Adria’s recovery in full swing

Adria sees improving finances and passenger numbers

Adria Airways has posted solid results as the airline recovers from two years of severe cost cutting measures. In the first eight months of the year, the Slovenian national carrier handled 702.437 passengers, an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year. The results come despite a 6% decrease in the number of operated flights. In August alone Adria welcomed 128.949 passengers on board its aircraft, an increase of 14.6% compared to the same month last year with 3.2% more flights. During August the airline recorded an average load factor of 80.5%, an improvement of 6.3% compared to August of 2012. Passenger numbers are expected to have further grown in September as the country hosted the European Basketball Championships, bringing with it many guests.

The carrier’s finances have also improved. During the first eight months the airline recorded a loss of 1.2 million euros, compared to last year ‘s 6.9 million. Revenue remained the same as last year. Adria’s recovery started in May 2013 as it began to record improvements in both passenger numbers and finances. With plans to privatise the Slovenian national carrier in the coming months, news of its upturn will make it more attractive to potential partners.

As the airline begins to recover, it has already announced it will launch new flights to Warsaw and Prague as well as from Tirana to Frankfurt in March 2014. Adria is also considering resuming its seasonal summer service to Ohrid. In addition, the airline hopes to boost its finances by selling of its assets. The Slovenian carrier is selling off its maintenance hangar at Ljubljana Airport, its apron, workshops, flight academy, simulator and office building. A total of three parties have put forward their bids with the airline now holding talks with all of those who have expressed interest. Finally, Adria recently sold one of its Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft to SCAT Airlines from Kazakhstan. As a result, the airline now operates a fleet of eleven aircraft – one A320, two A319 and four CRJ900 and CRJ200 aircraft.