Jat introducing new flights

Jat conscious of low cost threat

This summer Jat is preparing to significantly increase frequencies to many of its destinations on top of introducing new services. This summer, the Serbian carrier will serve Athens daily. The service was recently increased from 3 to 4 per week as it tries to fill the void left by Aegean Airlines’ suspension of the route. The extra frequencies are being primarily introduced for the Macedonian diaspora from Australia, which will be able to use Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways flights to Athens and transit via Belgrade to their home country. The additional frequencies are set to be added to reservations systems soon. Jat will also be reintroducing services to Ohrid. The seasonal flights will be operated 5 times per week, 4 of which will be nonstop and 1 of which will operate via Skopje. The airline will fly to Macedonia’s capital city 15 times per week this summer. Furthermore, Jat’s service to Dubai will be increased from 3 to 4 times per week and the airline also plans to fly 9 times per week to London Heathrow.

In a statement issued to the Serbian press this weekend the airline says, “We have now realised the threat we face from low cost airlines”. It continues on by saying that Jat is preparing various measures to fend off the competition. In only one week the airline sold 9.000 tickets on their special discount fare sale. In 2010, Jat handled some 1.100.000 passengers, although official statistics are yet to be released. Jat says that low cost airlines have taken some 400.000 passengers from the airline.

Next week, the CEO’s of Jat and Croatia Airlines will meet and decide which routes the two airline should open between the two countries.