Air Serbia plots turboprop fleet renewal in 2022

Air Serbia (JU, Belgrade) is planning to resume its turboprop fleet renewal programme in 2022 but remains ready to adapt to changing pandemic-driven market conditions, EX-YU Aviation has reported, citing its own sources.

The carrier had plans to replace its current fleet of five Avions de Transport Régional turboprops before the COVID-19 pandemic struck only to suspend them in the face of more immediate concerns. The majority-state-owned carrier currently operates three ATR72-200s (31.4 years old on average) and two ATR72-500s (23.9 years) although one of the -500s has been parked at Belgrade airport since November 29, 2021. It owns all three -200s, while the -500s are leased from Nordic Aviation Capital, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. Following the retirement of Aviolet’s B737-300s, the ATRs are now Air Serbia’s oldest aircraft.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, the ATRs are used on domestic Serbian routes as well as shorthaul flights throughout the Balkans as well as to Turkey, Austria, and Czechia. While no specific type has so far been mentioned, Air Serbia is reportedly looking at adding “up to five new-generation” aircraft. It did not respond to ch-aviation’s request for comment.

The airline’s jet fleet also comprises ten A319-100s, one A320-200, and one A330-200.