✈Air traffic statistics for regional long-haul flights

SERBIA

Developing of the long-haul network for a small airline like Air Serbia in very competitive surroundings (European Union with Open Skies), requires a lot of coordination and financial support on all levels (from the local administration to the state institutions, tourist boards, ministry of tourism and all airports involved). Requirement of intensive marketing on social media, tv and radio stations to establish trust and returning clientele, making the flights profitable in the foreseeable future.

According to many aviation business  analytics, it takes between 3 to 5 years for this type of route to become self-sustainable, and make profit. From June 2016 when Air Serbia operated only two weekly flights and flights were about 53%  full, Air Serbia has come long way to over 70% load factor and daily flights beginning June 2023. The airline has acquired a second Airbus 330, and scheduled its second US destination, Chicago. This week Air Serbia is starting yet another long-haul route from Belgrade to Tianjin in China. When comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air Serbia did not add any flights in decade, it is definitely time for the airline to add second daily flight from Belgrade to Sarajevo and operate Banja Luka at least five times weekly. Bosnia and Herzegovina has huge diaspora in the United States and Air Serbia should time its Sarajevo and Banja Luka flights to connect to its Chicago and New York services.

Air Serbia started Belgrade – New York (JFK) flights on June 26. 2016. For this route Air Serbia is using Airbus 330-200 aircraft, offering 257 seats (Y236 C21).

Besides Air Serbia, Hainan Airlines is offering long-haul flights out of Belgrade Airport to Beijing. All China flights are limited to once per week due to very strict Covid policy by Chinese government. When Covid restriction are lifted we can expect daily flights between Belgrade and Beijing.

Long haul route network from Belgrade (from May 2023):

• Air Serbia – New York (JFK) daily flights
• Air Serbia – Chicago (ORD) 3x weekly
• Air Serbia – Tianjin (TSN) 1x weekly
• Hainan Airlines – Beijing (PEK) 1x weekly

CROATIA

During the year 2020 and 2021, the majority of most visited tourist regions were on no travel list due to Covid-19 pandemic. Croatia was exception to that rule, where visitors from all over the world were welcomed with proof of vaccination. Since majority of Europe was closed for American travelers, Croatia benefited from advertising itself as open and welcoming. Due to increased demand for traveling  to Croatia in spring-summer of 2021, Delta Airlines and United Airlines introduced summer seasonal flights from New York and Newark to Dubrovnik. Both airlines operated four weekly flights during peak summer months. As pandemic was getting under control, the airlines were consolidating its flights operations and unfortunately decided against renewing Dubrovnik flights after only one season. Both airlines operated flights with around 85% load factor. Even with only one season of operations Dubrovnik has put itself on the world map, offering flights by the two largest airlines in the world with flights to the world’s metropolis, New York.

Delta Airlines started summer seasonal flights between New York (JFK) and Dubrovnik  on July 02. 2021. with four weekly flights. Flights were operated from July 02. 2021. until October 20. 2021. Delta Airlines operated New York-Dubrovnik flights using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, offering 226 seats (Y165 C35).

United Airlines started summer seasonal flights between Newark (EWR) and Dubrovnik  on July 08. 2021. with three weekly flights. Flights were operated from July 08. 2021. until October 02. 2021. United Airlines operated Newark-Dubrovnik flights using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, offering 214 seats (Y184 C30).

Toronto is another lucrative market for air travel to Croatia. Just before pandemic started, at one point two Canadian airlines operated flights between Toronto and Zagreb, Air Transat and Air Canada Rouge, both operated flights on summer seasonal basis. Unfortunately, Air Canada Rouge decided against its return to Zagreb for time being,  but Air Transat is returning in upcoming summer with three weekly flights (one flight more when compared to 2019.). Also, before the pandemic Korean Air operated flights from Seoul to Zagreb, with plans to operate flights year-round, but pandemic hits and made flying  almost impossible for smaller markets like Zagreb. In 2019 Emirates was flying daily from Dubai to Zagreb using a widebody 777-300, with 356 seats in three class configuration. Most of its passengers were transfers from Australia, New Zeeland, Thailand, and other countries from far East and Oceania. Emirates still didn’t decide to return to Zagreb.

Air Transat started summer seasonal flights between Toronto and Zagreb on June 14. 2016. with one weekly flight, increasing to two weekly year after. Air Transat operates Toronto-Zagreb flights  using Airbus 330-200 aircraft, offering 345 seats. During the summer season of 2023, Air Transat will increase flights to three weekly.

Air Canada Rouge started summer seasonal flights between Toronto and Zagreb on June 02. 2018. with four weekly flights. Flights were operated from June 02. 2018. until October 06. 2018. Air Canada Rouge  operated Toronto-Zagreb flights using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, offering 282 seats (Y258 C24).

Korean Air started Soul-Zagreb flights on September 01.2018. with three weekly flights. The flights were operating using Airbus 330-200 aircraft, offering 218 seats (Y188 C24 J6).

Source: Zahid Krkic (@flyingbosnian)