Adria Airways plans to continue growing its network following the recent introduction of flights between Ljubljana and Kiev. The airline's CEO, Arno Schuster, told public broadcaster "RTV SLO" that the carrier will soon unveil its plans for 2018, which will include new destinations. Mr Schuster noted that when selecting new points for its network, the airline first takes into account inquires made by passengers for new routes and then cooperates with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which provides data and details on necessary connections. Finally, a study is conducted which shows whether a potential route would be viable. The carrier noted that it is satisfied with initial loads on its three weekly service to Kiev, but will evaluate the route and its future in due course.
The Slovenian carrier expects to operate 6% more flights in 2017, while passenger numbers are up almost 11% during the first three quarters of the year when compared to last. In other developments, Adria will wet-lease a Boeing 737-400 aircraft in late December and early January from the Slovak charter airline Go2Sky, with which it plans to operate flights from Pristina and Tirana to both Munich and Frankfurt during the busy holiday period. At the same time, the airline has secured wet-lease arrangements with Eurowings and Luxair, in December and January respectively, to provide one of its Airbus A319s and Bombardier CRJ700s to the airlines.
In a previous interview, Mr Schuster noted, "We believe that we now have a good and secure base to further improve our results. One possibility for this is expanding the network. We noticed that our customers want a wider choice. For example, we have added Kiev to the timetable, while other new routes will be added next year. We also have a great advantage here since Slovenia is centrally located in Europe, meaning that the majority of our flights take around one and a half hours. That makes transferring through Ljubljana appealing to many customers". Ljubljana Airport has previously said it was looking at establishing connections to Madrid, Barcelona, Oslo and Hannover. Furthermore, the airport’s medium-term goal is to further strengthen charter operations, particularly from Asia.
Really smart thinking, they need to grow in order to remain relevant both in Slovenia but in Croatia too.
ReplyDeleteLJU has much lower costs than ZAG and if they play their cards right they can become something of a cheaper alternative, the same way Bratislava is to Vienna.
Why should someone pay €500 to fly from ZAG to KBP via VIE when he can fly from LJU for half that money?
Congratulations to Adria for being a step ahead of the game.
LJU does not have lower costs then ZAG. Not even close.
DeleteZag to kbp via vie?
DeleteLJU is cheaper for airlines to fly there, they charge them less. That's a fact.
DeleteAnon 09.20
That's the fastest way between ZAG and KBP however prices are horrible.
Turkish is a much better option to KBP, I always fly them despite a somewhat longer connecting time on the outbound.
DeleteYes they do, I can always find lower prices and I live halfway betweem LJU and ZAG!
DeleteI avoid TK because of IST. It's getting worse and worse.
DeleteMe too! I have started avoiding them precisely becauseof this reason. Hopefully things will change with the new airport in Istanbul.
DeleteNot true. ZAG prices for airlines are lower than LJU.
DeleteZAG flights to same destinations are lower than LJU.
Yes but the standard of living is higher in Slovenia so proportionally it's higher in Zagreb.
DeleteThis is one of the more clever comments on this blog and the competition is big.
DeleteDoesn't meter we are speaking will those in middle between Zagreb and Ljubljana (Novo Mesto, Krško, Celje) use Zagreb or Ljubljana. Prices of tickets are lower in Zagreb, air taxes for companies are lower in Zagreb.
DeleteI check this several times per month. Ljubljana is unreal and mad expensive.
@AnonymousNovember 16, 2017 at 12:42 PM
DeleteYou're a moron, certifiable.
A certain group on here loves to point out how Croatia has a higher standards than Macedonia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro... but when they are reminded that Slovenia is the richest of them all then they start calling others morons.
DeleteIt is because when someone has 200 EUR bigger paycheck it will not be reason that he will not choose cheaper ticket or airport
DeleteAnonymous @November 16, 2017 at 6:55 PM No. You are.
DeleteWhat could be the next new destination?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they reconsider Tehran. They were planning on introducing it this year.
DeleteThat would be interesting but the way things are in the Middle East and potential conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, I don't think they will take the risk.
DeleteThey should try Dubai in the Middle East and make some interline with Emirates.
DeleteBrac?
DeleteYes! Flights to the Croatian coast would be a very good idea, especially now that they have turboprops, I think it would work.
DeleteJP has nothing to offer to those flying to the coast. There are enough direct flights and connections are available via ZAG
DeleteI'm talking about LJU-Croatian coast for tourists seasonally.
DeleteNo one would fly when distances are not that great.
DeleteI'm not so sure. If they offered a reasonable price I'm sure tour operators would book capacity.
DeleteNo one would fly from Ljubljana to Croatian coast, because distances aren't that great??? Yah...if they spend summer holidays around Rijeka, or maybe Istria. Otherwise, of course they would fly. With Dalmatia, we're talking about distances of between 500-800km.
DeleteVast majority of slovenians stay in Kvarner and Istra. Also a lot of those that have houses or app's in Croatia, have in northern coastal areas (bought/build in ex-yu times and after indy.)
DeleteYes. No Slovenes south of Crikvenica.
DeleteThe reason why closer Croation destionation are so popular with Slovenian's is because they are close... Brac, Split and also potentially Dubrovnik with Saab from Ljubljana are guaranteed success (with reasonable prices of course)! Its not that is free to drive on the highway to Split and take the ferry to Brac...
DeleteReally? I meet many more Slovenians on Hvar or Korčula, than in Poreč.
DeleteThere are of course in souther parts, but really majority is in Slovenia. Heck, Novigrad has somethibg like Slovenian days in summer.
DeleteBut for sure, saab would probably get filled as highways are really expensive.
I'm sure Brac and DBV would work. If they establish airports on other islands (eg Vis), those as well.
DeleteI would be very happy to fly to Brac from LJU.
Dubrovnik for sure will work with A319 or at least CRJ-900, Brač and Split with Saab 2000. Ljubljana- Dubrovnik is 650 km, but 300 km is with no highway. That is some 8-9 hours driving including borders and rest stops.
DeleteCould be that Dubrovnik works even with 319 well if you include some transfer passengers. Otherwise, Dubrovnik is not regarded as a particularly hot destination is Slovenia, its overcrowded and too expensive. Areas around Split on the other hand (Sibenik to Makarska and the islands) are very popular in Slovenia, not the least because of the people who go sailing and those are exactly the people who would fly there...
DeleteI agree that people who go sailing or to hotels are the prime targets for flights. But I'm not sure how many regular tourists, especially families, would be willing to sacrifice all the luggage space in the car just to be able to fly there. Plus, you somehow need to get from the airport to your apartment in Ivan Dolac or wherever.
DeleteThere are enough Slovenians south of Kvarner who would fly.
DeleteThat's like saying - the majority of Zagrebians spend their summer vacation in the Kvarner. Sure...they do. However, Zagreb is a city of million people and Slovenia a country of 2 million.
DeleteI'm hoping/expecting: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon Hamburg and Koln.
ReplyDeleteI think some of those could work. Also they should consider some points in Eastern Europe - OTP and SOF for example.
DeleteLIS please. Or at least MAD for connection in that region.
DeleteWhat about Greece? I'm surprised Adria does not fly to Athens anymore.
DeleteAthens was one of the first cut during cost cutting a few years ago. Aegean tried seasonal flights last year but they didn't resume them this summer. Probably not a big enough market.
DeleteGreece is very well coverd by seasonal charters almost all over main turist destinations there.So I think that there is no other demand for GR
DeleteAh ok, thanks
DeleteMaybe SKG?
DeleteDon't understand, they leased their A319 to Eurowings, and in same time will lease 737-400 from Go2Sky for their needs in PRN and TIA????
ReplyDeleteMaybe its cheaper than to fly the A319? The B734 they are leasing is 20 yrs old.
DeleteThey probably calculated that they would make more money this way.
DeleteSomebody has to pay for expensive lease contracts so its the easiest to wet lease the aircraft.
DeleteFor PRN and TIA a 73 is the cheapest solution.
When you have your plane in your base, with your crew, for your operation for sure must be cheaper than when you lease it to someone else and than lease plane from 3rd company.
DeleteHope they keep Kiev!
ReplyDeleteKiev will stay LF is 70%
DeleteThat's pretty good for a new route in winter. I hope those numbers sick during January and February.
DeleteCan a Saab fly LJU-KBP?
Delete@AnonymousNovember 16, 2017 at 9:13 AM:
DeleteAre you sure it's 70%? I would say it's closer to 60% and they're mostly utilising CRJ700 on the route.
The flights to kbp are 70% or maybe even more
DeleteCrj700 on sunday had 3c and 56y passengers on board
I already wrote here that Dniproavia flights would never realized, and Adria could sustain the route only a few months. Wait for January :)
ReplyDeleteOne day you'll learn aviation too Arno, but not in near future ;)
i think you are wrong
Deletebut time will tell us
LJU should do much more to attract low cost airlines. The choice from Ljubljana is bad. Adria has a monopoly on 80% of the routes. That's your main reason why so many want to fly from Ljubljana but use other airports instead.
ReplyDeleteThings are slowly changing. Wizz Air is increasing capacity and Transavia is adding more flights.
DeleteLJU should attract W6 to open a base. It would be their second Western European base after Luton.
^ Also Eurowings starting flights soon :)
DeleteEurowings won´t come.
DeleteIt has been confirmed by LJU, DUS and even Eurowings last week. Don't see why they wouldn't.
Deleteeurowings will have like 130€ return tickets at their lowest. that's not really a low cost imo. It's the same price adria would fly there or 20€ less maybe.
DeleteYes but EW has 150 seats to fill. Adria would probably go with their CR7 or ATR. Since flights have not even gone on sale yet chances are very low they would start the flights. EW will calculate with at least 80% CLF.
DeleteYou are free to drive there and back for 130 or 20 or so more, if you can manage.
DeleteWe have already discussed LCC's and their busines model on this blog. I believe 130 is more than reasonable for this route.
€130 is an ok price for a flight like that. Airlines have to make money, they are not Red Cross.
DeleteYes but unlike the Red Cross they wont find 130 Pax on average per flight.
DeleteI didn't know that the Red Cross is in the business of putting people on flights in and out of wonderful Ljubljana.
DeleteThey have quite a few planes now so its normal they will open new routes to deploy them. Hope for some good destinations.
ReplyDeleteThey sure do. They planned to base planes in Berne over night, so they obviously have a surplus of equipment.
DeleteThey can always do ACMIs in summer like they are doing this winter.
DeleteScandinavia needs much better coverage from LJU. I'm hoping they resume Stockholm.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteProblem with flights from Scandinavia to Ljubljana is that there is only seasonal demand.
DeleteYes I think JP used to fly to ARN seasonally.
DeleteBravo Slovenia!
ReplyDeleteGreat news Adria! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Geneva, linking to Adria Switzerland?
ReplyDeleteDarwin will most likely suspend Geneva from January so I don't see how they would benefit from starting flights to there.
DeleteThey are wet-leasing their A319 to Eurowings in December and than leasing another B734 for themselves? Logic.
ReplyDeleteYes leasing 319 to EW for 200.000 a month and leasing 734 for 110.000 a month. Find the logic.
DeleteAny sources on that or it's just another "insider" info?
Deletearent they leasing the 734 only for the festive period?
Deleteto the random anon from a while back who said 2018 will be big for adria. I believe you now.
ReplyDeleteAdria is slowly but surely loosing passengers with their poor product offering to fly SB2 and AT7 meanwhile leasing out the regional jets and buses.
ReplyDeleteJP is recording passenger growth.
DeleteExactly, says in the article numbers are up 11%.
DeleteI do wonder how people react when they see a Saab or ATR waiting for them, especially since Adria passengers are used to CRJs and Airbuses.
DeletePretty sure majority don't even notice
DeletePretty sure majority don't even notice or don't mind
DeleteAdria has the biggest increase of passengers among ex-Yu airlines this year.
DeleteThat's true but they also had the biggest decline in 2016.
DeleteTheir numbers have improved on 2015 too I think.
Deletesorry but everyone notices the "mali avion" and wil think twice for the next time ...
DeleteFor that less then an hour flight really dosen’t matter.
DeleteOvde imas ljudi koji stalno potenciraju nedostatke malih avione kao da vecina moze da bira posebno sa malih aerodroma kakav je ljubljanski. Dolazis preko atlantika i presedas na tada Jatov atr72 i sta sa tim? Neces da letis preko atlantika zbog toga?
Deletene, ali sledeci put uizimam TK. plus klopa
DeleteJa volim klopu
DeleteI used to regularly fly JP route AMS-SKP via LJU, but after they introduced the Saab - bye bye.
DeleteOS offers way better product and even cheaper fares most of the time.
Problem je kad letis sa AT7 do MUC, tamo vris u holidngu sat vremena i vratis se u LJU. Dal su tamo saznali da ne nemoze sletit u CAT III ili misle da je to AZ operacija, ili OPS nezna sta radi, neznam ni ja... Ili sa ZRH na SB2 za 500 EUR. Se izvinjavam ali to su absolutni amateri. Mozda moze gurati Kosovare i Albance sa 734 ali i njih ne za dugo ...
Deleteflying the turboprop over the Alps (LJU-MUC in the 90s) was not the most pleasant ride believe me :D
DeleteIn addition it seems ATRs are leaving the fleet on 1.12.. I have a few bookings with Adria and yesterday at every booking after 1.12. AT7 was replaced by SB2.
DeleteGood work for Adria. Happy to see them expand.
ReplyDeleteThere had to be some light at the end of the tunnel. Now its a matter to see how this new strategy will work out.
DeleteI actually think I think LJU has some good mix of destinations for its size.
ReplyDeleteAgree.
DeleteWhen do they usually announce their summer schedule?
ReplyDeleteSpring 2018
DeleteThis year it was just like few day before the start of the summer timetable. But then again there were no new lines in SUTT.
DeleteWhat are some realistic options for JP? OTP, MAD, ARN?
ReplyDeletePropast i dalje u najavi, stotinak hiljada od razlike nece ih spasiti. Sad su ionako briga LH. Sloveniji treba mala avio kompanija koja ce da leti pojedine gradove izvan LH mreze sa dobitkom. I to je to.
ReplyDeleteDa da. Yawn
Deletebas si ti meni pamenjakovic
DeleteJP is building up a base in LJU which is good. They were lost for many years.
ReplyDeleteActually, hey are lost as never before.
DeleteAnyone knows how heir finances have been performing this year?
ReplyDelete*their
DeleteI sure hope they announce Stockholm service next year again.
ReplyDeleteI hardly think so. Zagreb has two carriers as of this year operating to Stockholm.
Deletenext big step for JP will be opening first base in Croatia, probably PUY.
ReplyDeleteBase? Are you sure? That would be interesting.
DeleteA base is more than needed since OU gave up on the coast.
DeleteOTP, BEG, LVO, MUC, WAW from PUY next summer twice pw operated by JP (crj700)
DeleteAny more info? Or just your thinking?
Deleteso far, deal has been defined among operator, local TO and airport. final contract should wait for regulator stamp.
DeleteAnyone know how their WAW route is doing?
ReplyDeleteI assume well. They have increased frequencies to Warsaw.
DeleteI am wondering also about PRG - prices always so high, as there is such strong demand for that destination.
DeleteRegarding Warsaw, they haven't increased frequencies. It's one of the few routes that was not increased. They fly 5x per week this winter like last year.
Delete5x is good for a route like that. I am sure it's mostly filled with Asian passengers.
DeleteYes and on top of that LOT flies to Ljubljana as well.
DeleteThey are both making a killing on the route. Congratulations to all involves.
DeleteGood to hear. I think there are several potential unserved destinations from Ljubljana but what about Italy? I know it's close but surely they could fill a seventy seat plane 3 times per week to Rome.
ReplyDeleteOr Naples.
DeleteRyanair and Alitalia fly from Trieste, so it’s maybe just to close for western Slovenia. You can get for 20eur (one way) to Ciampino. w/ Ryanair (and GoOpti shuttles you for less then that from Ljubljana). Alitalia has free parking for slovenes using Trieste airport.
DeleteIts actually a shame that Slovenia has no connection with Italy since 30 years, but thats goes in line with screwup of managing LJU apt and SI politics. You need to fly to FCO, forget Ciampino.
ReplyDeleteIf you are the OP from ^...
DeleteAlitalia flies double daily to FCO.
+ Sure, FCO for onwards, but Ciampino for visiting Rome is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWith all these increases, does anybody know what JP's share of traffic at LJU is ?? I'm guessing it must be somewhere between 60-70% ...
ReplyDeleteI'm scheduled to fly (class H) on the MUC-PRN route on 29 December 2017. Not best pleased about having to fly a 20+ year old Boeing 737-400.
ReplyDeleteAdria better be careful with these changes (downgrade in my opinion), otherwise EW and ST (Germania) await passengers on the same route.