Big drop

Not busy at Jat reservation offices

With the absence of a major international event, like Eurovision in May 2008, Jat failed to replicate its record May passenger figures from last year and instead reported a passenger decline of 30%, one of the worst for any national European carrier. The airline has published its May results as June draws to a close. Jat transported a total of 81.577 passengers, 189 tonnes of cargo (down 26%) and 49 tonnes of mail (up 6%) in May 2009. In May this year the average cabin load factor (CLF) amounted to 55% compared to 68% in May 2008. Despite the drop in the CLF, Jat still records the highest figures in this field out of all the other ex-Yu airlines.

Jat seems to have largely given up on one of its most important markets – Montenegro. It has decreased flight to the country by 52% which has resulted in a 61% drop in passengers in May 2009 when compared to May 2008. Jat has handed over most of its passengers to rival Montenegro Airlines which now often performs flights with its new Embreaer to Belgrade from Podgorica and Tivat. Due to the charter wars between Turkey and Serbia during May 2009, the number of charter flight operations was decreased by 47%. This has been normalised as of June this year. This summer there are a few standout destination performers which are reporting outstanding results for Jat. They are Dusseldorf in Germany and Larnaca in Cyprus.

Jat will hope that this 30% passenger drop is the lowest point of its passenger transportation this year. This June it expects that it will see passenger growth thanks to the 2009 Summer Universiade Games which will continue through July.