Slovenia will invest in commercial air traffic – Airways
DALLAS — The small European country of Slovenia has announced major investments in its airline network. The government announced a multimillion-dollar investment to improve the country’s air connectivity.
The financial aid will be used to help airlines finance new routes to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. The aid will also contribute to subsidizing operating costs at the airport.
However, this help will come with some stipulations.
First, the new proposed air routes must be direct flights to the main airport. Second, airlines wishing to apply for assistance must fly a route that would not be possible without assistance. Applications from air carriers are expected to be approved by the end of March in order to prepare for the busy summer season, which, according to the Slovenian government, could start as early as the end of March.
The bill has already been forwarded to the European Commission, but we are in a hurry because we want to catch the summer season, which starts at the end of March. The tender must be published by then. We will have to obtain the consent of the European Commission before allocating the euro
Secretary for Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Alenka Bratušek
The aid is also intended for the establishment of a new state carrier in the country. Former state carrier Adria Airways ceased operations in 2019. The airline operated a fleet of A319, CRJ-900 and CRJ-200 aircraft as well as Saab 2000 aircraft at the time of bankruptcy.
Adria Airways
As part of Yugoslavia, Ljubljana was the base of Adria Airways from the opening of the new airport in 1964. The airline also operated a diverse fleet of props until the introduction of the DC-9-30 aircraft in the early 1970s, which began the aircraft age for Adria.
However, the early 2000s marked the beginning of the airline’s decline, with travel demand falling due to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Due to a decrease in passenger demand and some management changes, the airline officially declared bankruptcy on September 30, 2019.
Featured image: Alberto Cucini/Airways
