New aircraft delayed

Jat’s newest arrivals delayed

As a result of a delayed 51.5 million Euro loan, Jat Airways’ lease of two new aircraft has been postponed. The arrival of 2 Boeing B737-700 jets was initially planned for October and November. Local media report that Jat’s management board will meet in early November to decide which aircraft type they will lease. The airline will either lease 2 Booing B737-700s or 2 Airbus A319s. However, most of Jat’s departments have already prepared for the arrival of the Boeing B737-700 aircraft.

In February, Jat requested a 51 million Euro loan. Just recently the Serbian Government approved the loan, giving its guarantees to banks that the loan will be paid off. The Serbian Parliament must now approve the loan before the means proceed to Jat. The airline plans to spend 2 million Euros for the lease of 2 aircraft which will, at most, be 5 years old. Jat says that the aircraft will arrive between January and March 2011, depending on when Parliament approves the loan. The approval will most likely come by the end of December 2010, when the fall sitting of parliament ends.

This winter, Jat will operate its entire fleet of 10 Boeing B737-300s and 4 ATR72 aircraft. During the first part of the 2009/2010 winter season Jat operated a fleet of only 8 aircraft.