Lease deal with Adria Airways supports Air Serbia network growth
14 March 2016
- Four-month wet-lease agreement for Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft with 86 seats
- Aircraft to operate new flights to Kiev and Hamburg, and on existing route to Sofia
- Deal demonstrates unique benefits provided by cooperation between smaller airlines
Air Serbia, the national airline of the Republic of Serbia, has signed an agreement to lease a Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft from Adria Airways to support its growing network.
The aircraft, which is configured with 86 seats and will be leased between the busy summer months of June and September 2016, will allow Air Serbia to expand its flight network with non-stop flights to Hamburg in Germany and Kiev in Ukraine.Tickets for Hamburg and Kiev services are on sale from today.
In addition, the aircraft will be deployed on the existing Belgrade – Sofia route, which is currently operated on an ATR turboprop, increasing seat capacity from 66 to 86 seats.
Dane Kondić, Chief Executive Officer of Air Serbia, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our cooperation with Adria Airways to support the fleet requirements of our growing network and offer guests exciting new travel options for the summer holidays and potentially beyond.
“The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft offers excellent performance and passenger comfort levels, and is a great match for our planned network expansion to two popular European cities this summer holiday season.
“Whether flying to Hamburg, which lies on the river Elbe and has a rich maritime heritage, or travelling to the richly cultural cities of Kiev or Sofia, our guests are sure to have a memorable experience with Air Serbia this summer.
“This arrangement with Adria Airways is a perfect example of the growth opportunities that can be created when small, like-minded airlines work together for a mutually beneficial outcome.”
Air Serbia’s history of commercial cooperation with Adria Airways dates back to 2010, when its predecessor, Jat Airways, established a codeshare agreement with the Slovenian carrier.
Adria Airways currently places its “JP” flight code on flights operated by Air Serbia between Belgrade and Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital and largest city, as well as on services connecting Belgrade to Athens, Bucharest and Sofia.
Kiev flight schedule:
| Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Destination | Arrives | Frequency | First Flight |
| JU660 | Belgrade (BEG) | 06:55 | Kiev (KBP) | 09:45 | Tue, Fri, Sat | 17 June 2016 |
| JU661 | Kiev (KBP) | 10:30 | Belgrade (BEG) | 11:15 | Tue, Fri, Sat | 17 June 2016 |
| JU664 | Belgrade (BEG) | 18:15 | Kiev (KBP) | 21:05 | Mon, Thur, Sun | 16 June 2016 |
| JU665 | Kiev (KBP) | 21:50 | Belgrade (BEG) | 22:35 | Mon, Thur, Sun | 16 June 2016 |
Hamburg flight schedule:
| Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Destination | Arrives | Frequency | First Flight |
| JU390 | Belgrade (BEG) | 07:10 | Hamburg (HAM) | 09:20 | Mon, Wed | 15 June 2016 |
| JU391 | Hamburg (HAM) | 10:30 | Belgrade (BEG) | 12:35 | Mon, Wed | 15 June 2016 |
| JU394 | Belgrade (BEG) | 18:05 | Hamburg (HAM) | 20:15 | Tue, Fri | 17 June 2016 |
| JU395 | Hamburg (HAM) | 20:50 | Belgrade (BEG) | 22:55 | Tue, Fri | 17 June 2016 |
All times are local