Strong start for Jat

Passenger numbers up in 2012

Jat Airways has had a solid start to the year, by handling 74.908 passengers in January, an increase of 8% compared to the same month last year. This is despite a drop in the number of operated flights by 7%. The average cabin load factor stood at 66% a big 10 point increase on last year.

Despite persistent media speculation regarding Jat’s future and increased competition, results show passengers are returning to the Serbian carrier. In January, on flights heading to and from Podgorica and Tivat, Jat recorded a 23% passenger increase. On Euro Mediterranean services numbers were up 5% while charter flights saw a 410% passenger increase, although it should be noted that the number of operated charters increased by 100%. Last year they were mostly inexistent during the winter months.

Jat ended 2011 as the second busiest airline in the former Yugoslavia by welcoming 1.219.703 passengers. Its revenues were also significantly up although its actual profits and losses will be known once the official financial results are published. A total of nine promotional ticket sales last year could hit the airline’s finances despite them leading to passenger growth.