Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport’s growth is expected to slow significantly over the coming summer season after its two largest carriers – Air Serbia and Wizz Air – reduced their planned operations for varying reasons. With foreign airlines keeping operations and capacity flat and no new carriers launching flights, the airport is expected to see the amount of offered seats on scheduled services in June, July and August at around the same level as last year, or marginally above 2023 levels. This is still subject to change as airlines may alter their planned operations, while loads on flights may differ from last year, which would also impact on the airport’s passenger performance. Furthermore, the Easter holiday break this year falls on different months under the Gregorian and Julian calendars, which should provide a traffic boost in both April and May, while the Serbian capital is set to host the European Basketball Champions League Final Four tournament in late April, which is likely to fuel travel.
Following a record January and February during which the airport handled a combined total of over one million travellers with the average passenger growth rate at a high 24.8%, a similar increase is expected in March. However, the rate of growth from April onwards will notably slow down. Next month, Belgrade Airport is expected to see capacity grow around 8% at this point, around 5% in May, and be at almost the same level year-over-year in June. Airlines continue to update their schedules on a weekly basis, with Air Serbia finalising its summer network this week, while Wizz Air continues to alter frequencies based on aircraft availability.
Air Serbia was forced to reduce its network this summer after an accident involving an Embraer E195 aircraft operated on its behalf by Marathon Airlines led to the termination of its contract with the Greek carrier. Air Serbia was meant to have six wet-leased Embraer jets in its fleet this summer. Although it plans to replace some of them with several Embraer aircraft from next month onwards, they will be unable to fulfill the requirements of the initially planned schedule. On the other hand, Wizz Air has been forced to ground over forty aircraft over issues with Pratt & Whitney engines on newer neo jets. This has led to the airline slashing flights across its European bases.
