09 Nov 2015 21:00
Air Serbia today reported continued improvement in its financial and operating performance recording total operating revenues of EUR 86 million for the third quarter of 2015.
The figure represents
an increase of 26 per cent over the same period in 2014, achieved by growth in passenger
and cargo numbers during the 2015 summer months.
The Belgrade-based
airline’s total passenger numbers increased to 913,135 between July and
September this year, 11 per cent higher than the 820,453 passengers for the same period
in 2014.
August 2015 was
a record-breaking month in the history of Air Serbia with a total of 319,263 passengers
travelling with the
airline, a seven per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Air Serbia’s
passenger carrying capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), stood
at 1 billion by the end of Q3 2015, an increase of three per cent over the same
period last year.
Aviolet, Air
Serbia’s charter brand launched in May 2014, operated more than 400 flights
during the third quarter of
2015 and flew nearly 100,000 passengers to various summer destinations in Turkey, Greece,
Egypt and Italy, among others.
Air Serbia Cargo
also achieved a 30 per cent growth over 2014 carrying 865 tonnes of freight
during the third quarter of 2015.
Aleksandar
Vučić, Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Serbia said:
"We are pleased to report that Air Serbia continues steadfastly on its
growth course, achieving strong financial results and at the same time taking
giant steps in introducing industry-leading innovations, building an offering
that is comparable to much larger and more experienced global airlines in a
very short period of time.
“Air Serbia’s financial and
operational achievements further strengthen the position of our national
airline in the long term not only as the leading carrier in the region, but as
one of the leading airlines in Europe.”
Siniša Mali, Chairman of the
Supervisory Board, Air Serbia, and Mayor of Belgrade, said: “When Air Serbia
was launched two years ago it was a landmark moment because it saved the
national airline which was on the verge of bankruptcy and since then the
airline has gone from strength to strength.
“Air Serbia now sets the
standards for corporate governance and delivering best practice in Serbia and the
Q3 2015 results are further proof that the strategy is a successful one.”
James Hogan, Vice Chairman of Air Serbia and
President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “The
third-quarter results clearly indicate that the turnaround strategy is working
and Air Serbia is on the right track to duplicate the success seen in 2014 and
deliver robust operational and financial results in its second full year of
operation.”
Chief Executive Officer of
Air Serbia, Dane Kondić, said: “We continue to grow not just in revenue and
passenger numbers, but more importantly also in reputation, performance and
maturity, emerging as a regional industry leader in a relatively short period
of time.
“We will continue to focus
on all aspects of the travel experience by enhancing our products and services,
providing even more choice, convenience and enjoyment for our guests. We are
confident that this approach will drive our continued success.”
Other key Air Serbia highlights of Q3 2015 include:
- Strengthening of
codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways Partner airline, Alitalia, placing the
JU code on an additional 21 routes operated by the Italian national carrier
- Introduction
of web check-in for guests travelling from Belgrade and six other points of
origin to check in for their flight from any web-enabled device
- Opening
of the Air Serbia Premium Lounge at Belgrade Airport, the first airline-owned
and operated lounge in Serbia, providing a superior experience for premium
guests
- The launch
of Air Serbia Wi-Fly, initiating the gradual implementation of mobile and
internet connectivity across its entire fleet of Airbus passenger aircraft
- Introduction
of Euro Sky Pass, a new Business Class and Economy Class fare program which
provides flexibility and freedom to long-haul travelers arriving in
Serbia