Slovenia divided over new national carrier ahead of elections


Slovenian political parties have not formed a consensus over the creation of a new national carrier to aid the country’s battered connectivity following the demise of national airline Adria Airways in September 2019. Ahead of Parliamentary Elections next Sunday, some parties have expressed strong support for the launch of a new national airline, some have proposed holding a referendum on the matter, while others have ruled out the idea altogether, according to the Slovenia Press Agency (STA). The governing Slovenian Democratic Party led by incumbent Prime Minister Janez Janša, has said the country does not have sufficient potential to support a new airline. “Slovenia does not have enough potential to start and ensure the successful operation of a national airline, but we believe that the country’s strategic position should be better used in the future to establish new routes and better connectivity”, the Slovenian Democratic Party said.

The main opposition LMS, led by former Prime Minister Marjan Šarec, during whose tenure Adria Airways declared bankruptcy, said they are in principle in favour of new carrier but that a feasibility study must be carried out beforehand. LMS notes that it is essential for Slovenia to improve its connectivity to foreign markets in order to boost economic development, international trade and tourism. On the other hand, Party of Alenka Bratušek, led by the former Prime Minister during whose term as Deputy PM from 2018 until 2020 Adria went bankrupt, said, “The establishment of Air Slovenia is a priority”.

However, the majority of parties vying for seats in parliament and government next week are opposed to a new national airline. On the other hand, the Truth movement believes a referendum should be held to settle the matter. A new government will likely be formed by several parties who may have differing views on Slovenia’s new flag carrier and a compromise will be needed to settle the issue. Over the last two years. the Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology has turned down several offers by airlines to either establish the country’s new national carrier or station aircraft in Ljubljana. Talks were held with the Lufthansa-owned Air Dolomiti, low cost carrier Wizz Air, Slovenian cargo airline Solinair and the French Valljet. An unnamed carrier from the Middle East has also expressed interest in establishing a new Slovenian operation.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:03

    Whatever they do, it will fail ... or will be heavily subsidized in order to survive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:37

      Look who's talking, pm who didn't want to save adria as it was "useless", he can only make a farming company as he was farmer beffore. :D

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:49

      It’s as simple as that. Market in Europe is consolidating in general and there is no really place for new carriers and especially national carrier. Even if they got established, very high cost base will render their fares uncompetitive and they will end up just like most others national carriers.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:21

      No you id***, slovenia needs national carrier as you can see from Lhr flights in summer, people can go with easyjet to london which is cheaper l, but no they still decide on more expensice option so in this case BA.

      The point was that, people who killed adria are now saying they will do something
      But we all know that they don't give a sh** about slovenia connectivity to the word, so that's the main probpem as he is smart now but he didn't want to save adria...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:24

      I agree that Slovenia needs improved connectivity but that can be accomplished by other sensible means rather than another loss-making taxpayer financed national carrier.

      P2P pax will more likely choose LCC due to price. Transfer pax will go ahead with network carriers. That’s two markets.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    Is there any party with a chance of being in government in favour of a new airline?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:30

      Alenka Bratusek but she won't have big impact. Everything will be in hands of Golob and his party "Svoboda"

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:33

      And they are against a new airline.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:06

      Anon 09:33 - Where did you read that? I am not saying it's not true, but I have not seen Golob expressing his view on this matter, would love to read it.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:25

      Somehow I think he would be against establishing new airline as he always talk about green economy and digitalization. I would really like to hear his opinion regarding that.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:25

      They are very much against it

      Gibanje Svoboda

      Na področju letalskih povezav je bistveno, da se ponovno zagotovi mednarodna povezljivost Slovenije z evropskimi in prestolnicami v tretjih državah, ki so bistvenega pomena za razvoj gospodarstva, mednarodno menjavo in turizem, menijo. Rešitvi, ki predvideva ustanovitev nacionalnega letalskega prevoznika, so najmanj naklonjeni.

      Translation

      In the field of air connections, it is essential to re-ensure Slovenia's international connectivity with European and capitals in third countries, which are essential for economic development, international trade and tourism, they said. A solution that provides for the establishment of a national aviation carrier are the least favored.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:57

      I just saw that on STA, thank you.
      But on other hand all other parties from KUL (SD, LMS, Levica) are in favour of new national carrier. Another party from KUL (SAB) said that for them this is top priority.

      Levica

      Menijo, da bi z vidika strateških interesov države na kratki rok potrebovali domačega letalskega prevoznika pod javnim nadzorom in v državni lasti, na dolgi rok pa se zaradi nerentabilnosti in okoljskih razlogov zavzemajo za omejitev oziroma eventualno ukinitev letalskega prometa in nadomestitev s sodobnim železniškim prometom.

      LMŠ

      Načeloma podpirajo ustanovitev letalskega prevoznika, a je, kot so izpostavili, pred tem treba izvesti natančno študijo ekonomičnosti takšnega projekta.

      SAB

      Za stranko SAB je ustanovitev nacionalnega letalskega prevoznika Air Slovenia prioritetna.

      SD

      Podpirajo ustanovitev nacionalnega letalskega prevoznika, saj je, kot so izpostavili, za odprto in malo gospodarstvo povezljivost nujna.





      Delete
    7. Anonymous18:24

      Podpirajo moj k****, spet bodo rekli da se nesplaca, ker je "vreca brez dna"
      Adrie pa niso hoteli resiti s tem da je adria imela vse kar potrebujes in Lh group jih je spostoval.


      A. B., lms in ostali so ubili adrio in sem 99% da nebi naresili nic glede novega prwvoznika tako da.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:09

      https://voliprav.si/vprasalnik/2d2mh7dt6:2d2mh7dt6:nmq8s16yi

      SD and SAB are absolutely for it, as is partly LMŠ, meanwhile Svoboda said they are "neutral" (so could go either way). Could be feasible. Will never be as cheap as bailing out Adria though. Or, preferably, at least buying the Adria brand and AOC in the bankruptcy and starting anew (and shedding all the bad employees, creating a new, leaner company) - preferably with 2-3 A220-100s.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    I love how Alenka Bratusek named her party after herself. Very creative.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:04

    The more time passes the less of a possibility there is to establish a flag carrier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      And all the former Adria employees have found new jobs and moved on too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:25

      They are very happy to work around the world instead of working in Slovenia...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:28

      In all honesty, I would rather have Ryanair's roster than Adria's old one. We were working our as*es off and were paid less than Ryanair's pilots. Luckily, pilots are not like physicians who are always threatening about leaving and working abroad. If the offer is better elsewhere ...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:49

      Then you are first one (and I doubt you are even a pilot) who thinks like that. And to be honest, salary was the last thing we complained at JP.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:57

      @12:49

      Well, I sure didn't like the out of base trips to luxurious destinations, such as PRN, TIA, TSR, ... And the roster was awful (two days at home, are you kidding me). If I was based at home for the money I was getting, I wouldn't have complained about anything. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

      I guess that will make it easier for you to determine if I am/was a pilot.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:27

      Strange because normally pilots fought to be on list for PRN/TIA base. The one and only complaint I know about was regarding hotel outside of PRN (near to airport) because it did not have pool :) really difficult life..

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:28

      @13:27

      I guess they must have been divorced/fed up with their wives/single with no children.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:04

    Other airlines have already taken over. Lufthansa is doing extremely well in LJU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      Of course when the airport in run by Fraport and they are doing nothing to get new airlines and routes.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      What they took over? Is that the reason we are on -50% compared to pre-covid times while other airports are almost at same level?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:24

      No, the reason Slovenia is doing worse is because it is the only country in the world affected by COVID. At least according to some on here, mainly proponents against the idea of a national carrier.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:05

    Establishing a new national airline would be a waste of money and a pointless idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      I think so too. They would require a lot of money (think tens of millions EUR) from the start already. And probably couple of million per year, in line with Adria's tradition

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:07

      Ah yes, pointless idea. Air connectivity in Slovenia is so great that we don't need an airline.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:15

      And how many millions we gave to foreign airlines for 0 (zero) effect? And how much money we lose every day because of lack of connectivity?
      To have decent connectivity is mandatory, I don't mind if foreign airlines will provide that but unfortunately that did not happen in last 2,5 years.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:32

      I think we focus too much on expenses of new national airline and direct profit. Better connectivity in theory should have positive impact on the whole economy - Maybe we really don't need national airline, but we do need few airplanes based in Ljubljana with a hub here. We need to avoid current situation at any cost - I think we can all agree on that.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:51

      I totally agree with you anon 10:32

      there is just a question how much would cost us to have 5 aircrafts from LH base at LJU? I think that would be extremely expensive..

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:00

      Probably expensive - I also think having national airline is worth more than paying almost the same amount for foreign airline having hub in Ljubljana. But until the public only focuses on expenses "10 million for new airline" it won't move anywhere. Btw in my opinion 10 million for new airline is nothing... But I am probably a minority. So at this stage I don't care if we have national airline or foreign airline with a hub, but please lets just do something about this sadness.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:12

      Anon 09:05: How does it work for airBaltic then? If it was well-managed it could even operate with 0 loss ("pozitivna ničla"), while the net effect for the entire country and region would be a very large plus.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:05

    What's the point of establishing a new airline if only around 9 of the former carrier's routes have not been covered yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      You say ZRH, BRU, MUC, FRA, AMS are covered? Same number of frequencies as before? BS

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:20

      BRU/VIE/ZRH/MUC/CPH/SJJ/TIA/PRN/SKP/SOF/PRG

      There are more than 9 and most probably I forgot few of them. And you must be aware that most of them are crucial for Slovenian economy

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:06

    The referendum might not be a bad idea actually.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      What is the public opinion about a new airline in general?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:08

      ^ I think this sentence from the article answers your question

      "The majority of parties vying for seats in parliament and government next week are opposed to a new national airline."

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:24

      I think that would be worst thing to do. Of course public opinion is against that but why don't we put everything on referendum then (investments in railways, highways, army,....).

      I am 90% sure that none of those projects would be realized as public is in general against spending money.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:25

      The public hated Adria and were cheering for its collapse.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:49

      public opinion seems pretty much against it.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:21

      A referendum would cost about the same amount as the establishment of the Airline.

      This would be a true example of useless money spending.

      A referendum in this case is only a tool that those in power would like to use as they lack the courage to decide.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:23

      They could have organized a referendum at the same time as the elections.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:50

      Why referendum for strategic important projects as air connectivity certain is? Some thing country simply needs to have and among health care, road/train infrastructure there is also air connectivity. You don't ask people for that as 70% of them are not using that.

      Do you thing that we would have highway from LJU to MBX if there would be referendum for that? Not a chance as most people simply does not use it or they use it few time per year. But that does not mean that Slovenia does not need it..

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:28

    My guess is that if it happens, it would be a Balkan version of Air Dolomiti. Point to point feeder to LH bases.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:34

      What we had is exactly what we need.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:28

    With the right sized fleet, a new Adria could be successful. Focus on charters and several popular routes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      Focus on scheduled routes with charters when aircraft is available. Not the other way around..

      Countries does not have airlines to earn money but to have connections around the world. Of course expenses must be controlled but earning money is not the first priority...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:25

      " expenses must be controlled but earning money " man you are a genius.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:46

      No you are, with focusing on charters...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:58

      Quapaw, dam you are a genius

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:33

    No need to burn taxpayers money again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:34

      We are already burning money by giving it to LH cartel and from terrible connectivity.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:38

    Hope they set up the new company on some healthy foundations and I wish it much luck in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous09:42

    New airline is a very expensive idea with uncertain return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:51

      If they have a foreign partner, expenses and risk would be shared.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:45

      I agree if foreign airlines step in but now please tell me what would be the price if LH overnight 5 aircrafts to LJU for morning/evening rotations to FRA/MUC/VIE/ZRH/BRU?

      Not to mention other airlines for CPH/AMS/TIA/PRN/SKP...Are we still talking about 5 mio ? I would say that kind of operation would cost at least 15 mio if not more.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:47

    I don't think it is such a bad idea.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous09:50

    DO NOT WASTE TAXPAYERS MONEY!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:54

      The worried taxpayer again lol.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:42

      He does not realize that due to lack of connectivity he's losing much more money than those 5 mio per year for national carrier.
      Was he worried when we paid 72 mio for transportation aircraft for Military as well?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:18

      I have never seen people so concerned about their taxes than those commenting on this site.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:50

    All Balkan airlines have to be government owned, since their markets are too small for them to ever be profitable.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:50

    It would be a colossal waste of money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:56

      We are already wasting a lot of money from terrible connectivity.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:41

      It would be even better to spend some money on highways, let's move to horse and donkey once again...

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:51

    They should just spend the money to susbidiez any missing routes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:55

      Exactly. Why doesn't Slovenia just do what Macedonia did. Invest 2-3 million per year into Wizz Air to open a base and launch routes. It would be much more beneficial for the public.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:58

      Aren't they already giving 2 million to foreign airlines to keep flying to Ljubljana?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:20

      Obviously that isn't enough

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:20

      Wizz might come to Maribor

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:40

      Where do you get those fake news about 2-3 millions for Wizz base at SKP airport?
      And don't forget that Slovenia would pay much more as it's not the right target for LCC (no gastoz around EU, very limited number of tourists).

      last but not least, ask some Macedonian businessman how happy he is with connectivity at SKP. For good connections they have to drive to PRN due to lack of scheduled airlines.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:55

    Whatever they do it will be loss making, at least for the first couple of years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:30

      Which airlines does not lose money? Having air connectivity is one pillars for healthy economy.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous09:56

    Adria's bankruptcy didn't catch anyone by surprise and everyone knew they would go bust. Why didn't the government act in time to secure Slovenia's connectivity?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:28

      Because they thought that major players will step in and Slovenia will be BEG. And now everyone see that this was mistake but does not have courage to do something about it.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous10:09

    Since others are saying how everything has already been covered without Adria can anyone explain to me what exactly has been covered other than 4 routes operated by Lufthansa group?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:20

      Those are the only profitable routes.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:27

      @anon 10:09 are you serious? You are saying that BRU/ZRH/MUC are covered now? From my side even FRA is not covered in totally, not to talk about other routes...

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:37

    With a tail design, this proposed livery actually would look good :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:16

      It is the Slovenia Tourism Board concept.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous10:37

    I'm glad this is being discussed again. Unfortunately it is two years too late.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:16

      Interesting that this is an election topic in Slovenia :D

      Delete
  24. Anonymous11:39

    A national airline is the only way we could se a more meaningful traffic rebound

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous11:45

    Unfortunately only pre-election promises about new airline. Nothing will change.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous11:45

    Slovenia has been too passive since the demise of Adria. Other airports in the region had taken a serious stance on improving their connections. Soon enough LJU will be overtaken by Tuzla!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:45

    In a couple of years we will still be reading how someone is interested in creating a new airline.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:48

      The never ending story

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:04

      But the truth is that only with national carrier Slovenia can get back connectivity as it had in previous years. If we will wait for foreign airlines then nothing will happen.

      Delete
  28. JU520 BEGLAX11:53

    It wont happen and it is also not the time to launch a new carrier

    If u follow the market u see, that the biz is consolidating, so there is less and less room for smaller carriers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:00

      Exactly. Two year too late.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:02

      I agree that it can't happen to countries where other carriers are present and they maintain good air connectivity. What about Slovenia? Should we just agree with our fate and drive to ZAG/VCE? I dont think so...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:41

      Agree LUXAIR and SWISS are also shutting down

      Delete
  29. Anonymous12:18

    They really should have just kept Adria, kicked out 4K and found a partner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:28

      Easier said than done

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:28

      There were too many debts in JP, only solution was bankruptcy.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:43

      They should prepare everything as Montenegro did...To cover all those debts created by 4k it was unacceptable.

      Delete
  30. Slovenia is a small country and small market. Just lease five small CRJs and call it a day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:18

      It's even easier: Create a virtual Air Slovenia and outsource all operations to Xfly.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous06:51

      Exactly. I am against a national carrier (I think it's better - and in line with EU law - to increase connectivity with the PSO system), but if there will be one due to populist politicians deciding so, it's more economical to create a virtual airline and get the economies of scale of that operator (someone like Xfly or CityJet), or have an existing airline set up a small base.

      I don't think people realise that the big and established airlines will not cooperate (codeshare etc.) with a brand-new airline operator. They need to pass safety audits like IOSA first, which will not be available until the airline has operated for some time. Choosing to work with an existing airline that already has that in place has clear benefits.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:01

      Actually that would not be completely new company as Slovenia already had national carrier and has many experience with running one. Regarding PSO, I totally agree that xy airlines establish base at LJU airport but that would cost much more than to establish national carrier.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous09:13

    One should be honest: if anyone commenting on JP ever would've checked the financial reports the logical conclusion about what really killed JP is in 3 main things, each giving approx. 1/3 of destructive impact:
    - high cost of financing the business
    - switching from one to another a/c types all the time
    - cabin crew salaries
    In 40 years those 3 factors digged a hole of over 200 mln € out of which the majority was covered by the state and some 40% were the final debt of JP at bankruptcy.
    Intentionally simplifying that image one could say the employees themselves killed JP. Sorry, not the employees but the crew. JP crews were at or below 80% of the average EU airlines' efficiency.

    No question this could've been managed only through sincere understanding of all the employees many years ago the way a private owned company would do it: - 30% salaries and especially ending such noncences like a "nightshift salary supplement" that has been paid to crew members for working anytime after 4 p.m. And, so many more similar rather socialist supplements.

    Of course the employees were fighting back always, that's normal and salaries in JP could've been compared to one of the most successful Slovenian farmaceutical companies making big profit. Well, to be honest JP never made any profit in their history, the exception maybe being 2 or 3 years, I believe under Mr. Grasek as CEO.

    The salaires' destroying factor though was just a logical response to the main and biggest reason for JP's decline: incapable leadership.
    Only in the last few years under the German fraudsters the JP employees were ready to pull back a little bit with their high union requirements. And, surprise - surprise: all of JP employees were ready to accept -20% or so lower salaries. Shame, that was too late and only transferred into the pockets of new owners.

    Well, that's history. Sad history. But, tell me: would anyone today in Slovenia be able to run it on the government's €€€ without the same outcome. No. Impossible. Not without a 100% private owned airline.

    Therefore stop dreaming and let the market do its job. I agree it is for the worse of connectivity and the long-term Slovenia aviation business but the best for the Slovenian taxpayors' wallets anyway.

    ReplyDelete

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