Air Serbia: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Belgrade Airport 1960s.jpg|thumb|right|JAT [[Sud Aviation Caravelle]] at Belgrade International in the 1960s]] |
[[File:Belgrade Airport 1960s.jpg|thumb|right|JAT [[Sud Aviation Caravelle]] at Belgrade International in the 1960s]] |
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[[File:JAT McDonnell Douglas DC-9 at Zurich Airport in May 1985.jpg|thumb|right|JAT [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32]] at Zürich Airport in May 1985]] |
[[File:JAT McDonnell Douglas DC-9 at Zurich Airport in May 1985.jpg|thumb|right|JAT [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32]] at Zürich Airport in May 1985]] |
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[[File:JAT Boeing 737-300 JetPix.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 737-300]] at [[Stuttgart Airport]], 1988]] |
[[File:JAT Boeing 737-300 JetPix.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 737-300]] at [[Stuttgart Airport]], 1988]] |
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Air Serbia traces its heritage back to 1927 when [[Aeroput]], the first civil airline in Yugoslavia was founded. Their first international flight was in 1929 between [[Belgrade]] and [[Graz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jat.com/active/sr-latin/home/main_menu/about_us/history.html|author=Jat Airways|title=Istorijat|language=Serbian}}</ref> In 1937, the expansion of international routes and an increase in passenger numbers enabled Aeroput to acquire the [[Lockheed Model 10 Electra]]. Aeroput continued to operate until the start of [[World War II]]. Jat Yugoslav Airlines was launched on 1 April 1947, and formally replaced Aeroput in 1948. The name was changed to JAT - ''Jugoslovenski Aerotransport'' (Yugoslavian Air Transport), then to Jat Airways on 8 August 2003 and finally to Air Serbia on 30 October 2013.<ref name="jat">{{cite web|url=http://www.jat.com/active/sr-latin/home/main_menu/about_us/history.html|author=Jat Airways|title=Aeroput Istorijat|language=Serbian}}</ref> |
Air Serbia traces its heritage back to 1927 when [[Aeroput]], the first civil airline in Yugoslavia was founded. Their first international flight was in 1929 between [[Belgrade]] and [[Graz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jat.com/active/sr-latin/home/main_menu/about_us/history.html|author=Jat Airways|title=Istorijat|language=Serbian}}</ref> In 1937, the expansion of international routes and an increase in passenger numbers enabled Aeroput to acquire the [[Lockheed Model 10 Electra]]. Aeroput continued to operate until the start of [[World War II]]. Jat Yugoslav Airlines was launched on 1 April 1947, and formally replaced Aeroput in 1948. The name was changed to JAT - ''Jugoslovenski Aerotransport'' (Yugoslavian Air Transport), then to Jat Airways on 8 August 2003 and finally to Air Serbia on 30 October 2013.<ref name="jat">{{cite web|url=http://www.jat.com/active/sr-latin/home/main_menu/about_us/history.html|author=Jat Airways|title=Aeroput Istorijat|language=Serbian}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 23:28, 30 October 2013
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Jat Airways. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2013. |
| File:Air Serbia.png | |||||||
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| Commenced operations | 26 October 2013 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Etihad Guest[1] | ||||||
| Alliance | None | ||||||
| Fleet size | 19 (+8 on order) | ||||||
| Destinations | 35 (+7 announced) | ||||||
| Parent company | Government of Serbia (51%) Etihad (49%) | ||||||
| Headquarters | Belgrade, Serbia | ||||||
| Key people | Dane Kondić (CEO) | ||||||
| Employees | 970[2] | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
Air Serbia, stylised as AirSERBIA, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Serbia. It is the legal successor to Jat Airways, whose operations and assets were inherited from in October 2013. Air Serbia's main hub is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, located in Belgrade, Serbia. Air Serbia commenced operations on 26 October 2013.[3][4]
History
Aeroput
Air Serbia traces its heritage back to 1927 when Aeroput, the first civil airline in Yugoslavia was founded. Their first international flight was in 1929 between Belgrade and Graz.[5] In 1937, the expansion of international routes and an increase in passenger numbers enabled Aeroput to acquire the Lockheed Model 10 Electra. Aeroput continued to operate until the start of World War II. Jat Yugoslav Airlines was launched on 1 April 1947, and formally replaced Aeroput in 1948. The name was changed to JAT - Jugoslovenski Aerotransport (Yugoslavian Air Transport), then to Jat Airways on 8 August 2003 and finally to Air Serbia on 30 October 2013.[6]
JAT
In 1946, it was apparent that the Yugoslav Air Force could not be involved in the nation's post-war build-up of civil aviation. Consequently, preparations were made for the formation of an air transport company. Three Douglas C-47 Skytrain and three Junkers Ju 52 were converted to carry passengers. The airline was officially renamed to JAT - Jugoslovenski aerotransport on 1 April 1947.
In 1949, Yugoslavia was faced with a dire international position: isolated both by the West and the East. This caused further rationing of fuel, difficulties in procuring spare parts and the cancellation of all flights to Eastern European destinations. JAT was forced to survive on six domestic lines. When Yugoslavia turned to the West, an agreement was made with Swissair to open the Belgrade-Zürich route, which was inaugurated on 24 August 1949. Company stagnation marked operations in 1949, because the traffic volume was well below fleet potentials and transport needs in the country. However, 1954 was in many ways a turning point. Convair CV-340 and Convair CV-440 Metropolitan aircraft were purchased for short-haul and medium-haul routes, after which the Douglas DC-3 was used only on domestic routes. Multiple international and domestic routes were opened soon after. In 1957, six Ilyushin Il-14M aircraft were purchased. JAT purchased several Douglas DC-6B for long-haul routes in 1959.[6]
In 1963, the first Sud Aviation Caravelle joined the JAT fleet. In 1969, the first McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 (of 16) arrived, followed in 1974 by the first two (of nine) Boeing 727-200s.[7]
Long-haul routes to North America, Australia and the Far East were flown by Boeing 707s, introduced in 1970. In 1978, a wide body McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (which was chosen over the Boeing 747-200) was purchased to succeed the Boeing 707s on longer-haul routes, although the 707s remained in service into the 1980s on ad hoc charters and as scheduled-flight replacement aircraft. The purchase of a DC-10-30 was followed several years later by the purchase of a medium-range aircraft.[7]
In 1985, JAT was the first European airline to purchase Boeing 737-300s. During those years, the company carried five million passengers annually and served 80 destinations on five continents (19 domestic, 45 medium haul and 16 long haul routes). JAT also constructed a large hangar to accommodate wide-body aircraft and a jet-engine test stand at their Belgrade hub.
In 1992, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia broke apart resulting in the Yugoslav Wars. JAT was forced to stop all domestic services. The United Nations imposed sanctions on 20 May 1992 against Yugoslavia. For the first time since World War II, international transport was forcibly terminated. This was preceded by the decisions of Germany and Italy to interrupt any traffic with Yugoslavia: on 21 December 1991 - Germany (the largest market for JAT in Europe, with seven flights daily and 40 million German marks gross annual profit), followed by Italy on 10 January 1992. The US introduced an embargo on air traffic with Yugoslavia on 2 May 1992: the last JAT flights to the United States were to Chicago and New York City. JAT management decided to re-route North American long-range flights to Canada. However, Canada quickly followed and banned all JAT flights entering the country, terminating all JAT operations across the North Atlantic.
During that time, JAT operated only domestic services between Belgrade, Podgorica, Tivat, Niš, Priština and - for a very short time - Užice-Ponikve Airport. In 1994, JAT resumed some of their international services. In 1998, JAT ordered 8 Airbus A319. This was seen as a political stunt by the president.[8] The original delivery date was June 2000 but this date has been postponed until a total of $23.5 million is paid off to Airbus while Jat is hoping to divert the deal to another airline. Soon after all flights were canceled as Europe introduced a new ban and FR Yugoslavia was bombed for 78 days.[7]
In April 2000, director general Žika Petrović was gunned down in front of his home in Belgrade.[7]
International sanctions were lifted in 2000, and JAT resumed regular flight services. To celebrate the move that coincided with the country restructuring from FR Yugoslavia to Serbia and Montenegro, JAT Yugoslav Airlines changed their name to Jat Airways on 8 August 2003. Jat sold its single DC-10-30 on 24 June 2005 to France based company TAT Industries. During 2005, the company also phased out all remaining Boeing 727s and DC-9s. The last airworthy DC-9-32 was leased to the United Arab Emirates company Eastern SkyJets.
Jat Airways introduced their online booking system in September 2006 and electronic tickets in April 2007. Jat Airways celebrated 80 years of service on 17 June 2007. In 2007 and 2008 the airline received an award as one of the five best brands from Serbia. They also received an award for their television advertisements celebrating 80 years of service.[9] On 3 July 2008 the Jat Airways reestablished air links with Croatia after a 17-year absence.[10]
In 2012, Jat celebrated their 85th birthday and began refurbishing their cabins in both business and economy class, at the same time introducing a new frequent flyer program.[11]
Birth of Air Serbia
The Government of Serbia (on behalf of Jat Airways) and Etihad Airways entered into a strategic partnership on 1 August 2013. The terms of the agreement concluded that Jat Airways would be renamed and rebranded as Air Serbia.[12] The new ownership structure will compose of 51% by the Serbian Government and 49% by Etihad, after the latter converts loans made to Air Serbia, into equity.[12] Under the agreement, Air Serbia will be formally managed by Etihad for an initial period of five years.[12]
Air Serbia's logo is a stylized double-headed eagle inspired by the Serbian coat-of-arms.[13] The airline's branding was based on work undertaken by Tamara Maksimović, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Novi Sad.[14]
Destinations
Main article Air Serbia Destinations
In addition to inheriting Jat Airways' network, Air Serbia launched operations on 26 October 2013 with an inaugural flight to new route Abu Dhabi[15] and the following day to Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen (due to slots unavailability and planned increase in frequencies, Air Serbia's operations to Istanbul moved from Ataturk Airport to Sabiha Gökçen Airport).[16] Also being added are Banja Luka, Bucharest, Prague from 1 December[15] and Ljubljana from 10 December,[15] with Beirut, Budapest, Cairo, Kiev, Sofia, Varna and Warsaw expected to start by March 2014.
Long-haul plans
On October 22, 2013, Deputy Prime Minster Aleksandar Vučić told Radio Television Serbia that Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan has confirmed plans for the Serbian carrier to operate flights to Chicago and Toronto in 2016 with Airbus A330-200[17] aircraft. Vučić added he is pushing for Air Serbia's first transatlantic flights to be launched late 2014, in particular to New York City.[18]
Fleet
Air Serbia will lease two Airbus A319s from Etihad during its initial launch in October, and another eight later in the year.[19] whereas two Airbus A320s will be added in March 2014. The current fleet of Jat Airways' Boeing 737-300s will be phased out gradually during winter schedule, operating in Jat Airways livery till then, while ATR 72s will be rebranded to Air Serbia.
The A319s will eventually be replaced with either Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX or Bombardier CS300, and the acquisition of new aircraft will be by public tender in 2016.[20]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Options | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Y | Total | |||||
| Airbus A319-100 | 2 | 6 | — | 8 | 120 | 128 | Six will be leased between October and December 2013 and two by March 2014.[21] |
| Airbus A320-200 | — | 2 | — | 8 | 150 | 158 | To be leased in March 2014[22] |
| ATR 72-200 | 3 | — | — | 0 | 66 | 66 | |
| ATR 72-500 | 2 | — | — | 0 | 70 | 70 | |
| Boeing 737-300 | 10 | — | — | 8 | 126 | 134 | A number of Jat Airways's Boeing 737-300 will be flying for Air Serbia during the 2013/14 winter season, and possibly charters during the summer, while others will be progressively phased out. Two units are in storage for spare parts. |
| Boeing 737-300 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 110 | 122 | Leased from Bulgaria Air[23] |
| Total | 19 | 8 | |||||
See also
References
- ^ http://www.airserbia.com/en/home/main_menu/our_loyalty_program/air_serbia_etihad_guest.html
- ^ Hadeel Sayegh (26 October 2013). "Etihad Airways' part-owned Air Serbia targets profitability". TheNational. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ "Air Serbia: A New Dawn for Serbia as Revitalised National Airline Takes to the Skies". Centre for Aviation. 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013.
- ^ "Air Serbia: New Route Network Gives Best Ever Choice for Serbian Travellers". Centre for Aviation. 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013.
- ^ Jat Airways. "Istorijat" (in Serbian).
- ^ a b Jat Airways. "Aeroput Istorijat" (in Serbian).
- ^ a b c d jatairways.com (old website - no longer available). "JAT: 80 Years".
- ^ "Jat begins fleet renewal". Exyuaviation.blogspot.com. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ "Jat Airways - View Single News". Jat.com. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ "Jat od 3. jula leti za Pulu" (in Serbian). B92. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ "Jat unveils new cabin interior". Exyuaviation.blogspot.com. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ Air Serbia first Airbus A319 appears from paint shop
- ^ "New name and new look revealed for Serbia's National Airline". Etihad Airways. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ a b c Jat Airways (Air Serbia) new destinations
- ^ [1]
- ^ Etihadov A330-200 prvi put na Aerodromu “Nikola Tesla”
- ^ [2] EX YU Aviation News: Air Serbia to go long haul by 2016 - October 22, 2013
- ^ "Jat Airways to be renamed to Air Serbia in August". B92. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "Air Serbia najavljuje nove avione, destinacije i letove". Aviokarta.net. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ [3]
- ^ Air Serbia to introduce A320s next summer
- ^ http://www.gdeinvestirati.com/ostale-teme-124/sektori/saobracaj/15073-jat-uzima-na-lizing-dva-aviona
Further reading
- "Air Serbia's upcoming expansion under Etihad to see creation of Eastern European hub". Centre for Aviation. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013.