AIR JUGOSLAVIA: Bul Umetnosti 16, Belgrade, YU-11000, Yugoslavia; Phone 381 11 311 2223; Fax 381 11 311 1454; Code YRG; Year Founded 1969. Air Jugoslavia is organized at Belgrade in April 1969 as a wholly owned charter subsidiary of JAT (Jugoslovenski Aerotransport). Aleksander Avejic is named director general. Employing jetliners leased from the parent, charter, inclusive tour, and immigrant flights are conducted to such destinations as the U. S. (especially Cleveland and Detroit) and Australia.
During the 1970s and 1980s, airline employment grows to almost 7,500. A. Scepanovic becomes director general. The company continues to operate international passenger group charters from a growing number of domestic gateways outside the capital, including Dubrovnik, Skopje, Split, Ljubljana, and Zagreb. JAT Yugoslav Airlines provides a mixed variety of jetliners as individual charters require; Boeing 707320s, B-737-300s, and B-727-200s as well as Douglas DC-9-30s are often employed.
In early November 1991 as a result of the political upheaval within the nation, the carrier becomes subject to a European Community embargo and suspends operations. As fighting continues, the embargo is expanded into a UN affair in late spring 1992.
After a period of Balkan conflict and political maneuvering, Serbia and Montenegro (constituting a revised federal republic of Yugoslavia) agree to UN requirements and, on September 24, 1994, economic sanctions are lifted. Under the direction of Manager Neda Lazic, the 10 fulltime employees Air Jugoslavia will resume operations without fanfare.
In September 1998, parent JAT Yugoslav Airlines is banned for flying into any European Union country; the same restriction also applies to Air Jugoslavia.
Local and non-EU charters are operated on an ad hoc basis until March 24, 1999. On that date, NATO, having been unable to persuade the Yugoslav leadership to revise its policy toward the ethnic Albanian population in the Kosovo province, closes Balkan airspace and launches the bombing campaign, Operation Allied Force.
Limited charter work begins again on June 25, but international restrictions are not suspended until February 2000. They are finally lifted after the election in October removes the Milosevic government.
World History
