Charges against former Jat CEO

Time to face the music - Srdjan Radovanović

A judicial process against the former CEO of Jat Airways, Srdjan Radovanvić, currently serving as an advisor to the national carrier despite the fact that the government found him incompetent of leading the airline, has begun after Serbia’s State Audit Institution filed complaints against him and several other managers for corruption. It is believed that during Radovanović’s leadership in 2010 several unlawful acquisitions were made without a necessary tender. Furthermore, the auditing institution accuses the former Jat Airways management of not adhering to the provisions of several laws and decrees that relate to the manner in which salaries are calculated and paid out in Serbia's public enterprises.

Srdjan Radovanović served as CEO from July 2009 to December 2010 and was the mastermind behind ideas such as a free taxi service for Jat passengers from the airport in Belgrade to their home, free health insurance and came upon the idea that Jat tickets should be sold in post offices. Furthermore, Radovanović employed for his Financial Director an individual without a university degree. Radovanović, a lawyer by profession, never previously worked in the airline industry. He is the member of the governing Democratic Party and is believed to have been nominated to the position of CEO by Dušan Petrović, the Minister for Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management, although Petrović at the time wasn’t part of the Prime Minister’s cabinet. Radovanović previously worked as the CEO of “Palanački kiseljak” - a mineral water company. Although he has never since appeared at Jat he holds the position of advisor with a healthy monthly salary.

It is unclear whether any charges have been made against Jat’s acting CEO Vladimir Ognjenović who was the deputy CEO during Radovanović’s time in office and vehemently supported Radovanović before the opportunity arose for him to replace the embattled CEO. However, Ognjenović’s reign is also believed to be coming to an end. This week, several members of the airline’s management lost their jobs as a result of a recent scandal involving a Jat pilot flying without a proper license. Svetislav Vranić, the Head of Training and the Head of Flight Operations Vladimir Banjac have been sacked. A judicial process has been launched against both.