Wizz Air has recorded strong results on its Skopje - Ljubljana service launched in 2023, however, the carrier sees limited scope for broader expansion from the Slovenian capital, twenty years after first entering the market. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, Wizz Air does not believe the current state subsidies, introduced to attract airlines following the collapse of Adria Airways and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, are structured in a way that would allow it to profitably scale up operations from Ljubljana. Although the low cost carrier has expressed interest in growing its presence in Slovenia, it considers the existing incentive framework misaligned with its commercial model. Over the past two years, Wizz Air has held several meetings with Slovenian government officials to explore potential expansion opportunities. While discussions have taken place, no concrete growth plans have materialised under the present subsidy scheme.
Wizz Air first entered the Slovenian market in 2006, launching services from Charleroi and London Luton. Both routes proved short-lived, with the Luton service ending in February 2007 and Charleroi discontinued in January 2008. The airline returned to Ljubljana in 2012, reinstating flights to Charleroi, which were maintained until late 2022, while the Luton route continued until 2024. In late 2023, Wizz Air introduced flights between Skopje and Ljubljana, supported under a three-year subsidy agreement with the Macedonian government. Under the terms of that arrangement, the airline is required to maintain the service beyond September 2026 for an additional three-year period. In 2025, Wizz Air carried 68.060 passengers on the Skopje - Ljubljana route, achieving an average cabin load factor of 92.9%,
The Slovenian government’s subsidy program, introduced to improve the country’s air connectivity, has delivered mixed results. Over the course of nine public calls to airlines, Luxair, airBaltic, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Iberia, Eurowings, Cyprus Airways and Air Albania submitted applications. Of the two low cost carriers that participated in the scheme, Eurowings has since discontinued flights to Ljubljana, while Norwegian continues to operate seasonal services to Copenhagen. The outcome has raised questions over the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the current incentive framework in attracting and retaining low cost capacity.
Wizz Air last held official talks with the Slovenian government in March 2025, Wizz Air publicly acknowledged that it needs more clarity on Slovenia’s subsidy program. Ljubljana Airport has previously said it aims to increase its share of low cost carriers to 30%. It noted, “We have several objectives, but one of the biggest challenges is increasing the share of low cost carriers. We are well covered by full service airlines, however, a stronger low cost presence would further enhance our business. That does not mean we aim to become a low cost hub. Low cost carriers currently account for around 20% of traffic at our airport, and we would like to see that figure rise. At the same time, we are not a hub airport, so our connectivity depends on links to major hub airports, which low cost carriers do not always serve. Maintaining hub connections remains essential for overall connectivity. Our goal is to increase the LCC share to 30%”.
Thank you for saying it out loud. Especially when just yesterday Svoboda said that thanks to them the connectivity has improved massively
ReplyDeleteHere goes our hope of Wizz stationing an aircraft or two in LJU.
ReplyDeleteEven if the government changes I doubt they are any more capable of delivering better results in terms of aviation. It would be very needed tho.
ReplyDeleteI know someone from wizzair is bound to read this so please. Tirana, Bucharest and summer destinations in Spain and Greece would fill the planes. Take a look at Ryanair in Zagreb, take a flight with them and see how many of pax speak Slovenian, do the same from Venice and you'll see what statistics is missing out on. Introduce the flights for a year then go to the airport and tell them to reduce the taxes and if not you are out. Say that publicly on a press conference too. And I bet all my money that you'll get a great deal.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteNewsflash: Wizz isnt exactly as smart and calculated as you portray them to be.
DeleteTake a look at its route VIE to PRN, which carries up to 200k annually. They switched it to Bratislava and for reasons they only know, gave it the impossible departing time (06:00 o'clock), effectively killing the whole traffic single handedly.
Hence, the Lowcost strategy operates like a single-cell creature. Direct subsidies? - Big yes.
Any other consideration? - Too complex. Reject.
anon above - couldn't agree more. All LCCs demand capitalism when it suits them and socialism when it suits them.
DeleteWell, not just LCCs, I would like to meet business which would decline free public money... Almost entire traffic industry depends on public investments, it's sui generis in market economy and works with different set of rules compared to consumer goods trade. Agriculture too.
Delete@10.19 so you want to say LCCs are the same as flag carriers. Good!
DeleteNot surprising. All the tender conditions and rules are unappealing to airlines, especially LCCs. No wonder so few airlines have applied.
ReplyDeleteThose are fantastic loads for the SKP route.
ReplyDeleteThat routes biggest fan!
Delete@9.09 and you were one of them that loudly repeated "the market is too small" and "high density A320 is too big"?
Delete^^ no i wasnt. Just its a bit dull to hear 'yeay Skopje-Ljubljana' so often
Delete^^ slovenia is well served by Trieste airport for Tirana.
ReplyDeleteGreat then just close LJU if we have other airports. Bravo Fanboys!
DeleteWell LJU does serve a very small market, is it so shocking that airports around might be popular considering Slovenia is very small and very well connected to surrounding states? Not at all.
DeleteAnd by that logic Fraport should just give up and do nothing? Bravo Fanboys!
DeleteOr perhaps the government should get serious in helping the aviation sector. But nothing with change the fact that Ljubljana isnt very big and well served by airports in its immediate neighbourhood.
DeleteHow? The state is very limited due to EU rules. They sold the airport and this was the biggest mistake as they lost the most important tool to drive connectivity policy.
DeleteDo you really think that in the airport would deliver better results if it was in the hands of the state?
DeleteYes, the state would be in position to influence airport business policy to attract passengers as many other states are doing just that.
Delete^^ there are remarkably few state run airports in Europe. Only Munich, Norway and Finland spring to mind.
DeleteIn our region Podgorica and Sarajevo, they are both running attractive incentives. Vilnius is also a good example. Airports on concession have KPIs in the contract they have to fulfill the targets, therefore they are interested in attracting the traffic.
DeleteThey all got concession extended for a year or two. Esentially, the airport owners said let's pretend these two years didn't happen... Never heard anyone gave that kind of (at least) benefit of doubt to LJU/Fraport and they had one misery extra to deal with, compared to all Covid affected airports.
DeleteSkopje subsidy seems far more straightforward. Result: 92.9% load factor and long-term commitment. Maybe Slovenia should study the Macedonian model.
ReplyDeleteMacedonian model is not allowed in EU.
DeleteFor Wizz to launch more routes out of Ljubijana they need to open base. LJU is not a very attractive place to open a base. Slovenia is a small country, rich country with high wages, no diaspora, a lot of tourism but mostly car and a lot of competition from airports in neigbouring countries and due it's central location in Europe local demand and foreign demand is weaker than for example a country as Estonia with a similiar economy.
Delete@9.32 the subs scheme under which LJU route was launched is allowed by the EU therefore the route must be kept 3 years after the 3 year sub timeframe ...
DeleteWizz has tried Ljubljana three times in twenty years. Maybe the issue isn’t only subsidies but the size and yield of the market.
ReplyDeleteIf the yields were issue they wouldn't be flying route for more than 10 years.
DeleteIf the yields weren't there, they wouldn't increase SKP from 3x per week at the start to 5x weekly this summer.
DeleteGet over Skopje, that isnt a route most Slovenes give two hoots about.
DeleteDo remember that they get subsidies for this route.
DeleteAlso this intra-ExYu route does serve the large number of workers from North Macedonia and Albania as well as family connections. It has its own specific qualities which make it work.
DeleteYes, it's a pure gasto route, subsidized on both ends, what else do you want to discover here?
Deletemost succesful p2p route out of Slovenia
Delete@9.19 talk for yourselves but not for Slovenes
DeleteThe airport says it doesn’t want to become a low cost hub. Fair enough. But then don’t expect Ryanair or Wizz to base aircraft there.
ReplyDeleteThey want to become charter hub :)
DeleteKind of crazy that in 20 years Wizz has tried just two routes from LJU (excluding SKP).
ReplyDeleteAfter Adria collapsed, Slovenia had a chance to fully reset its strategy. Instead, it ended up with a half-measure subsidy system.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteUntil airport charges and incentives become more competitive, airlines will always prioritise Zagreb, Venice and Trieste over Ljubljana.
ReplyDeleteThe airport charges are cheaper in LJU than in ZAG (not counting the special deals some airlines get in ZAG).
DeleteNot counting... and this is the key. If you take into account incentives available to LCCs, Ljubljana is BY FAR the most expensive.
DeleteThat is 100% a government issue!
ReplyDeleteI blame neither the airlines nor the airport.
The government acts as if it wants to limit economic growth. 🤷♂️
The one and only problem is Fraport Slovenia. They are actively fighting against Wizz air base.
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteIf Wizz can fill planes at 93% on Skopje–Ljubljana, imagine what they could do on routes like Rome, Barcelona or Paris.
ReplyDeleteSkopje is a gasto route, subsidized on both ends. How does that compare to Rome-Ljubljana?
DeleteSkopje route was never subsidized by Slovenia.
DeleteYou are clueless.... Flights to those airports would never be as full as to Skopje. Skopje could be 7x a week and it would be 90%+. Many Macedonians and Albanians coming back form LJ.
DeleteI guess some of them from Croatia too, OU doesn't look promising on this route
DeleteSlovenia’s problem is that it wants connectivity but not at the “low cost carrier price”. Aviation doesn’t work like that anymore.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the real issue isn’t subsidies but airport charges. Incentives are temporary but the base costs are permanent.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the real issue is that Slovenia just isn't very big and has great motorways towards several other airports nearby..
DeleteWizz has entered and exited Ljubljana multiple times. You have to ask whether the problem is really subsidies or their long term commitment.
ReplyDelete"It's not you, it's me" right?
DeleteFFS oh come on stop the crap. They served Brussels and London routes only. Never leissure destinations
DeleteHow does easyjet make it work from LJU without any subsidies?
ReplyDeleteThey are the "premium" LCC of the big three. The most expensive one, so they don't need the subsidies. I'm happy to see them being successful with the new routes. MAN is reaching solid loads of above 80 % on most of the flights now in February.
DeleteObserver
ReplyDeleteFraport is acting like they have interest if LH cartel is doing good only. Oh wait.
ReplyDeleteNo they are limited by market size !! As well as Graz airport because whole city is served by Vienna airport and Budapest.
DeleteLJU has the strategy and it's completelly different to almost all other airports in the region with no national carrier. That strategy is influenced by 3 dramatic changes in the environment all happening in very short time: demise of Adria, Covid-19 & LCC base in Zagreb. No other market had that big challenge and it shows in the pax numbers. The only alternative was throwing huge money for LCC base in the middle of global pandemics. They didn't opt for that and they still have less pax but not so less profit. If we want to be fair and take all these into account, I would say they didn't do such a bad job.
ReplyDelete"No other market had that big challenge and it shows in the pax numbers."
Deletelet me remind you that LJU lost 400k between 2008 and 2012 with no pandemic and JP stil around which is almost the same for the 2019-2023 period
market is challeging in general
DeleteBut it wasn't the same challenge? Can you imagine these 3 things happening in 12-18 months: JU goes out of business, aviation traffic stopping in entire world for months and being disrupted for 3 years and Ryanair opening huge base in Niš or Timisoara? Cause that would be the same challenge LJU had to deal with. And I don't say they did good job, but we must admit they had very much different and challenging job, compared to BEG, ZAG and other airports with based legacies fuelled by hundred of millions of anti-Covid cash.
Deletethe most realistic one is OHD
ReplyDeleteits going to be interesting to follow how the TGD route evolves
ReplyDelete