newstodate.aero

Nov 14, 2023 (newstodate): Etihad has now divested fully of its investments in the Serb carrier Air Serbia.
   The Serb state has taken over the remaining 16.42 percent of the shares in Air Serbia, ending the Gulf carrier's adventure in the country's aviation industry - as well as its earlier aggressive strategy for investments in European and other carriers including Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Air Berlin, Darwin Airline, Jet Airways, Air Seychelles and Virgin Australia.
   Etihad started investments in Air Serbia on August 1, 2013, as Serbia's ailing carrier JAT was on the brink of bankruptcy.
   Backed by a new Etihad-dominated management, Air Serbia renovated its aircraft fleet and gradually regained its former strength to become today's leading airline in the Balkan region.
   However, Air Serbia is now again in the market for a new investor, eying Qatar Airways as a strong potential partner with a comprehensive code-share agreement with Air Serbia covering over 40 destinations.
   To further the business opportunities, the Serb president has been in Qatar to offer a bid for a strong participation in Air Serbia, including strategic investments.
   As a special feature of Air Serbia, the carrier is today the only European carrier, excepting Turkish Airlines, to offer unbroken flight services to Russia despite the Russian war on Ukraine.