April 25 (SeeNews) - Flag carrier Air Serbia has carried one million passengers since the start of 2024, achieving this milestone two weeks earlier than last year, it said on Thursday.
"Last year was very successful for us, and the results achieved so far show that 2024 has started well. One million carried passengers in less than four months is an exceptional result that we can be proud of," Air Serbia CEO Jiri Marek said in a LinkedIn post.
Air Serbia carried 4.19 million passengers in 2023, up 53% compared to the previous year.
The air carrier doubled its net profit to 40.5 million euro ($43.4 million) last year, following the launch of more than 20 new destinations.
It is currently working on the procurement of two Embraer aircraft. Last week, Air Serbia received its eighth ATR 72-600 aircraft and is expecting to take delivery of its ninth ATR aircraft this week or early next week.
In 2013, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways signed a deal to acquire a 49% stake in loss-making JAT Airways, a company wholly owned by the Serbian government. Under the strategic partnership agreement, Etihad was granted a five-year contract to run the airline, which it rebranded to Air Serbia in October that year. In November 2023, Serbia regained 100% ownership of its flag carrier.
($ = 0.9323 euro)