Air Serbia’s Strong Financial Performance and Fleet Expansion
In recent years, Air Serbia has demonstrated significant growth and profitability, establishing itself as a dynamic player in Eastern European aviation. Under the leadership of CEO Jiri Marek, the airline reported a commendable profit of €40.5 million in 2023 and is on track to continue this positive trend in 2024. Despite a slow start in the first quarter, due to normalized seasonal patterns post-pandemic, demand rebounded strongly in the subsequent quarters.
To enhance its service offerings and operational flexibility, Air Serbia plans to introduce a fourth Airbus A330 to its fleet by the end of 2024. This addition will not only provide backup for maintenance periods but also allow the airline to meet the increasing demand for ad-hoc charter services, such as the recent flight operated for a Japanese business delegation. The expansion underscores Air Serbia’s commitment to strengthening its long-haul capabilities, which currently include routes to New York, Chicago, and Guangzhou, with Shanghai slated as a new destination in early 2025.
Strategic Fleet and Capacity Management
Continuing its strategic expansion, Air Serbia is also enhancing its short-haul fleet. The airline welcomed its 10th ATR turboprop in June 2024 and anticipates the addition of an Embraer E195 in the first half of 2025. These acquisitions reflect a deliberate approach to fleet growth, focusing on dry leases to optimize flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The transition from Airbus A319s to more efficient Embraer E190/195 jets is part of a broader strategy to modernize the fleet while ensuring operational continuity through wet lease arrangements with trusted partners like Bulgaria Air.
Enhancing Passenger Experience Across All Touchpoints
CEO Jiri Marek emphasizes the importance of the passenger experience as a pivotal aspect of Air Serbia’s service strategy. The airline is actively working to upgrade its business class offerings and general passenger services to better cater to its primary market segments, including high-end leisure and diaspora travelers from the Balkans and China. Despite the legacy cabin configurations inherited from Etihad Airways and Air Belgium, plans are underway to revamp these interiors to align with contemporary passenger expectations.
Moreover, Air Serbia is investing in improving ground services and inflight amenities. A new partnership with Menzies for ground handling at Nikola Tesla Airport aims to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The airline is also developing a new, spacious lounge at the same airport, expected to be operational before the summer season of 2025, and is exploring options to revamp its inflight entertainment system, considering both traditional and wireless solutions to enhance passenger engagement.