Aviation History
Serbian civil aviation traces back to Aeroput, founded in 1927 as one of Europe's earliest airlines, which was nationalized after WWII into JAT Yugoslav Airlines and grew into a major European carrier before being battered by the 1990s Yugoslav wars and international sanctions. Renamed Jat Airways in 2003, the loss-making carrier was overhauled through a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways and relaunched as Air Serbia in 2013, before the Serbian government reacquired full ownership in 2023.
Established 17 June 1927 as the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, one of Europe's pioneering airlines.
Following nationalization after WWII, the carrier was reorganized as JAT Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, flag carrier of socialist Yugoslavia.
IATA figures placed JAT as the tenth-largest airline in Europe, serving 76 destinations in 39 countries.
The breakup of Yugoslavia and resulting international sanctions severely curtailed JAT's network as the airline became a public company in February 1992.
The carrier was renamed following the political transition from Yugoslavia to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
After a strategic partnership agreement signed in August 2013, the airline relaunched as Air Serbia on 26 October 2013 with Etihad Airways holding a 49% stake.
By November 2023 the state had bought back Etihad's stake, returning Air Serbia to full Serbian government ownership.
Air Serbia · formerly JAT Yugoslav Airlines / Jat Airways
Wikipedia, Air Serbia corporate history