Air Serbia (JU, Belgrade Nikola Tesla) is planning to phase out its fleet of ATR72s over the next two to three years in favour of newer, leased machines. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, airline CEO Dane Kondić said ordering new aircraft would be too lengthy given the time required to order and eventually deliver them.
Though collectively Air Serbia's three ATR72-200s and two ATR72-500s average 21.7 years of age, Kondić insists they are still in fine operational order having passed inspections by technical teams from Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International).
The ch-aviation route database shows the ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops are currently used on flights throughout the former Yugolsav republics of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Montenegro, as well as to Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece.
