Igor Salinger/BELGRADE
Yugoslav flag carrier JAT is poised to relaunch full operations following the formal lifting in mid-February of its ban from flying into European Union (EU) countries. JAT says the three months from 25 March will be the most crucial for it to regain its presence on European routes.
EU countries imposed the ban in September 1998 as the crisis in Kosovo escalated. It was effectively imposed by most European countries, apart from Russia.
During that time, excluding the period of the NATO air campaign, JAT managed to fly to a limited number of destinations, including two Yugoslav cities - Tivat and Podgorica - and to eight international destinations - Beijing, Beirut, Cairo, Larnaca, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Tripoli and Tunis.
General manager Zika Petrovic says that, with the sanctions lifted, JAT will operate 13,500 flights and serve 40 destinations this year. These will include two domestic points, 30 in Europe, one intercontinental and seven charter routes. Destinations such as Frankfurt, Rome and Zurich may even receive twice-daily services. JAT, which has leased out eight aircraft, will have a nine-strong fleet to expand its own operations.
The airline has deferred delivery of its first Airbus A319 to mid-2001 and will lease out up to three more aircraft. The lease deals will help fund the $35 million the airline needs to rebuild its network.
Meanwhile, foreign airlines are expanding services into Belgrade Airport now the EU suspension of flights to Belgrade, imposed in June, has been removed. The airport expects 60,000 international passengers a month by the summer. Yugoslav upper airspace, closed because of the NATO air campaign, re-opened in late January (up to FL390/39,000ft).
Although much of the air traffic control ground infrastructure was damaged during the campaign, Yugoslav Federal Air Traffic Control Authority director Gen Branko Bilbija says a substantial amount has been repaired.
Source: Flight International
