Courtesy: Paul Doyle 

YU-APC Airbus A319-131 construction number 2621 hex code 4C01E2 Air Serbia was delivered from Dublin to Dusseldorf on Tuesday 8th October departing at 1815 hours for cabin configuration. The aircraft has been painted by Eirtech Aviation and underwent maintenance at Dublin Aerospace.

The aircraft was previously VT-KFH when with Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines arrived Dublin Airport 27th April 2013 for long term storage & maintenance from Istanbul. The aircraft is owned by BBAM Leasing/Fly Leasing.

According to Airfleets.net this aircraft had its first test on 23rd November 2005 and delivered to Kingfisher Airlines on 1st December 2005 and was put into storage after Kingfisher Airlines ceased operations on 2nd October 2012.

Air Serbia will be the national flag carrier airline of Serbia once it commences flight operations after receiving appropriate regulatory approval. It will replace Jat Airways, whose operations and assets will be transferred to the company after a transitional period, starting from October 2013.

The Government of Serbia (on behalf of Jat Airways) and Etihad Airways entered into a strategic partnership on 1 August 2013. The terms of the agreement concluded that Jat Airways would be renamed and rebranded as Air Serbia.

The new ownership structure will compose of 51% by the Serbian Government and 49% by Etihad, after the latter converts loans made to Air Serbia, into equity.

Under the agreement, Air Serbia will be formally managed by Etihad for an initial period of five years.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 9th October 2013 All Rights Reserved.