Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Serbia’s JAT Airways. Although industry speculation had suggested Etihad might acquire a stake in JAT, Etihad CEO James Hogan said at a recent news conference that any such discussions were premature.
Pending government and regulatory approval, JAT will add its JU code to flights operated to 21 destinations across Etihad’s network. Conversely, Etihad will place its EY code on all 23 JAT services within Europe. Etihad is scheduled to begin operating non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Belgrade on June 15.
Etihad will deploy a two‑class Airbus A319 on the Abu Dhabi–Belgrade route. The aircraft is configured for 106 passengers: 16 Pearl Business Class seats and 90 Coral Economy Class seats, offering both comfort and efficiency for this regional service.
“The launch of Etihad Airways’ flights between Abu Dhabi and Belgrade, and the partnership development with JAT Airways, will cater for the significant and growing demand for air travel between the U.A.E. and Serbia, as well as cities with large Serbian populations around the world, particularly in Australia and the United States,” said Etihad CEO James Hogan. The new service and codeshare are intended to strengthen connectivity for business and leisure travelers and support the travel needs of diaspora communities.
Under the codeshare arrangement and subject to approvals, JAT Airways will place its JU code on Etihad-operated services to Abu Dhabi and onward to several long- and medium-haul destinations. These include Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Chengdu, Chicago, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Johannesburg, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Lahore, New York, Melbourne, Seychelles, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Washington, D.C. The expanded codeshare will allow passengers to book a single ticket and benefit from coordinated schedules and connections across both carriers’ networks.
The agreement enhances route options between Serbia and major global hubs, improving access for passengers traveling for business, visiting family, or on holiday. It also reflects each airline’s strategy to extend market reach through strategic partnerships rather than immediate equity investment. Final implementation remains subject to regulatory clearances and the carriers’ operational preparations.