Jat hit by ash cloud

Figures take a tumble after cancelled flights

The ash cloud from Iceland that grounded flights for almost a week across Europe and beyond has had an affect on Jat’s passenger figures in April. The Serbian national carrier reported a 14% decrease compared to April 2009. Jat Media Centre reports that it was forced to turn away 12.000 passengers and cancel 137 flights which led to the bad results. With these passengers, Jat Media Centre says, the airline would have seen a 2% increase compared to last year. In April 2010, Jat handled 66.782 passengers. It transported 8.871 passengers to Montenegro (compared to 5.646 in April last year), 55.903 on Euro-Mediterranean services (compared to 67.323) and 2.008 passengers on charter flights (compared to 4.304). The cabin load factor stood at 63%, which is an increase of 6% compared to last year.

Jat recorded its biggest passenger growth on flights to Tivat (+ 82%) replacing Brussels after 3 consecutive months, which recorded growth of 78% in April. Performing worst was Trieste which saw passenger numbers tumble by 77%. Also underperforming was Istanbul.