During 2014 a quiet revolution took place in an aviation backwater of Central and Southeast Europe – namely Serbia and in particular Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport.
After recording 5.3% passenger growth in 2013 a figure of almost 32% was achieved at Belgrade in 2014, leaving the neighbouring and much bigger capital city airports at Vienna, Prague and Budapest in the shade, even allowing for the low base figure at the Serbian capital.
This growth was unexpected is and quite surprising given Serbia’s recent political and economic history and the fact that growth has not come specifically from the LCC segment, which is the usual source for ‘secondary’ level airports in Europe. It raises the possibility of Belgrade actually competing with these (regional) giants for pre-eminence throughout an area that is growing in economic significance.
Air Serbia is seeking to develop Belgrade Airport as a hub
Indeed, national carrier Air Serbia’s CEO Dane Kondić was moved to remark recently that his airline is pleased with the development of its Belgrade hub since the carrier’s rebranding from JAT Airways, commenting “We’re trying to develop Belgrade into a hub and so it’s really starting to compete now against the likes of Vienna which was probably for many years the hub in that part of the world, which was the gateway to Central and Eastern Europe.”
The carrier will also look further to develop partnerships with fellow Etihad Airways’ ‘equity alliance’ carriers. Etihad code shares with 47 airlines and is a major cargo carrier to boot. Mr Kondić perceives Alitalia to be an interesting future partner once it “beds down” while airberlin is another one in the frame for a partnership arrangement.
The carrier’s ambitions are evident in its announcement on 11-Mar-2015 of an agreement with Abacus International for the distribution of its schedules and fares in the Asia Pacific region through Abacus’ GDS, an important step in growing Air Serbia’s footprint in Asia Pacific and bolstering its global positioning.
Source; CAPA
