Originally ordered in 1998, JAT Yugoslav Airlines cancelled its purchase of eight A319s from Airbus in 2000 when it entered financial difficulties. The cancellation has only now been approved by the manufacturer thanks to talks with JAT’s successor company Air Serbia.
None of the aircraft were ever delivered and the order has already been compensated with JAT’s new owner Etihad Airways' order for ten A320neos in November 2013, which will be operated by Air Serbia. The deposit JAT already paid has been credited toward the pre-delivery payment for Etihad’s A320Neos.
easyJet launches new pan-European holiday company
easyJet holidays has today announced that it will become a major pan-European tour operator through a new partnership with the online travel agency Hotelopia.
Six new websites are planned in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands as easyJet holidays re-launches itself across the main European countries where the airline has a large presence. This will open up easyJet holidays to up to 100 million people across Europe, all fully protected according to the industry standard local regulations of each source markets such as ATOL in the UK or ATOUT in France.
Mandy Round, General Manager of easyJet holidays, commented: "I am really pleased to be taking easyJet holidays into the next phase of its development. With much of its initial growth having taken place in the UK, the planned expansion in Europe is an exciting next step which will enable us to offer the great quality and value for money easyJet’s customers have come to expect.
“An improved hotel portfolio, more user friendly websites and an efficient booking process will all come together to provide an easy and seamless experience. Over the course of the partnership not only can easyJet holidays’ customers look forward to a better selection of handpicked properties but will also benefit from bespoke designed deals and exclusive offers.
Jon French, Head of easyJet holidays at Hotelopia, commented: “We are really excited to have won this contract. We believe it is a perfect partnership combining our extensive range of accommodations in Europe and our industry leading expertise with such a prestigious brand in the European travel industry. easyJet has a clear roadmap for the next phase of its business development and we’re very proud to be part of this.” Hotelopia is part of TUI Travel PLC.