Foreign carriers push Ljubljana to record year
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is on course to register its busiest year on record despite a decline in the number of passengers handled by its main customer Adria Airways. In July, Slovenia's main airport saw its seventh month of consecutive growth by handling just over 207.000 travellers through its doors, an improvement of 4%. It welcomed its millionth passenger of the year on July 21, for a total of 1.070.000 by month's end. On the other hand, Adria Airways saw its figures decrease 7.6% during the January - May period. This year, foreign carriers are expected to account for half of Ljubljana Airport's total traffic, up from 44% in 2018.
The General Manager of Ljubljana Airport, Zmago Skobir, previously said, "We are investing a lot of efforts in attracting new airlines to destinations already covered by one of the carriers". Recently, British Airways introduced seasonal flights from London Heathrow to Ljubljana, Air Serbia inaugurated two weekly year-long services from Niš, while Air France's regional subsidiary HOP! plans to more than double its operations to the Slovenian capital this coming winter to thirteen weekly flights, up from six. Furthermore, budget carrier Wizz Air will increase capacity to Ljubljana this winter on services from Luton Airport by utilising its 230-seat Airbus A321 jet instead of the 180-seat A320 used last year. Flights to Ljubljana will initially be maintained three times per week during the 2019/2020 winter season before increasing to four from December.
Despite the growing role foreign carriers are playing at Ljubljana Airport, Mr Skobir believes Adria Airways will stabilise in the coming period. "I'm not concerned over the future of Adria Airways since I'm sure it will adapt to the growing passenger traffic, which is increasing in line with the Slovenian economy and tourism". He added, "We are pleased that, despite numerous issues the national carrier has faced over the past ten years, things have started to improve. We will see the future outcome but, for the time being, our cooperation with Adria is exemplary and we expect its future plans to have a further positive effect".
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