CEO: Air Serbia looking at China, US and Canada
Air Serbia is continuing to look at options to expand its long haul network but its main focus is returning to normality following the market-wide disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Responding to EX-YU Aviation News’ question concerning long haul expansion, Air Serbia’s CEO, Duncan Naysmith, said, “Our biggest focus at this stage is getting back to some sort of normality. At this point in time we fly 28 destinations, while pre-Covid it was 62 destinations. In addition, we are flying over 800 charter flights this summer as well. We continue to look at long haul destinations. We look at China, USA, and Canada as well. At this point in time we are counting on normality, but we always look for opportunities to expand our long haul flights”.
Competition on flights from the region to the United States is on the rise, with United to introduce operations from New York to Dubrovnik this summer, while Bulgarian start-up GullivAir recently received approval to commence operations from Sofia to the States. Commenting on increased competition in the region and the effect it may have on Air Serbia’s New York operations, Mr Naysmith said, “In terms of competition to the region, we welcome it. What you have to bear in mind is that we actually have a regional connectivity network. At this point we fly three times per week to New York and by the end of May we will fly up to four times per week. Our consistency is there, and our product proposition is one of the best in class”.
Mr Naysmith noted that New York has been one of Air Serbia’s most profitable routes in 2020 and 2021. “Despite the pandemic, our transatlantic flight has continued to deliver positive results. We were one of the few airlines that have flown to New York throughout the pandemic. New York in 2020 and 2021 is one of our most profitable routes”, the CEO said. Based on pre-pandemic data, in 2019, China (excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan) was the largest unserved long haul market from Serbia, closely followed by the United States, once the New York operation is excluded, then Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and Japan.
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