Déjà vu?

Adria Airways CEO, Klemen Boštjančič, has announced that if Adria Airways’ pending privatisation process fails, a single airline for the former Yugoslavia will need to be created as no carrier in the region has the chance to survive in the current economic climate. “If the sale of Adria to a foreign partner fails, then our last chance is for regional integration with Croatia Airlines, Jat Airways and Montenegro Airlines”, Boštjančič told one of Slovenia’s most popular web portals - “SiOL”. The news comes a week after the Association of European Airlines urged Adria Airways to take a leading role in the integration of the former Yugoslav aviation market.

Adria’s CEO notes that Brussels has already shown support for the creation of a single airline for the former Yugoslavia. “Croatia will soon become an EU member and Serbia and Montenegro are not far off”, Boštjančič adds. However, Adria will first attempt to put itself on the market to foreign airlines. By the end of the month a financial consultant will be chosen to assist the Slovenian carrier with its privatisation process. While Boštjančič says that there is interest in Adria, he notes, “We and the government have to do everything in order for Adria Airways to get a new owner but I do not know whether we will succeed”, adding that regional cooperation must develop simultaneously with the privatisation process. Currently, many bigger players in Europe such as LOT Polish Airlines and Czech Airlines are awaiting privatisation.

Adria Airways already enjoys cooperation with airlines in the former Yugoslavia. It has code share agreements with both Jat Airways and Montenegro Airlines. Klemen Boštjančič says that regional integration could fail out of purely political reasons. All of the national EX-YU airlines ended 2011 with multi million euro losses. Once again the debate over a single national carrier for the countries of the former Yugoslavia reopens, 21 years after its break up.

New look seats on Croatia Airlines A319s

Croatia Airlines has begun rolling out its new economy class cabins in its Airbus A319 jets. The cabins feature the Lufthansa Recaro designed slim seats. According to the Croatian carrier, the new seats will provide more comfort to passengers. However, the airline plans to save with the introduction of the new design. Since the seats weigh only five kilograms each, the carrier will save on fuel. Furthermore, Croatia Airlines will be able to introduce an additional two rows of seating.

The new economy class cabin is featured on all four of Croatia Airlines’ Airbus A319s. Although there were plans to introduce the new seats on its A320s as well, it was decided against the move as the aircraft will soon be leaving the Croatia Airlines fleet. The airline also says the new cabins will be enhanced by new catering, to be introduced this summer season, which sets to promote Croatian cuisine.

Meanwhile, Croatia Airlines will have to compete on its Zagreb to Barcelona service this summer as the Spanish airline Vueling has announced three weekly flights between the two cities. Services will be launched on June 22 and will operate on a seasonal basis until September 17. Vueling replaces the recently bankrupt Spanair which used to operate on the route. Flight details can be viewed here. The Spanish national carrier Iberia will also operate seasonal flights to the Croatian capital. Flights from Madrid to Zagreb are set to operate twice per week until September 16. Details are available here.

Summer changes for Croatia Airlines and Jat

On March 25 the 2012 summer season begins. Croatia Airlines and Jat Airways will both introduce new routes and increase frequencies.

Croatia Airlines has kept its summer frequencies out of Zagreb similar to last year, however, there will be some small cuts to flights in the EX-YU region. The Croatian national carrier will cut one flight each to Priština, Sarajevo and Skopje. Istanbul will see an addition of three weekly flights compared to last summer season. The airline will introduce a new service from Split to Belgrade, Rijeka to Barcelona and new flights from Zadar to Frankfurt and Paris.

Jat Airways will be increasing frequencies to most key destinations. Services to Moscow and Zuirch will see a boost of three flights with the two cities to be served ten times per week. Flights to Brussels have now been separated from the Amsterdam service and passengers will be offered a total of five weekly flights. The airline introduces new destinations this summer to London Gatwick, Malta, Pula and Split.

By clicking on the links below, you can view the 2012 summer season changes in more detail. Note that the tables display the peak weekly frequencies for each destination during the summer (keep this in mind especially for domestic flights within Croatia and flights between Belgrade - Tivat - Podgorica as some services operate only for several weeks). Over the next week the 2012 summer season changes for Adria Airways, B&H Airlines and Montenegro Airlines will also be published.

Croatia Airlines • Jat Airways

Boško Matković to be named new CEO

The former head of Zagreb Airport, Boško Matković, is set to take the reigns over from Srećko Šimunović as the new CEO of Croatia Airlines, local media report. Šimunović, who had close ties to the long time CEO Ivan Mišetić, is set to be replaced due to financial losses at the airline and a worsening spat between the management and employees. Srećko Šimunović was named as the head of Croatia’s national carrier in October 2010. Šimunović came to Croatia Airlines in 2002, taking up the post as head of the marketing department. He later became the director of the marketing and networks department and finally moved to the marketing and purchasing department. Before arriving at Croatia Airlines, Šimunović worked for INA, the Croatian National Petroleum Industry.

On the other hand, Boško Matković was replaced by the government in 2009 with Tonči Peović. Matković was accused by the media for having a monthly salary of up to 13.000 euros. While it is believed that Matković was replaced due to political reasons, the government at the time maintained that he was removed due to bad management. However, Matković was liked by his employees and had good relations with unions, which might come in handy as there is growing discontent amongst Croatia Airlines’ employees. On the other hand, Matković also presided over the failed attempt to construct a new terminal building at Zagreb Airport.

Visit tomorrow to read about Croatia Airlines’ and Jat Airways’ 2012 summer season changes and additions.

Weaker February at Zagreb Airport

Zagreb Airport has seen a third consecutive month of declining passenger numbers. In February, Croatia’s busiest airport handled 117.725 passengers, a decrease of 6.6% compared to the same month last year when it welcomed 125.978 passengers through its doors. The number of flights operating to and from the airport significantly decreased, by 9.4%. However, Zagreb, like other airports in the former Yugoslavia wasn’t immune to the snowstorms and bad weather conditions. Many domestic flights were cancelled in February due to the closure of the country’s coastal airports. Furthermore, other carriers such as Turkish Airlines were also forced to cancel flights due to snow in Istanbul.

Last year, Zagreb Airport handled a record number of passengers. However, figures started to decline in December 2011. In the first two months of 2012, the airport welcomed 5.9% less passengers then the same period last year. Other airports in the country also experienced a decline in traffic, details which will be published at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Croatia Airlines also saw a setback this week. It has been revealed that one of the airline’s Dash 8 jets was dropped while being lifted during maintenance. Consequently, the aircraft has been damaged as it sustained a puncture on the fuselage. It occurred during the March 8 industrial action at the airline which saw mechanics walk off the job as well.

Scandinavian model for former Yugoslavia suggested

The Secretary General of the Association of European Airlines, Ulrich Schulte Strathaus, has told the Slovenian daily “Dnevnik” that in order for the national carriers of the former Yugoslavia to survive they will need to unite into a single airline. “The once single Yugoslav market is now fragmented and a regional solution is necessary. The region needs an airline that would cover local needs and connect with global hubs”, Strathaus says. He notes that he recently discussed the issue with Adria Airways’ management. “It would be great if Adria Airways, which has extensive knowledge of the Balkan market, were to initiate a regional summit which would be dedicated to this issue, however, due to political quarrels I doubt this could happen”, Strathaus adds.

The Association of European Airlines counts 34 members, mostly national carriers. Adria Airways, Croatia Airlines and Jat Airways are all members. Montenegro Airlines also used to be a member of the association but mysteriously left after a few months. Strathaus believes that certain markets in the former Yugoslavia are too small to have their own national carrier. He notes that Serbia can’t find an investor for Jat, Croatia Airlines and Montenegro Airlines are operating with mounting problems and that B&H Airlines will go bankrupt when Turkish Airlines ceases financing it.

Last year, an idea to unite the former Yugoslav aviation market was put on the table during talks between the Serbian government and Turkish Airlines. It was suggested that a regional airline, Balkan Airways, could serve as a national carrier for Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia. In September 2011, Croatia Airlines and Adria Airways reached an agreement over a common business plan model. The two airlines agreed to strengthen ties and cooperate on jet leasing as a means of improving efficiency and streamlining fleet utilisation.

B&H resumes operations

B&H Airlines has resumed operations with a single ATR72 and will operate flights to Istanbul. It’s Airbus A319, will soon rejoin Turkish Airlines’ fleet as the carrier abruptly ended its lease of the aircraft to B&H on February 27.

Flight delays and cancelations at Croatia Airlines

Croatia Airlines has been forced to cancel many of its flights today as the union of Croatia Airlines pilots, cabin crew, airline technicians and the “Novi sindikat” planned to begin a 24 hour strike. However, late last night they announced they were cancelling today’s strike. Nevertheless all of the planned flight cancellations remain in place. Despite spending over a year discussing the terms of their collective agreements with the airline’s management, no solution has been found. Today's strike was only supposed to be a warning to the management and further industrial action could be taken in the coming months if no agreement is reached. Despite the fact that the strike was supposed to last from 06.00 this morning until 06.00 tomorrow morning, the Croatian national carrier was forced to cancel its evening service to Sarajevo yesterday, since the aircraft would be unable to return to Zagreb in the morning and several flights will be cancelled tomorrow as well. Furthermore, passengers can expect delays on early morning flights tomorrow until operations resume to their full capacity.

The unions note that Croatia Airlines will be operating 80% of its scheduled services. Today, the airline has cancelled its flights to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich, Dubrovnik, Split, Rome, Priština, Vienna, Munich, Pula, Zadar, Sarajevo and Skopje. As a result, return flights from Pula, Zadar, Sarajevo and Skopje, which are scheduled to operate on March 9 have also been cancelled. It should be noted that on some of these destinations, Croatia Airlines operates more than one daily flight and in most cases only one of the daily flights has been cancelled.

Croatia Airlines’ management is fuming over the planned walk out by staff saying that the industrial action is unnecessary. It has been further angered after employees said that they wouldn't strike with the airline unable to resume normal operations today. The carrier claims that the terms set out by the unions go against the airline’s cost cutting measure while seven of the eleven conditions set out by the unions go against Croatia’s state laws. Furthermore, the management says the strike will cost the airline 200.000 euros. Croatia Airlines is offering passengers the opportunity to be either rebooked on other flights or compensated to the full amount of their ticket price. Latest strike details can be found on the carrier’s website here. Those interested in viewing the collective agreement from 2011 that unions want to be changed can view it here (PDF document - in Croatian).

Soon in Belgrade

The Croatian national carrier will compete against Jat Airways on the Split - Belgrade service this summer season, a source close to the airline says. Croatia Airlines has applied for a license from the Serbian Aviation Directorate. The flights will replace last year’s summer service from Dubrovnik to Belgrade. They are to be operated by the Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft.

This summer season, Jat Airways will operate two weekly flights between the Serbian capital and Split. In 2011, the two airlines went head to head on the Belgrade - Dubrovnik line twice per week. The Serbian national carrier on average, per flight, carried approximately 45 passengers on its 66 seat ATR72, while an average of 30 passengers chose Croatia Airlines. However, flights were sold out during peak season. So far, Jat has been selling return tickets for its Split service at a price of between 113 and 130 euros.

This summer will see the most air links between Croatia and Serbia since the breakup of Yugoslavia, with services between Pula, Split, Dubrovnik and Belgrade. During the 1980s the Belgrade - Dubrovnik flights were JAT Yugoslav Airlines’ most popular with thousands of passenger per year.

UPDATE

Since the publication of this news item Croatia Airlines has officially confirmed it will launch services between Split and Belgrade, twice per week, every Monday and Friday from June 1. Flight details can be viewed here.

Strike details revealed

Croatia Airlines employees and the carrier’s management have failed to reach an agreement over new terms of their collective agreements. As a result, unions will go ahead with their planned strike action scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 8. The strike will begin at 06.00 CET in the morning and will last a full 24 hours. The strike should in theory effect only 20% of flights but in practice many employees might simply not show up for work.

The management says that new requests by employees would harm the airline’s plans to break even this year and report a profit in 2013. They estimate the carrier will lose up to 200.000 euros during the one day strike action. Croatia Airlines pilots are requesting for a decision on minimum rest periods to be overturned. Meanwhile, cabin crew want the management to stop hiring new staff through agencies while all want for a new recovery plan to be drafted.

Croatia Airlines has in the past few years been hit by a series of strikes. In 2010, the airline’s cabin crew staged a four day walkout. Last May another strike was planned but was averted at the last minute. In November 2011, many flights were affected as employees at Zagreb Airport walked off the job.

Unhappy unions plan flight disruptions

Four Croatia Airlines unions will go on strike next Thursday, March 8, if their demands for a revised collective agreement are not met. The four trade unions count approximately 650 employees. They have put up ten demands to the airline’s management. If their demands were to be met, Croatia Airlines will have to fork out an additional 2.3 million euros in 2012 and a further 3 million euros in 2013. The additional costs would offset the carrier’s plans to further cut down on its losses. The airline finished 2011 with a loss of 10 million euros, which is down 52% on 2010.

There has been growing discontent amongst Croatia Airlines’ pilots who are unhappy with work conditions and what it sees as incompetent management. Their hundred page revival plan for the company was struck down by the management earlier in the year. Things were made worse when a daily newspaper published an article claiming that Croatia Airlines’ pilots are overpaid and work the least in Europe, an article the pilots believe was planted by the management. It came after pilots told the media that the carrier’s Dash 8s are unsafe and experience constant technical faults. Besides the pilots, cabin crew are also unhappy with their work conditions. Only the airline’s technicians and engineers have managed to come to an agreement with the management.

Croatia Airlines claims that if the strike action goes ahead on March 8 it will cost the carrier 200.000 euros and disrupt flights and passengers. Meanwhile, the Croatian government yesterday formally awarded Aéroports de Paris the concession over Zagreb Airport, much to the discontent of the airport’s unions.

Croatia Airlines launches new seasonal and summer flights

Croatia Airlines will launch new seasonal flights from Rijeka to Barcelona and Zadar to Frankfurt. The flights from Rijeka to Barcelona will launch on June 5, becoming Croatia Airlines’ second destination from the city. It will accompany the existing seasonal service to London Heathrow Airport. Flights to Barcelona will operate once per week with an Airbus A319 until October 23. Details can be found here. Croatia Airlines will also inaugurate flights from Zadar to Frankfurt on April 27. However, the Croatian carrier will have to compete on the line with Ryanair, although the no frills airline offers flights to the distant Hahn Airport. Flights to Frankfurt will run until the end of the summer season twice per week. All flight information can be found here.

After intense criticism from the airline’s pilots union for suspending summer charters in the past few years, the airline’s management has decided to resume them in 2012. Croatia Airlines plans to operate summer charters from Split to both Kristiansand and Kristiansund in Norway and Erfurt in Germany. Furthermore, the airline will also inaugurate charters from Zagreb and Osijek to Antalya in Turkey.

In 2011, Croatia Airlines saw record passenger numbers and is hoping to maintain the growth in 2012. However, in December the airline saw a surprising slump in passenger numbers. The carrier welcomed 98.800 passengers onboard, down 4.3% on December 2010. January 2012 results are yet to be announced.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The year that was … 2011

Historic passenger and traffic growth, a new airport, bankruptcies, government bailouts, failed privatisation and a bag of corporate corruption insured 2011 to be one of the more eventful years in commercial aviation in the former Yugoslavia. Read below for the most important Source : EXYU aviation news : http://exyuaviation.blogspot.com of 2011 by month.

~ JANUARY ~

• New CEO for Adria Airways chosen in face of financial trouble
• New terminal plans revealed for Priština Airport
• Tunisia flights suspended due to revolution

~ FEBRUARY ~

• Skywings International based in Skopje declares bankruptcy
• Wizz Air announces flights to Skopje
• Construction of Kraljevo’s Morava Airport begins
• B&H Airlines and Jat Airways begin evacuation flights from Tripoli
• Montenegro Airlines suspends Priština and Skopje due to unpaid debt

~ MARCH ~

• Tender for the construction of Zagreb’s new terminal begins
• Jat announces return to Spain after fourteen years
• Adria Airways expands Priština base operations
• Flights to Tripoli suspended as no fly zone introduced
• Iran Air begins refuelling stops at Belgrade Airport
• Wizz Air opens Belgrade base

~ APRIL ~

• Banja Luka Airport faces closure
• Montenegrin government bails out national carrier
• Overhaul of Ohrid Airport completed
• Chicago - Zagreb - Belgrade flights announced for summer months
• Air Arabia launches Tuzla flights

~ MAY ~

• Croatia Airlines turns twenty
• Ten companies in Zagreb terminal bid
• Montenegro Airlines orders new jet
• B&H Airlines suspends Vienna and Frankfurt flights
• Eagle flies into Montenegro Airlines Fokker nose cone

~ JUNE ~

• Adria celebrates fifty years
• Adria requests 50 million Euro bailout
• Jat Airways resumes Dubrovnik service after two decades
• Chicago - Zagreb - Belgrade flights cancelled hours before inauguration
• Croatia Airlines launches Belgrade service

~ JULY ~

• Mat Airways ceases operations
• Record year for Croatia Airlines
• Construction begins on new Priština Airport terminal
• B&H suspends Stockholm and Gothenburg

~ AUGUST ~

• The tender to find a partner for Serbia’s “new Jat” begins
• Flydubai announces Belgrade flights

~ SEPTEMBER ~

• A new era for Skopje Airport as new terminal opens
• Adria announces network suspensions
• B&H Airlines launches Pescara flights
• airBaltic expresses interest for the “new Jat”
• Croatia Airlines and Adria join forces
• Adria saved from bankruptcy

~ OCTOBER ~

• First flight to Kraljevo Airport
• New Maribor based airline Golden Air launches flights
• Source : EXYU aviation news : http://exyuaviation.blogspot.com reveals party politics at Jat Airways
• Golden Air grounded
• Dubrovnik Airline grounded
• Baltic Aviation System buys Jat tender documents

~ NOVEMBER ~

• Family rules at Montenegro’s airports
• Qatar Airways announces Zagreb flights in 2012
• Jat Airways announces Croatia expansion in 2012
• Qatar Airways announces Belgrade flights in 2012
• US blocks Adria jet sale to Iran

~ DECEMBER ~

• Baltic Aviation System looses Jat interest
• Single offer for Zagreb’s new terminal
• Record year for Tivat Airport
• Belgrade Airport tops three million passengers
• Belgrade Airport expansion begins

With 370.000 visits in 2011 and 365 news items, thank you for visiting, reading, contributing and interacting with Source : EXYU aviation news : http://exyuaviation.blogspot.com.
See you in 2012!

November numbers down at Adria, on the up at Croatia Airlines

Adria Airways has faced the full brunt of its network suspensions in November as the Slovenian carrier handled 60.300 passengers, down 9.5% compared to the same period last year. The average cabin load factor was also under par standing at 57.9%. The figures were to be expected since the number of flights operated by Adria in November decreased almost 8%. So far this year the carrier has handled approximately 1.098.538 passengers, which is just under last year’s result for the same period. Adria will have a tough ask to exceed last year’s annual result when it welcomed 1.170.235 passengers.

Meanwhile, in November, Croatia Airlines carried 112.100 passengers, an increase of 6% compared to last year. From January until the end of November, the Croatian carrier welcomed 1.708.355 passengers. It is on course to surpass its 2008 end of year record when it saw 1.8 million passengers. This November, its cabin load factor stood at 67%.

As was previously reported, Jat carried 77.751 passengers in November, leading to a total of 1.141.476 passengers for the year. As a result, until the end of November, when passenger figures from all of the national carriers of the former Yugoslavia are combined, they carried a total of just over four million passengers.

EX-YU’s busiest airlines count their numbers

With 2011 coming to an end, the three busiest airlines of the former Yugoslavia - Croatia Airlines, Jat Airways and Adria Airways have carried a combined total of almost 3.770.000 passengers so far this year.

With the exception of a few industrial spats with its employees, Croatia Airlines has had a good year by decreasing losses and increasing passenger numbers. By the end of October, the Croatian carrier welcomed 1.596.235 passengers onboard, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. Its average cabin load factor has so far this year amounted to 66%, slightly up on last year when it stood at 62%.

On the other hand, Serbia’s national carrier, Jat Airways, handled 1.141.476 passengers by the end of November, an increase of 15% compared to the same period in 2010. Its average cabin load factor currently stands at 70%, significantly up on last year when it was 60%. The airline recently revealed its latest results for November to Source : EXYU aviation news : http://exyuaviation.blogspot.com, as it recorded its seventeenth consecutive month of rising passenger numbers. In November, the Serbian carrier welcomed 77.751 passengers onboard, an increase of 10% despite a 14% reduction in the number of operated flights. The average cabin load factor stood at 68%, 14 points up on November 2010. Passengers using Jat’s Montenegro services increased 22%, figures for Euro-Mediterranean flights were up 7% while passengers using Jat’s charter flights doubled compared to last November.

Finally, Slovenia’s Adria Airways, which has had to deal with plenty of negative publicity in the past few months in regards to its future, has managed to serve 1.032.238 passengers by the end of October, an increase of 1% compared to last year. However, since news of Adria’s delicate financial situation began to spread a few months ago numbers took a tumble. In October alone passenger figures were down 4% compared to last year. However, with its network reductions coming into force during November, it will be a few more days before its affect on passenger numbers is revealed. So far this year, Adria’s average cabin load occupancy stands at 64%, down on 2010 when it amounted to 69%.