Ljubljana expects slower growth in 2016


Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport anticipates handling some 1.5 million passengers this year, after welcoming 1.44 travellers in 2015. "We expect a slower growth rate to that of last year and we would like to close at 1.5 million passengers. That will be heavily influenced by how Adria Airways' new owners run the airline, which has a market share of 60% - 65% at our airport", General Manager, Zmago Skobir, told the "Večer" daily. He added, "Developments in both the aviation and tourism sectors are unpredictable due to the threat of terrorism, reflected in the decline in charter flights to Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey. Among scheduled services, both Paris and Brussels have been affected recently, while Adria Airways has suspended its routes to Istanbul, Stockholm and Cologne". On the other hand, Aegean Airlines will launch flights from Athens to the Slovenian capital this summer.

Ljubljana Airport is yet to surpass its all time passenger record, achieved in 2008, when it handled 1.673.050 travellers, followed by 2007 when it saw 1.524.028 passengers pass through its doors. In 2015, the airport improved its numbers by 10% compared to the year before. Over the past three months, Jože Pučnik Airport welcomed 245.466 travellers, up 3.9%. It is also looking to boost cargo traffic. "Last year we successfully implemented several projects with DHL and TNT, which will be presented this year and next. DHL has started flying to Ljubljana with a large Airbus A300 aircraft, while we are close to finalising a deal with TNT, which was purchased by FedEx, to move its operations to the airport", Mr Skobir said.

Ljubljana Airport will make a series of improvements to its passenger terminal by 2018. Work is already in progress and will enable quicker passenger flow through security prior to the peak summer travel season, while check-in is also being slightly expanded. The overhaul will continue after the end of the summer season, as well as through next year. Main changes will include the relocation of the security area, a new sorting facility for departing baggage, a technological upgrade for sorting arriving baggage, the refurbishment of retail space, as well as food and beverage facilities and an expansion of the baggage pick-up area in arrivals. "Before we build a new terminal, we want to utilise and update the existing one. It will have the capacity to handle two million passengers per year. This should be sufficient over the next few years if traffic continues to grow gradually", Mr Skobir noted.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:09

    Good result overall. What happened in 2008? How come it had such big numbers?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      Schengen

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:14

      Ah yes. Forgot about that. Thank you

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:14

      That year Slovenia was the president country of EU, maybe that also contributed.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:49

      So we can expect a similar thing to happen when Croatia joins Schengen?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:43

      Yes.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:18

      Don't really think that's from Schengen, as we would probably see larger numbers also years after that. It's probably from EU presidency.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:15

    So there is no chance for them to overtake Skopje this year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:48

      Unless there some very bad weather in December I doubt it. Especially if Ryanair launches flights this winter.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:14

      I'm not so sure RYanair will be coming to SKP.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:41

      I think they will announce SKP around a wekk before elections there, which is in June.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:43

      No way FR is coming to SKP this year. FR wants incentives and subsidies, and since they are given by the govt, nothing can be signed until elections are held and new govt is formed.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:40

    Still not happy about the terminal decision.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:47

      Why the current terminal is sufficient. I would say it's smart planning.

      Delete
    2. Stefan10:04

      In order to stay in the game you need to update your facilities, especially when you are an airport such as Ljubljana surrounded by other airports. While the terminal building might not have a huge impact in attracting airlines, it is a major drawcard for airlines if the airport is in smaller markets surrounded by other airports. It doesn't help that Zagreb will get a beautiful new terminal building. I don't know if you have been to Ljubljana but while the departures area is nice and modern, check in area is very very outdated

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:48

      the impact of ZAGs new terminal will be seen next year when ZAGs market share will further rise.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous11:47

    LJU has a problem of being surrounded by bigger airports in bigger markets. Dependence on Adria is huge (like it says in the article 65% share is massive) and them suspending 3 routes this year has a big impact. They should try and diversify their offer to passengers. Getting a LCC to base an aircraft there or introduce more flights (Norwegian Air Shuttle would be a good option) would be beneficial. But the problem with LJU are also high costs and they have actually gone up since Fraport took over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:25

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:27

      Yes, ZAG and VCE/TSF are quite close. But hey, CRL is also close to BRU but look how it transformed itself - now serves almost 7 million pax - that´s BEG + ZAG traffic together.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous15:47

    It is interesting to note the market share that Adria has at LJU - some 60-65% - as quoted by the CEO. YET, not one comment about a monopoly, in the same way that many people here on this website scream about Air Serbia's supposed monopoly at BEG, where it barely has just over 50%. How come that fact seems to have escaped the attention of the anti-JU lobby on this forum ?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous16:36

    Busiest routes are: FRA - 21wf, LGW/STN/LTN - 15 wf and BEG 14 wf.

    http://www.lju-airport.si/en/passengers-and-visitors/flight-info/timetable

    It´s good that Easyjet are increasing their flights to 9 p.w.
    Hopefully W6 to LTN turns daily and JU 3 daily to BEG just like FRA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:41

      I don't see JU flying 3 daily to LJU anytime soon.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous22:27

      We will earlyer see one daily JU to MBX than 3 daily to LJU.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous19:25

    Bice zanimljivo hoceli JP ostati u LJU i dali ce imati opet neku vecu ekspanziju.
    INN-NS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:43

      They might move to MBX with one based airplane there for now.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20:30

      It became like an OT now:

      ADRIA OFFER FOR MARIBOR THIS YEAR:

      It is written in todays Večer daily that JP gave an offer to MBX to fly from there this year to several destinations and (probably base an aircraft there) for 1,3mio€ and wasn't prepared to take any other additional risks. Brolih (MBX CEO) said that there is not that money for them in Maribor.

      Haplek

      Delete
  8. Anonymous21:30

    OT: Air Serbia April 30 homebound night wave:

    12 out of 16 planes in concurrent action tonight:
    4xATR (ZAG, LJU, PRG, VIE)
    2xA320 (CDG, SVO) and
    6 A319 (LHR, WAW, FCO, FRA, DUS, ZRH)

    During summer season add 4x737 for charters, 1xCRJ900 and 1xA330 and it will start to look really busy

    Happy Easter everyone!

    http://s32.postimg.org/6pn5njg5x/BEGwave.jpg

    ReplyDelete

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