newstodate.aero
Aug 23, 2012 (newstodate): The problems with keeping Serbia's national carrier JAT in the air remain unchanged - but political signals concerning the airline's future vary..
After two failed efforts in 2008 and 2011 to privatize the carrier by attracting foreign investors to take over JAT, the latest signals from the political environment were that the existing JAT would be scrapped, with the state keeping the debts pile while the assets would be transferred to a new carrier, tentatively also to be named JAT, and ready for co-investment with foreign partners.
Latest news, however, are that the new government will keep JAT as state property and secure new aircraft acquisitions and restructure the carrier to bolster its survival.
In the meantime, Serbia is moving towards joining the EU Open Skies which will open up for foreign airlines to compete head-on with JAT in its home market.
After two failed efforts in 2008 and 2011 to privatize the carrier by attracting foreign investors to take over JAT, the latest signals from the political environment were that the existing JAT would be scrapped, with the state keeping the debts pile while the assets would be transferred to a new carrier, tentatively also to be named JAT, and ready for co-investment with foreign partners.
Latest news, however, are that the new government will keep JAT as state property and secure new aircraft acquisitions and restructure the carrier to bolster its survival.
In the meantime, Serbia is moving towards joining the EU Open Skies which will open up for foreign airlines to compete head-on with JAT in its home market.