UPDATED
Done deal! Etihad takes over Jat

Historic day for Serbian aviation

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UPDATES

EX-YU Aviation News will have more details tomorrow at 09.00 CEST, including infomation regarding new routes, aircraft, branding, uniforms and much more.

16.10: You are invited to watch the staff briefing at 16.30 here.






15.40: Jat employees are being shown a slide show on how the new airline will function (click on image to enlarge).


15.30: Jat Airways employees are now being welcomed by the airline’s new management. There will be some tough times ahead for the over 1.200 employed at Jat Airways. Some 500 are set to leave the company, mostly in administration, while 100 new cabin crew members will be hired to accommodate the airline’s growing fleet and destination network. New CEO, Dane Kondić, says he is still “not sure" how many people will exactly leave the company.




New look Air Serbia



11.30: The takeover deal is signed. New Air Serbia livery includes the Serbian tricolour on the engines.


11.25: Danny Kondić now speaks, introducing himself and his long history in the aviation industry. “The aim is to transform Air Serbia into a stable, reliable and profitable carrier”, he says. In the next two years Air Serbia will be a stable company and will rationalise its business, Kondić adds. “Rebranding is taking place because of a new beginning. “New aircraft represent a new aim to improve quality. Air Serbia will be a commercial for Serbia itself. A completely new onboard product will be introduced. Air Serbia will cooperate with Etihad and its partner airlines”.


11.20: Etihad will take control of its stake in Air Serbia on January 1, 2014. There will be a total of twelve new routes this winter. Air Serbia will operate with two classes - business and economy.

AIR SERBIA

11.15: Mr. Hogan speaks of Jat’s long history as a national carrier and he notes Etihad also has a five year takeover deal with Air Seychelles (as is the case with Jat).

11.05: Mr. Vučić is addressing the press and thanking all involved in making the takeover deal possible. “I can say we are becoming a regional leader without it sounding pathetic”, he adds. Special thanks goes to the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi. “I hope Air Serbia will be a profitable company”.


11.00: The conference has begun. Speaking at the conference will be Etihad CEO James Hogan, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, Air Serbia CEO Danny “Dane” Kondić. Attending the conference is also the Australian Ambassador to Serbia Dr. Helena Studdert.

10.55: No signage of any “Air Serbia” branding yet. Jat Airways and Etihad logo images are featured at the Crystal Hall at the Hyatt Regency Hotel where the conference is taking place.

10.50: The conference will start soon


09.45: Following dinner with Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan last night in Belgrade, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić said, “This is outstanding news. We have signed many agreements but this is one of the most important ones. We will get an airline which will have the status of being the best”.

09.20: Etihad Airways will brief all Belgrade based Jat Airways (Air Serbia) employees at the Hyatt Regency Hotel from 14.30 CEST. The new management team will present their plans for the carrier to employees.

09.15: Air Serbia will be launching fourteen new routes. EX-YU Aviation News has exclusively revealed eleven of them. By clicking on the links you can view the preliminary scheduling for some of the new route launches: Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Banja Luka, Cairo, Varna, Sofia, Budapest, Warsaw, Kiev and Prague.

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Today, Etihad Airways will take over a 49% stake in Jat Airways and rebrand the carrier into Air Serbia. On behalf of Etihad Airways the takeover agreement will be signed by CEO James Hogan, on behalf of the Serbian government it will be signed by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and on Jat’s behalf the agreement will be signed by outgoing CEO Velibor Vukašinović. Etihad will also take over Jat Catering and Jat’s handling division SU-PORT. Air Serbia, which will be launched today is not a new start up, instead, it is the legal successor to Jat Airways and will continue to use Jat’s international agreements, airport slots and its callsign and IATA designator. The new CEO of Air Serbia will be Danny Kondić, who has previously worked for Qantas Airways, British Airways and served as Malaysia Airlines’ Commercial Director.

New aircraft
Air Serbia will take delivery of two Airbus A319s by the end of the month. The two aircraft will feature the new Air Serbia branding and will be utilised on the airline’s busiest routes. Etihad Airways crew will be employed on the A319s until Jat’s own crew completes training. According to Mr. Vukašinović, twenty crew members have already been selected to undergo training. Air Serbia will soon open employment opportunities for 100 new cabin crew members. By the end of the year a further eight A319s will join the Air Serbia fleet. The aging Boeing 737-300s will be retired at the start of the 2013/14 winter season (which begins October 27). However, the aircraft will not be sold nor cut up and will remain in the ownership of the Serbian government. Etihad will launch talks with Airbus immediately following the takeover in order to renegotiate the order for eight A319s made by JAT Yugoslav Airlines in 1998.

Dedicated terminal
Eithad Airways and Air Serbia will use a dedicated terminal at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport from late October. Air Serbia will use Terminal 1 at Belgrade Airport in which Etihad will invest significant means in order to upgrade its facilities. The dedicated terminal will mean low cost airlines, which have so far used the building due to lower taxes, will have to move out.

Investments
Etihad Airways and the Serbian government have drafted four agreements which outline the investments which will be made by both the minority and majority shareholders of Air Serbia. The Serbian government will invest 100 million dollars into Air Serbia, mostly through writing off Jat Airways’ debt over the next three years. On the other hand, Etihad will invest 40 million dollars into Air Serbia in the next two weeks. A further 20 million dollars will be invested into Jat Catering and SU-PORT by 2016.

New routes
Air Serbia will launch fourteen new destinations this winter season. The airline plans to utilise its aircraft around the clock with flights departing both throughout the day and night. The airline is set to create two rush hours for its flights at Belgrade Airport - one in the morning and one just after midnight. The airline will be boosting frequencies on key routes and there will be several time changes compared to the existing timetable.

Finally, the Jat brand name will officially end its six decade long run today.

Comments

  1. Anonymous08:38

    I will miss the brand - name, bye bye JAT, many happy memories as a kid, but, welcome Air Serbia. Make us proud!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20:47

      HERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE! https://www.facebook.com/SerbianNationalAirlines

      Delete
  2. Anonymous08:50

    I am so happy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Poor Wizzair:) lol

    I wonder what will be the 13th and 14th destination.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:13

      We only know 11 new destinations so 3 more are to be revealed ! :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:53

      Hahahhaha @ Poor Wizzair! My thoughts exactly. I wonder if they will bitch because they will have to pay more or will BEG find some alternative solution for them.

      I suppose that the two extra parking spots they were building will be for them.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:55

      Nis , maybe ?

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:10

    OT: For Prague is written schedule for Kiev.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:46

      beirut and cairo are inversed

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:21

    Although I live in the U.S. I will be staying up til 5 or 6 am to hear about all of this news before I go to sleep! :)

    Many questions will be answered at the interview. Best wishes to Air Serbia!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:30

      I live in Australia and news come between
      7 pm and 8 pm Sydney time. Long live SERBIA. Best wishes to all party involve
      in signatory. Vucic, Hogan, Vukasinovic,
      Kondic... People give the chance to Serbian komercial aviation to flourishing. Thru sky over Belgrade, Abu Dhabi,Sydney,Chicago,London,Moscow... Big day today.
      Day of AIR SERBIA.
      Greeting from ex QANTAS employee,
      Rod. Marinkovic AME (ret)
      Sydney

      Delete
    2. wow. you really need a life.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:33

    Ex- Yu...

    your latest update, does that mean that there won't be the conference at 11 am Serbian time or there still will be where we will be able to be informed?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, there will be a press conference at 11.00. The one at 14.30 is behind closed doors for Jat employees.

      Delete
    2. YOU'RE WELCOME FOR THE PHOTO :)

      Delete
    3. Anonymous23:20

      Lot of people following opening ceremony
      hire in Australia last night along with
      people of Serbia and round the world.
      Difference among Belgrade and Sydney
      is on the moment 8 hrs. I am sorry for any misleading. AIR SERBIA ready to take off very soon. Greeting!
      Rod. Sydney

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:44

    Guys i just don't get it daily flight to Varna? Please explain sorry for being rude.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:51

      You are not rude, you are asking a legitimate question. Varna flights are operated so as to attract connecting passengers onwards to Europe and the Middle East.

      Delete
    2. lol, people are apprehensive about asking legit questions because they don't wan't to be branded as a 'hater' by some in this Ex Yu aviation blog community.

      Personally I don't get most / a lot of this. The only way this makes sense to me is if you look at it this way.

      Deals have / are being done with the Abu Dhabi government in securing large amounts of good Serbian agricultural land for the UAE.

      During all this, someone from the Serbian government insisted that the takeover of Jat by the UAE has to be apart of the deal. (good idea)

      Etihad / Hogan were told by the Emirate to see what they could do with Jat.

      This is the result. I say this because based on the the financial trends of airlines around the world I have no idea how Etihad will see a return on there investment any time soon if ever.

      How this will turn out for Serbia, Air Serbia and Etihad we will know in a few years time.

      Cairo, and Beirut make no sense to me either especially when you consider that passengers already have options and the cost involved with operating aircraft for 5 hours round trip. I can see these routes being cut back or cancelled all together. The charters Jat offers to these destinations covers the demand for this I think.

      In saying that, any investment opportunity where foreign money is used instead of local money to get the same or better result for the region is good. I just really don't know if Etihad have any major plans for Air Serbia apart from operating the company with a profit, something they should have no problem doing since all the debt will be cleared and the initial investment will be out of Etihad's books not Air Serbia.

      Air Serbia, with or without Etihad will still face competition wherever they turn so I can't see Air Serbia's future success as clearly as some here do.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:50

      @Q400 August 1, 2013 at 11:26 AM


      Indeed Q400,

      Its a political deal, JAT debt of $236 million will be taken over by the Serbian taxpayers, and Ethiad will invest $60 million in to Air Serbia (no doubt to lease 10 Aribus A319 from Ethiad own fleet), which means actual investment in to Air Serbia will be hiring new staff, and re-branding and opening new routes.

      Belgrade Airport Terminal 1 will be refurbished for needs of Air Serbia, an investment that might be of interest, but no extra cappacity will be added to Belgrade Airport, although Belgrade airport current terminals although small can still handle good traffic, circa 9 million pax or more if needed (max capacity around 14 million pax).

      I really can't see how this deal in any way is beneficial to Serbia or Serb taxpayers who end up paying $236 million for this.

      Just before someone says of Croatia Airlines this, Croatia airlines that, yes indeed, Croatia airlines will pay all its obligations back to the state all $175 million of them and Croatia Airlines if it does ever go bankrupt won't cost the State anything due to the fact that assets of the firm are twice of what Airline owes to their creditors.




      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:54

      Yes, you are right, we are not getting anything out of this. Who wants a profitable and a professional airline anyway. It's cute how you Croats are still trying to convince us that what we had before is better.
      By employing people and by actually filling the budget rather than draining it, Air Serbia will pay for itself.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:56

      Because Jat would only continue to generate losses if it continuted in its past form. By making the Etihad deal, the company will be transformed into a company that's actually able to compete in the market and generate profit for the Republic of Serbia.

      Delete
  8. JU520 BEGLAX10:10

    Does the company created 1927 remains or will Air Serbia be a complete new start up?
    Since they wll be still using old call signs and traffic rights i assume air serbia is just the new brand like 1947 jat, but company still origining 1927??

    Any live TV coverage at 11h?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is just a brand change, not a new company (like Air Pacific recently became Fiji Airways)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:51

      The 1947 was a completely new company, unrelated to JAT. They use the year 1927 as year of start of civil aviation in former Yugoslavia, and for PR purposes.

      Delete
    3. Jat posted a link last time they held a press conference with Etihad on their Facebook page(live video coverage). So maybe they'll do it this time too.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:04

      @JU520 BEGLAXAugust 1, 2013 at 10:10 AM

      A good Question,

      It suppose to be only re-banding but from looks it what Ethiad wants is JAT's slots at all major airports, not sure if Jat had any slots at Heathrow or CDG, but if they did that would be only valuable assets JAT had, something Ethiad no doubt might be looking at right now.

      Clearly deal isn't as great as initially propagated by few on this blog, in fact deal will cost Serbia $236 million and in return Serbia might get few millions for Belgrade Airport refurbishment and new staff will he hired.

      No idea what is going to happen to 1100 JAT own's staff, I expect some will be kept, a few pilots and ground crew, I expect 400-450 staff will be kept rest will go, and Ethiad will hire 200 brand new staff, and that will be that.

      For all tens and purposes Air Serbia is a new airline that will take over JAT's own slots at major European Airports, and some of the staff.

      JAT is no more, it is a bankrupt airline and the fact that Serbian State will retain fleet of Boeing 737300s indicate that they might need to use these if Ethiad pulls out of Air Serbia in 3-4 years time, why keep them otherwise.


      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:08

      Because the B733s are archaic and it would be very hard to find them a new home? Plus, it's not like these planes are leased, their owner is the Serbian government.

      Also, last anonymous, don't spread rumours around. Air Serbia is the successor of both Jat, JAT and AeroPut. It will continue the tradition from 1927.

      Delete
    6. Aeroput is no more since 1943, when it was liquidated as an enterprise by the order of the German supreme command in Serbia. And I don't know why everyone insists on the tradition of JAT? Throughout its existence it was a symbol of a complete contempt towards punctuality, overblown staff, bad service and has a long and proud history of making losses.I really have nothing against starting from scratch! On the other hand Etihad and Emirates are brand-new companies, and look at them. Does Singapore Airlines brags about its tradition? No, but they are respected because of their professional approach, good service and a vast number of destinations served.

      Delete
  9. JU520 BEGLAX10:20

    Hvala Sefe :-)


    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous10:49

    I am actually confused. If they plan on exclusively using T1 does that mean only the Atrs will be moved there, I am referring to the gates at T1. There are only there or four there while A10 is out of function. Or when they say T1 they mean just the checkin area?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:52

      T1 is just check-in area. The gates are not linked to either T1 or T2. They are just closer to one check-in area than the other one.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:02

      Actually, you can access the gates from Terminal 1 by going up the stairs in the corner. However, once T2 was reconstructed this passage was closed off. Also, T1 gates if I am not mistakes are the ones past A6 where there is no individual security check.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10:53

    Good bye Jat :( So many happy memories. But hopefully lots more to come with Air Serbia, so Hello Air Serbia :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous10:56

    Will there be a live stream or something?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:57

    Are they going to unveil brand identity and livery today?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:00

      Yes they will in a few moments time, during the conference

      Delete
  14. JU520 BEGLAX11:04

    1100 RTS live

    ReplyDelete
  15. NEW LIVERY IS AWESOME

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:20

      Where did you see it? And do you maybe know if its on rts 1 or 2?

      Delete
    2. I took a photo for you. This is a tail.

      https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/q71/s720x720/47029_636136273063298_46322717_n.jpg

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:31

      Ok, hvala :)

      Delete
    4. And here is a whole plane https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1098392_636136849729907_1406074084_n.jpg

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:42

      Super, hvala puno. Evo sad sam se i ja priključio, livery i brend su dobro. Malo me poseča na stari air seychelles logo,ali je livery bolje od toka šta sam ja ocekivao.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:53

      I'm not that satisfied with the logo.. but in my eyes everything will be better than before.. I'm really happy and proud!

      Delete
  16. Anonymous11:23

    TWO HEADED EAGLE ON THE TAIL!!!!!!! YES YES YES :D

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous11:29

    New uniforme will come too, according to mr Kondić

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous11:31

    The deal is signed. HELL YEAH!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:34

    Holy mother of God, Hogan said that longterm, A319/A320 NEO and 737 MAX are an option.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous11:35

    Can we now finally expect some Herpa/Schabak or whatever DieCast models in AirSerbia colors?

    Hopefully they'll make at least A319 in new livery.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous11:38

    What new destinations apart from the ones already announced here on the blog will Air Serbia launch?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous11:39

    I am so excited I could pee in my pants. lol

    The new livery is amazing, I can't wait for it to arrive in BEG before the end of the month.

    Just six months ago we were talking about the very end of Jat but now.. now we will have a dominant player in the wider region.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous11:39

    intercontinental flights!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:43

      Hogan is killing it today.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:00

      I hope one day there will be direct flights to USA, like in the old days!

      Delete
  24. I know you guys are all excited but I'm a bit disappointed with the new livery.

    The tail is ok, apart from that, eh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://twitter.com/jaksa007/status/362865669387210752/photo/1

      Delete
    2. Actually I was just trying to be nice about the tail....

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:46

      Same here... Tail ok, engine so-so, but the typo is awful (both typeface and size)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:44

      true, I agree. The tail isn't too bad per se, even though it's a matter of taste - I prefer clean, minimalist lines and shapes instead of busy ornaments. But the lettering on the side is just diabolical - they should have taken the cue from say Air France, their chunky letters are both clearly visible and elegant at the same time. All in all, it's not TOO bad, but could have been a lot more imaginative. 3+ out of 5.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous11:48

    Congrats, Air Serbia. Rude awakening to follow in a year. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous11:54

    once upon a time (few months ago) i remember when the haters said things like "bahahahaha yeah right" ..... Now all i see is shit happening and croatia, adria disappearing ..... feels good knowing i can say air SERBIA is KING

    ReplyDelete
  27. JU520 BEGLAX11:56

    The tail is just awesome.... woowww

    ex yu any info on the inflight product. Seat pitches? Business Class EY style or European standard style? Completed list of destinations. Terminal 1 probably new and bigger construction?

    today is a marvelhous day for the whole region!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11:59

    Bahahahah I remember how everyone here was saying that they will use a regional name and its livery will be something neutral.

    What we have today is the Serbian coat of arms on the tail and a name which makes me proud of calling this my national carrier. Good job Etihad, you made me and all of Serbs proud today. Ca't wait to fly with you soon.

    I guess the two A319s will head to CDG, LHR and SVO?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous12:00

    YESSSS, according to mr kondić the airbus aircraft that will arrive in fall/winter will have the same interior as the etihad a320. PTV's on short haul/ middle haul flights.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous12:03

    great... I am happy for airserbia..good job

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous12:10

    From Twitter:

    Etihad Airways ‏@EtihadAirways 7s

    #Etihad Airways & #AirSerbia will work together to stabilise, standardise, strengthen and grow #AirSerbia.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous12:24

    Well done EX-YU AVIATION NEWS. Great coverage for us from Australia!

    ReplyDelete
  33. JU520 BEGLAX12:24

    Same interior as EY aircrafts woooah

    Prva liga!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:43

      cause they're are EY aircraft, only being leased out for a year or so.

      Delete
  34. JU520 BEGLAX12:39

    The tail is one of the best in the whole industry. Stylish!

    Thanks to ex YU for the great work in providing us with first hand informations and updates

    and having EY style Business Class seats will have an impact on many transit travellers. Frm ZRH to BEY in Business, JU will be a very interesting choice.

    ReplyDelete
  35. IFE system will be a huge bonus for Air Serbia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:06

      Not only IFE but PTVs!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:14

      @Q400

      Not really, on short route you really don't need IFE, I think Croatia airlines has something of IFE but its not really imperative for airlines to have on short to medium routes, most people use their own smart-phones and laptops anyways.

      What is more important its the brand, and alliances and code share agreements, offers and good and reliable connections with the rest of the world.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous01:06

      Is that Luftika speaking out of your mouth? ;-)

      Delete
  36. JU520 BEGLAX13:20

    Seat config EY 319
    C Class 2-2 seating pitch 124 cm
    Y Class 3-3 seating pitch 081 cm
    and this all with IFE and PTVs

    that ll be hell of a sweet new product over the skies of euromeditaranee

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous13:34

    Can somebody answer my questions?
    The new web page of airserbia? www.airserbia.com is allready taken!
    What will be the new IATA and ICAO code for Air Serbia? Will Jat tehnika stay with the same name?

    Best wishes from Basel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:42

      They'll probably buy-out the website. Code will remain the same - YU, as Air Serbia is the same company as Jat Airways, just thoroughly rebranded.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:00

      IATA and ICAO code is the same this is not new company it rebranded company!

      Delete
  38. I was very interested to see the new livery. I guess all I had in mind were those pictures we saw over last couple of months so I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the look. I personally like the tail/logo very much. Upon closer look I noticed that they incorporated two headed eagle. Air Serbia name is not something i'm crazy about. I was hoping they would be more innovative in incorporating word Serbia in the name but non the less one can notice the overall direction. Rest of the livery I'm not so crazy about either. I guess it's OK but nothing more.

    News about the IFE are fantastic, i believe no one in the region has something like that. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Also, if somebody understands the roots of this logo other than two headed eagle I'd appreciate you letting me know. It reminds me of something but I just don't know what.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:48

      Regarding the PTVs, the closest to us is Turkish Airlines but they are not really a European airline.
      I don't know if any other carrier in Europe has PTVs on their shorthaul aircraft.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:16

      the root is as i can tell from old Nemanjic two headed eagle http://www.mycity-military.com/imgs2/158409_189457687_1dvoglavi-orao-nemanjic487a.jpg

      but im not shure reminde me of the lines oround the head...

      Delete
    3. It could be, who knows. Regardless I like it and i'm glad that is actually seem to means something rather than something general that carries no association whatsoever

      Delete
    4. It would be interesting to hear from people who deign it what's behind of it all. I'm also wondering if people from Etihad took care of branding part or was it some marketing agency. Most likely Etihad...

      Delete
    5. That didn't take long:
      http://tangosix.rs/2013/01/08/prvi-pr-trijumf-er-srbije-dizajnerka-novog-izgleda-kompanije-pronadena-preko-googla/

      Delete
  39. Anonymous14:03

    Is the new livery for new aircraft only or will Boeings and ATRs be painted too?

    ReplyDelete
  40. JU520 BEGLAX14:38

    Boeing no. Atr 72 will see

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous14:43

    its funny, there was so much BEG related hatred here regarding Turkish Airlines , and now they have to deal with the Arabs lol



    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous14:48

    What a cheap looking livery, everything about it is bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:11

      Da umrem od tuge (muke), eto to mi dođe.... :P. Yet, it will be the most recognizable one. Especially comparing to the exYu ones (the only one which is remotely striking is BH airlines), other ones just look pale and dull...

      Delete
  43. Anonymous14:58

    The tail: looks superb. The engine: it is a copy of Wizz Air's tail. The rest: nothing...

    BTW: why you people are so happy that your national airline just lost its ability to act freely and will need to follow orders of arabs??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:13

      Cuz, no more government appointed people, who never saw a plane in their lives.

      Delete
    2. Acting freely was definitely not a good thing in JATs case. We are all betting that counter intuitive approach will bare better results.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:11

      Keep in mind that Serbia still owns a 51% majority of the airline. Also, keep in mind that although the Arabs 'own' Etihad, they have an Aussie running it for them...

      Delete
  44. Anonymous15:19

    Well the livery turned out better than I feared after those terrible proposals were leaked by the media a couple weeks ago. Still, I wish they went with Sky Serbia instead of Air Serbia, just sounds... smoother lol.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous15:26

    GOODNESS ME!

    Air Opanak...Look at that tail!

    JAYSUS!!!!

    (And...dont get me wrong! I am from Serbia!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:11

      Hahaha Air Malo Sutra si iz Srbije (to ko oni hrvati koji pisu ekavicom komentare a onda se zajebu pa napisu Tko umesto ko...)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:59

      Jaysus? hahaha

      Delete
    3. Anonymous00:48

      @Anon 10.11pm

      Jesam lepi iz Srbije. Ali verovatno one, ne tvoje, zatrovane samom sobom, samo-patnjom i nepravdom izazvanom nicim...

      Nego iz one gradjanske (znas li uopste sta je to?) koja je nestala pocetkom 90tih...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous08:56

      ЈАОЈ мајко мила, да ли то хоћеш да ми кажеш да је грађанско друштво постојало у СФРЈ!? хахаххаха... ма ћао.

      Delete
  46. The tail looks like the flag of Haiti but it's still better than those Jat's dots. Well, I guess it's early to say how this is going to work out. With the name Jat being retired, the new airline will have to work hard to be recognized among passengers and to get their loyalty. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anonymous15:43

    Great tail destined in best tradition of medieval Serbia and byzantine orthodox ornaments!!!Go AIR SERBIA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:13

      yes, how very modern and contemporary. not.

      Delete
  48. JU520 BEGLAX16:13

    United we stand up in all regions of the former YU and applaude u in BEG Serbia. We re proud of u and congratulations to this historic deal.
    Now make something out of it, use this chance. Now its all in yr hands. And chances like this are very seldom.

    i think JU will have the best inflight narrowbody product in Europe as it stands that EY and JU will have same inflt services on 319

    also guys with these deal 5 mio pax in BEG by end of 2014.

    Don t look at the past and politic criminals. You are Nole Djokovic style airline. But fm nothing comes nothing. Nole works every day hard to be in between the best

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous16:29

    Does anyone know why Politika and RTS are discussing ORD as an upcoming route?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Anonymous16:38

    Not so satisfied with logo and livery but I hope for the best for the old-new airline!
    One interesting article:
    http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/arapska-air-serbia-prijeti-croatiji-airlinesu-clanak-591955

    ReplyDelete
  51. JU520 BEGLAX16:38

    Could imagine like ek flues out of man and mxp to the states, ey might launch auh-beg-ord within the near future. If there is really over 250 pax per day fm beg to the us, it wld be worth trying it

    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous17:04

    Let me say that I am not so happy with the logo and the fonts of the new airline. First of all the logo is somewhat oldfashioned. When I say oldfashioned I mean like taken from Nemanjic era. I wished they could have taken somewhat more modern in combination with the serb identity. Secondly mixing the small and capital letters in the name is uncommon and I don't see the esthetical necessity for it and I personally don't like font used. Thirdly the country colours on the engines are superficial, since they are already on the tail. To be honest, Tamara Maksimovic rebranding design of Jat is much more contemporary and really good.
    6/10 points.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Anonymous17:22

    Bravo for JAT/Air Serbia!

    But I would just point out one thing, for me, logo is total failure!

    I'm not from Balkans but I work in aviation (branding and marketing manager) and your new logo has several faults.

    1. It's old fashioned (to much colors on tail, no colors on fuselage)
    2. It looks like "it wants to be" the flag of Croatia (which is a major fault for Serbian airline), Red then white and then blue?! Aren't your colors Blue - white - red??
    3. Eagle is ok, but it's to complicated. Logo needs to be as simple as possible, it's hard to draw your logo at first (i'm not talking bulls**t, for example Microsoft changed it's logo to more simple so even kids can draw it at first, it's very important for "brand picture" and cost cutting, more simple more cheaper)!
    4. Tail is "color" asymetric to rest of the aircraft, it looks like designer had fun with tail and then stopped. The only thing "that can pass" is the engine nacelles
    5. Letters shouldn't be in different font. It's not practical!

    Please, don't be offended by this, it's merely my expert opinion, no matter what I want the best for this rebranded airline!

    John M.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:38

      Just cause Croatia is in EU doesnt mean it is not in Balkans.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:16

      Blue - white - red is Yugoslav flag. Serbia is red - blue - white.

      Delete
  54. Just watched the staff briefing. No Q400 ATR's staying on. A319's are temporary until Etihad group decides on new aircraft for entire group. This could be mean Jat goes back to 737! (new ones of course)

    Now I know why Jat has become Air Serbia, Hogan cannot for his arrogant life say Jat properly even though he worked for the airline some years back. This part for some reason even pissed me off. Insult to the language I think.

    Professional looking management is a plus with some real vision which if anything I hope this attitude is exported to the other carriers in the region, especially my personal favourite OU.

    Now lets just see how this goes. By this time next year we will have a much clearer picture.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous18:00

    EX YU ADMIN YOU MESSED UP HERE https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/264460_526359354085663_1107858060_n.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  56. Anonymous18:01

    Whoever said that they said on the press conference about intercontinental flights, where? I could not find this anywhere..
    best of luck! looks promising :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quote from Hogan went something like this, 'and maybe in the future if Air Serbia continues to grow we can have long haul flights'

      So nothing said about intercontinental flights, it was just a hypothetical statement Hogan told the crowd just before the Etihad HR rep told them that half of them will be out of a job but don't worry about that today because you will get all the info about that in the next few days from the Serbian government who will also take care of your redundancies.

      Delete
    2. Nobody said anything about Chicago route... Hogan said that in the future(24 months) they will MAYBE consider wide-body fleet.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:27

      I just watched it, he said "there is nothing stopping Jat from in 2, 3, 4 years going long - haul once again" ... Samo napred Air Serbia!

      @Darko.. I never said anything about Chicago.

      Delete
    4. I meant that nobody said anything about Chicago route on the press conference.

      Delete
  57. Anonymous18:10

    Air Serbia livery embodies Serbian heritage while presenting an unmistakeable national identity: Serbian flag colours (red, blue, white), typical medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery ornaments, and Serbian coat of arms' two-headed eagle.
    AMAZING livery!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:14

      what is this fetishist fixation with "medieval"? it's the XXI century, in case nobody noticed.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20:31

      Just because we live in the XXI century it does not mean we have to give up on our national heritage. The most beautiful Serbian culture is from the medieval times. Just look at our monasteries from that time.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous21:02

      +1

      Delete
    4. Anonymous21:39

      who said anything about giving it up? it has its rightful place, which is in long gone history. we're talking here about a hi-tech contemporary discipline, which is today's aviation. i was expecting an ultra-modern, fresh, dazzling design, not an inept evocation of past glory. ask any foreigner and they'll tell you - it looks obsessively imperious, and yet cheap at the same time. no, it's a clear miss, sadly.

      Delete
  58. Anonymous18:29

    A319s with Etihad product will destroy pretty much everything in Europe and Balkan airlines stand no chance.

    And with brand new A320 NEOs/737 MAX, OU/YM etc. are going to be obliterated.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anonymous18:42

    +1 :)

    very exciting future ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  60. JU520 BEGLAX18:47

    Forget about livery. Inflight and ground product plus price is what counts. And with what JU will have it will be more than enough to compete with all the Europeans. Just BEG airport terminal 1 will need to be built to actual standards.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Anonymous19:09

    why do I keep reading about 4 weekly Belgrade - Abu Dhabi flights by Air Serbia..? why? maybe only for now until October when new airplanes arrive?

    or is it just a mix up?

    ReplyDelete
  62. So much better than the leaked livery from a few days ago.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Anonymous20:46

    The new livery is even worse than the dotted one...

    Air Serbia is a good name but a makeover of livery will be unavoidable!
    From far away you only see Serbia and something undefined...
    a snowflake or a flower?

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous20:48

    HERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE! https://www.facebook.com/SerbianNationalAirlines

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:30

      Bullshit.. Itş so obvious that itş not an official FB page

      Delete
  65. Anonymous20:48

    Now you just need to get quality staff in out side Station to keep up the Etihad standards , because the JAT standards not even near the from Etihad, starting by the international language English .Best of luck Air Serbia

    ReplyDelete
  66. Anonymous20:53

    New livery is disgusting ugly...

    ReplyDelete
  67. DLDTWSKP20:58

    Best of luck to the new JU. Pozdrav od DTW

    ReplyDelete
  68. Anonymous21:58

    Flightradar24 has all Jat aircraft named as Air Serbia. :)

    ReplyDelete
  69. Anonymous22:40

    New livery looks like that of Yemenia!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Anonymous23:26

    what about that double eagle on the aircraft?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous03:05

      The design of the double eagle is styled called "Arabesque".

      Delete
  71. Najeeb wahali00:58

    Wow looks like Belgrade is going to be a strong point in South East Europe. Very good, rumors in Dubai are stating EK is showing potential interest in launching SYD-BEG-DXB flights...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:01

      You didn't hear that from anyone credible

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:49

      Listen you ignorant one. Rumors are rumors.... creditable or not they're still rumors..

      Delete
  72. Anonymous09:27

    Nice tail, but the rest of the livery is boring. The paint on the engines looks like Wizzair...

    ReplyDelete
  73. Anonymous16:00

    That scissor-design on the tail looks miserable.
    One of the ugliest liveries in aviation history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:36

      Tail is just fantastic imho, font on fuselage can be re-styled in a minor way, but is not bad either. What a positive change after the dots livery. Best luck to AirSERBIA and regards from Stockholm!

      Delete
  74. Anonymous08:16

    OT: yesterday evening I saw YU-AOU B737 leased from Bulgaria Air in ZRH in Jat Airways livery. The flight departed with two hours delay.

    Best wishes from Basel

    ReplyDelete
  75. Wow nice information you have here.Thanks for sharing this interesting blog. Actually google made searching of information easy on any topic. Well keep it up and post more interesting blogs.

    ReplyDelete

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