
Serbia's opposition Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) said on Monday that the national flag carrier had accumulated 400 million Euro debt in the last seven years, which, according to SSP, would be paid back by the Serb side only.
Air Serbia and Etihad Airways have been in a strategic partnership since August 2013, with the UAE company 49 percent share in Serbia’s national carrier, while the 51 percent remained in the hands of the government.
Back in August, Eithad Airways refused a request to write off a large part of Air Serbia’s debt to that company.
„That’s why ‘Etihad’ celebrates a lucrative arrangement with Serbia, while (Serbia’s President Aleksandar) Vucic’s ‘job of the century’ will cost a billion Euro after the 2020 loss is covered,“ SSP said.
The party added that ‘Etihad’ close the deal with Serbia without any risk, with a borrowing of 36 million Euro and earned a 100 million in the last seven years.
„At the same time, the joint firm cost Serbia 500 million Euro: at least 75 million in property, 200 million in existing debts and 225 million Euro in subsidies,“ SSP said.