Zagreb - Belgrade soon?

Belgrade calling

A long running air dispute between Croatia and Serbia will most likely come to an end in a month when a new bilateral air agreement is expected to be signed between the two countries, Božidar Kalmeta, the Croatian minister for sea, transport and infrastructure announced yesterday. After the new agreement is signed Jat Airways will be able to fly from Belgrade to Pula on a year round basis, rather than the current summer service only. The Serbian national carrier will also be granted rights to begin services from Belgrade to Dubrovnik while in return Croatia Airlines will be able to begin flights from Zagreb to Belgrade. According to Kalmeta, Croatia Airlines could begin flights to Belgrade during the 2010 summer season.

The two countries can not agree about who should be controlling the skies above Osijek, near the Croatian and Serbian boarder. Also, Jat has expressed the wish to link two Croatian cities from Belgrade on the same flight. Until now, the Croatian Civil Aviation Directorate was not keen on granting Jat such rights but after both countries ratified the ECA agreement, this can now become a reality.

Talks will begin soon and a new bilateral air agreement will be signed at the earliest next month or at the latest at the beginning of 2010. Jat has done exceptionally well on its services to Pula, which it resumed after many years in 2007 but has not shown any interest in commencing services to Zagreb saying that the route is unprofitable.

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