Slovenia still in talks over new national carrier
The Slovenian Ministry for of Economic Development and Technology has said it is still seeking a solution which would lead to the establishment of a national airline after the state dropped plans to create a new carrier using European Union funds, following the block’s objections. The Ministry is in talks with private stakeholders which are interested in creating a new commercial airline. The government has also held talks with foreign carriers including LOT Polish Airlines and Air Serbia in order to improve the country’s connectivity. Slovenia has been one of the most affected European aviation markets by the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic with a number of carriers, including Brussels Airlines, Wizz Air, Swiss, easyJet and SunExprees postponing their service resumption or launch to the Slovenian capital this month.
Commenting on the matter, the Ministry for Economic Development and Technology, told the “Sierra5” portal, “Let us remember that Minister [for Economic Development and Technology] Počivalšek was the only minister from the previous government who, on behalf of the Slovenian economy, tourism and its employees, sought to resolve the situation, sought investors and held talks with the owner, in order to save Adria Airways. The entry of the state into its ownership structure did not prove to be a sustainable solution, but rather a poor one for both the state and taxpayers, which was clearly communicated in the autumn of 2019”.
Previously, Slovenian cargo carrier Solinair held talks with the Slovenian government over the possibility of launching scheduled flights or establishing a new national carrier. The airline has proposed two strategies for improving the country’s connectivity following the bankruptcy of Adria Airways and has asked for financial support from the government for the project. The company noted it would operate a five-member fleet consisting of either the Mitsubishi CRJ900, Dash 8 Q400 or the ATR72 turboprop, which it said would be ideal for the Slovenian market. The cargo operator said it would seek an agreement with the Lufthansa Group for the new airline to take over their routes to Ljubljana, including Lufthansa’s flights from Frankfurt and Munich, Swiss’ from Zurich and Brussels Airlines’ service from the Belgian capital.
0 Response to "Slovenia still in talks over new national carrier"
Post a Comment