Air Serbia is preparing to incorporate Embraer aircraft into its fleet as of next Monday, with Frankfurt tentatively scheduled as its first destination. Later in the day, the 108-seat E190 aircraft is expected to operate flights from Belgrade to Bucharest and Nuremberg. Although exact details of the incoming jet have not been revealed, EX-YU Aviation News learns it will initially likely be part of some form of wet-lease arrangement, meaning a foreign carrier would provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. However, unlike previous such arrangements, Air Serbia is also selling business class seats on the Embraer-operated flights (first row).
Air Serbia’s Embraer deployment from Belgrade
Based on current scheduling, Air Serbia is expected to add another E190 to the fleet from mid-June, as well as two dry-leased 118-seat Embraer E195 aircraft from July 1, although this is subject to change. The E195s are set to make their debut on the morning services to Frankfurt and Milan respectively. In line with those plans, the carrier has begun advertising job vacancies for type-rated Embraer E190 and E195 captains and first officers. The arrival of the aircraft would mark the first time the airline has operated Embraer jets, with the carrier previously wet-leasing the type.
Air Serbia itself has not commented on the introduction of Embraers into its fleet. Its CEO, Jiri Marek, recently said the carrier would soon introduce a new aircraft type into its fleet, noting that further details would be made public shortly. In its previous wet-lease agreement with Marathon Airlines, all the Embraer jets were wet-leased. Since Air Serbia severed ties with the Greek carrier in February, two Embraer aircraft that were operated by the airline remain in Belgrade, including the damaged jet involved in the accident, registered OY-GDC, which is expected to be written off following the completion of an ongoing investigation, and another E195 frame registered OY-GDA.
