Jat Airways
| File:Jat Airways LOGO.png | |||||||
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| Founded | 1927 as Aeroput | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport Niš Constantine the Great Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | A Trip More Miles and More (with Lufthansa on flights to Germany) | ||||||
| Fleet size | 16 | ||||||
| Destinations | 37 | ||||||
| Headquarters |  Belgrade, Serbia | ||||||
| Key people | Nebojša Starčević (Acting CEO), Nenad Petrović (Executive Director) | ||||||
| Website | http://www.jat.com | ||||||
Jat Airways is the national airline of Serbia and the former national carrier of Yugoslavia, based in Belgrade.
History
Special silver livery exclusive to 737 model
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The company was founded on 17 June 1927 as Aeroput (Аеропут). Its first international flight was in 1929 between Belgrade and Graz, Austria.[1] In 1937 the expansion of international routes and an increase in passenger numbers enabled Aeroput to acquire the Lockheed Model 10 Electra. Aeroput continued to operate until the Second World War. On 1 April 1947 the name was changed to Jugoslovenski aerotransport - JAT (Југословенски аеротранспорт), then to JAT Yugoslav Airlines and finally to Jat Airways in January 2003.
After World War II Jat resumed its network with Douglas DC-3 and Junkers Ju 52 aircraft. Later Douglas DC-6s were bought for long-haul routes, and Convair 340 and Convair 440 aircraft for short-haul routes. In 1963, the first Caravelle jet aircraft joined Jat. In 1969 the first Douglas DC-9 (of 16) arrived and in 1974 the first two (of 9) Boeing 727-200 aircraft arrived.
Long-haul routes to North America, Australia and the Far East were flown by Boeing 707s, introduced in 1970. In 1978 a widebody Douglas DC-10 (which was chosen over the Boeing 747-200) was purchased to succeed the Boeing 707s on the longer-haul routes, although the 707s stayed in service into the 1980s on ad hoc charters and as scheduled-flight replacement aircraft. Purchase of the DC-10-30 wide-body aircraft was followed several years later by the purchase of a medium-range aircraft.
In 1985 Jat was the first European airline to purchase Boeing 737-300s. During those years the company carried 5 million passengers annually and served 80 destinations on five continents (19 domestic, 45 medium haul and 16 long haul routes). Jat also constructed a large hangar to accommodate wide-body aircraft and a jet-engine test stand.
In 1992 the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia broke up and Jat ceased all international services due to United Nations sanctions. During that time Jat operated only domestic services, between Belgrade, Podgorica, Tivat, Niš, Priština and for a very short time Užice-Ponikve Airport. Finally, in 1994, Jat resumed its international services, with aircraft in a new livery. In 1998 Jat ordered 8 Airbus A319s. The original delivery date was June 2000 but this date has been postponed until a total of $16 million is paid off to Airbus. Jat Airways is negotiating with Airbus in order to change the deal.
In April 2000 director general Žika Petrović (Жика Петровић) was killed in a mafia-style execution, in front of his family home in Belgrade.
Yugoslav Airlines changed its name to Jat Airways on August 8, 2003. Jat sold its last DC-10 on June 24, 2005. During 2005 the company also phased out all 727 and DC-9 aircraft from its routes. The last airworthy DC-9 is leased to the UAE. The DC-9s are to be replaced with 2 leased CRJ-700 aircraft. The aircraft were scheduled to arrive at the end of 2006, but unfortunatelly they did not, because government representatives did not want to sign the documents. The company had plans to restart long-haul operations to North America (New York, Toronto, Montreal and Chicago) in June 2005 with two Boeing 767-200ER aircraft that it had planned to lease, but these plans have been postponed and changed. Jat then inteneded to re-start the flights to New York in May 2006 and Toronto in June 2006 with a leased Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, but were never given rights to fly to the destinations. Jat has since received the rights to fly to Canada.
Jat Airways is not a member of any alliances or partnerships but does codeshare on some routes with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, Aeroflot and B&H Airlines. Jat Airways also has agreements with Emirates on flights to and from Australia. Jat Airways has recently launched a campaign to join SkyTeam airline alliance, with Air France and Alitalia as a major sponsor of their campaign.
Jat Airways introduced its online booking system in September of 2006 and electronic tickets on April of 2007 therefore fulfilling the request of the IATA organisation.
Jat Airways will reach 80 years of service on June 17, 2007.
Liveries
Yugoslav Airlines
When the name Yugoslav Airlines first appeared on aircraft in 1950 the airline had a simple, mainly white livery. During these years there was a Yugoslav flag on the tail, and on the body the words Yugoslav Airlines. Shortly afterwards the airline changed its livery, when the word JAT appeared on the tail section with a red shaped egg on the tail in which JAT was written in white colours. The rest of the tail was blue, with Yugoslav Airlines written on the fuselage in red. There were variations of this livery during the 60s, 70s and 80s. The biggest change in this period was when the first Boeing 737-300 aircraft arrived with a silver body.
JAT Yugoslav Airlines
As the 1990s approached, Jat changed the look of the aircraft again. Even during the 90s Jat still had the communist livery even though communism fell in the late 1980s. All aircraft were repainted, with the tail section receiving a flame-like blue, white and red colour - the colours of the Yugoslav flag. For the first time the word JAT was written on the fuselage of the aircraft, in block blue letters along with Jugoslovenski Aero Transport, which were written in silver italics. Later, the livery was modified, with the Jugoslovenski Aero Transport tiles changed to small blue block Yugoslav Airlines tiles. The remaining DC-10 had Yugoslav Airlines tiles written in italics on the fuselage with silver colour. The logo also changed from the egg to the flame.
Jat Airways
In 2003, the airline changed its name to Jat Airways. A national competition was held to design the new logo and livery. The winning design had 3 dots on the tail: blue, red and blue. The fuselage of the aircraft had a large Jat Airways written on it, with Jat in red and Airways in blue. The new logo was the name Jat Airways written with 3 dots in blue, red and blue following it. Jat Airways painted only one aircraft in these colours, a Boeing 737-300 with the registration YU-ANJ.
Jat started painting its aircraft all white and in 2006, most aircraft were white with a small Jat Airways logo. In December 2006 the airline decided to return its dot livery. By May 2007 nine aircrafts have been painted. The livery is slightly different than the previous dot livery. It has the dots on the tail, but the small jat titles remain rather than the big Jat Airways logo across the fueselage. All aircraft will now receive this livery.
Destinations
During the summer season, March 25 - October 27, 2007, Jat Airways flies 212 flights a week to 38 international destinations.
See full article: Jat Airways destinations
See full article: Jat Airways former destinations
Privatization
Due to competition in the Serbian market the Serbian Government (the owner of the company) is considering privatization as an option for future development of the airline.[2]
On May 25, 2007, Velimir Ilić, Minister of infrastructure said that Russia's Aeroflot has so far made the most concrete offer for the purchase of a portion of Jat Airways. Aeroflot offered to keep all Jat Airways employees, settle any debts and purchase new aircrafts. The airline could be privatized by October 2007.[3]
Services
Jat Catering
Jat Catering provides catering services for Jat Airways. Jat Catering was once part of the “Jat Corporation” but it became independent in 2005. Even though it is independent it still has very strong ties with Jat and uses the Jat Airways logo. Jat Catering offices and kitchens are situated in the industrial area of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.
Jat Catering has provided catering services for the 2005 European Basketball Championships in Belgrade. It also offers catering for the following airlines when flying from Belgrade:
For commercial airlines the company also makes special meals for vegetarians, toddlers and vegans.
Onboard
Jat Airways aircraft have two classes. In the Boeing aircraft Jat has a business class section and an economy class section. On ATR-72 aircraft the airline also offers two classes, however the business class on the ATRs are located to the back of the aircraft. Every passenger gets a free copy of Jat’s in-flight magazine “Jat Airways Review”. All drinks and food and duty-free are available during flight.
- Jat Economy Class
Includes copy of Jat Airways Review Magazine, cloth seats with limited reclining capabilities, and stowable tray tables.
- Jat Business Class
Includes copy of Jat Airways Review Magazine, large, black leather reclining seats with limited possibilities, and stowable tray tables.
Frequent Flyer
"A Trip More" is the name of the Jat Airways Frequent Flyer Programme. If passengers fly with Jat on ten international or domestic flights in a twelve-month period passengers will gain a free round-trip flight with the ability to make a reservation.
Jat Airways passengers who are participating in the Lufthansa programme "Miles & More" can earn miles flying Jat Airways.
Charters
Jat Airways organizes individual and group charter flights on all types of Jat Airways aircraft, both domestic and international. The users of this service include tourist agencies, sports teams and fans, artistic groups and ensembles, as well as participants of congresses and fairs. Most charters take place during the summer to the Greek and Turkish holiday resorts.
Freight
Jat Airways offers cargo services an all destinations in its network with special cargo only flights to Podgorica and Tivat in Montenegro (due to high demand). However Jat also operates these two cities as passenger flights.
Jat Technics
Although a seperate company from Jat Airways, Jat Technics is an important services and maintanance company for Jat's fleet and other airplanes used by regional carriers, like CSA Czech Airlines and Transaero.
Fleet
Current Fleet
| Type | Total | Seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 72-202 | 4 | 62 | Names of Aircraft: YU-ALN, YU-ALO, YU-ALP, YU-ALR Used for short-haul service |
| Boeing 737-300 | 10 | 126 | Names of Aircraft: YU-AND, YU-ANF, YU-ANH, YU-ANI, YU-ANJ, YU-ANK, YU-ANL, YU-ANV, YU-ANW, YU-AON Used for most of Jat's services |
| Boeing 737-400 | 2 | 156 | Names of Aircraft: YU-AOS (leased from US Airways) Used for popular Western European services* |
* YU-AOS is scheduled to leave Jat Airways after the 2007 summer season.
Retired Fleet
| Type | Total | Period of service | Names of aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junkers Ju-52 | 3 | 1950s | YU-SAA, YU-SAB, YU-SAC |
| Douglas C-47 | 19 | 1950s | YU-ABA, YU-ABB, YU-ABC, YU-ABD, YU-ABE, YU-ABF, YU-ABG, YU-ABH, YU-ABI, YU-ABJ, YU-ABK, YU-ABL, YU-ABU, YU-ABV, YU-ABW, YU-ACA, YU-ACB, YU-ACC, YU-ACD |
| Douglas DC-3 | 1 | 1937-1950's | YU-ABM |
| Convair CV-340 | 3 | 1950s and 1960s | YU-ADA, YU-ADB (later converted to CV-440), YU-ADC |
| Ilyushin Il-14M | 6 | 1950s and 1960s | YU-ADE, YU-ADF, YU-ADG, YU-ADH, YU-ADI, YU-ADJ |
| Convair CV-440 Metropolitan[1] | 7 | 1950's and 1960's | YU-ADK, YU-ADL, YU-ADM, YU-ADN, YU-ADO, YU-ADP, YU-ADR |
| Douglas DC-6 | 3 | 1960s | YU-AFA, YU-AFB, YU-AFD |
| Boeing 707 | 10 | 1970s and 1980s | N722PA, N724PA, YU-AGA, YU-AGD, YU-AGE, YU-AGF, YU-AGG, YU-AGH, YU-AGI, YU-AGJ |
| McDonnell Douglas DC 9-30 | 16 | 1970-2005 | I-DIKI, YU-AHL, YU-AHM, YU-AHN, YU-AHO, YU-AHP, YU-AHT, YU-AHU, YU-AHV, YU-AJH, YU-AJI, YU-AJJ, YU-AJK, YU-AJL, YU-AJM, YU-AJN |
| Boeing 727 | 12 | 1974-2005 | D-AHLL, D-AHLM, YU-AKA, YU-AKB, YU-AKD, YU-AKE, YU-AKF, YU-AKG, YU-AKI, YU-AKJ, YU-AKK, YU-AKL |
| ROMBAC 1-11 | 1 | 1990 | YR-BRA(leased from TAROM) |
| Lockheed L-1011 | 1 | 1989 | JY-AGB (leased from Royal Jordanian) |
| McDonnell Douglas DC 10-30 | 8 | 1978-2005 | N107WA, OH-LHA, OO-SLA, TU-TAL, YU-AMA, YU-AMB, YU-AMC, YU-AMD |
| ATR 42-200 | 3 | 1987-1990 | YU-ALK, YU-ALL, YU-ALM |
| Boeing 737-400 | 2 | 2002-2007 | YU-AOO (leased from Air One for three years, later the plane had been lost in Indonesia on January 1, 2007 as Adam Air Flight 574) YU-AOR (leased from US Airways and returned back to the airline in 2007) |
Miscellaneous
- Jat Airways was the first operator of the Boeing 737-300 aircraft in Europe. It arrived at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport on 8 August 1985 as YU-AND.
- In 2004 Jat Airways was named one of the safest airlines in Europe by the IATA organisation.
- Former JAT flight attendant, Vesna Vulović, holds the world's 4th-longest fall record when she fell from 10,160 metres (33,000 feet) with no parachute and survived.
Incidents and accidents
Incidents
- 23 November 1974 - a JAT DC9-32 (registration: YU-AJN) crash landed 1 mile short of the runway after losing visual contact while on a visual approach at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. None of the 50 passengers were killed.
- 16 August 1980 - While landing in a thunderstorm in Stockholm's Arlanda Airport, a JAT B 707 (registration: YU-AGG) overan runway 26 blowing several tyres and received mud in all 4 engines. There were no fatalities in the incident.
- 1 March 2007 - After landing in Prague, a torn piece of the tail was spotted on one of the newly painted 737-300 YU-ANV. A small piece broke off the tail and stood hanging through the flight. The plane was fixed and safely returned to Belgrade. The airline insists no lives were ever at risk.
Accidents
- 26 January 1972 - JU364 DC9-32 (registration: YU-AHT) had been deliberately destroyed in flight by Émigré Croat terrorists (Ustaša) who had placed a bomb on board. Of the 28 passengers and crew members on board, 27 died, with flight attendant Vesna Vulović the only survivor.
- 11 September 1973 - This is JAT's most recent accident with loss of life, when a Jat Sud Aviation Caravelle (registration: YU-AHD) flew into a mountain near Podgorica, killing all 41 on board.
These two accidents are the only fatal accidents the airline has experienced in the past 80 years.
See also
Notes
- ^ Jat Airways. "Istorijat" (in Serbian).
- ^ Ekonomist Online. "JAT: Vežite se polećemo" (in Serbian).
- ^ B92.net. "Aeroflot interested in Jat Airways".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
