Jat reveals fleet plans

The old guard

Jat Airways’ CEO, Srdjan Radovanvić has revealed information regarding the airline’s short term fleet plans. Currently, 4 aircraft (all Boeing B737-300s) are leased to other airlines, in Africa, one is stored in Belgrade while the aircraft involved in a runway incident at Istanbul Ataturk Airport has been repaired and returned to the fleet. Radovanović says that all 4 aircraft that are currently leased will be returned to Jat by the start of the 2010 summer season, in late March. Radovanović states that Jat’s sole Boeing B737-400, which the airline is leasing, will be returned to its original owner in early 2010 as the lease will expire, nevertheless the airline plans to immediately lease another B737-400, as a substitute.

Radovanović confirmed that the lease of a Boeing B737-700 is on track and the aircraft is expected to enter the fleet in March 2010. The airline has tried to negotiate with Airbus and turn its 1998 order for 8 Airbus A319s into an ATR order. However, Airbus is not keen on the idea but will allow Jat to purchase 1 Airbus aircraft for the 23 million Euro deposit Jat has given for the entire order.

Radovanović also announced that Serbia’s national carrier is negotiating with the Macedonian government in order for it to receive all necessary licenses to commence flights from Skopje to other European cities by late March.