New Ljubljana terminal a long-term investment


Ljubljana Jože Pučnik is pushing ahead with the construction of its new passenger terminal despite the collapse in travel demand and financial revenue. General Manager Zmago Skobir believes the new facility will satisfy the airport’s needs over the next three decades. “We currently don’t need it and we won’t need it next year. We started building the terminal last year. It is important to note that it will suit our needs for the next thirty years. It is a strategic investment. Halting construction now and resuming work in two to three years would be an even greater financial burden for the company. We need the terminal in the long run. If we decommission it now, we would have big problems”, Mr Skobir told the “Večer” daily recently.


Construction of the terminal building is scheduled for completion at the start of next year, after which the facility will be tested and put into use during the summer of 2021 as Slovenia takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in June. However, Mr Skobir concedes the terminal’s completion may be delayed due to liquidity problems caused by the coronavirus. Operator Fraport Slovenija has halted all investments planned for this year, with exception to the terminal. Projects which have been shelved for the time being include the expansion of the apron and the development of a staff car park.


Stretching over 10.000 square metres, the new terminal will feature a new departures hall with 22 check-in counters, five security lanes, three baggage carousels, a new baggage sorting facility, a large duty free shop, a new premium lounge, as well as new food and beverage facilities. The existing passenger terminal, which stretches over 13.000 square metres, will also be partially renovated. The two facilities will then be joined to form a single functioning unit. The new terminal will be a spacious fusion of concrete, wood and glass, reflecting the nearby Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    Hope it pays off

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JU520 BEGLAX19:54

      It will. The new terminal was long time due, considering that nowadays 45% of airport revenues at hubs like ZRH come from commercial part like stores, food and beverage. There will be a time after Corona and I think in 2022 we already will see growth again. The new terminal makes LJU ready for the next decade. SLO has a growing population, so airport numbers will grow with it

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    I'm glad it hasn't been stopped.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:04

    Great. I look forward to this being completed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:59

      pictures are super old. they are already working on windows...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:03

      Microsoft Windows?

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:06

    Hopefully 2021 will be Ljubljana's year with the new terminal and traffic recovery. The EU presidency will help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      Wishful thinking, dear. The international air traffic is expected to recover 2019 levels by 2023. This crisis will take years to recover. In SOF for instance, there are currently 19 EW/LH planes and 3 EY planes parked and covered. The same in other cargo airports taking more and more unused aircraft.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:07

    Good thing this project started before corona otherwise we wouldn't see this happen in a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:18

    Do they have enough money to finance this project?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:20

      I believe they asked the government for help.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:29

      I guess is mostly EU founds plus credits that will never be paid back.
      Nothing changed new and old actors together playing in the old way.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:58

      This is not true. They are financing it with they profit from the past few years.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:08

      aren't those savings gone by now?

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:21

    Can't wait for it to be completed!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:32

    Who are they building it for when there is barely any traffic?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      Like the title says it's a long term investment.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:35

      I meant because even before corona traffic was down 40%.

      Delete
    3. If there were no Adria before the start of the construction. I know the construction wouldnt start.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:44

      The current terminal was originally built to handle 500,000 pax so they need to expand.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:46

      ^ Yes but it has been expanded numerous times.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:40

    Almost everyone in the industry knew that Adria was going to go bankrupt but the terminal expansion started anyway. Then corona hit and they still go on with it. I don't see the logic. This terminal won't be needed probably until the end of the decade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:40

      Full recovery from Adria was planned in 2021. Now, I don't see the airport recovering until 2024/2025.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:45

      Better build it now when they still have money from profits over the last years. There will be no money in the near future.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:47

    I really also wonder who will use it. Will they finish the building and just leave it closed or what?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:56

      My question too. The old terminal is not busy or crowded.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous22:39

      right now it's not ... last summer though, pax were crammed in like sardines

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:51

    I truly wish all the best to LJU, hope some new routes will open next year.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:51

    It's good to see development in LJU and also some optimism for future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:47

      they are continuing to build it because it's still a cheaper option than to cease construction now and to continue in a few years when traffic comes back
      but if you see development and optimism for the (near) future, you'll be disappointed as traffic won't just bounce back

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:55

    Looks similar to Frankfurt´s new Terminal 3.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:40

      Well it is the same operator :)

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:57

    Long term is definitely long term.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous10:37

    Will they build the hotel too? Any plans?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:41

      I don't think it's the airport's job to build hotels.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:42

      From an article here years ago

      "Negotiations are also underway with a large international chain for the construction of a hotel near the airport", Mr Skobir previously said.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:43

      Mr Skobir said everything...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous22:49

      Skobir is overboasting as usual

      Delete
  16. Anonymous10:43

    It's been a long time coming but I'm glad there will be a new terminal in Ljubljana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:45

      Agree. A new terminal has been needed for 20 years already...

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10:47

    At the risk of sounding malicious, but why is the new airport being built? The current one is more than enough for the handful of airlines and routes serving Ljubljana, and Slovenia for that matter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:51

      True. Turn LJU into a LCC base, for the rest there is ZAG and VCE.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:52

    Will there be any additional jet bridges on the new part?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:58

      Yes, I believe 1.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:52

    Do we know what will be the total annual capacity of the two terminals?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous11:03

    New and old terminal combined will be around 22000sqm. Not bad.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous11:32

    Very late and now it will be of no use. If they built the new terminal as planned with 31,200 sqm and had it completed by 2015, they could have converted the current terminal for low cost use and capitalized on the fact that Zagreb is not that low cost friendly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:35

      What's even more unfortunate is that the EU agreed to fund part of the new terminal back then.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous11:54

    How long does Fraport's concession run for?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:00

      It's not a concession. It's a full privatization. It means Fraport owns LJU.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:06

      Actually the infrastructure itself is owned by the state of Slovenia. Fraport owns the operating company Aerodrom Ljubljana.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous12:00

    More important then new terminal is new airlines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:04

      They are equally important but I completely agree we need more airlines.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:11

      Good infrastructure always brings further development and opportunities.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:32

      There are not many airlines which would fly to LJU (or any other airport) because of good infrastructure. After Adria demise even current one is way to big to handle number of passengers LJU is getting. But maybe it would be good idea to open indor carting on new terminal as they used to have outside carting track on one of the parking places at airport.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:49

      in the mid time it is great conference hall, meditation hall, ....

      Multiple of uses for a large space and not a lot of noise for majority of the day.

      Delete
  24. notLufthansa09:38

    Skobir plays with orchestra, while the ship is sinking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:48

      i hope he realizes he is on the same ship

      Delete
    2. notLufthansa20:15

      he will change ship, no worries. He is expert in jumping from one post to another sans taking responsibility for the ruins left behind.

      Career History
      title
      company
      tenure
      Chairman-Mgmt Board
      Aerodrom Ljubljana DD
      07/2007–PRESENT
      Member-Mgmt Bd:Mrktg Strategy
      Aerodrom Ljubljana DD
      01/2003–07/2007
      Advisor
      Aerodrom Ljubljana DD
      01/2002–12/2003
      Commercial Director
      Adria Airways
      FORMER
      Managing Director
      Globtour
      FORMER

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19:58

      yes, sadly, it will probably go this way
      jobs, businesses, tourism, families ... walked the plank because of his arrogance but his ass will be saved

      Delete

Post a Comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.