Wizz and Ryanair in fresh talks with Slovenian government over flights
Low cost carriers Wizz Air and Ryanair have both held separate talks with the Slovenian government over the potential introduction of flights to the country utilising the recently adopted subsidy program which is yet to be approved by the European Commission. On January 25, Wizz Air’s Network Development Manager, Airport Development Manager and Public Affairs Manager held talks with the Ministry for Economic Development and Technology, as well as the Ministry for Infrastructure. “Due to operational needs in the event of a decision to establish scheduled international flights to an international airport in Slovenia, Wizz Air wanted to obtain information about the state aid scheme to be provided to carriers for the start of new routes, established by the Act on Aid to Ensure Greater Air Connectivity”, the government said.
On January 27, Ryanair’s Route Development Manager and EU Public Affairs Manager also spoke with the two ministries. “The Ryanair Group wanted to obtain information about the aid scheme that would serve as a basis for its decision to establish international scheduled flights to an international airport in Slovenia”, the government said. Ryanair last held talks with the Slovenian government in July 2022, while Wizz Air did so in late September of last year. At the time, both had shown interest in launching a number of routes from Ljubljana, however, both complained of high fees at Jože Pučnik Airport. Since then, Wizz Air has discontinued its service from Charleroi to the Slovenian capital, while the country remains the only in the European Union not to be served by Ryanair.
Last month, the Slovenian government adopted a bill allocating 5.6 million euros in annual subsidies over the next three years for airlines to launch new routes and boost frequencies on existing services. The state will provide a list of new destinations for which it will offer subsidies, with a public call to be issued soon. Only nonstop operations will be financed. Furthermore, airlines will be eligible for subsidies if they increase frequencies on existing services. The incentives will amount to up to 50% of the carrier’s airport fees in Slovenia. The bill now requires approval from the European Commission as it constitutes state aid.
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