Air Serbia plans to renew turboprop fleet
Air Serbia intends on adding newer generation turboprop aircraft to its fleet next year with several frames set to join. However, as EX-YU Aviation News learns, their arrival will be heavily dependant on market conditions with fears the new omicron variant of the coronavirus could derail air traffic recovery in 2022. At this point, the airline is considering adding up to five aircraft. They would enable the carrier to strengthen its regional operations and improve passenger experience and comfort. Air Serbia had initially intended to renew its turboprop fleet last year but was forced to cancel such plans as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Air Serbia’s regional fleet currently consists of five turboprops, including three ATR72-200s, all of which are 31 years old, and two ATR72-500s, which are 23 and 24 years old respectively. All are being utilised by the carrier and are active within the fleet. The airline returned one of the -500 versions to its owner last year, after deciding not to renew its lease. It was the youngest among the ATRs at fifteen years. Late last year, the Serbian Minister for Finance, Siniša Mali, said the country’s national airline would retire older and noisier aircraft, as well as those producing greater gas emissions.
In recent months, Air Serbia has added frequencies on a number of routes operated exclusively by ATR aircraft, including those to Prague, Zagreb, Ljubljana and several others. It is also expected to use the aircraft on flights deemed to be of public interest from Kraljevo to Istanbul, Thessaloniki and Tivat, as well as between Niš and Belgrade. The airline is widely tipped to be selected as the operating carrier for the new routes at a tender which closed late last week. Air Serbia has also earmarked future expansion in the region with potential new routes to Romania and Bulgaria once market conditions permit.
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