The secret

New aircraft expected by March 2010

Serbian media have reported that Jat Airways has accelerated its fleet renewal plans, whose details are being secretly discussed. As it turns out, Boeing also attended a recent meeting between Jat and Citibank. A delegation from the American aircraft manufacturer will visit Belgrade in just over a week. It is said that Jat is planning to purchase 2 to 4 Boeing aircraft through financial leasing. Citibank would provide the loan and become the owner of the 4 aircraft until Jat pays off the loan, when the aircraft will formally become Jat’s property. The airline plans to add the new aircraft into the fleet by March 2010. It is still not clear whether the Boeing aircraft would be completely new or between 2 and 5 years old.

Meanwhile, Jat is negotiating to change its infamous Airbus order. It wants to receive new ATR aircraft for the 22 million dollars it has already given to Airbus. For the first time, it seems, Airbus is willing to negotiate. The agreement Airbus made with Jat in 1998 is unique since it does not give Jat the right to cancel the deal.

This winter season Jat will operate with a total of 11 aircraft, despite the airline having 16 aircraft in its fleet. For all Jat’s winter 2009/10 modifications visit the blog tomorrow.