I used to write about how Serbia vaccinates foreigners for free, which has caused a huge influx of people from neighboring countries. Well, here’s an interesting point of view for the airline …
Albawings charter flights to Belgrade
Albawings is an Albanian low-cost airline that operates a fleet of three Boeing 737-400s that are on average 30 years old. The airline usually operates flights from its hub in Tirana to destinations in Italy, but yesterday the airline was flying to another destination – Serbia.
Albawings Boeing 737-400
On Saturday March 27, 2021, Albawings operated two flights from Tirana, Albania to Belgrade, Serbia, covering a distance of 237 miles in each direction. Both flights were operated in the morning from Tirana to Belgrade and in the evening from Belgrade to Tirana:
- The aircraft with the registration code ZA-ALB was operational in 45 minutes on the outbound flight and in 37 minutes on the return flight
- The aircraft with the registration code ZA-ALC was deployed in 39 minutes on the outbound flight and in 36 minutes on the return flight
Albawings’ route from Tirana to Belgrade
The third aircraft from Albawings with the registration code ZA-AWB has not flown since March 16.
The motive for these flights seems pretty clear – this was obviously intended to get people vaccinated. This results from the flight times and two flights that are sent to Belgrade in one day. This is a destination that the airline does not normally fly to.
I’m not sure how far in advance these flights were planned and how exactly they were marketed. Were tickets sold hours in advance, was this planned further in advance or what?
All Albawings employees are now vaccinated
Here’s the most interesting angle on that story: Not only did this flight carry some vaccinated passengers, but Albawings sent all of the staff on those flights as well. Last night the airline went to Facebook to explain that 100% of Albawings employees are now vaccinated.
Albawings vaccinated 100% of the staff
While we’ve seen a few other airlines – like EL AL and Etihad – reach impressive vaccination milestones, I think Albawings deserves credit for the most creative way to get employees fully vaccinated.
Another interesting twist is that US pilots cannot fly for 48 hours after receiving their vaccine. In this case, it seems to me that pilots will be flying shortly after vaccination as all Albawings staff have received the vaccine. I suppose it’s possible that some pilots have been vaccinated before, but neither would I.
Bottom line
Yesterday Albawings made two flights from Albania to Serbia when Serbia offered to vaccinate foreigners free of charge. Not only did the airline carry passengers, but 100% of Albawings employees were also vaccinated.
Well played, Albawings …
(Tip of the hat to Nikola)
