the decision made by Jat’s former management to sign a codeshare agreement with Adria (ordered by the former CEO himself), virtually handing over most of its own passengers to its rival. Adria, which is also struggling on the route, benefited greatly from the codeshare deal. Jat Airways will operate its last flight to Ljubljana on Friday, March 25. Adria will remain as the sole operator on the Ljubljana – Belgrade – Ljubljana service. However, Jat is expected to stay in Slovenia as it will operate 2 weekly flights to Portorož, if the long delayed launch of the new service commences on February 20.

Adria to Split

Soon in Split

The Slovenian national carrier, Adria Airways, will commence seasonal summer flights from Ljubljana to Split. The service is set to be inaugurated on May 21. Flights will operate once per week, every Saturday, with the Bombardier CRJ900 jet. The Slovenian carrier has also received full rights to operate charter flights from Split to Kristiansand in Norway. This service will serve as a continuation of the Ljubljana – Split flight, also once per week.

Staying in Croatia, Dubrovnik Airline, Croatia’s second largest airline, is set to receive 2 new Airbus A320s this spring, with the first set to arrive in April and the second in May. According to earlier announcements, the airline will inaugurate flights from Split to Lille and from Dubrovnik to Ljubljana and Belgrade this summer. Dubrovnik Airline recently farewelled its aged MD aircraft, with only 1 MD82 and MD83 remaining in its fleet.

Balkan Airways

Turkish turning Jat into Balkan Airways?

According to Sulejman Ugljanin, a minister without a portfolio within the Serbian Government, Turkish Airlines is ready to turn Jat Airways into Balkan Airways which would, besides Serbia, be based in several EX-YU countries. Ugljanin says that Turkish Airlines is ready to start talks with Jat from March 1. “There have been no terms or conditions set by Turkish Airlines”, Ugljanin was quoted by the Tanjug news agency. The minister returned from a visit to Turkey where he held talks with several members of the Turkish Government. However, it should be noted that minister Ugljanin is notorious for sensationalist announcements and forming deals with Turkish companies which have not been approved by the Serbian Government.

On the other hand, sources close to Jat Airways say that Turkish Airlines is no longer interested in purchasing Jat. In fact, the Serbian Government will give guarantees for another multi million Euro loan to the Serbian carrier in 2011 to buy Airbus aircraft and does not plan to sell the airline for at least another 2 years. The Serbian Government as a whole is the only one authorised to make decisions about Jat’s future, the daily “Danas” reports, making Ugljanin’s comments more implausible.

Analysts have concluded that the announcement made by Ugljanin is a political stunt and that both the Ministry for Infrastructure (in charge of aviation in Serbia) and Jat Airways were caught by surprise by the recent announcement.

North American Airlines to Zagreb

Soon in Zagreb?

North American Airlines has been named as the charter airline interested in commencing flights from New York JFK Airport to Zagreb. The CEO of Zagreb Airport, Tonči Peović, revealed the news at a press conference last week. Zagreb is trying to attract North American by waiving landing fees. However, the two sides are still negotiating. Peović believes that the Zagreb Tourism Board should subsidise the airline by buying some 100 seats per flight. He continues by saying that the service will be profitable if the aircraft has a 65% cabin load factor. The new flights will operated either by a Boeing B757-200 or the B767-300.

North American Airlines is based at Kennedy Airport in New York. It operates scheduled flights within the United States and South America. The airline relies heavily on charters during the summer.

Talks between Zagreb Airport and North American Airlines are set to be finalised within the next few weeks.