NEWS FLASH
The government of Turkmenistan and officials from Slovenia have expressed interest in establishing direct air links between Ashgabat and Ljubljana in a bid to boost cooperation between the two countries, the Turkmen Foreign Minister said following talks with Slovenia’s Ambassador. Turkmenistan Airlines has been suggested as the possible operator. The carrier boasts a fleet 31 aircraft including Boeing 777s and serves Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Belarus in Europe, as well as destinations across Asia. Turkmenistan has opened a new $2.3 billion passenger terminal at Ashgabat Airport last month as the former Soviet republic tries to become an international transport hub in Central Asia and reduce its dependence on revenues from natural gas exports. Turkmenistan has a strict visa policy and only attracts about 100.000 tourists a year. However, authorities say they hope for a higher number of foreign visitors when the capital hosts the Asian Indoor Games next year.
The government of Turkmenistan and officials from Slovenia have expressed interest in establishing direct air links between Ashgabat and Ljubljana in a bid to boost cooperation between the two countries, the Turkmen Foreign Minister said following talks with Slovenia’s Ambassador. Turkmenistan Airlines has been suggested as the possible operator. The carrier boasts a fleet 31 aircraft including Boeing 777s and serves Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Belarus in Europe, as well as destinations across Asia. Turkmenistan has opened a new $2.3 billion passenger terminal at Ashgabat Airport last month as the former Soviet republic tries to become an international transport hub in Central Asia and reduce its dependence on revenues from natural gas exports. Turkmenistan has a strict visa policy and only attracts about 100.000 tourists a year. However, authorities say they hope for a higher number of foreign visitors when the capital hosts the Asian Indoor Games next year.
Sometimes I have the impression that the people in charge in the airline business in ex-yu region are crazy. Ljubljana should go for flights to Rome and Barcelona and other cities in Europe instead dreaming about Flights to Ashgabat, Baku, Dubai, Shanghai or other crazy things.
ReplyDeletehaha +1
DeleteDon't worry, nothing will come out of it.
DeleteTurkmenistan, Adria rumors about Iran...
ReplyDeleteAnd soon Ljubljana will be a hub for everyone going from the Balkans to central and west Europe...
Slovenia and Ljubljana are on fire!
having talks about those things are just talks. when we see actual routes, then we can say LJ is on fire. I think it will only remain by talks and nothing more will evolve from that.
DeleteAnon, 11:34 - this must be irony? Please tell me you are being completely ironic.
DeleteDoesn't it seem a little excessive to construct a terminal that costs $2.3 billion to make and can handle about 14mil passengers in addition to the current capacity when the figures show that the entire airport handles about 2.1 million and is a hub to an airline consisting of 33 aircrafts.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt will a unique and one of a kind destination, so don´t be too harsh on it. Take Riga, they have a direct link to JFK operated by Uzbekistan Airways.
ReplyDeleteAnd apparently PIA will open Pakistan->Leipzig->New York next year. LOL
DeleteLeipzig is getting quite trendy as a city. I recommend you to read a bit and find out more and not publish cheap comments.
DeleteAlso, what´s wrong of having an Uzbek airline operate such a unique service? Trade between all 3 countries.
He was only kidding.
DeleteNo, I was being serious. Google it.
DeleteI know Leipzig and am often in the area which I really like (Saxony, Chemnitz, Dresden, Ore Mountains - the last especially in Christmas Market time in December - I really recommend the Chemnitz Xmas market btw) - but for sure there is not enough demand with a pakistani airline (longhaul) from there to either some city in Pakistan, nor to NY unless they are dirt dirt cheap - if they ever start that route. Germans value safety and their standards and rather paye more to fly LH for ex.
Those very exotic routes do not last - if ever started.
I initially thought you were kidding but ironically proved to be right. Although I strongly support them launching this service: they are a 3 star airline based on SkyTrax: http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/pia-pakistan-international-airlines/
DeleteConnecting LEI to NYC will be a milestone * it currently has the same traffic as ZAG.
^^^
DeleteHY used to route its JFK flights via BEG with a JU codeshare. After a year they transfered to RIX. If I remember right, Uzbeks keep money in Latvia. TAS-RIX isnt realky an odd route considering the common ties of being ex SSSr countries.
As for PK flying via Leipzig, apparently it is to screen pax before entering the US. The flights only stop in Leipzig on the outbound sector. Pakistan isnt known for strict airport safety, or general stability hence why no Euro company is flying anymore to Pakistan (which require a layover) and why the ME3 have soo many daily flights to a number of cities.
Well, this is splendid - European state owned airlines are dropping likes flies under the neoliberal mantra of 'no state aid allowed!!!', and their place is taken by the rich, non-EU state owned airlines.
ReplyDeleteEntirely fantastic, isn't it?
DeleteYes, keep blaming EU for everything. It´s so tiring and boring, you sound like a Tory Brexiteer.
DeleteFor God's sake, with WHO Slovenia ISN'T discussing air services?!!
ReplyDeleteCroatia.
DeleteWith the ones that matter most, Barcelona, scandinavian cities..
ReplyDeleteAnd Italy?????
Delete