Slovenia drafting aviation aid law to boost connectivity
The Slovenian government is drafting a law which will enable airlines to be granted financial aid for the introduction of new routes or the growth in frequencies on existing services. It is part of the country’s bid to improve its air connectivity. Although Slovenia has provided financial incentives to airlines to maintain their operations to the country over the past two years, they were funded from the European Union’s aid package aimed at alleviating the negative financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. With access to the EU’s emergency fund coming to an end, the government is looking at ways to legally support carriers flying to Ljubljana or wishing to introduce services to the Slovenian capital.
The Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology told the “Večer” daily, “The basis of the new law is the EU’s guidelines on state aid for airlines and airports, which constitute a legal framework for aid to be distributed to carriers in line with the bloc’s rules and regulations. Aid may be granted under the new law for the establishment of new routes or for the increase in frequencies on existing routes connecting Slovenia's airports to EU member states or possibly to third countries”. The law is expected to be passed by parliament in the coming months and a new public call for airlines issued in the spring. As previously reported, an emphasis will be put on specific routes in the region.
Over the past two years, Lufthansa, as Slovenia’s busiest airline, has been the biggest beneficiary of financial incentives provided by the government. The German carrier pocketed 1.7 million euros over the two-year period. It was followed by Turkish Airlines, which has received 1.01 million euros, then Air Serbia, which has been the recipient of 569.280 euros, followed by Air France, which has been granted 494.550 euros, Swiss International Air Lines, which has been given 369.300 euros, Wizz Air 348.492 euros, LOT Polish Airlines 341.971 euros, Brussels Airlines 325.809 euros, easyJet 190.149 euros, Air Montenegro 131.130 euros and Flydubai, as the latest entrant on the Slovenian market, has been granted 110.880 euros.
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