In the late 1980s, Yugoslav Airlines flew more than 300 routes, two-thirds of them international. In the record 1987/88/89 years, JAT connected Yugoslavia with 61 world destinations on five continents and carried annually 5 million passengers and 46,000 tons of cargo. At the time, JAT figured high on the list of largest IATA and AEA air carriers – it ranked 31st in the world and 10th in Europe.
The early 1990s were the toughest period in the post-WWII history of former Yugoslavia - war, break-up of the country and sanctions that invited the most crippling effects precisely on the national air carrier. Soon after the initial tragic events, JAT returned on the market and began to catch up with the world. Already in 1994, it renewed routes to the previous destinations and launched a new era in its development dominated by the struggle to survive in the world skies. Results improved with each coming year, and in 2006 Jat Airways carried one million 207,712 passengers, 3,556 tons of cargo and 689 tons of mail, and, for the first time after 1991, ended the business year in the positive netting 3.8 million euros in profit. These business results are far from what Jat wishes to achieve in the coming period, but they do show a tendency of continual growth in a very tough period for commercial aviation.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in February awarded Jat Airways with an IOSA certificate, thereby confirming that Jat Airways has attained, was maintaining and upgrading the highest civil aviation standards in the area of technical maintenance and air traffic safety. In December 2006, the certificate was renewed thus making the Serbian national air carrier the first company ever to hurdle both controls without any remarks regarding the more than 800 strict international IATA-prescribed standards. The certificate is even more important as regards the passengers as it confirms Jat's standing as one of the safest air companies.
The highest level of flight safety, a flexible pricing policy expressed in a large variety of promotional rates, top-level service and struggle for new markets best indicate the company's gratitude to its loyal passengers for their understanding and support. Firmly committed to continual improvement of service, Jat Airways is introducing online reservations and ticketing. The aim is to improve on the quality of service, while at the same time rationalizing operations, this being in keeping with the company's strategic goals. Jat was the first public company to begin restructuring, as the necessary condition for ownership transformation. This is expected to afford Jat fleet renewal and restore it to the former position of one of Europe's best air carriers. The final decision - to begin realization of this strategic goal - was made in the year of the Jat jubilee marking the 60th anniversary of the company and 80th anniversary of civil aviation in Serbia.
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