Serbian Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjic said on Feb. 9 that the implementation of the Open Skies Agreement could begin in Serbia as of spring this year.

In an interview for BETA, Mrkonjic said that "since September the agreement has been in parliamentary procedure."

"All the documentation is prepared at the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate, so I am expecting that everything will be ready within a month and a half," he said.

The Open Skies Agreement (ECAA) gives free access to the aviation markets of the 36 signatory countries, which would bring Serbian citizens cheaper ticket prices and a greater choice of air carriers, and would bring more work for those employed in the aviation industry, the Directorate has previously said.

In response to the question of when a larger number of airlines offering cheap tickets, so called "low cost" airlines, would be able to come to Serbia, Mrkonjic said that Serbia is open to them on condition that they cooperate with JAT Airways.

As it was announced, the Serbian government gave JAT Airways a loan of EUR10 million so that it could continue to operate.

JAT will use EUR5 million to repair six airplanes and the remaining EUR5 million for payouts for workers who decide to leave the company, said Mrkonjic. He emphasized that nobody would be fired from JAT, and that only those employees who choose to would leave, with a payout of EUR300 for each year of service.