Pandemic-hit Ljubljana Airport begins recovery as airlines return
Ljubljana expects to be handling over 10.000 passengers per month as demand begins to return to one of the most affected capital city airports in Europe as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, Air Montenegro will inaugurate flights from Tivat, which are to be replaced by Podgorica in September, while Brussels Airlines will restore operations to the Slovenian capital next week after an almost sixteen-month suspension. July will see Swiss resume services from Zurich, Wizz Air from Charleroi, British Airways from London Heathrow, while Israir will commence seasonal operations from Tel Aviv. Two new carriers will inaugurate flights to Ljubljana in the coming months with Iberia to start services in August and Flydubai in September.
Commenting on the growing demand, the airport’s spokeswoman said, “If the situation remains as it is now, we hope for a very lively summer in terms of traffic". Furthermore, Slovenian tour operators are chartering flights to the Greek islands, Antalya in Turkey, Sharm-el-Sheikh and Hurghada in Egypt, Barcelona, Madeira and Tenerife in Spain, as well as Dubrovnik in Croatia. On the other hand, Finnair has confirmed it will not restore its seasonal flights to the Slovenian capital this summer but plans to return next year. Overall, in July, Ljubljana Airport will have 291 scheduled flight departures, compared to 139 in June.
Ljubljana Airport handled just 42.058 passengers during the January - May period, down 78.1% on the same period last year, and 93.7% on 2019. Five airlines have applied for the Slovenian government’s subsidies for maintaining flights to the country between October 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 in the second round of a call designed to improve the country’s air connectivity. A total of 764.640 euros will be shared among the selected airlines. The outcome of the tender is expected shortly. Next Thursday, Ljubljana Airport will put into operation its new terminal building. To coincide with the launch of the new facility, the airport has unveiled a new-look website.
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