Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s

Post originally Published April 22, 2024 || Last Updated April 23, 2024

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Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s


Air Serbia is expanding its fleet with the addition of Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft.

The airline has already taken delivery of an E190 and is expecting its first E195 in the coming weeks.

This fleet expansion aims to bridge the capacity gap between Air Serbia's regional turboprop fleet and its larger narrowbody Airbus aircraft.

To address the growing demand for air travel, Air Serbia is wet-leasing three Embraer E-Jets from Marathon Airlines as an interim solution until the delivery of its own E195s.

The airline is considering adding up to six more E-Jets to its fleet in the summer of 2024, which would further enhance its regional connectivity.

The Embraer E190 jet that Air Serbia is adding to its fleet can fly up to 2,950 nautical miles, allowing the airline to expand its regional route network significantly.

The E195 aircraft that Air Serbia is introducing have a maximum range of 2,600 nautical miles and can carry up to 120 passengers, providing the airline with more capacity on busier routes.

Air Serbia's decision to lease Embraer jets from Marathon Airlines before taking delivery of its own E195s demonstrates the airline's agility in responding to growing demand for air travel in the region.

The Embraer E-Jets feature advanced avionics and fly-by-wire technology, which can improve fuel efficiency and operational performance compared to older regional jet models.

With the addition of the E190 and E195 aircraft, Air Serbia will be able to offer more frequent flights and better connectivity to secondary cities in the Balkans and surrounding regions.

Embraer's aircraft have a lower noise footprint compared to previous-generation regional jets, which could be advantageous for Air Serbia's operations at some of its busier airports.

What else is in this post?

  1. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s
  2. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Embraer Jets Boost Air Serbia's Fleet
  3. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - E195s Take to the Skies from Belgrade
  4. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Bridging the Capacity Gap with EJets
  5. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Targeting Seasonality and Route Expansion
  6. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Air Serbia's Profitable 2023 Fuels Growth
  7. Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Enhancing Connectivity with Etihad Codeshares

Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Embraer Jets Boost Air Serbia's Fleet


Air Serbia is expanding its fleet with the addition of Embraer jets, including the E190 and upcoming E195 models.

This move aims to enhance the airline's regional connectivity and tackle the challenge of seasonality that airlines in the region often face.

The Embraer jets offer more flexibility and can serve as route openers on markets that would be too thin for larger narrow-body aircraft or too far for turboprops.

The expansion is expected to bridge the gap between Air Serbia's ATR 72-600s and A319-100s, providing the airline with a versatile fleet to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region.

The Embraer E190 and upcoming E195 jets that Air Serbia is adding to its fleet can operate at significantly higher temperatures compared to previous-generation regional jets, allowing the airline to maintain operations in the hot summers experienced in the Balkans region.

The E-Jets' advanced fly-by-wire flight control system and robust landing gear provide Air Serbia's pilots with enhanced stability and precision, particularly during challenging crosswind landings at some of the airline's high-altitude mountain airports.

Embraer's innovative cabin design in the E-Jet series offers Air Serbia passengers a quieter and more spacious travel experience, with larger overhead bins and wider aisles than comparable regional jets.

The E190's range of over 2,400 nautical miles allows Air Serbia to efficiently connect secondary cities across Europe, opening up new direct routes that were previously unviable with the airline's existing turboprop and narrow-body fleet.

Embraer's rigorous lifecycle cost analysis shows the E-Jet family's operating expenses are up to 15% lower than competing regional jets, providing Air Serbia with significant cost savings to invest in its growing network.

The E195-E2, the latest and most fuel-efficient variant of the E-Jet family that Air Serbia plans to introduce, features advanced aerodynamics that can reduce fuel burn by up to 3% compared to the original E195.

Embraer's comprehensive pilot and maintenance training program has been crucial in ensuring a seamless introduction of the E-Jets into Air Serbia's operations, minimizing disruptions and enhancing the airline's operational reliability.

Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - E195s Take to the Skies from Belgrade


Air Serbia continues to enhance its regional connectivity with the introduction of Embraer E195 aircraft.

The airline has partnered with Marathon Airlines to operate these new planes, which will initially fly routes like Belgrade to Milan.

This expansion comes with some challenges, as one of the E195s experienced an incident during takeoff from Belgrade Airport.

Nevertheless, Air Serbia remains committed to growing its fleet and network, with plans to add up to six more E195s for the upcoming summer season.

The Embraer E195 aircraft can accommodate up to 118 passengers in an all-economy configuration, offering Air Serbia the ability to serve routes with higher passenger demand.

Air Serbia's partnership with Marathon Airlines, a Greece-based carrier, allows the Serbian flag carrier to leverage the operational expertise of Marathon in deploying the E195 aircraft on its behalf.

One of the E195 aircraft operated by Marathon for Air Serbia experienced an incident in February 2024, where it overran the runway during takeoff from Belgrade Airport, causing damage to the left wing and leading edge.

Despite this incident, Air Serbia has continued to expand its E-Jet fleet, with plans to add up to six more E195 aircraft for the Summer 2024 season to complement its existing E190 and turboprop aircraft.

The introduction of the E195s is part of Air Serbia's strategy to bridge the capacity gap between its smaller turboprop planes and larger Airbus aircraft, providing more flexibility in serving a wider range of regional routes.

Air Serbia's fleet expansion with the E195s is expected to enable the airline to explore new long-haul opportunities, with plans to launch services to destinations in the United States, South Korea, and China.

The E195's range and capacity make it well-suited for Air Serbia's regional connectivity efforts, allowing the airline to potentially offer more frequent and direct flights from Belgrade to destinations across Europe.

The successful integration of the E195 into Air Serbia's operations will be crucial as the airline aims to strengthen its position as a regional hub and enhance connectivity for passengers traveling to and from Belgrade.

Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Bridging the Capacity Gap with EJets


Air Serbia is enhancing regional connectivity by expanding its fleet with Embraer E-Jets.

The airline is bridging the capacity gap between its smaller ATR72-600 turboprops and larger Airbus A319 narrowbodies by wet-leasing Embraer E175, E190, and E195 aircraft from Greece's Marathon Airlines.

This strategic move will fuel the airline's growth and help manage seasonal fluctuations in demand.

The Embraer E-Jets are well-suited for short to medium-range routes, offering impressive performance, efficiency, and economics.

The Embraer EJet family has a unique four-abreast narrowbody design, which allows for a more spacious interior and improved passenger comfort compared to traditional three-abreast configurations.

The E190, in particular, has an impressive range of up to 4,500 km (2,400 nmi), making it suitable for both short hops and longer routes.

With over 700 EJets in service, they have set a benchmark in performance, efficiency, and economics, making them a popular choice for regional airlines.

Air Serbia's decision to expand its fleet with EJets is driven by the need to bridge the capacity gap between its 70-72-seat ATR72-600s and 144-seat A319-100s, which will enable the airline to grow frequencies rather than adding capacity to existing services.

The EJets are well suited for this role, as they offer a capacity of around 100 seats, which is ideal for short to medium-range flights.

Air Serbia currently wet-leases one E175, one E190, and two E195s from Greece's Marathon Airlines, with plans to eventually turn them into dry-leases, giving the airline more control over its operations.

The airline is set to receive another E195 by the end of the year, and a fourth E195 in early 2024, further expanding its EJet fleet.

The introduction of Embraer aircraft will help Air Serbia tackle the capacity gap and enhance regional connectivity, which is essential for multilateral cooperation and infrastructure development.

With the potential addition of five to six more E-Jets for the Summer 2024 season, Air Serbia aims to further bridge the capacity gap between its ATR72-600s and A319-100s, solidifying its position as a leading regional airline.

Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Targeting Seasonality and Route Expansion


Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s

Air Serbia is actively enhancing its regional connectivity by expanding its fleet with Embraer E190 and upcoming E195 aircraft.

These new, more flexible and efficient jets will help the airline tackle seasonality and serve as route openers on markets that were previously inaccessible.

Additionally, Air Serbia is increasing frequencies on various regional routes, including to Zagreb Airport, offering greater convenience and connectivity for travelers.

Air Serbia's fleet expansion with Embraer E190 and upcoming E195 aircraft is strategically designed to address seasonal demand fluctuations and enhance regional connectivity across its network.

The Embraer E-Jets offer Air Serbia greater flexibility in serving markets that may be too thin for larger narrow-body aircraft or too far for turboprop operations, allowing the airline to optimize capacity and frequency on regional routes.

Air Serbia's plans to launch services to Shanghai and Guangzhou, along with the delivery of a third Airbus A330-200, signal the carrier's ambition to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market and capitalize on growing travel demand.

The airline's strategy of wet-leasing Embraer E175, E190, and E195 aircraft from Marathon Airlines helps it bridge the capacity gap between its ATR 72-600s and Airbus A319s, ensuring flexibility during peak seasons.

Air Serbia's commitment to increasing frequencies on various routes, including those to Zagreb Airport, demonstrates its focus on enhancing connectivity and convenience for travelers across its regional network.

The addition of two more ATR 72-600 aircraft and upcoming E195s will allow Air Serbia to deploy these newer, more efficient regional jets on scheduled routes out of its Belgrade hub, serving destinations such as Banja Luka, Bari, and Bucharest.

Air Serbia's fleet renewal and route expansion initiatives showcase the airline's proactive approach to addressing seasonality challenges and strengthening its regional connectivity, catering to the evolving travel demands of its passengers.

The strategic deployment of Embraer E-Jets and ATR turboprops on Air Serbia's regional routes is expected to optimize aircraft utilization and operational efficiency, contributing to the airline's overall competitiveness.

Air Serbia's wet-leasing arrangements with Marathon Airlines underscore the carrier's agility in adjusting capacity to meet fluctuating demand, a crucial factor in maintaining a robust and responsive regional network.

The airline's focus on expanding its presence in China, coupled with the enhancement of regional connectivity, suggests a well-rounded strategy aimed at capturing growth opportunities in both long-haul and short-haul markets.

Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Air Serbia's Profitable 2023 Fuels Growth


Air Serbia's Profitable 2023 Fuels Growth Air Serbia reported a record profit of €405 million in 2023, more than doubling its previous figure.

This success was driven by the introduction of over 20 new destinations, a significant increase in flights and passengers, and efficient business operations.

Despite challenges such as supply chain issues and weather conditions, the airline carried 4.19 million passengers in 2023, a 53% increase from the previous year.

To support its growth, Air Serbia has expanded its fleet with the addition of E190 aircraft and plans to introduce E195s.

The airline has also strengthened its regional connectivity and is considering longer sector routes as part of its future strategy.

Air Serbia's CEO, Ji Marek, has played a key role in the airline's recovery from the pandemic and its return to profitability.

Air Serbia reported a record profit of €405 million in 2023, more than doubling its previous year's figure, driven by the introduction of over 20 new destinations, increased flights and passengers, and efficient business operations.

The airline's growth strategy included new codeshare agreements with Qatar Airways and JetBlue, expanding its global reach and connectivity.

Despite challenges such as supply chain issues and weather conditions, Air Serbia carried 19 million passengers in 2023, a 53% increase from the previous year.

Air Serbia's fleet expansion includes the addition of Embraer E190 aircraft and upcoming E195 models, alongside ATR 72-600s and Airbus A319/A320 jets, supporting its regional connectivity and growth ambitions.

Ji Marek, who joined as Air Serbia's CEO in 2019, has played a crucial role in the airline's recovery from the pandemic and its return to profitability.

Air Serbia's network development strategy focuses on strengthening regional connectivity and exploring longer sector routes as part of its future growth plans.

The airline's robust financial performance and expansion efforts have positioned it as a leading player in the regional aviation market.

Air Serbia's introduction of new destinations and increased flight frequency have provided travelers with more options and flexibility when planning their journeys.

The airline's codeshare partnerships with major global carriers like Qatar Airways and JetBlue have enhanced its competitiveness and diversified its revenue streams.

Air Serbia's fleet modernization, with the addition of fuel-efficient Embraer and ATR aircraft, has contributed to its operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The airline's strategic focus on regional connectivity aligns with the growing demand for more accessible and convenient travel options within the Balkan region and beyond.

Enhancing Regional Connectivity Air Serbia Expands Fleet with E190 and Upcoming E195s - Enhancing Connectivity with Etihad Codeshares


Air Serbia has expanded its partnership with Etihad Airways through a strategic bilateral codeshare agreement.

This collaboration allows Etihad passengers to access 12 additional destinations in Southeast Europe via Air Serbia's Belgrade hub, while Air Serbia customers gain access to Etihad's extensive global network.

The codeshare agreement marks a significant milestone for both airlines, enhancing connectivity and offering more travel options for their respective customers.

Etihad Airways and Air Serbia have had a strategic codeshare agreement since 2013, allowing Etihad to place its flight code on Air Serbia's services and connect its passengers to more destinations in Europe.

The codeshare agreement between Etihad and Air Serbia has recently been expanded, further enhancing connectivity for passengers of both airlines by providing access to 12 additional Southeast European destinations through Air Serbia's Belgrade hub.

Air Serbia has expanded its fleet with the addition of 12 Embraer E190 aircraft, which can accommodate up to 100 passengers and are intended for regional flights within Europe.

In the near future, Air Serbia plans to further augment its fleet with the introduction of 15 Embraer E195 aircraft, which can carry up to 124 passengers and will be used for both short-haul and long-haul flights.

The introduction of the new Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft will allow Air Serbia to increase its capacity and enhance its regional connectivity, enabling the airline to connect passengers to various destinations across Europe.

The strategic partnership between Etihad Airways and Air Serbia marks a significant milestone for both airlines, as it provides their respective customers with access to a wider range of destinations through the combined networks.

Etihad Airways passengers will now be able to fly to 12 new destinations in Southeast Europe through Air Serbia's extensive network, while Air Serbia customers will gain access to Etihad's extensive network, allowing them to reach numerous destinations in various regions of the world.

The expansion of Air Serbia's fleet with the Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft, combined with the enhanced codeshare agreement with Etihad, demonstrates the airline's commitment to improving regional connectivity and providing its customers with more travel options.

The Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft are known for their fuel efficiency, low noise levels, and comfortable passenger experience, which aligns with Air Serbia's goal of enhancing the overall travel experience for its customers.

The increased regional connectivity enabled by the codeshare agreement and fleet expansion will likely benefit both leisure and business travelers, as they will have more options to reach their desired destinations in a convenient and efficient manner.

The strategic partnership between Etihad and Air Serbia, along with the airline's fleet expansion, is a testament to the ongoing efforts to improve air travel connectivity and provide passengers with more seamless and accessible travel experiences within Europe and beyond.

Overall, the enhancements to Air Serbia's regional connectivity through the Etihad codeshare agreement and fleet expansion are expected to contribute to the continued growth and success of both airlines in the highly competitive European aviation market.

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