In his first media interview, the acting CEO of Jat Airways, Vladimir Ognjenović, has said that 2011 will be a do or die year for the Serbian carrier. Ognjenović said that Jat enters 2011 with a 51.5 million Euro financial injection. “I believe that during 2011 Jat’s privatisation process will be finalised, we will find a strategic partner and secure a long term path for the Serbian national carrier which will become a profitable and safe airline”. The airline’s acting CEO also stated that all of the airline’s employees have their jobs secure for the long run. “I honestly hope that next time this year we will be talking about our business plans”.Ognjenović noted that with the loan Jat has received, the airline will have its entire fleet “ready” by the 2011 summer season which begins on March 26. “This year has been difficult for Jat as we faced competition like never before. Nevertheless, we managed to carry approximately the same number of passengers as last year. Next year, Jat should see a 5% passenger increase”, Ognjenović concludes.According to sources close to the airline, Jat is likely to lease 2 Boeing B737-700s for the summer season instead of planned Airbus A319s which were meant to arrive in January. This is because the lease of an Airbus aircraft would cause unnecessary expenses such as the purchase of spare parts, pilot training and technician training.
Last week, Jat’s new Finance Director was named. He is an employee of the National Bank of Serbia. Jat’s new Marketing Director was also named, this time coming from the United Serbia party, which is a member of the country’s ruling coalition. She is a former employee of the “Palma plus” channel, a local network in the town of Jagodina, run by the town’s mayor who is also the leader of the United Serbia party.
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