This article is published in Aviation Daily, part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through May 30, 2024. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
Air Serbia is planning to replace its Airbus A319ceos with Embraer E1s, as it seeks to modernize its short-haul fleet.
It is also looking at operating the Brazilian-built jets on some sectors currently served by ATR turboprops.
The Serbian flag-carrier has leased two E195-E1s from Denmark’s Runway Leasing. The Belgrade-based carrier had previously indicated that it was planning to acquire E195s to replace capacity wet-leased from Greece’s Marathon Airlines.
The agreement with Marathon was terminated in February after a Marathon-operated E195 collided with runway lights during takeoff from Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.
In April, Air Serbia wet-leased a single E190 from Air Bulgaria. Air Serbia currently also operates 10 A319ceos and three A320ceos. An airline spokesman said May 21 that it plans to replace the smaller Airbus jets.
“Air Serbia decided last year to upgrade any new additions to the Airbus fleet to the A320 model, as the A319 is being phased out due to its maturity within the Airbus portfolio,” the spokesman said. “With the gap between the 72-seat regional turboprop ATR and the 180-seat A320 being too large, Air Serbia has explored options for a typical regional jet, or a crossover jet in Embraer’s case.”
Having tested the concept through wet-leases, Air Serbia is “pursuing a dry-lease option for the first two E195s,” the spokesman said, describing Embraer as “the future replacement for the A319.”
Air Serbia has plans to deploy these jets on established ATR routes and expand the fleet further in the coming years. “We believe there are enough mid-aged E1 Embraers available on the market to meet our short-term fleet needs,” the spokesperson said.
Air Serbia has nine ATR 72s on strength at present, with a 10th expected imminently. They operate regional routes around the Balkans and to some Central European destinations.
The spokesman reiterated Air Serbia’s previously announced policy that “we will consider potential new fleet orders across any of our aircraft types,” once the airline reaches a certain point in increasing its fleet size.
Related Content
