Star Alliance headlines Ljubljana growth

Star Alliance member airlines performing well at Ljubljana Airport

Turkish Airlines has maintained its position as the busiest foreign carrier operating flights to and from Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. According to the “Sierra 5” portal, the Star Alliance member carried over 40.000 passengers on its flights from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport to Ljubljana during the first half of the year, an increase of 15% compared to the same period in 2014. The average cabin load factor stood at just over 70%. The Turkish national carrier inaugurated flights to Ljubljana in January 2006, initially running three weekly services on the route with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Over the last five years it has carried over 300.000 passengers between the two cities. This summer, the airline boosted its operations to the Slovenian capital from seven to ten weekly flights. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, the Turkish carrier is considering boosting its services to twelve weekly flights next summer.

Swiss International Air Lines, which launched daily flights from Zurich to Ljubljana this summer season will maintain services to the Slovenian capital throughout the winter as well, although flights will be reduced to four per week. The airline is satisfied with its performance on the route so far. Swiss spokeswoman, Karin Muller, told EX-YU Aviation News, “The former Yugoslav market is very interesting for Swiss, as there is a big community from the Balkan area living in Switzerland. Therefore, there is a high demand for flights to these countries”. Next year, another Star Alliance member will launch services to Ljubljana. LOT Polish Airlines will inaugurate six weekly flights from Warsaw on March 1. Some 12.000 passengers are expected to use the service in its first year.

Following a slow start to 2015, Jože Pučnik Airport has seen its numbers bounce over the past three months, with double digit passenger growth recorded. During the first half of the year, Slovenia’s busiest airport handled 626.525 travellers, an increase of 9.7% compared to the same period in 2014. During the six-month period, the number of flight operations totalled 15.511, up 0.4%. Adria remains the airport’s busiest airline. “The goal is to make Ljubljana the leading airport in this part of Europe - in terms of attractiveness, hospitality, and the quality of service for our customers”, the airport’s Managing Director, Zmago Skobir, said. Anke Giesen, the Chief Operating Officer of the Frankfurt-based global airport management company Fraport, which runs Ljubljana Airport, noted, “We are convinced of the great potential of Ljubljana. Our unique partnership with Ljubljana Airport is a win-win situation for travellers, tourism and for the Slovenian economy overall”.