Air Serbia Celebrates Record-breaking Third Quarter Results With Double-digit Passenger And Cargo Gr

Performance compared to Q3, 2014:

• Total operating revenues increase by 26 per cent from EUR 68m to EUR 86m
• Total passenger numbers grew by 11 per cent from 820,453 to 913,135
• 1 billion Available Seat Kilometres
• Aviolet charter operation carried nearly 100,000 passengers
• On-time performance increased 8 percentage points from 72 per cent to 80 per cent
• Cargo achieved a 30 per cent growth, having carried a total of 865 tonnes

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