Air Serbia posts strong operational results

Air Serbia has published its operational results for 2019 with the airline handling the most passengers in a single year since its relaunch in 2013. The carrier welcomed a total of 2.81 million travellers on scheduled and charter flights from its hub in Belgrade. Passenger numbers increased 9.5%, compared to 2018, with the airline accounting for 45.6% of all travellers passing through Belgrade Airport. Air Serbia increased its passenger numbers on scheduled flights by 9%, and 23% on charter services compared to the previous year. During 2019, Air Serbia ran a total of 33.322 flights, 2.370 of which were charters operated by Aviolet, its dedicated leisure brand. Network capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), rose to 4.45 billion. The average cabin load factor stood at 72%, while sales of ancillary services grew 28%.

Air Serbia's CEO, Duncan Naysmith, said, “In 2019, we delivered the largest network expansion and carried the most passengers since we started operations as Air Serbia. By launching new flights from as many as three airports in Serbia, we have confirmed our position as a regional leader in the sphere of commercial aviation and given our contribution to the development of business and tourism in Serbia, as well as regional interconnectivity". He added, "During the previous year, we carefully selected new destinations, further improving the integration of our international network and providing our guests with more choice and more benefits". During 2019, Air Serbia launched ten new destinations from Belgrade, twelve new services from Niš, where it also opened a base, and one new route from Kraljevo.

Commenting on its plans for 2020, the airline recently said, "We are working hard on making the next twelve months even better for our guests. A solid foundation and a strong wind in our sails have been provided by these results”. The carrier plans to introduce ten new routes during the upcoming summer season, increase capacity by 18% and boost frequencies on existing services. On the financial front, Air Serbia is required to submit its 2019 results to the Serbian Business Registers Agency by July 2020, after which they will be made public following their review. In 2018, the airline posted a 12.2 million euro profit.