Slovenia divided over new national carrier ahead of elections


Slovenian political parties have not formed a consensus over the creation of a new national carrier to aid the country’s battered connectivity following the demise of national airline Adria Airways in September 2019. Ahead of Parliamentary Elections next Sunday, some parties have expressed strong support for the launch of a new national airline, some have proposed holding a referendum on the matter, while others have ruled out the idea altogether, according to the Slovenia Press Agency (STA). The governing Slovenian Democratic Party led by incumbent Prime Minister Janez Janša, has said the country does not have sufficient potential to support a new airline. “Slovenia does not have enough potential to start and ensure the successful operation of a national airline, but we believe that the country’s strategic position should be better used in the future to establish new routes and better connectivity”, the Slovenian Democratic Party said.

The main opposition LMS, led by former Prime Minister Marjan Šarec, during whose tenure Adria Airways declared bankruptcy, said they are in principle in favour of new carrier but that a feasibility study must be carried out beforehand. LMS notes that it is essential for Slovenia to improve its connectivity to foreign markets in order to boost economic development, international trade and tourism. On the other hand, Party of Alenka Bratušek, led by the former Prime Minister during whose term as Deputy PM from 2018 until 2020 Adria went bankrupt, said, “The establishment of Air Slovenia is a priority”.

The majority of parties vying for seats in parliament and government next week are opposed to a new national airline. On the other hand, the Truth movement believes a referendum should be held to settle the matter. A new government will likely be formed by several parties who may have differing views on Slovenia’s new flag carrier and a compromise will be needed to settle the issue. Over the last two years. the Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology has turned down several offers by airlines to either establish the country’s new national carrier or station aircraft in Ljubljana. Talks were held with the Lufthansa-owned Air Dolomiti, low cost carrier Wizz Air, Slovenian cargo airline Solinair and the French Valljet. An unnamed carrier from the Middle East has also expressed interest in establishing a new Slovenian operation.



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