Maribor Airport’s future unclear as ownership dispute escalates

NEWS FLASH

Maribor Airport has once again found itself at the centre of a dispute between its Chinese owners and the state. The Chinese investors, SHS Aviation, who acquired the airport in 2016, claim that the facility no longer fulfils the conditions for safe and legal operation after a recent court ruling confirmed their ownership of much of the surrounding infrastructure, including access roads, parking, hangars and technical buildings. They argue that without secured access to this property, the state-appointed operator, DRI, cannot legally meet the obligations tied to running the airport. The conflict stems from the unusual arrangement that followed the investors’ withdrawal from direct management in 2018, when the concession was terminated. Since then, DRI has overseen airport operations, while the Chinese owners retained ownership of land and facilities. The ruling now strengthens their claim that the airport cannot function properly without their consent, raising questions about the viability of continued operations.

The Slovenian Civil Aviation Agency, however, has dismissed suggestions that the airport’s licence or safety compliance is under threat. Its head, Srečko Janša, confirmed that the regulator has reviewed the materials presented by the owners and found no grounds to revoke the operating permit. Maribor Airport therefore remains licensed, and flights are not at risk of immediate suspension.