Low cost carrier Ryanair and the Slovenian government are set to hold a second round of talks this month over the potential introduction of flights. This time around, the budget airline is expected to outline exact routes it is willing to establish and ways in which the Slovenian government could provide support to the carrier. The Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology, which has been negotiating with Ryanair, has run the airline through the existing subsidies the state is providing to airlines operating into Ljubljana Airport, although this is unlikely to satisfy Ryanair’s needs as the funds are only available to carriers already maintaining flights to the Slovenian capital and are small in value, with ten airlines sharing 1.7 million euros, which is unevenly distributed among them.
Ryanair has already criticised Ljubljana Airport over alleged high fees, but the budget airline is mainly interested in serving the Slovenian capital from 2023. The Slovenian government has proposed Maribor Airport as an alternative to the Fraport-operated Ljubljana. Earlier this year, Maribor Airport held talks with Wizz Air over the potential introduction of seasonal flights to Slovenia’s second largest city, with the airline requesting a subsidy valued at almost one million euros, which was unfeasible for the airport. However, Maribor could have more luck in the government-led talks with Ryanair. The budget airline last served the city fifteen years ago.
The Slovenian government has said it will analyse appropriate means of support to improve the country’s air connectivity to key destinations “under economically justified conditions”. However, it conceded that the country “urgently” needs to improve its connectivity. Two and a half years since Adria Airways’ bankruptcy, Slovenia is still struggling to fill the void left by the former national carrier, which was further exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. In June, Airports Council International ranked Slovenia as having the worst connectivity in Europe, while Ljubljana Airport ranked 378th out of 476 of the continent’s airports based on its number of flights and connections.
Good luck but I'm doubtful an agreement will be eached.
ReplyDelete*reached
DeleteMakes sense that they want to serve LJU rather than MBX.
ReplyDeleteLH cartel isn't happy with that.
DeleteOf course it does, unless LJU would be at capacity, which wasn't the case even with JP around.
DeleteTalks, talks, talks and talks.. as always.
ReplyDeleteAt least something.
DeleteSomething? Thats nothing to me.
DeleteIn the last 20 years Ryanair has held talks with the Slovenian government multiple times and nothing ever came out of it.
DeleteIf Banja Luka and Tuzla can have Ryanair flights, I don't see why Ljubljana can't.
ReplyDeleteBecause it can’t, full stop!
DeleteAny arguments anon 11:38? I guess for fanboys it can only have LH cartel flights.
DeleteToo prestigious maybe
DeleteBecause Slovenia does not have a quarter of its population living, spread out accross half of the continent.
DeleteEstonia doesn't have big diaspora yet Tallinn has like 20 Ryanair destinations. Not good excuse.
DeleteTallin is not a drive away to Venice, Zagreb, Trieste
DeleteNow the VCE, TRS and ZAG are new excuses?
Delete+1
ReplyDeleteI truly wish FR to come to Slovenia but I am not sure ZAG will like it.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how much money Ryanair is going to ask for to fly from Ljubljana. At the end of the day it would be more cost effective for a new national airline to be set up and the return would be greater.
ReplyDeleteDisagree. We tried that already and failed miserably.
DeleteSo they want to fly to both LJU and ZAG? Can it work?
ReplyDeleteRyanair obviously thinks so.
DeleteI think they could operate both LJU and ZAG. Just different routes.
DeleteFR flies from both Zagreb and Rijeka, and the driving distance between two airports is the same as Zagreb and Ljubljana. So, it can work.
Deletehaha and how many routes do they operate from RJK year round?
DeleteI'm very interested to see which routes FR will suggest.
ReplyDelete10 years ago they suggested Dusseldorf, Madrid, Oslo and London from LJU.
DeleteI hope they don't start London. We have enough of those
DeleteWe don't
DeleteBut why do they have to negotiate with the government over flights? I don't remember this being the case anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteBecause Fraport doesn't negotiate with other airlines?
DeleteMeanwhile a country or two to the east, the president of the country is deciding on which route the airline will fly.
Delete^ yes that doesn't seem to have worked out for them considering that airline now flies to 70 destinations. I'm really wondering what possessed you exactly to bring it up. Other than jealousy
DeleteAnon 9.40, are you jelous or just bragging for no reason.
DeleteI would rather say that he is doing what a statesman should to help company if national importance, help them reach some agreements where they need help. I don't remember he "decided" anything about routes in Spain, but in Chine for sure he participated because that how it works with China on their side too.
And no, nžthis is not to glorify him, but to say how bragging about whatever he does i, even if it is positive or necessary is so tiring and annoying.
Think positive, your life will be better!
The thing is, even if they get some LCC to station a plane in LJU, connectivity will still be bad as they fly to secondary airports and probably to some random cities. Slovenia needs a small airline with 4-5 planes in order to improve connectivity. Without it, it will be struggling forever.
ReplyDeleteI really hope they will eventually start flights from LJU.
ReplyDeleteRyanair has always been the toughest negotiator. Won't be easy for the government.
ReplyDeleteCorrect
DeleteLjubljana should not accept Ryanair's ridiculous business terms.
ReplyDeleteYou again? Gonna copy this same comment each time there is a post about Ryanair and LJU?
DeleteYes, they should have kept sinking infinite amount of money in well-run national carrier instead.
Delete@ 9:41
DeleteImagine if we still had JP and the vast amount of money it would require just to stay afloat for the past 2 years. People here are complaining that the Gov gave 1.7 million to different airlines to fly from LJU when it gave just once under the brilliant Pahor 50 million to Adria just to stay afloat for a few more months. Yet most people who flew still didn’t benefit from it and had to go the VCE instead. People pushing for a new national carrier, I think, are the ones who never fly, just love seeing it land at LJU. No, thanks.
If I'd have the capital, I'd just establish a new airline with 5 E175-E2 in the beginning and launch routes to destinations including London City airport. P2P is obviously strong (or was) there and what's better then landing directly in the heart of the City? And the 80pax plane could be easily filled to destinations such as LIS, BCN, MAD, OSL, ARN, CPH, BER, MAN, DUB, ATH, OTP, PRG, SKP, TGD, maybe even secondaries like KRK, GDN, HAN and island airports in Sicily, Crete, Canary in certain times of the years. There would be demand if you'd just offer that directly.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteLOL. London City. JP couldn't even make LGW work with LCC competition around.
DeleteMost of the LON traffic is P2P, and those people aren't going to be paying the premium to fly into LCY.
I agree with anon 9:25. I would pay a premium, just to land closer to city center. To anon 9:43 Adria didn't make anything work, so that's not a pretex that others can't make something work from LJU. Of course the rates should be acceptable compared to LCC. Adria had ridiculous rates to everywhere. From ZRH you have rates (mid SEP) around 220€ for a return flight. Similar could be achieved from LJU. You had how many planes to London at height before pandemic? Out of all those pax, you could get 80 pax that would be willing to pay that premium, I'm sure of it. It's not a bad idea and you forget theres also pax that would want to fly to LJU from London and those people have deeper pockets, mostly.
DeleteThe E175-E2 aircraft does not yet exist and will probably never be built. Nobody has ordered yet
DeleteIt does exist and its already been built.
Delete175 E2 is not certified and it won’t be before 2026-2027.
DeleteSlovenia is the last EU market that is not served by Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteWe know
DeleteThis would be great and could really help Ljubljana Airport get back on its feet.
ReplyDeleteWhich route would have the most potential from MBX?
ReplyDeleteRoutes I mean
DeleteSame ones as from Ljubljana.
DeleteWhat could FR realistically ask from the government?
ReplyDeleteThe government's position in these talks isn't very good. Ryanair knows they are desperate, they know the dire situation on the Slovenian market so they can ask for anything. Mostly, lots of money.
DeleteReally hope things will work out. Not only would passenger numbers explode but there would a mix and choice between Wizz and Ryan and I assume Wizz would also try more.
ReplyDeleteSooner or later they will introduce Slovenia flights. They are not going to leave the market to Wizz Air.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but it is not as if they Wizz Air is ruling the market. They serve two destinations and over the past 2 years they have been suspended more than they have been operating.
DeleteIt's not like Wizz Air is really dominating the market their single route to Luton.
Delete@9.43 They have been doing it for many years.
DeleteThe government has already negotiated with many airlines and rejected all of their proposals. Some of them were offering to set up bases. Don't see why things will be different this time around.
ReplyDeleteBecause there is now a new government in power and they have obviously realized they can't keep the status quo.
DeleteLet's hope things will be different this time around.
DeleteI wouldn't hold my breath.
DeleteThe new government has no sense for aviation, just like the previous one.
DeleteHope they come
ReplyDeleteI don't understand, are they trying to negotiate the opening of a base in Ljubljana or just the launch of a couple of routes?
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I would take either.
DeleteThey would probably start by launching a few routes. I doubt they would go for a base.
DeleteFraport is more concerned about making money and they won't make money with Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteFraport is more concerned about LH cartel dominating LJU market and having zero or little other airlines.
DeleteBut how come they are not concerned about that at other airports they run?
DeleteSo having barely any airlines is the best solution?
DeleteWhat I don't get is that Fraport has a good relationship with Ryanair in some other markets like Greece yet here it is unable to reach a deal for one of its worst performing airports.
ReplyDeleteThey don't really have a great relationship. Ryanair ended flights from Frankfurt Airport and accused Fraport as one of the reasons for its departure.
DeleteAt the end of the day Fraport - as a stock listed company - needs to earn money.
DeleteWith Ryanair as an airline customer you can not (or at least hardly) earn money as long as you do not have a monopoly (e.g. at island airports). - So why shall Fraport accept any Ryanair appication, if they would have to "buy the business" instead of earning revenue? - It is probably cheaper for them to keep the status quo without Ryanair and wait for the day, when Ryanair is willing to accept reasonable airport charges.
Fingers crossed for them to start flights in summer 2023!
ReplyDeleteThis is a statement from Ryanair earlier this year (unrelated to LJU). But it gives you a good idea that they won't come unless they get everything they demand.
ReplyDelete“Ryanair continues to successfully negotiate the long-term low costs required from airports to underpin Ryanair’s industry leading low fares, which is driving Ryanair’s recovery and leading Europe’s post-Covid recovery.”
Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhen will they hold talks this month?
ReplyDeletenext week
DeleteLJU really needs a fresh start after Adria. A low cost airline like Ryanair would make the airport competitive again. Currently it has nothing to offer compared to nearby alternatives.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, ASAP
DeleteIt is important for Slovenia to be connected with the rest of the world, no matter which airline provides the service. As long as they are safe and offer affordable fares to the public
ReplyDeleteRyanair would be an absolute hit and give a lot of airlines in LJU a run for their money.
ReplyDeleteI think other carriers could coexist with FR in LJU
DeleteAttracting more and more LCCs is the best way to compete against Zagreb at the moment. And also the best way too boost passenger numbers.
ReplyDeleteWell the problem is that there is simply not so much demand. Attracting LCCs alone doesn`t help.
DeleteThere is enough demand for many routes out of LJU.
DeleteConverting LJU in an LCC airport?
ReplyDeleteConverting LJU from a deserted airport into a busy one.
DeleteTouché
DeleteHow comes no airline wants to start flights from Ljubljana? I really don't get it, there are so many airlines connecting literrally villages accros Europe, yet one of EU capital cities has so poor connectivity. Airlines are looking left and right for the opportunities on and off the continent, just call one reliable EU based airline and agree on 2-year trial with limited risk for them.
ReplyDeleteCall Luxair, they have beautiful business model with flights, hotels and tours combined, something Slovenians like, if I understand well. They have appropriate aircraft too, they are still in Miles&More, if LH has to get something out of this market in order to let it grow. This thing Fraport is doing with LJU is called negligence and I can't believe government is fine with that. It's fine they stepped in with these Ryanair talks, but I don't see it as long-term solution for Slovenian aviation issues.
+1
DeleteMissing catchment area, missing catchment area, missing catchment area! Highly competitive (=subsidised) airports in the vicinity!
DeleteAnd excuses for Fraport fanboys!!
DeleteJust wanted to tell you all that Ljubljana (city) is full of tourists this summer so I guess that those few flights a day to LJU have to be full.
ReplyDeleteOr a lot of them arrive by bus or car?
DeleteI think London, Berlin and Barcelona would be the safest bets to start with.
ReplyDeleteYes these could definitely work (on any airline for that matter)
DeleteWhats epecting us in the near future? A green agenda with higher energy prices and therefore higher ticket prices, further inflation, economical stagflation and a turmoiled world with eventually new conflicts. No good outlook for the aviation business. I think people will have to get used to higher aviation ticket prices and then we will see, how many can still afford flying for just over the weekend either home or for a desired city trip. The green agenda has a clear focus/ target and I doubt it is in line with LCC travel, at least not in a way we saw in the past, where people could fly for 50 EUR to a destination. I hope for LJU that in future they will have a regular Summer timetable link to a Spanish city, the rest is hard to predict. Lets wait, see and still hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteWell, traveling with an LCC airline is definitely more green than flying business with legacy carriers, so there's that.
DeleteHoping for a positive outcome.
ReplyDelete