Jat Airways needs a new aircraft by 1 January 2012 to create a more ambitious timetable and to remain in competition, the airline’s flight operations department head Vladimir Banjac has said.

“Without the purchase of new aircraft this year, or at the latest by the end of 2011, Jat Airways won’t have a chance to compete with other airlines from abroard and the region,” he added.

Jat’s ATR72s, which had been grounded for more than two years, recently rejoined the airline’s mainstream fleet.

The Serbian Government has guaranteed a €140m loan for the purchase of new aircraft in 2011, according to Balkans.