easyJet becomes Slovenia’s largest carrier
easyJet is to become Slovenia’s largest carrier by seat capacity this year, following the demise of Adria Airways in 2019. The budget airline, which last year had 122.436 departure seats up for sale from Ljubljana, will boost its capacity on the market by launching a new service from London Luton next month. The UK’s capital is central to the airline’s operations from Ljubljana. It will now maintain flights to Slovenia from three out of the four busiest airports in London. In addition, it also links Berlin and Ljubljana. The Stansted - Ljubljana route remains the airline’s busiest, with a total of 130.932 two-way seats offered between the two last year. Overall, Stansted has been Ljubljana’s fourth busiest route in terms of passenger numbers.
easyJet attempted several other destinations out of Ljubljana in the past. In December 2010 the airline was due to commence services from Milan Malpensa but the route was cancelled prior to its launch due to poor ticket sales. The no frills carrier also maintained flights between Paris and Ljubljana from December 2010 until March 2012, but they too were cancelled. Asked if it is considering launching new routes to Slovenia, the airline said, "easyJet is always evaluating new options and opportunities to be more profitable and continue growing in Europe with the primary focus for the short-term to thicken our presence in our core markets".
High refuelling prices, state taxes and other charges, most of which are not set by the airport itself, continue to act as a deterrent for low cost airlines in Ljubljana. The CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, previously said, “If Ljubljana Airport were to lower its taxes Ryanair would surely return to Slovenia”. The airline operated flights from London Stansted to Maribor for some nine months between 2007 and 2008. In addition to easyJet, Transavia and Wizz Air are the remaining two low cost operators serving Ljubljana. Wizz Air has reduced its presence in the Slovenian capital by suspending services from London last October. Its decision to downgrade its Charleroi service from year-round to seasonal summer operations was reversed in December, as a result of Adria’s bankruptcy. On the other hand, Transavia will add an additional weekly flight from Amsterdam this summer for a total of three per week.
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