New Jat with new owners

Businessmen taking over Jat

The Serbian Minister for Infrastructure yesterday announced that the government is finalising an agreement with local businessmen to invest into a successor to Jat Airways, which will become Serbia’s new national carrier. A total of ten businessmen are willing to invest into the new airline in return for an ownership stake. “I can’t tell you which businessmen are in question because they are very sensitive people who have their own interests and reasons. Give us another week or two", the minister told the media at a press conference.

One of the businessmen being tipped to be interested in investing into the new Jat is Miroslav Mišković, the owner of the Delta Holding company, which has been named the 86th most successful company in Central Europe by Deloitte with recorded revenue of over one billion Euros in 2011. Several years ago Mišković was interested in creating Serbia’s first low cost airline, Air Maxi, in cooperation with Aviogenex but in the end stepped away from such plans.

The Serbian minister for infrastructure states that the new company will be created before the end of the government’s four year term. Serbs are set to go to the polls on May 6 this year. The minister further states that the new Jat would have a completely new management and would take over Jat’s existing fleet with new aircraft to be ordered in 2013. He further adds that the new company would take over Jat’s employees and will operate with a profit.

“Dramatic year” ahead for Adria

More challenges ahead for Adria

Adria Airways CEO, Klemen Boštjančič, has said that Adria can expect another “dramatic year” as the airline prepares for privatisation. The Slovenian government has a 70% stake in the carrier while banks hold the other 30%, as of last year. However, the banks want to sell their shares as soon as possible and only agreed to take part in the deal so Adria could avoid bankruptcy. The plan is for a tender to find a strategic partner for the Slovenian carrier to begin later this year and for the sale agreement to be finalised in the second quarter of 2013. With Lufthansa tied with many investments in Europe, Adria expects to see interest from Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways. All are looking to invest in Europe. Qatar Airways was recently locked in takeover talks with Spanair, which ultimately failed, Etihad recently bought a large stake in airBerlin, while Turkish Airlines is eyeing Poland’s LOT.

Despite a tough year ahead, Boštjančič notes that most of the hard work has been done with the suspension of high profile routes and other cost cutting measures already implemented. “Closing the route to Paris and London was a huge media and political story. We constantly hear from people that say because we received money from the government we should continue flying to those destinations. We have to explain to these people that we got the money from the government to stop flying unprofitable routes. There are a lot of people who really don’t get it”, Boštjančič said in a recent interview to CAPA. However, one more major obstacle remains before Adria’s restructuring programme can be deemed a success. It concerns the airline’s fleet rationalisation plans. “Clearly 2012 will be another critical year”, Adria’s CEO concludes.

As the first month of 2012 passes by Adria has already announced the resumption of seasonal flights to London, Barcelona and Manchester and has launched new flights from Priština to Verona. It also plans to significantly increase its frequencies from Priština to Frankfurt during this summer season so as to retain its place as the busiest carrier operating out of Priština. Back at home, this January, Adria holds a massive 77.5% share of all departures and arrivals out of Ljubljana Airport. Its closest rival, easyJet, managed only 8.2% and this share is set to tumble during the summer as the airline suspends flights from Paris.

Pilots unhappy with Dash jets

Discontent amongst Croatia Airlines pilots grows

Croatia Airlines pilots are speaking out against the carrier’s Bombardier Dash fleet claiming that the aircraft are unreliable. During the week a Croatia Airlines Dash 8 experienced a minor technical fault, the eighth since December 2011. Speaking to the Croatian press, unnamed pilots say that the aircraft often experience technical fault indications which result in emergency landings and delays. Last month a total of six aircraft of the same type were grounded due to an indication that the forward exit door is not properly closed. “The Dash constantly breaks down. Some aircraft have micro cracks on the fuselage and corrosion on instillations”, one pilot told the “Večernji list” daily, one of Croatia’s largest daily newspapers. Pilots also say that aircraft which are sent for unscheduled checks due to technical faults are noted by the airline as going in for regular maintenance, thus leading to false statistics. Technicians have also spoken out against the aircraft saying that regular annual maintenance for the type takes up to 25 days while maintenance for the larger Airbus jets take only a week.

Croatia Airlines introduced its first Dash 8 aircraft in May 2008. The airline operates a total of six jets from the Canadian manufacturer, which has a capacity to seat 76 passengers. The aircraft has been praised by the airline’s management several times as it burns less fuel and has lower operational costs. Currently, one of the six Croatia Airlines Dash jets is out of service (registered 9A-CQB).

There is growing discontent amongst Croatia Airlines pilots, which became public late last year after their minimum rest period times were cut. The pilots’ union is now requesting for the government to replace the entire management. They were further enraged after their proposed plan to revive the airline was laughed off by the management. The airline accuses the pilots of seeking attention ahead of their collective agreement negotiatons.

Spanair suspends Belgrade and Zagreb

Spanair ceases all operations

At midnight Spanair, Spain’s second largest airline, ceased operations after the carrier failed to find a buyer. On Friday, Qatar Airways had walked away from talks to take over the money losing airline after months of negotiations. The government of Spain's Catalonia region is Spanair's main shareholder, while Spanair's former owner, Scandinavian airline SAS, still owns an 11.9% stake. However, the Catalan government says it can no longer finance the airline.

Spanair has ceased all operations, suspending with it scheduled flights to Belgrade and its planned seasonal summer service to Zagreb and Dubrovnik. During this winter season, Spanair operated three weekly flights between Barcelona and Belgrade and on Friday morning announced it would increase the service to four times per week during the summer. Furthermore, the airline has also operated seasonal flights from Madrid to the Serbian capital in the past. Zagreb Airport will also be at a loss as Spanair operated seasonal flights to the Croatian capital from its Barcelona base. Last summer, Spanair also operated flights from Barcelona and Madrid to Dubrovnik. As Star Alliance partners, Spanair and Croatia Airlines code shared on each others' flights.

As a result, Jat Airways is now likely to resume seasonal summer flights to Girona while Iberia and Vueling Airlines will be operating flights from several Spanish cities to Dubrovnik and Split. Croatia Airlines should resume seasonal summer flights from Zagreb to Barcelona.

Jat boosts Croatia service

More flights from Belgrade to Croatia

Jat Airways is making further changes to its upcoming seasonal flights to the Croatian coast. The airline has increased the number of weekly flights from Belgrade to Dubrovnik to three per week, from the original two flights planned. The service from Belgrade to Dubrovnik turned out to be successful for the airline when they were resumed last year after a twenty year suspension. Furthermore, Jat is expected to be the sole operator on the route in 2012 as Croatia Airlines is unlikely to resume the flights, although no firm decision has been made yet. The revised details for the service, which launches June 15, can be found here.

The Serbian carrier has also made changes to its two weekly Pula service, which is now set to begin on June 2 rather than a month later as originally planned. Flights to Split, which will be resumed after 21 years remain unchanged and are set to be inaugurated on July 3.

Back in 1963

Besides flights to Croatia, Jat will be operating seasonal flights to London Gatwick and Ohrid this summer. It is unsure whether the airline will resume its seasonal flights to Girona in Spain which it launched over the summer of 2011, proving popular with passengers. Jat plans to operate its 2012 summer network with 13 out of its 14 member fleet.

Strike at Banja Luka Airport

Employees go on strike as Banja Luka plans for the summer season

Employees at Banja Luka Airport have been on strike for almost a week, unhappy with unpaid salaries and work conditions. The 59 employees are requesting for the airport’s management to be sacked. They also add that since 2008 they have only been receiving 70% of their pay and now want to be compensated. The airport employees will hold talks today with the Ministry of Transport in hope of resolving their differences. B&H Airlines’ operations out of Banja Luka to Zurich have not been affected by the industrial action.

In 2011, Banja Luka Airport faced financial problems and workers also went on strike during the summer. Still, despite the difficulties, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second largest city handled 8.367 passengers, an increase of 74% compared to 2010. However, Adria Airways won’t be resuming its service from Ljubljana this summer. B&H Airlines, the sole commercial airline operating out of Banja Luka, will increase its flights to Zurich from three weekly last summer to four flights per week during the upcoming 2012 summer season.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transport of the entity of Republika Srpska, Nedeljko Čubrilović, says that talks are continuing with Jat Airways for it to begin flights from Banja Luka to Belgrade and Vienna. “Once everything is negotiated, Jat has the ability to launch the flights within seven days”, Čubrilović said in a recent interview. He adds that Jat’s flights would be timed so as to offer good connections out of Vienna to other destinations. Jat has been offered four million Euros in subsidies for the service.

Adria withstands tough times

Passengers still loyal to Adria

Adria Airways, which experienced financial problems last year and endured negative press in 2011, has managed to see only a slight decrease in passenger numbers when compared to 2010. Last year, Adria Airways welcomed a total of 1.163.016 passengers, a decrease of only 0.6% compared to 2010. Despite a significant downturn in passenger numbers in November and December, figures were aided by an outstanding performance in April and nearly the same passenger numbers recorded in the first half of 2011 compared to 2010. The Slovenian national carrier saw its average cabin load factor stand at 63%, a decrease of three points. In November, the airline recorded one of the lowest load factors amongst European national carriers as its figures dipped below 60%, to only 58%.

However, there are still tough times ahead for Adria. Even though it will launch a new service from Priština to Verona this Saturday and seasonal flights to London, Barcelona and Manchester in the summer, the airline will significantly cut down on its summer network and capacity compared to last year, which is likely to be followed by fewer passenger numbers. The airline is currently deciding whether to resume services to Paris which were suspended over the winter period. However, as the low cost easyJet bids farewell to the route, a new opportunity has been given to Adria to restart the flights and hopefully make a profit, having to compete only against Air France this time around.

Adria Airways ended 2011 as the third busiest national airline in the former Yugoslavia. It was behind Croatia Airlines which handled 1.880.000, recording an increase of 15%, and Jat Airways which welcomed 1.219.703 passengers onboard and recorded an increase of 14% compared to 2011. The Serbian carrier had the best average cabin occupancy on its flights, standing at 70%, followed by Croatia Airlines at 67% and Adria at 63%. Apart from Croatia Airlines and Jat, all the other national EX-YU carriers saw their passenger figures decline in 2011 compared to 2010.

ČSA to suspend Skopje flights

ČSA farewells Skopje

ČSA Czech Airlines will suspend services to Skopje at the end of the 2011/2012 winter season on March 25. The Czech national carrier is in the process of implementing severe service cuts as it looks to curb losses and become attractive to a potential new owner. A total of six weekly flights were planned between Prague and Skopje this summer. The airline has relied heavily on transfer passengers on the route. Over the past few years Prague has constantly featured as one of the top ten busiest destinations being operated out of the Macedonian capital on an annual basis. Skopje won’t be the only causality of ČSA’s service cuts as the airline also intends to suspend flights to Athens and Oslo.

Last year, ČSA terminated flights to Belgrade as well, despite having a complete monopoly on the route. It even operated double daily flights between the Czech and Serbian capitals in 2011. Elsewhere, in the EX-YU region, ČSA will be reducing flights to Ljubljana from twelve to ten times per week while flights to Zagreb, the airline’s first international service dating back from 1930, will increase from five to six weekly.

Skopje Airport recently saw another cancellation, as the low cost Italian airline Blu-express terminated its two weekly service from Rome due to poor loads. The route has been operating for only two months. Skopje Alexander the Great Airport handled just over 800.000 passengers in 2011, making it one of its best years in recent history but still short of its all time record of 1.020.000 passengers achieved in 2000. B&H Airlines and Jetairfly from Brussels are the only new airlines to announce flights to Skopje this summer, with Jetairfly to operate only a seasonal service. MAT Airways, which operated regular charter flights from Skopje last year is unlikely to get its license renewed by the Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency. It expires on June 15. The airline has been grounded since September 2011.

Record year for Croatia Airlines

Croatia Airlines busiest airline in the former Yugoslavia

As was widely expected, Croatia Airlines strengthened its position as the busiest carrier in the former Yugoslavia in 2011. The Croatian carrier welcomed the highest number of passengers since it began operations in 1991. Croatia Airlines handled 1.880.000 passengers, an increase of 15% compared to 2010, a press release from the carrier says. The Zagreb based airline also improved on its average cabin occupancy index, which stood at 67%, an increase five points on 2010.

The airline recorded even growth on both its domestic and international operations. A total of 1.370.000 passengers used Croatia Airline on international flights while 507.000 opted for the carrier on domestic services. Croatia Airlines operated a total of 27.598 flights, representing an increase of 8% in 2010. The increase in the number of passengers was also driven by a reduction in ticket prices and a record year in the tourism industry. Croatia Airlines will have increased competition during the summer of 2012 from low cost airlines, however, it no longer has to worry about its rival Dubrovnik Airline which ceased operations late last year.

Meanwhile, the management of the carrier has rejected all proposals made by the union of Croatia Airlines pilots, in a report they delivered to their employer. The airline says the proposed business changes have no financial viability. Croatia Airlines pilots have requested for the government to sack the airline’s entire management saying that the Croatian carrier is being mismanaged and controlled by Lufthansa.

Adria back to Barcelona and Manchester

Adria and Jat plan for the summer

Adria Airways will be resuming services to Barcelona and Manchester on a seasonal basis this upcoming 2012 summer season, however, ten destinations that were operated last summer won’t make a comeback in the airline’s network. The Slovenian carrier will operate 170 scheduled flights per week to 18 destinations. The only new additions compared to last summer will be the Priština - Verona service and Ljubljana - Luton, which replaces services to Gatwick. The airline will not be resuming flights to Athens, Banja Luka, Dublin, Kiev, Paris, Ohrid, Split, Stockholm, Warsaw and Toulon, which were all featured last year. Adria will once again be operating charter service all summer round to Greece, Malta, Egypt and Turkey, with Greece to see most Adria Airways flights.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s Jat Airways will increase frequencies to many of its destinations as it formulates its preliminary summer timetable. Some highlights include a nonstop service to Brussels, which will now operate separately from the Amsterdam flights. Flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle will operate eleven times per week (up from seven) during the peak summer season, there will be new seasonal flights to London Gatwick Airport while Moscow will see ten weekly flights (up from seven) with an introduction of a late evening service from Belgrade and a morning flight from Moscow. The airline has also made minor readjustments to its new seasonal Pula flights and has moved the service forward by a month from July 2 to June 2.

Flights to Kraljevo this summer

Charter flights to Morava Airport announced

Construction work on the terminal building at Kraljevo’s Morava Airport is progressing as the government announces that the airport, situated in Central Serbia, will be served by charter flights this summer season. Exterior work on the new 3.000 square meter terminal building is almost complete. The lengthening of the existing runway is expected to take place next month, with all construction work set to be finished by late March. “The first charter flights out of Kraljevo will be taking off in April at the latest”, Rasim Ljajić, Serbia’s Minister of Labour and Social Policy, said yesterday. He stressed the importance of the airport for the region. “No one will invest in this part of Serbia without adequate infrastructure in place”, Ljajić added. It is speculated that the airport will see summer charters to Turkey.

Morava Airport lies between three larger cities, Kraljevo, Čačak and Kragujevac, and has a catchment area of some two million people. A total of 32 million Euros has been invested in the project which has seen the construction of a new control tower, terminal, apron and runway lengthening. The Government of Turkey has invested ten million into the project while the rest has been financed by the Serbian government and Belgrade Airport which will also be providing necessary equipment.

B&H to Dusseldorf, Adria to Luton

B&H back to Dusseldorf as Adria moves from Gatwick to Luton

B&H Airlines will be resuming another destination from the past as it plans to launch services to Dusseldorf on June 2. It comes days after announcing it will inaugurate flights to Vienna, Skopje, Stockholm and Gothenburg this summer as well. Flights will operate twice per week, every Monday and Saturday with an Airbus A319. Details can be viewed here.

B&H Airlines has previously flown between the Bosnian capital and Dusseldorf. Flights were launched on May 18, 2009 and suspended on March 15, 2010 due to poor loads. It will be the airline’s first destination in Germany since discontinuing flights to Frankfurt last year. In Germany, the airline has also flown to Cologne, Berlin and Stuttgart in the past. B&H had its last major network expansion in 2009 when, besides Dusseldorf, it inaugurated flights to Podgorica, Vienna, Prague, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Berlin. Most were cancelled within a year, although many are set to see a comeback this summer.

Meanwhile, Adria Airways, which announced its service launch to London Gatwick Airport a few weeks ago, has now decided to move the flights to London’s Luton Airport instead. The Slovenian carrier said that operations to Luton will allow passengers faster rail connections to central London and notes its close proximity to main motorways. It is believed the airline will move operations to Luton because of lower handling fees. Flights will operate four times per week, every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with tickets to be put on sale next week.

Zagreb - Belgrade flights in doubt

Croatia Airlines unlikely to launch Zagreb - Belgrade

Despite Croatia Airlines’ CEO announcing last December that the carrier will operate seasonal flights between Zagreb and Belgrade in 2012 and a recent confirmation by the airline to the “Večernji list” daily, Croatia Airlines is now saying that no decision has been made in regards to the service. Croatia Airlines spokesperson Davor Janušić says, “We still haven’t made the decision to extend seasonal flights from Dubrovnik to Belgrade this year or to introduce any other new line between Croatia and Serbia”. It will come as bad news for all of those that hoped for flights between the two largest cities of the former Yugoslavia to resume after twenty one year. Last year Croatia Airlines competed against Jat Airways on the Dubrovnik - Belgrade - Dubrovnik service, with Jat managing slightly better figures than its rival. The route proved popular with Serbian tourists in 2011 with traditional holiday destinations like Tunisia and Egypt off limits. It remains to be seen whether the return of these markets in 2012 will impact the aforementioned route.

On the other hand, Jat Airways has no plans to resume flights to the Croatian capital. It maintains that the two cities are too close and are connected by efficient road infrastructure, rendering flights unnecessary. The airline will operate seasonal flights from Belgrade to Dubrovnik, Pula and Split in Croatia this summer. Tickets for all of the flights have gone on sale this week.

Zagreb and Belgrade were once connected by several flights per day. In 1989, which represented Yugoslav Airlines’ final year of normal operations (in 1990 the airline was hit by the breakup of the Eastern Bloc and a severe economic crisis within the country), Zagreb was JAT’s second hub. That summer season it operated nonstop international flights from Zagreb to Algiers, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cairo, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, London, Lyon, Los Angeles (via Chicago), Madrid, Munich, Milan, Montreal, New York, Paris, Prague, Stuttgart, Toronto (via Montreal), Vienna and Zurich. Domestically, besides Belgrade, flights in 1989 operated to Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, Skopje, Zadar, Niš, Sarajevo and Mostar.

B&H to Skopje and Vienna

B&H expanding network for 2012 summer season

B&H Airlines is spreading its wings this summer. After announcing that it will resume seasonal summer flights to Stockholm and Gothenburg, the Bosnian carrier will now also resume two destinations from the past - Skopje and Vienna. Flights to Vienna were terminated last year along with Frankfurt to the dismay of many loyal passengers. B&H Airlines plans to operate up to 5 weekly flights to Vienna with the regional ATR72. As a result, a ticket pricing war between B&H and its rival Austrian has now begun, with Austrian lowering fares over night. Austrian profited from B&H’s pull out on the Vienna service and it currently operates two daily flights to the Bosnian capital. However, it remains to be seen whether B&H will make the Sarajevo - Vienna route work this time around. In 2011 the airline suspended the flight citing poor loads. Flight details for the service to Vienna can be found here.

The national carrier of Bosnia and Herzegovina will also expand regionally by launching five weekly services to Skopje. Flights will also operate with the ATR72. The airline has previously flown to the Macedonian capital nonstop as well as via Podgorica. Details can be viewed here.

During the 2012 summer season, B&H Airlines will operate flights to Amsterdam, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Vienna, Skopje, Istanbul, Banja Luka, Copenhagen and Zurich. However, the airline is still formulating its summer timetable, leaving the possibility for other new routes to be announced. Both flights to Skopje and Vienna will be launched on March 25.

Jat sees 2011 growth

More passengers for Jat in 2011

Jat Airways handled 1.219.703 passengers in 2011, an increase of 14% compared to 2010. The Serbian carrier operated a total of 17.946 commercial flights and recorded an average cabin load factor of 70%, up 8 points on 2010. The airline improved most on its Montenegro services with passenger numbers increasing 19%. Numbers were also up on Euro Mediterranean flights by 16%. On the other hand, passenger figures declined by 22% on charter flights, with a significant decrease in the number of these flights operated throughout the year. Its busiest routes continue to be those to London Heathrow, Moscow and Zurich. Financial results are expected to be made public by March.

Jat had constant growth throughout the year although it significantly slowed in December. With the number of operated flights decreasing by 10%, the Serbian carrier recorded passenger growth of only 1%. In the last month of 2011, the airline welcomed 78.054 passengers onboard while its cabin load factor stood at 66%, up by 8 points.

Jat Airways has announced that in 2012 its passengers will continue to see promotional ticket sales, which lasted throughout 2011. The first one has already been launched for January. Furthermore, Jat will be rolling out its new frequent flyer program entitled “Extra Flight Club”. Finally, its independent technical division, Jat Tehnika, will begin servicing Airbus aircraft this year. Then again, it remains to be seen whether long lasting problems such as its old fleet, threaten year old Airbus jet order, political inference and everlasting privatisation process will be resolved in the next twelve months.

You can review all of Jat Airways’ passenger results from 2011 in the table below.

Month	PAX	Change (%)
JAN	70.788	▲ 3
FEB	67.635	▲ 24
MAR	79.408	▲ 20
APR	88.597	▲ 33
MAY	96.466	▲ 17
JUN	116.105	▲ 18
JUL	156.508	▲ 8
AUG	155.163	▲ 6
SEP	125.431	▲ 18
OCT	107.624	▲ 23
NOV	77.751	▲ 10
DEC	78.054	▲ 1

Croatia Airlines under Lufthansa’s spell

Discontent amongst Croatia Airlines staff

Croatia Airlines pilots have requested for the government to sack the airline’s entire management saying that the Croatian carrier is being mismanaged and controlled by Lufthansa. The Union of Croatia Airlines Pilots sent a letter late last week to the Croatian government, president, parliament, media and judiciary saying that it wants to familiarise the public with the difficult situation the airline is in. It blames the airline’s CEO Srećko Šimunović of mismanagement. The union criticises the management for its inability to lease unutilised Croatia Airlines aircraft during the winter season, suspending charter flights in favour of scheduled services, a bad ticketing pricing structure and poor working conditions. The unhappy union also warns of high level corruption inside the airline and is asking the judiciary to investigate.

No words were spared when it came to Lufthansa either. “All of our services are adjusted to Lufthansa as can be seen with flights to Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich. Croatia Airlines serves as a classic feeder airline which, through the abovementioned cities, fills Lufthansa’s flights. Croatia Airlines has only seven code share agreements with Star Alliance member airlines, four of which are owned by Lufthansa and the remaining two are heading in that direction”, the letter reads. Croatia Airlines has long had a strong partnership with Lufthansa. In 2010 it was revealed that the then Croatia Airlines CEO, Ivan Mišetić, was also sitting on Supervisory Board of Lufthansa CityLine and Eurowings (a 100% Lufthansa subsidiary).

Croatia Airlines has not responded to the scathing letter although last week said pilots are manipulating the public ahead of talks regarding their collective agreements. It also notes that the airline has actually cut its losses in 2011.

The growing discontent amongst Croatia Airlines pilots, which became public late last year after their minimum rest periods were cut, raises questions of a possible strike. The union said that sending out its disgruntled letter is the first step in making its feelings known.

Jat goes seasonal to Gatwick

Soon at Gatwick

Serbia’s Jat Airways has made changes to its upcoming London Gatwick service. Flights to London’s second busiest airport will be inaugurated on June 15 and will operate on a seasonal summer basis (to September 14) to cope with high passenger demand experienced during the summer months on the existing Belgrade - London Heathrow route. In addition to the two weekly flights to London Gatwick, Jat will also serve London Heathrow nine times per week over the summer. Passengers departing from the Serbian capital will be spoilt for choice as they will also have the option of using Wizz Air’s four weekly service to London’s Luton Airport.

A return ticket with taxes included from Belgrade to both London Gatwick and Heathrow will set passengers back 175 Euros. Flight details for the upcoming service can be viewed here.

Meanwhile, Montenegro Airlines, which also recently announced its seasonal service launch from Tivat to London Gatwick, has now announced it will launch flights from its hub Podgorica to the British capital as well. Services will operate once per week and will launch on March 30 with details available here.

B&H resumes flights to Sweden

Soon in Stockholm and Gothenburg

B&H Airlines will be resuming flights to Stockholm and Gothenburg this summer, as a seasonal service only. B&H suspended flights to both cities in August 2011. Services to Sweden, used primarily by the Bosnian diaspora, are extremely seasonal and see high passenger numbers in the summer months but struggle during the low winter period. Flights to both cities will operate twice per week. They will be separate services unlike last year. Both will operate with an Airbus A319, from June 2 to September 1. Flight details for the Sarajevo - Stockholm service can be found here, while details for the Gothenburg flights can be viewed here.

Late last year, B&H Airlines’ CEO, Altan Buyukyilmaz, said the airline was looking to expand its operations in 2012. Italy has been viewed as a potential new market for the Bosnian carrier after it successfully performed charters from Mostar to Pescara last September. The airline is in talks with Mostar Airport management to launch two weekly flights to the city from Sarajevo but is requesting handling fee exemptions.

Meanwhile, it was a matter of bad luck for B&H’s hub Sarajevo Airport as it handled 599.996 passengers, four short of its 600.000 passenger goal. The airport was hampered by foggy weather throughout November and December, which saw many flights diverted or cancelled. Still, the airport can be content with a 6.5% passenger increase on 2010. Bosnia’s second busiest airport, Mostar, saw impressive growth of 107% thanks to numerous charters for religious pilgrims and welcomed 36.807 passengers. Despite all of its financial problems, Banja Luka Airport pulled of a notable 74% passenger increase by handling 8.367 passengers. However, Tuzla underperformed with only 4.527 passengers, down 20% on 2010.

Qatar Airways daily to Zagreb

Soon in Zagreb

Qatar Airways has delivered on its promise from late last year and will launch flights from Doha to Zagreb on Wednesday, May 9. Services between the Qatari and Croatian capitals will operate every day via Budapest in neighbouring Hungary. The carrier does not have commercial rights on the Budapest - Zagreb - Budapest sectors. All flights will operate with an Airbus A320 with details available here.

The news will be warmly welcomed by Zagreb Airport management which will look to extend the commendable growth the airport has seen in 2011. Furthermore, the new service will allow passengers from Croatia to transit via Doha and connect onto Qatar Airways’ flights to Asia but also further afield to Melbourne and Perth.

The rapidly growing Qatar Airways has outlined it will launch up to fifteen new routes in 2012. Its CEO, Akbar Al Baker, recently said, “New routes and new aircraft are being introduced at an unprecedented rate to further strengthen what is truly a global network airline. Our mission has been to operate to key business and leisure destinations around the world, but also to underserved markets where others dare not venture into”. The “world’s five star airline” currently operates a network of 109 destinations.

Adria to Verona

Adria full of surprises

Adria Airways has announced that it will be launching flights from Priština to Verona in Italy. The news wouldn’t be that surprising if it weren’t for the fact that they will be launched in just over two weeks, in the middle of the winter season. The flights are not being operated as charters, rather, as a scheduled service. The flights to Verona will launch on January 28 and will operate twice per week, every Tuesday and Saturday with an Airbus A319. Details can be viewed here.

The unexpected new route launch will see Adria serving a total of four destinations out of Priština Airport, with Verona being added alongside Frankfurt, Ljubljana and Munich. The Slovenian national carrier will have tough competition on the route as it will face off against Belle Air Europe and Italy’s second largest airline Meridiana Fly.

Flights to Verona come only a week after the carrier announced it would resume flights from Ljubljana to London Gatwick this summer, suspended late last year due to cost cutting measures. The airline is still implementing its restrictive financial restructuring policy. In 2011, Verona was the ninth busiest route operating out of Priština. It managed to outperform several cities in Germany as well as Switzerland, traditionally the strongest markets. Now it seems, Adria wants a piece of the cake.

Montenegro Airlines to London

Montenegro Airlines back in London

Montenegro Airlines will launch services from Tivat to London during the 2012 summer season, as the airline looks to recover after underperforming in 2011. Flights from Tivat will be inaugurated on Sunday, March 25 and will operate every Wednesday and Sunday on a seasonal summer basis. The airline is hoping to attract British tourists on the route but also profit from the 2012 Olympic Games, being held in the British capital from July 27. This summer, all of the national carriers of the former Yugoslavia (with the exception of B&H Airlines) will be offering flights to either London Heathrow Airport or London Gatwick. Flight details for Montenegro Airlines’ new service can be viewed here.

Until the start of the 2011/2012 winter season, Montenegro’s national carrier operated regular all year round flights to London from its hub in Podgorica. However, the service was cancelled after it reported major losses on the route. Although the Montenegrin carrier is yet to report precise passenger figures for 2011, it carried just under 600.000 according to its CEO, a decrease of 5% compared to 2010 when it welcomed 630.000 passengers onboard.

Meanwhile, Tivat Airport handled approximately 645.000 passengers in 2011, an increase of 20% compared to 2010. It managed to finish the year off well ahead of EX-YU capital city airports such as Sarajevo and Podgorica. On the other hand, Podgorica handled approximately 615.000 passengers, down 4% on 2010.

Belgrade ends 2011 on a high

Belgrade most successful EX-YU airport in 2011

In 2011, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport saw its most successful year in the past twenty two years and its third most successful year in history. The airport handled 3.124.633 passengers in 2011, an improvement of 16% on 2010 when it saw 2.698.730 passengers. The significant passenger surge was recorded despite the number of flights increasing by only 1.7%. In December, the airport maintained its double digit growth by handling 217.684 passengers, an increase of 13.2% compared to the same month in 2010. The busiest month of the year was July while the busiest route was Vienna. Strong passenger figures were propped up by Jat Airways, which itself managed to significantly improve its passenger figures as well as Wizz Air which opened its Belgrade base in March.

During 2011, the airport also managed to report a strong profit, decrease its aircraft handling fees several times and begin a multi million Euro overhaul and expansion project at the very end of the year. Despite the success, several airlines cancelled services to the Serbian capital in 2011. They are: B&H Airlines (Sarajevo), Cimber Sterling (Copenhagen), ČSA Czech Airlines (Prague) and Aerosvit Airlines (Kiev). On the other hand, several carriers commenced operations to Belgrade Airport in 2011. They include Olympic Air (Athens), Croatia Airlines (Dubrovnik), Flydubai (Dubai) and Sky Work Airlines (Bern).

Below you can view Belgrade Airport’s five most successful years since opening its doors in 1962

Year	PAX
1987	3.311.951
1988	3.277.537
2011	3.124.633
1979	2.839.995
1986	2.822.908

Croatian pilots complain of fatigue

Croatia Airlines pilots unhappy with new regulations

Pilots at Croatia Airlines are complaining that since the decision to reduce the minimal rest period for its cabin crew, introduced by the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency, some of its staff have reported difficulties while on duty, as a result of fatigue. The announcement came from the Union of Croatian Pilots, a month after the controversial rules were introduced. The union claims that the measures were established as a way of cutting down on costs at the national carrier. “We still believe that a human life has no price and that any cost cutting shouldn’t be introduced at the expense of passengers, pilots, cabin crew and all of those on the ground that could be affected by a fatal accident”, the union says, calling on the government to intervene. The union has received support from the Croatia Airlines Pilots Association as well as the European Pilots Association.

The Croatian Civil Aviation Agency was quick to respond saying it had not received any incident reports or problems associated with fatigue. The Agency added that it will review its decision if and when any incidents occur and only if proven they were brought on by sleep deprivation. Upon the introduction of the new regulations, the Agency said, “Croatia Airlines now has equal, not greater liberties in term of flight duties compared to foreign airlines operating to Croatia, which is one of the basic prerequisites for equal competition“.

Pilots have launched court action against the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency. Fatigue has been blamed in numerous aviation accidents over the years. Pilot fatigue contributes to 20% of fatal aviation accidents caused by human error. The Union of Croatian Pilots says three fatigue related problems were reported on Croatia Airlines flights recently although none posed risk to passenger safety.

Niš improves in 2011

Passenger increase for Niš Airport

Niš Constantine the Great Airport has seen improved figures in 2011 compared to 2010 by handling 25.124 passengers. The figure represents an increase 6.3% compared to 2010 with August being the airport’s busiest month. The number is still down on 35.518 passengers handled in 2006, the airport’s record since it reopened its doors in 2004. During last year, Niš Airport was only served by daily Montenegro Airlines flights from Podgorica. Unlike previous years, there were no summer charters in 2011. Furthermore, in 2010 the airport was served by the low cost Italian airline Wind Jet.

Niš will hope to attract new airlines in 2012. At a meeting late last year the airport’s management announced that it was working on bringing seasonal summer flights between the city and Rijeka, to commence in 2012. Furthermore, Sky Work Airlines from Switzerland has shown interest in launching flights from Bern. The airport should see a spike in traffic this January as the city co-hosts the European Handball Championships. However, in a few months a new commercial airport in Kraljevo, only some 140 kilometres away, is set to open.

Niš Airport was opened for commercial use in 1986, with Adria Airways being the first to launch charter flights. Soon after, JAT Yugoslav Airlines commenced scheduled services to Belgrade. The airport was deserted after the breakup of Yugoslavia and bombed in 1999. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2004.

~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~

Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Wishing all readers a Merry Christmas

~
Срећан Божић
Среќен Божиќ
Srećan Božić
~

Best wishes
EX-YU aviation news

Podgorica, Montenegro

Busy times for Skopje Airport

Good start for Macedonian airports

Skopje Airport has started the year off by posting strong passenger growth in the first days of 2012. The airport managed to handle 5.458 passengers in the first two days of the year, up 140% compared to the same period last year. Despite not having any scheduled flights over the winter, Ohrid Airport managed 643 passengers, up from 345 last year, representing an increase of 86%. Combined, Macedonia’s two airports welcomed 6.101 passengers, up from 2.613 a year ago.

The 2011 end of year result for Skopje Alexander the Great Airport is expected to be released soon and it will be a question of whether the airport has finally managed to top 800.000 passengers. With strong results recorded throughout the year, it is expected that it could well do so. In 2011, Macedonia’s main hub handled 716.000 passengers. With no scheduled airline based in the city, airport authorities will look to attract as many carriers as possible this coming summer. State subsidies for low cost airlines, which are set to kick in later on in the year, will help towards achieving such a goal.

In the first week of 2012, the airport also published its redesigned web page to correspond with its new terminal opened in September last year.

Croatia to launch Zagreb - Belgrade flights

Zagreb to Belgrade after 21 years

The CEO of Croatia Airlines, Srećko Šimunović, announced at a recent Star Alliance meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Abeba, that the national carrier will launch seasonal flights from Zagreb to Belgrade this summer. It will mark a resumption of services between the two cities after twenty one years. No flight details for the planned service were revealed. Last February, at a meeting between the Serbian and Croatian national carriers, it was initially arranged for Croatia Airlines to operate flights between the two capital cities, although little of the agreements made back then were carried through.

JAT Yugoslav Airlines operated its final service from Zagreb to Belgrade on August 6, 1991. There have been no revenue flights between the two cities since. Most flights were operated with the DC9s although due to the amount of frequencies and connecting services, the flights also saw B727s, B737s and DC10s. During the 1980s, the Belgrade - Zagreb - Belgrade service was the airline’s second busiest, trailing behind the Belgrade - Dubrovnik - Belgrade flights.

If all plans are carried through, Belgrade will be served from four cities in Croatia - Zagreb (Croatia Airlines), Dubrovnik (Jat/Croatia Airlines), Split (Jat) and Pula (Jat) this summer season, all of which will be operated on a seasonal basis. Meanwhile, Croatia Airlines has suspended plans to launch new services from Dubrovnik to Munich. They were scheduled to be launched on April 16, two times per week.

Germanwings sheds Belgrade network

Germanwings to suspend Cologne - Belgrade flights

The low cost Germanwings will be suspending services from Cologne to Belgrade from January 29. The airline will keep its presence at the airport with flights to Stuttgart. During this winter season, flights between Cologne and Belgrade were operated three times per week. Germanwings was the first low cost airline to enter the Serbian market several years ago. Its Stuttgart service has had success, taking away passengers from Jat Airways and forcing the Serbian national carrier to significantly reduce prices on the route in order to compete. The reason behind the Cologne suspension is unknown. Germany is one of the biggest markets being served out of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport with flights to seven cities, now that Cologne will be suspended (Berlin [Jat], Munich [Lufthansa], Memmingen [Wizz Air], Stuttgart [Jat/Germanwings], Frankfurt [Jat/Lufthansa], Dusseldorf [Jat] and Dortmund [Wizz Air]).

Meanwhile, the airport’s management announced that it has reduced fees for airlines using airport facilities, the third time it has done so within a year. “This way we will ensure even greater competition amongst airlines”, Velimir Radosavljević, the airport’s CEO, says. He adds that in 2012 the airport will see new arrivals with Qatar Airways planning to commence flights from Doha and Astra Airlines from Thessaloniki in Greece. This summer, Norwegian Air Shuttle will introduce its third destination to Belgrade, from Copenhagen, Croatia Airlines will resume its seasonal flights to Dubrovnik while Jat has scheduled to launch six new routes (Dubai, Tripoli, Malta, London Gatwick, Split and Pula) and resume seasonal flights to Dubrovnik and Ohrid.

Croatia Airlines to launch new destinations

Croatia Airline expands into Eastern Europe

The CEO of Croatia Airlines, Srećko Šimunović, has said that the national carrier plans to expand its services into Eastern Europe by 2014. As has previously been reported, Croatia Airlines will inaugurate flights to Moscow this summer season. In 2014 the airline will be launching flights to Sofia and St. Petersburg, which should coincide with the arrival of new aircraft. Although the first of four ordered Airbus A319s are set to begin arriving from 2013 through to 2014, there are indications that the arrivals could be pushed back until 2015 and 2016.

Despite frequency increases throughout the network over the summer and the introduction of flights to Moscow, plans are also being made for the carrier to suspend several loss making routes. The action is needed in order for Croatia Airlines to reach its goal of operating with a profit in 2012. Last year showed encouraging trends as the airline managed to slash its losses.

Croatia Airlines has also made an announcement that it will resume its seasonal summer flights from Dubrovnik to Belgrade, launched last year. It will once again compete against Jat Airways on the route. On its new Zagreb to Moscow service, Croatia Airlines will face competition from Aeroflot.

Adria back in London

Adria to launch London flights in the summer

The Slovenian national carrier Adria Airways has started the year bearing good news. The airline will resume services to London Gatwick Airport during the 2012 summer season, after it was suspended due to low profitability in October 2011. Announcing the route launch on its Twitter account, the news comes as the airline implements the first phase of its restructuring program, which it hopes will bring it back into profitability. The route launch will come as welcome news to passengers, Slovenian tourism and Ljubljana Airport which is in need of more passengers after a disappointing 2011.

As has previously been the case, Adria will have to compete against the low cost easyJet which operates flights to London Stansted Airport. According to inside sources, London was one of Adria’s biggest loss making routes in 2010, with the carrier recording a loss of 1.3 million Euros on the service. In December, the Slovenian public broadcaster, RTV SLO, said that Ljubljana Airport was in talks with easyJet for the airline to increase its frequencies from London next summer. Adria will operate four weekly flights from Ljubljana to London. Flight details are to be revealed soon.

~ HAPPY NEW YEAR ~

Belgrade, Serbia

Wishing you all the best in 2012!

In hope that the new year will bring the EX-YU aviation world even more success

~
Sretna nova godina
Srećna nova godina
Срећна нова година
Среќна нова година
Srečno novo leto
Gëzuar Vitin e Ri
~

Best wishes
EX-YU aviation news

Skopje, Macedonia