DLA Piper has advised Etihad Airways on its acquisition of 49% stake in JatAirways (which is to be renamed and rebranded Air Serbia) as part of an extensive strategic partnership between the two airlines. Etihad has also been awarded a five year management contract for the Serbian national airline, subject to regulatory approval.

The wide-ranging strategic partnership includes a fleet of next generation, brand new aircraft, and a new integrated network of international destinations that will bring significant numbers of business and leisure travellers to Serbia.

Etihad will make available a USD 40 million loan facility which will be converted into equity on 1 January 2014, subject to regulatory approval. This will be matched by an equal funding injection by the Government of Serbia. Etihad and the Government of Serbia will also each provide further funding through shareholder loans and other funding mechanisms of up to USD 60 million to meet working capital requirements and support network development for the newly created Air Serbia.

The DLA Piper team was led by partners Jon Hayes and Mark Franklin. They were supported by Tony Payne, Kashif Siddiqui and Lauren Sharpes. Partners Alexandra Kamerling and Sarah Day led respectively on competition and finance aspects of the transaction.

Jon Hayes commented: "We offer our congratulations to Etihad on another milestone deal. We are delighted to have had this opportunity to work closely with the Etihad team on this important transaction for Serbia, and have much enjoyed our close collaboration with Milan Samardzic at Samardzic Law Office who acted as Serbian counsel to Etihad."