Ljubljana Airport in talks with foreign carrier to open base

The General Manager of operator Fraport Slovenija, Zmago Skobir, has said talks are underway to turn the Slovenian capital into a base for an airline, with Ljubljana Airport estimated to handle between 700.000 and 800.000 passengers next year.  “Talks are underway on this, but there are several possible models of collaboration, which are a matter of assessments, business plans and risk sharing”, Mr Skobir said. He added, "The concept involves a reputable foreign carrier that could operate with Slovenian crew and perhaps also in our colours”. He noted this solution was more sensible and financially viable than the potential set-up of a new national carrier. 

Ljubljana Airport is expected to handle under 300.000 passengers this year, with fewer than 5.000 travellers welcomed in November. Mr Skobir believes recovery will begin in May or June of next year, with the airport to process up to 800.000 passengers by the end of 2021. Prior to the pandemic, the airport expected to handle 1.5 million traveller this year. “Under normal circumstances, we would be served by seventeen carriers. At the same time, it is crucial that none of them give up on flying to Slovenia. Due to the situation, airlines are delaying their resumption of flights”, the General Manager noted. He added the airport welcomed the government’s subsidy program for airlines to maintain flights to the country. 

The airport operator has been hit by steep financial losses as a result of Covid-19, with the government recently pledging five million euros in non-refundable aid. "Immediately in March we started reducing costs and postponing investments. This excludes the construction of the new terminal. The owner had left at our disposal accumulated profits from previous years. These funds, which are also intended for the construction of the terminal, amount to 25 million euros. However, expenses are high and funds will soon run out. The state aid will greatly help us so the company will not be forced to further severely reduce costs and can prepare for the larger-scale resumption of flights in good financial state”, Mr Skobir explained. State aid will provide the company with liquidity for the next three months, as the airport spends between 1.5 and two million euros a month on existing operations.

EX-YU Aviation News

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