Ljubljana - Pristina flights restored after four years


Regular flights between Ljubljana and Pristina have been restored after almost four years. Trade Air launched a two weekly service between the two cities yesterday, linking them for the first time since the collapse of Adria Airways. Flights will run twice per week, each Monday and Saturday. The service is being operated on behalf of the Kaltrina Travel tour operator with the 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. Adria Airways, which maintained a base in Pristina, operated double daily flights from Ljubljana until it cased all operations on September 30, 2019. Although it primarily catered for transfer passengers, Pristina has been within Ljubljana’s top twenty busiest unserved routes based on indirect passenger flow since the company’s bankruptcy.

Ljubljana - Pristina route performance


* Flights ceased on September 30

The Slovenian government recently said it would target regional routes with subsidies in an attempt to improve Ljubljana Airport’s connectivity, although these incentives are yet to be rolled out and have not been applied to this new service. Within the former Yugoslavia, Ljubljana is now linked to Belgrade, Podgorica and Niš, in addition to Pristina. Prior to Adria’s collapse, the Slovenian capital also boasted flights to Sarajevo and Skopje, with efforts being made for the latter to be introduced later this year.


There have been recent attempts to link Pristina with other former capital cities in the former Yugoslavia, albeit with little success. In late 2021, Croatia Airlines, Trade Air and Kosovo operator MyWings launched joint flights between Zagreb and Pristina. The service was initially maintained three times per week with the Croatian flag carrier’s Dash 8 turboprop aircraft before being decreased to two weekly shortly after. The service was discontinued within a month due to low demand. On the other hand, the resumption of nonstop flights between Belgrade and Pristina, trumpeted in 2020, has still not occurred, with the designated carrier Eurowings blaming the Covid-19 pandemic for the delay. “Unfortunately, there is still no further movement as a result of the Corona pandemic”, Lufthansa’s low cost subsidiary said late last year commenting on the service.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    Well that was unexpected

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    If Adria's two daily flights could make it with transfers, then I'm sure 2 weekly flights for point to point passengers can work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    It will end up like those Croatia Airlines from ZAG to PRN.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:07

      Especially since tickets are not in free sale.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:09

      My thoughts exactly. Plus this route is resumed after the holidays.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:06

    Bizarre

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:06

    Where can we book it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:09

      For these flights their website says you have to call

      For reservations:
      Kranj: +386 69 929 529
      Pristina: +383 44 247 376
      Podujevo: +383 44 319 330

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:10

      What a stupid system

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:16

      Time for Trade Air to start selling scheduled flights from Ljubljana. I don't know why they don't do it.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:21

      Why would they do that and take on the financial risk? This way they have very lucrative operations from Ljubljana.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:00

      What they need to do is strike the deal with that agency, and sell remaining seats on their website for a fee; almost no risk for them

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:20

      Yes, that could work

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:06

    Good news for LJU. It needs all the flights it can get

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:09

    How much are the tickets?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      I'm quite interested in what the fares are like too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:49

      Where can I read about the fares ow/rt?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:44

      For these flights they say you have to call

      For reservations:
      Kranj: +386 69 929 529
      Pristina: +383 44 247 376
      Podujevo: +383 44 319 330

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:10

    It is surprising how few flights PRN has to ex-Yu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:57

      There isn't a lot of demand

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:44

      Most of the Kosovar diaspora lives in Germany and Switzerland, not in ex YU countries.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:00

      PRN could work as a feeder route for transfer pax, which Adria did with LJU - PRN and Croatia with ZAG - PRN. But there is no Adria anymore and also Croatia withdrew from it's ZAG - PRN route.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:28

      there are many ppl living in Slovenia from Kosovo and Slovenia is investing a lot there so it might work even without transfer pax

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:12

    Some prior notice on their behalf might have been smart.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:13

    Why doesn't LJU advertise any new routes? They barely even mentioned that Aegean will start flights from Athens next summer, let alone about these flights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      Because they are nor flights operated by the Lufthansa group.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:23

      *not

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:29

      Because Aegean does not pay for marketing at LJU.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:13

    I give it a month.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:13

    Eurowings' excuse is beyond stupid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:24

      It has nothing to do with Eurowings at all, some sort of an agreement for air travel has to be drawn up first.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:26

      It was already signed. Eurowings has exclusive rights, even without some other factors not being resolved yet.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:12

      Anonymous09:26

      It was not, it was an idea that never took place in reality. Many problems appeared right after signing, most of them are technical issues that occurred for political reasons:

      - Serbia still has laws that ban overflying its sky on a route to and from PRN making it illegal for Eurowings to fly directly into the section of the sky controlled by SMATSA. So, flying from PRN than entering MNE or NMK would raise costs and travel time.

      -BEG at the time did not have a domestic terminal (it doesn't have it even today but flights to INI are somehow managed), Kosovo would treat it as an international route, but Serbia would treat it as a domestic one, making it nearly impossible to set ID-Passport controls in BEG for that very same reason. Even if they did, it would make a whole set of problems especially for foreign nationals having Kosovar stamps and arriving to Serbia, or even worse, using a passport on a domestic route (which in practice is used while having a check on land)

      -Also, Serbia wanted Air Serbia to operate the route, but in order to do that AS would have to comply with Kosovar laws which was also not an option for Serbia. Kosovars were not really keen on having a Serbian national airline at the airport they control. So that option was off the table even though AS expressed interests considering that PRN is basically their only major airport remained unserved in the region.

      And lastly

      Without offering any transfers from via BEG that route would be useless for point-to-point passengers (similar to one that AS has from BEG to INI) since you can take a return bus ticket that was about 30 euros and be in any of the cities in about 6 hours, or with Bla Bla car in about 4h. Counting check in times, transfers from and to the airport, taxing, luggage etc. travel time would remain almost the same. With new highways on both sides of Merdare being constructed and the administrative/border crossing expanded that line would be more than useless if not providing transfer options.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:28

      The idea of agreement was Serbia to give all permissions for this, change laws etc., not to establish the flight and comply with all contemporary legislative. But the deal wasn't signed through EU dialogue so I don't know if it's still in effect.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:40

      It was never in effect, since it would be an unpopular decision to allow such a move. It would also be questionable if such legislations would pass necessary constitutional assessments for it to pass the parliament. Another technical issue would appear if Serbia formally allowed an international route between two airports IATA registered as airports in Serbia. Therefore, the idea died before the realization even started making it extremely hard for any airline to start flying that route any time soon.


      It is a pity, especially knowing that with AS flying to PRN it would bring necessary competition to an airport that suffers from extremely high-ticket prices, more options for the local travelers and potentially better business connections and collaboration for both sides.
      Until major political issues are solved, regular everyday things like air travel will continue to suffer and people will be forced to look for alternative ways of travel.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:23

      Sure but the whole idea of dialogue is that the whole issue is precedent so the partial solutions will be precedents too.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:33

      I agree on that, however we must be realistic and acknowledge that far more important parts of previous agreements were not implemented even though they were aligned with all the legislation and regulation of both sides. When that is solved, I would be more than happy to see BEG-PRN in whatever form it comes and save my ass from Merdare summer hell during diaspora vacation season. :D

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:15

    Wait, what? So no announcment and the flights already started?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      Yep :D Good luck with that.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:16

    The variations in those passenger numbers are wild

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:18

      It portrays Adria's frequency increases and cuts which were wild and changed drastically each year.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:19

    Best of luck

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:24

    Is this a big tour operator in Kosovo?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:25

    Finally. Long overdue

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:25

    Not having online ticket sales immediately reduces the chances of this route being sucsesfull.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous09:31

    This route was much needed.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:31

    This is not the solution...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:12

      Why not? I don't see anyone else rushing to launch this route.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:05

      I agree with the above anon. Can't hurt to try. No one else wants to.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:32

    What?!?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous09:33

    How many passengers did they have on the first flight?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      I don't know but on their facebook page quite a few people seem to be boarding these flights.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous09:35

    LJU doesn't even have these flights listed in their winter timetable on the website..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:36

      They were listed on the "live" arrivals/departures page yesterday.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:13

      Well it obviously wasn't something that was pre planned months in advance.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:29

      Doesn't seem it will stick around for long either.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:05

      Let's wait and see.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:16

      In LJU's case I would take whatever I can get.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous09:41

    Presence of Trade Air is no big surprise in PRN. They operate up to 5 daily flights on some days to German and Swiss destinations including GP Aviation:

    https://www.limakkosovo.aero/

    But yeah, it is kinda weird not to additionally sell tickets online and reserve them entirely for the travel agency.
    According to the Slovene registrar, Kaltrina have a company registered in Kranj managed by Burim Babatinca:

    https://www.bizi.si/KALTRINA-TRAVEL-D-O-O/

    There is very few or no information about this person online and the company uses a gmail address. When you lack transparency, something fishy is going on. Trade Air might be partially dealing with a shady business. This is a personal opinion.
    Also one God knows how they manage to fill significant amounts of seats for Trade Air, GP Aviation, Bul Air, Enter Air...PRN after all managed to handle almost 3 million passengers last year, which is not a small amount for an ex-YU airport with no LCC base, nor flag carrier. It will also be very interesting once visas are dropped for Kosovars in January 2024. Will be following PRN as it is definitely an interesting case.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:09

      I honestly don't get why this seems to be exclusive for PRN. I'm talking about these agents and tour operators filling seats on these, sorry to say, no name airlines. I mean I find it odd. I don't know some other European market that functions this way. Obviously it doesn't matter since the passenger numbers are there but it is an oddity.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:14

      Truth be told all these tour operators working with airlines in Kosovo seem kind of shady.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:16

      Half of the tour operators are mafiosi.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:36

      11:16 for sure! Just checked out a bit further and Burim Babatinca is apparently involved with some construction stuff in Kranj:

      https://www.companywall.si/podjetje/anuari-doo/MMAgpWOD

      After the Adria scandal with the corrupt crooks that were the main reason why the airline went bust, now you apparently have money laundering in Kranj. I don't know why Slovenia is in a deep sleep and not investigating those serious issues.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous13:18

      This is the Modus Operandi for some PRN flights. A local tour operator charters a plane for a certain route and exclusively sells the seats. People seem to be fine with it, as they still book tickets in this weird way. Every summer season, the same scam appears in Switzerland. Kosovars book tickets to PRN through a non-existant tour operator, pay for the tickets and get tricked. After that, the usual crying to the media starts.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous10:02

    They announced it on 25.12 - 10 days ago....:

    December 25, 2022 at 9:22 PM
    ·
    Pristina - Ljubljana - Pristina ✈️
    From January 4, 2023 the new Pristina - Ljubljana - Pristina airline starts every Monday and Saturday!
    For reservations contact us:
    Pristina: +383 44 247 376
    Podujevo: +383 44 319 330

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:07

      That doesn't make it much better.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:10

    Really hope it works out.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10:25

    What equipment did Adria use on this route?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:37

      CRJ900

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:43

      Which routes did Adria fly outright from PRN?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:49

      Frankfurt - 8 weekly
      Ljubljana - 14 weekly
      Munich - 6 weekly

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:49

      In 2018 they flew to Malmo as well but didn't bring it back in 2019.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:04

      In 2016 they also flew Pristina-London Luton.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:16

      Interesting thanks!

      Delete
    7. Anonymous15:45

      Much good that did them

      Delete
  28. Anonymous10:35

    Wish it was an actual airline operating these flights with online ticket sales.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:05

      Same. This way, this route is destined to fail.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous10:37

    https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/322003361_858239498843476_8531759457356210444_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=tW-6dkI0x7YAX-TTBEp&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=00_AfBWy79kgPVpVDOf7_M9_Eul3OH2NT-iCshCFR_S0m8skg&oe=63BAB43C

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous10:48

    Croatian airline operating flights for Kosovo tour operator from Slovenian airport :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Od Vardara pa do Triglava, od Djerdapa pa do Jadrana 😃

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:00

      Exactly the way it should be. Keep revenues in the region. If OU would be managed smartly, they could fly fm LJU too

      Delete
    3. If OU would have been managed smartly, they could have and should have flown not only from LJU but from at least three times more airports from at least four continents with at least triple bigger fleet, and with three times less losses, or even minimal profits. But instead to be decent airline, they opted to be humiliated Cartel feeder, Uhljeb sanctuary, political tool and Kradeze money laundry machine

      Delete
  31. Anonymous10:51

    Did not see that one coming.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous11:03

    Nice

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous11:06

    This won't be profitable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:17

      Based on what did you come to that conclusion?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:28

      Well if its not Air Serbia, it wont be profitabile.

      Delete
  34. Anonymous11:10

    Hope these will stick around and frequencies increase over time.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous11:11

    The plane is too large for this route. Not sure how they will fill seats come February.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:16

      For 2 times per week it is not too large.

      Delete
  36. Anonymous14:03

    How is possible that the price of the tickets is not published on the Internet?
    They don't want customers, publicity?
    Do you really need to call to a specific number just to ask about it?
    These two Balkan destinations are not in the Internet era yet?
    Retro style :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:16

      Agree. It will discourage people from using this route.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:25

      Will it really?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:26

      Yes. You will instantly gain more travelers if they can simply book it themselves then call someone.

      Delete
  37. Anonymous14:26

    They need to do some proper advertising for this route.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous15:44

    Perfect

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous15:45

    What is the schedule?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous15:54

    Poor LJU really. When it finally gets flights, you cannot book them online. Same was last year with italian routes our of MBX. If people cannot even book online or search the flights, what did they expect?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:35

      It's just for Kosovar immigrants, what's your problem?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:59

      Yeah so? Do you think everybody is reading aviation portals? People don't even know this route exists, so how do you expect to fill up the planes?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:41

      I'm sorry were you planning to fly to Kosovo from LJU? The target group will find out, don't worry. This type of operation is modus operandi in PRN if you didn't know already. How do you think they're filling out seats

      Delete
    4. Prepelica18:09

      I am sure there are notsopublic channels (like FB/Viber groups) where Kosovars will spread the word amongst themselves about this.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous21:19

      And those who won't find out this way will continue to call LJU airport every day for the information about PRN flights.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:58

      For these flights they say you have to call

      For reservations:
      Kranj: +386 69 929 529
      Pristina: +383 44 247 376
      Podujevo: +383 44 319 330

      Delete
  41. Anonymous20:36

    Anyone knows how much are the fares?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:58

      For these flights they say you have to call

      For reservations:
      Kranj: +386 69 929 529
      Pristina: +383 44 247 376
      Podujevo: +383 44 319 330

      Delete
  42. JU520 BEGLAX22:25

    This coming Saturday there seems to be no flight LJU-PRN. At least u cant find it, on LJU APs webpage

    ReplyDelete
  43. For those interested.

    Information about these flights are available on the Slovenian website of Kaltrina Travel: kaltrina.si

    The prices are very steep: 320.00 EUR cheapest return fare including 15 kgs of luggage per passenger. Very important that even children receive 15 kgs of free luggage with their ticket.

    Kaltrina Travel operates buses and minibuses between Slovenia and Kosovo, so they know the market. But I am not sure if the bus ticketing approach to selling air fares will be successful or not. I very much hope they will be.

    FYI, on Saturday there were bus after bus after bus leaving Prishtina to Ljubljana and onwards to Austria and Germany. But they all have Ljubljana as a scheduled stop. So, passengers are there but that's not a guarantee of its success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My bad, promotional pricing valid for 09 January 2023 only was 99.00 EUR apparently.

      https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0qrY6nPEGZ6dDsYutok8RfhoCz6VhQQian8q4Yi5tw1GspqhRnXHSw96LBKdE2F7El&id=100088884735812

      Delete
  44. Anonymous15:13

    Www.kaltrina.si of course you can book online

    ReplyDelete

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