Negotiations are under way about the creation of a pan-Balkan carrier, as a result of a proposal by Bulgarian transport minister Nikolay Vassilev.
Vassilev and representatives in Serbia and Montenegro are analysing the economic viability of the project, which could be operational next year if approved. "Very serious economic plans need to be made about the conditions under which this could be profitable," he says, adding that the project would need the support of at least three other countries in the region.
Negotiations with Romania and Croatia have begun and according to Serbian media reports the idea will be discussed in the next few months by officials from Albania, Macedonia, Slovenia and Turkey.
Options reportedly under discussion include turning one of the region's carriers into a pan-Balkan airline, the creation of new carrier, or a joint venture between the existing carriers.
Source: Flight International