The tale of two Mats

Mat Airways considers name change
Mat Airways is currently seeking a license from the Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency as it plans to commence flights from Ohrid to Belgrade this summer. However, recent reports from the Macedonian media are linking Mat Airways with the controversial management of MAT Macedonian Airlines (grounded over a year ago). The Serbian tour operator Kon Tiki, which is the owner of Mat Airways, is now considering changing the airline’s name, the “Makfax” news agency reports. Kon Tiki has recently denied that Mat Airways has any links with the previous management of MAT Macedonian Airlines. “Please note that the old company has nothing to do with the new one and that Zlatko Petrovski (former MAT CEO) has no stake or ownership and he is not in the management structure of the newly found company”, a statement from Mat Airways, to the Macedonian media, reads. “Serbian companies are the sole owners of the new Mat”, the statement continues. The statement also said that the airline is considering changing its name so it wouldn’t be brought into connection with MAT Macedonian Airlines.

The Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency is currently performing checks on the airline’s Boeing B737-500 in Belgrade. It is believed that the Agency could soon decide whether the new Mat (or whatever its name may be) can fly. Recently, it too voiced concerns about the airline’s name.

Comments

  1. Anonymous10:09

    Sounds all very unprofessional to me. From both sides KonTiki and FYROM government. Not a good start.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:24

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:16

    MAKEDONIJA! MAKEDONIJA!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:16

    I really don't understand who (other than greeks of course) can name the Macedonian people FYROM (a name that doesn't exist, it is FYR Macedonia if you want to say it the GREEK way).

    Who are you, anonyMOUSE?

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous13:08

    I doubt this airline will ever get off the ground. Macedonian civil aviation is beyond a joke. Hard to believe what is happening in that agency.

    Thanks for your support ah, Bosna! Whoever does not refer to Macedonia by its constitutional name is a racist and absolute fascist. Grow up and act like adults.

    Enough of the insults and call us by our name!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JATBEGMEL13:49

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous13:53

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous14:59

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is why aviation and politics should not mix

    ReplyDelete
  12. frequentflyer16:02

    Unbelivable. Grow up, children.

    Not even three posts out of this above list actually relevant to the day's postings. It really goes to show that the real issues on this forum (hint hint: AVIATION) aren't priorities to some people. Let go, keep the politics and nostalga out of it... its 2010, the world is a different place.

    In relation to today's topic: how absurd can you really get? Changing the name of an airline which is yet to fly - a great look, and don't they realise it's not the same people involved. Or, is it?

    @ Anonymous #9

    That is possibly the funniest comment I have seen on these forums in months!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. As frequrntflyer has said most of the comments have nothing to do with the topic at hand so they have been deleted.

    ReplyDelete
  14. geronimo16:11

    Serbia is like Nokia,a small country but gold worth.Mat or air Kosova etc the important thing is that people -(get connected:).More aircrafts and companies the better for us living in the balkans no matter origin or belief-the air is for us all.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous17:19

    I remember flying IN some years ago on their JU code share flight between VIE and BEG (and later to SKP).

    Their B-737 (not this 735, a bigger one, perhaps a leased 733) was completely full, but I had a front seat with honest legroom. The flight was on time, food very good (I can still remember that they served fish fingers for the main course), crew very kind and they had an in-flight review as well with beautiful photos of Macedonia.

    That was the last flight I remember where smoking was allowed!

    So, I am really sorry they do not fly anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  16. One question not regarding the naming of Macedonia nor the new airline :)

    There are flights "N788MP" to Tivat and "AUSTRIJA" to Vienna from Belgrade today - does someone know what are these flights? I just don't get it :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. It is such a shame for all of you who abuse this platform!!
    You have got another platforms to discuss politics- here not!!
    And yet when I say something negative about JU or OU it does not mean that I am anti-Serb or anti-Croat!Get real!!!!
    And MACEDONIAN civil aviation authorities are doing their job.It must be proved that this airline has nothing to do with former MAT.You cant run an airline, then leave millions of debts and start again from zero!This functions only in Greece:-)
    However MAT sonds good so if they get the liscence should keep up the name!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It is such a shame for all of you who abuse this platform!!
    You have got another platforms to discuss politics- here not!!
    And yet when I say something negative about JU or OU it does not mean that I am anti-Serb or anti-Croat!Get real!!!!
    And MACEDONIAN civil aviation authorities are doing their job.It must be proved that this airline has nothing to do with former MAT.You cant run an airline, then leave millions of debts and start again from zero!This functions only in Greece:-)
    However MAT sonds good so if they get the liscence should keep up the name!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous19:29

    The same old 735 arrived in Skopje. Same people, same airline, same scam.

    ReplyDelete
  20. so let's say that Zlatko Petrovski have something whit new Mat Airways, and if they change the name... zlatko again will be in the company or NO. "Change name-change people" i dont think so. I think, if this airline fly's from Skopje or Ohrid, and if there is available name with Macedonia or Macedonian they should use it no matter what. and if it's posible they should Macedonian Arlines, why not :))

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous01:36

    The civil aviation agency is ridiculous. They have to become serious and professional and stop basing their actions on personal relations. However, I'm afraid that this will not change, unless the Macedonian media and public does not realise, that even though Macedonian Airlines was not popular (maybe with good reasons, I don't know), a new start with a new management under the new name CAN ONLY be better than the current situation with a very, very poor "Skywings" (which cannot seriously be considered a professional airline at all)

    Good luck with Macedonian aviation. There is lots to be done.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Latest news: The B735 with registration Z3-AAM, has landed in Skopje.
    MAT receives tomorrow the AOC but under the name of KonTiki Sky!!
    It wears the legendary macedonian flag livery on the tale, like the former MAT.
    Good luck to everybody working for the new airline!

    ReplyDelete
  23. To JU500,

    Re' N788MP.

    I looked up the rego and it came back as a Cessna citation type. My guess is that its a private jet conduction private charter work.

    Usually private jet movements are not found on the airport website.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous15:55

    I have never been fond of the name Mat Airways, and in particular Makfax, that sounds revolting. I don't know where all these names comes from. Rather than calling the new airline Macedonian Airlines, as the airline had a terrible leadership team, I think Macedonian Airways is more approriate especially how that nation south of Macedonia is purposly establishing another subsidary airline using Macedonia's name.

    Macedonia should promote it's identity and it's proper name should be on the airline's name especially how Athens keeps referring to the Macedonia with those silly names such as Fyrom and all the other delusional names.

    But not just that, especially with no national airline, the name Macedonian Airways sounds much more prestige then those dodgy names.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.