Air Serbia to start flying, marking end of JAT

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Belgrade, Serbia • Air Serbia, the Balkan country's new national carrier partly owned by Etihad Airways, formally starts flying this weekend, spelling the end for the old loss-making JAT Airways.

Air Serbia's chief manager, Dane Kondic, said Friday the company's inaugural flight will take place Saturday to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He says that "it is an important flight that will mark a crossroads."

In a ceremony at Belgrade's airport, Kondic and deputy prime minister Aleksandar Vucic unveiled an Airbus A319 plane bearing a double-headed eagle logo in Serbia's national, red, white and blue colors — the first of the company's future fleet.

Etihad Airways acquired 49 percent in JAT Airways in August and will manage the company over the next five years.