Croatia Airlines, Air Serbia and Air Montenegro outline fleet plans

The national carriers from the former Yugoslavia have unveiled plans to expand their respective fleets this year, with each planning to add several aircraft.

Croatia Airlines will introduce two brand new Airbus A220 jets as it begins its transition to a single-type fleet. The aircraft are currently scheduled to arrive in “mid-2024” according to the airline. Due to their delivery later on in the season, the carrier does not expect to significantly expand its network during the summer peak but has announced plans to add new routes during the 2024/25 winter season, with a greater emphasis on operations out of Dubrovnik being considered. In addition to the A220s, Croatia Airlines is finalising a longer-term wet-lease of an A320 jet from Trade Air, which could begin operating on behalf of the Croatian flag carrier as early as next month. The jet would initially be based in Zagreb, before being relocated to Split to cater for the airline’s summer schedule out of the coastal city. The Croatian carrier is also eyeing a second A320 wet-lease for the 2024 summer season.

Air Serbia has unveiled plans to double its A330-200 fleet by May, while it also intends to expand the number of narrow-bodies. The carrier has signed a Letter of Intent for an additional three ATR72-600 deliveries during the first quarter of this year, for a total of ten aircraft of the same type. However, the airline anticipates possible delays in their arrival due to a landing gear shortage on the market for regional aircraft. In addition, Air Serbia plans to wet-lease a further two Embraer E195 jets from Marathon Airlines in the coming months, and anticipates having up to six aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer during the summer. The carrier is also exploring the dry-lease of an additional three A320 jets, with the company hoping to secure agreements for the units “as soon as possible”. However, demand for A320ceos remains high due to ongoing issues with their neo counterparts.

Air Montenegro will expand its fleet in 2024 to facilitate for its announced network expansion, which includes the introduction of four new routes. The Montenegrin carrier has concluded the wet-lease for one A320 aircraft from Trade Air for the duration of the 2024 summer season. The airline also plans to dry-lease two Embraer aircraft, alongside the two jets it already owns. The planes will be dry-leased for between three and a half and six years. The carrier is also considering the wet-lease of additional Embraer capacity during the upcoming summer months. The Montenegrin government recently adopted plans to acquire a grounded E195 aircraft (registered 40-AOC), previously operated by the defunct Montenegro Airlines, for five million US dollars from the Brazilian BNDS bank. Once the transaction is completed, the state will decide the aircraft’s fate, which has been grounded for over three years. However, it is expected for the jet to undergo maintenance and be transferred to Air Montenegro.