Air Serbia plans to expand its long-haul network and has made no secret that it will soon launch flights to Shanghai or Guangzhou in China, depending on where it gets better landing and departure slots, once it could find a suitable Airbus A330-200. aircraft for rental on the market. However, later the carrier plans to start flights to its third destination in North America, following the launch of Chicago earlier this year and New York JFK in 2016. Air Serbia CEO Jiri Marek said that a decision between Toronto and Miami has still not been made, knowing that both have similar chances of turning a profit.
Commenting on the issue, Mr. Marek said: “Toronto has a large diaspora, but also a strong seasonality. Miami, on the other hand, is a year-round destination. Our partner, American Airlines, has a large hub at Miami Airport. Both destinations are similar in terms of profitability, but we have not yet made a final decision.” He added: “We have been flying to New York since 2016. The route has matured and planes to the Big Apple are flying at full capacity. The diaspora living in the United States benefits from these connections. It’s also why we launched nonstop service to Chicago. The American diaspora remains price sensitive, which is why we initially delayed the acquisition of a second widebody aircraft. During the pandemic, it was possible to fly to China. We didn’t hesitate to use it. Operating in China and Tianjin guarantees profitability.”
Mr. Marek reiterated the carrier’s commitment to expanding its long-haul network in the near future. In late December last year, the CEO said the purchase of a third A330-200 aircraft could take “nine months or more.” However, the airline began negotiations with a lessor this spring, but the deal ultimately fell through. “As soon as we take delivery of the third Airbus A330, we will focus on expanding the Chinese market. We have already received permits for Guangzhou and Shanghai. We will decide later between Miami or Toronto as the third destination in North America,” said Mr. Marek. During the upcoming winter season, which begins on October 29, Air Serbia plans to operate two weekly flights to Tianjin, one more than last winter, and two weekly flights to Chicago, increasing to three weekly flights between December 18, 2023 and January 1, 2024., and three weekly rotations to New York JFK, increasing to five per week between December 22, 2023 and January 7, 2024.