The tale of two Mats

Mat Airways considers name change

Mat Airways is currently seeking a license from the Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency as it plans to commence flights from Ohrid to Belgrade this summer. However, recent reports from the Macedonian media are linking Mat Airways with the controversial management of MAT Macedonian Airlines (grounded over a year ago). The Serbian tour operator Kon Tiki, which is the owner of Mat Airways, is now considering changing the airline’s name, the “Makfax” news agency reports. Kon Tiki has recently denied that Mat Airways has any links with the previous management of MAT Macedonian Airlines. “Please note that the old company has nothing to do with the new one and that Zlatko Petrovski (former MAT CEO) has no stake or ownership and he is not in the management structure of the newly found company”, a statement from Mat Airways, to the Macedonian media, reads. “Serbian companies are the sole owners of the new Mat”, the statement continues. The statement also said that the airline is considering changing its name so it wouldn’t be brought into connection with MAT Macedonian Airlines.

The Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency is currently performing checks on the airline’s Boeing B737-500 in Belgrade. It is believed that the Agency could soon decide whether the new Mat (or whatever its name may be) can fly. Recently, it too voiced concerns about the airline’s name.