Etihad prepares for another investment?

Neelam Mathews

July 6, 2013

We're hearing Etihad Airways is nearing an agreement over an equity investment in loss-making Serbian national carrier, JAT Airways.

Jat arrives in Abu Dhabi airport in 2009

Last month, Etihad and JAT signed a preliminary agreement over a possible equity investment, pending due diligence and regulatory approvals.

Local publication Blic said talks between Etihad and JAT also involved purchase of maintenance company JAT Tehnika and JAT Catering. The deal could be signed within two weeks, the report said.

JAT operates 10 Boeing 737-300s and four ATR 72-200s within Europe and to the Middle East.

Interestingly,in 2007, reports had emerged that Air India and Aeroflot were bidding to buy controlling stakes in JAT that was then expected to choose its partner for privatization that year in June.

As with most things here, indecision triumphed!