Air Serbia
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2013) |
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Jat Airways. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2013. |
| File:Air Serbia - LOGO.jpg | |||||||
| |||||||
| Hubs | Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent-flyer program | TBA | ||||||
| Alliance | None | ||||||
| Fleet size | 0 (15 ordered) | ||||||
| Destinations | 0 (current) and 45 (to be introduced with the start of the winter 2013/2014 timetable) when Jat Airways renamed to Air Serbia | ||||||
| Headquarters | Belgrade, Serbia | ||||||
| Key people | Dane Kondić (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
Air Serbia will be Serbia's new airline once it commences flight operations after receiving appropriate regulatory approval. It will replace Jat Airways, whose operations will be transferred to the company after a transitional period, starting from October 2013. Air Serbia will be based at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.
History
On 1 August 2013, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Etihad Airways entered into an agreement which will see the operations of Jat Airways reorganized and rebranded into Air Serbia after a transitional period ends.[1] Certain assets, such as the ATR 72s aircraft will be transitioned to Air Serbia whereas other assets (such as the Boeing 737-300s) will be retired.[2] It will eventually be owned 51% by the Serbian Government and 49% by Etihad, after the latter converts loans made to Air Serbia, into equity.[3]
Under the agreement, Air Serbia will be formally managed by Etihad for an initial period of five years.[3]
Destinations
Air Serbia will takeover Jat Airways' current network[4] and relaunch flights to some former Jat Airways' destinations, namely, Abu Dhabi, Banja Luka, Beirut, Bucharest, Budapest, Cairo, Kiev, Ljubljana, Prague, Sofia and Warsaw. Air Serbia will also start operating a new route to Varna.
Logo and branding
Air Serbia's logo is a stylized double-headed eagle inspired by the Serbian coat-of-arms.
The airline's branding was based on work undertaken by Tamara Maksimovic, a 25 year old graphic designer from Novi Sad.[5]
Fleet
The carrier will lease two Airbus A319 from Etihad during its initial launch and another eight later in the year.[6] whereas Jat Airways' Boeing 737-300s will be retired and ATR 72s transitioned to Air Serbia. The A319s will eventually be replaced with either Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A320neo in a few years time.[7]
Air Serbia's future fleet will consist of the following aircraft:[7]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Options | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Y | Total | |||||
| Airbus A319-132 | — | 10 | — | TBA | TBA | TBA | First two to be delivered in Q3, 2013 |
| ATR 72-202 | — | 3 | — | TBA | TBA | TBA | Currently operated by Jat Airways |
| ATR 72-500 | — | 2 | — | TBA | TBA | TBA | Currently operated by Jat Airways |
See also
References
- ^ http://www.etihad.com/en-au/about-us/news/archive/2013/etihad-airways-and-government-of-serbia-unveil-strategic-partnership-to-secure-future-of-serbian-national-airline/. Etihad Airways. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ http://new.livestream.com/etihad/AirSerbiaStaffBriefing. Air Serbia staff briefing. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Etihad Airways and Government of Serbia unveil strategic partnership to secure future of Serbian National Airline". Etihad Airways. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ http://www.etihad.com/en-au/about-us/news/archive/2013/etihad-airways-and-government-of-serbia-unveil-strategic-partnership-to-secure-future-of-serbian-national-airline/. Etihad Airways website. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ http://www.etihad.com/en-au/about-us/news/archive/2013/new-name-and-new-look-revealed-for-serbias-national-airline-as-etihad-airways-acquires-equity-stake-and-management-contract/. Etihad Airways media release dated 1 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Jat Airways to be renamed to Air Serbia in August". B92. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Staff Briefing Air Serbia Aug 2013". Livestream. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.