Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, confirmed she has discussed the possibility of establishing flights between Qatar and Slovenia on her recent visit to the Gulf state. Ms Fajon held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Qatar Airways has expressed interest in serving Ljubljana. Prior to the pandemic, the airline's former CEO of 27 years, Akbar Al Baker, said, "Ljubljana is being looked at. We have many destinations we plan to operate with our narrowbodies”. Last year, the airline began codesharing on Air Serbia's flights between Belgrade and the Slovenian capital.
Recently, a large Qatari delegation, headed by the country’s ruler Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, visited Slovenia, during which potential flights were also discussed. "As for the air connectivity between Ljubljana and Doha, Qatar Airways is very interested in the European market, but opening a new route requires time to study the market. Once this is completed, flights will be launched. Slovenia is a tourism-oriented country that relies on this sector as a main resource in the economy and has attractive facilities. Tourism between the two countries could see a leap in the coming period", the Qatari delegation said.
The lack of narrow-body equipment remains a deterrent for Qatar Airways, with its 29-strong Airbus A320 fleet fully utilised across its network, while its 737 MAX 8 jets are exclusively deployed on regional routes as they do not feature the carrier’s hard product. The airline is not expected to take delivery of new narrow-bodies until 2026. There have never been nonstop flights between the two countries. Although there is little demand for point-to-point travel between the two capitals, with an average of a 1.000 travellers, a potential Qatar Airways service would be primarily used by transfer passengers, with the Qatari carrier boasting an extensive international network. Flydubai is the only Gulf carrier serving Ljubljana. The airline handled 70.541 passengers on its Slovenia flights last year, up from 45.263 in 2022, or an increase of 55.8%.
Hope this materializes.
ReplyDeleteWould be great, the lack of narrow-body capacity is an issue though
DeleteTo upanje traja že 5 let, od uničenja Adrie. Bo pa tudi verjetno ostalo še dolgo upanje.
DeleteBravo Fraport!
ReplyDeleteBravo for nothing.
DeleteLJU will become just the 5th Fraport operated airport with Qatar Airways flights.
DeleteIf they are year round it will be only the 3rd after Fraport itself and New Delhi's airport.
* meant to right Frankfurt.
Delete> Slovenian Minister negotiates with Qatari Minister for flights
DeleteAnd yet some people still say 'Bravo Fraport'
Have you heard for sarcasm? :)
DeleteWe are all joking about Fraport as they do nothing to improve connectivity in Slovenia.
Yes but u don't have to write it under every post about Ljubljana, it was funny a few times but it really isn't anymore.
DeleteIt is a well established ExYu blog "fact" that Fraport out of the 25 airports it operates hates LJU and does nothing to attract more airlines and pax to it.
DeleteIt is a well established Fraport fanboy "fact" that LJU is the only airport in the world with zero demand.
DeleteNever Fraport's fault, always the market, hence why over a million Slovenes travelled from airports outside the country
DeleteThey wouldn’t if Ljubljana had a proper network. It started to get better in the last few months with additions of Copenhagen, Riga, Luxembourg and Skopje and year round services of British and Aegean. I think this will attract more passengers back to Lju but there is still a lot that has to be done like flights to Berlin, Dublin/Manchester, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Stockholm, etc…those are the destinations Slovenians use neighbouring airports to fly direct to and if they establish them from Lju, they will eventually come back
DeleteKako pa to, da je povpraševanje do uničenja Adrie bilo (tudi iz hrvaške Istre, Trsta, avstrijske Koroške obstajal?. Kako to, da na vseh exYU povpraševanje narašča?
DeleteGood for Ljubljana, bad for Zagreb
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteThis will affect QR in ZAG.
ReplyDeleteI have been told that barely anyone from Slovenia uses QR in ZAG.
DeleteSlovenian here, flown with Qatar 3 times by now and never from Zagreb. Twice from Venice, once from Vienna
DeleteActually if this happens then it will be bad news for TK.
Delete^ FZ had no impact on them. Qatar wouldn't either. QR and FZ would compete for the same passengers.
DeleteFZ and QR could work side by side. I believe FZ handles a lot more point to point traffic than transfer
DeleteTransfers, there's no demand for Ljubljana but transfers might be something that would be significant.
Delete"lthough there is little demand for point-to-point travel between the two capitals, with an average of a 1.000 travellers, a potential Qatar Airways service would be primarily used by transfer passengers, with the Qatari carrier boasting an extensive international network."
To be honest, I don't think there is point to point demand to Doha from anywhere outside of Middle East and Indian subcontinent.
DeleteYeah, I agree, transfers only, but considering Zagreb is close and FlyDubai already services Ljubljana, would be interesting to know if Qatar might reconsider Ljubljana after 2027 perhaps?
DeleteIn any case, they lack the proper aircraft right now. They'd need to either cut out an existing A320 route or LJU will have to wait until they have more
DeleteAh this news came as a huge relief. I thought Tanja was only pushing for peace in Middle East, but hey, she's also lobbying for air connectivity!
ReplyDeleteShe's Teheran Tanja!
Delete"Teheran Tanja" hahaha
DeleteWhat's the origin of the meme?
DeleteI feel like we saw this article about this Qatar Ljubljana flights a few times now and still nothing happened.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, there are not quite enough news in aviation for such a small and, frankly, unimportant region when it comes to aviation. So every now and then, certain articles repeat themselves as soon as the tiniest development occurs
DeleteIt was the same with Dubai flights and in the end they materialized. Same will be with QR and I think we are getting close.
DeleteWe will get Etihad before Qatar :)
DeleteWe'll likely have to wait until 2026. That's when the 320neos will enter the Qatari fleet
DeleteWhy would Etihad come to Lju, they don’t even fly to the likes of Venice, Zagreb or Belgrade
DeleteIt makes no sense to me either.
DeleteRecycled article.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I tell to myself when I see daily AirSerbia articles.
DeleteEvery other day is an Air Serbia fleet review article
DeleteNot admin's fault that Air Serbia generates by far the most news in the region.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeletePa šta očekujete kada JUG ima samo tri avio-kompanije i samo dve avio-kompanije koje funkcionišu, a JU je duplo veći od OU. većina vesti će biti o JU.
DeleteJedina opcija je da vi lično pomognete OU i 40 da raste ili da administrator proširi blog na Bugarsku i zapadne slavenske narode.
Ako se to dogodi, većina vesti će biti o LOT-u i Aeroflotu iz istog razloga.
They'll do the same as what flydubai did - winter flights 2-3 weekly and then go from there. Market is ready to take them
ReplyDeleteBut we have been told by experts here that LJU has zero demand?
DeleteExpert here.. LJU has zero demand. You are most welcome.
DeleteHey everyone, Anal-i-tićar is back!
DeleteState “arranging” flights for private owner of the airport. Great….
DeleteThe state is arranging flights to improve air transport connectivity which is boosting economy and reducing travel costs and saving time for business travelers. Private airport operator is something they have to live with after privatization.
DeleteFor that to be true, relative to the amount of flights they have, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece should be one of the best developed countries in Europe while Scandinavia should be one of the least developed regions, yet this is not true. Development of routes and schedules follows economic development, not the other way around. At least in countries where governments do not have a direct say on which routes should be operated and how frequently.
DeleteAnonymous 11:31
Delete+1000
Thanks @Anon 11:31, now we know, why the developed south of Spain has so many flights while poor and rural Scandinavia is still waiting for it. :-)
DeleteSarcasm of.
We all know it's not so simple. It goes one with the other. But poor connectivity together with market monopoly are pushing ticket prices up and chasing away tourists and companies. So any kind of government incentives to bring more carriers are more than welcome.
This site made me realise that Slovenia simultaneously has a smaller market than Andorra but also that ZAG is 80% Slovenians
DeleteThis would be fantastic
ReplyDeleteCan the A320 operate Ljubljana?
ReplyDeleteYes, without issue
DeleteLJU can take any aircraft up to the size of the 747-8s, I believe
DeleteI meant in terms of A320 range from Doha but it seems they also fly to PRG with A320 until recently so it should not be an issue.
DeleteAnon 12.17 Antonov An124 lands in Lju like every month without issues so i think limit is An124 if not bigger
DeleteThe An124 is smaller than the 747-8 but larger than the older 747 models. 747 could also land, but might face load restrictions if fully-laden in a high density configuration
DeleteOh I didn’t know that, thanks!
DeleteDidn't know they finally retired the A321 classics.
ReplyDeleteYes they are gone. Used to operate BEG route every day but they shifted to A320 when it got retired.
DeleteWere a great jet. Shame...
DeleteWhy not? Slovenia is an undeserved market with a lot of demand for travel.
ReplyDeleteQR will succeed in Ljubljana
Delete+1
DeleteSo they definitely have no interest in returning to Skopje?
ReplyDeleteLooks like it :(
DeleteLooks like they will start flying to ljubljana before skopje
DeleteWell do remember they used to fly to Skopje.
DeleteThis route could also be successful based on cargo demand.
ReplyDeleteQR does not have a plane to spare. Sorry Tanja
DeleteThey are upgrading more and more European routes to Dreamliners so A320s will become available.
DeleteBut Boeing is having issues delivering 787s as well so I think QR and all Dreamliner customers will be in a growth pinch for a few years
DeleteQR has already received most of the 787s, think only 10 or so are left for delivery
DeleteI wonder if JU sees any transfers from QR flights
ReplyDeleteJust flew QR231 Belgrade-Doha (just got back home). Load on the flight was 132/132 economy, 12/12 business. Originally it was 9/12 business but 3 passengers got upgraded since, like always on this flight, it was overbooked. Turned out an upgraded passenger sitting across me was headed to Tivat on JU. He started his trip in Bangkok.
DeleteThat said, QRs older A320s with recliner configuration in business are not such a comfortable ride when cabin is packed which is now always the case. Hope they consider upgrading the aircraft at least to the newer A320s with lie flat seats. Soft product on the other hand fantastic as usual. On this Belgrade flight that departs at 7.20AM they offer a full breakfast menu but also a full luck menu, each with 4 choices of mains. You can decide which menu you want. Quite amazing for a 4.50 minute flight.
* lunch not luck :)
DeleteStill no upgrades in capacity will on many other flights they fly 777s half full.
DeleteThat MAX on the photo looks great in QR livery. But I read in the text they don't have QR cabin? Which ones do they have?
ReplyDeleteThey have S7 Airlines cabin. Planes were originally destined to them but got diverted to QR due to sanctions. QR did replace the color of the seats but nothing else. So they have much smaller pitch than all other QR planes and also no PTVs in any seat - including business. Like article says they mostly use them on short hops (I've flown them several times from/to Abu Dhabi where they use it almost exclusively compared to Dubai where they send B777s, A350s and Dreamliners :D). Most of the pilots on the MAxs are Russian but cabin crew is QR although apparently, from what I've heard, these are cabin crew which only operate the MAXs (but I am not 100% sure I understood the crew when I was chatting with them once). On some longer regional flights where they use the MAX planes, business class passengers get tablets to for inflight entertainment.
DeleteThanks for the detailed explanation. Interesting stuff
DeleteWhy do they not replace the seats with their own ones? Does it cost too much or?
DeleteThey needed them in service as soon as they got them. If they stick with the MAXs they will probably replace the cabins when they have their C check. But I'm not really sure what QR will do with these planes. They never planned to get the MAXs but then the former CEO got into a dispute with Airbus, cancelled their narrow body Airbus order (which was already supposed to have begun arriving) and got MAXs instead. This fiasco is believed to be one of the reasons he was dumped from CEO position. Based on some recent reports, QR plans to wet lease these planes to IndiGo. We will see.
DeleteActually it was Airbus which cancelled the a320neo order because he refused QR refused to take delivery of A350-1000s because of a “paint” issue which no other carrier seemed to have. Airbus got sick of it and cancelled all their orders. Now they lost their slots and had to get new ones.
DeleteThanks for this information! I am glad that some people actually write useful stuff like that in the comments instead of Bravo Fraport or Montenegro keeps winning.
DeleteSlovenia talks too much but does little.
ReplyDeleteHas any EX SLO GOV done more than this one? No.
DeleteSlovenia has a government?!
DeleteNo, because no government prior to this one had LJU as the smallest capital airport in Europe
DeleteA ste se kdaj vprašali, zakaj in kdaj je Ljubljana postala najmanjše prestolniško letališče v Evropi?
DeleteIf Qatar has to use 738MAXs they never wanted to have in first place, why dont they re-sell them to S7 the original recipient?
ReplyDeleteAirbus and Boeing have to obey sanctions but the Arabs shouldnt.
Its the same situation as with the Russia-destined aircraft carrier that KSA bought from France and gifted to Egypt.
Complete waste of money.
They would be in contempt of UN sanctions if they sold them any parts from Airbus or Boeing.
DeleteThat would still violate sanctions and may result in Boeing or Airbus cancelling further orders, which would cripple QR far more than either of the two
DeleteThey are going to IndiGo under damp lease. They have no PTVs so unfit for QR's premium product.
DeleteAlenka singlehandedly decapitated slovenian aviation and now she is begging arround asking anybody who has at least single passenger airplane to come to LJU....pathetic.
ReplyDeleteHow many times the information that she was against selling Adria to non strategic partner must be repeated? And someone always forget who led the government that almost brought Slovenia to a financial collapse that next one had to solve, that included selling State owned enterprises.
DeleteNi bila samo Alenka. Bila je večletna brezglava slovenska politika, slovenski mediji in velik del slovenske javnosti, ki naseda neoliberalni mantri o svobodnem trgu, ki lahko vse uredi.
DeleteFingers crossed
ReplyDeleteGood luck Ljubljana!
DeleteIf they do start flights I wonder if it will be nonstop or linked with some other destination.
ReplyDeleteQatar doesn't do fifth freedom flights as much as Emirates, so probably nonstop
DeleteQR would be a fantastic addition in Ljubljana.
ReplyDeleteFrom a cargo perspective, this would be a nice addition to the airport and would directly compete vs TK, due to A320 having better cargo capacity then B737 and due to both airlines offering lots of connections onwards. There's a lot of demand for smaller shipments that would fit into belly of the airbus. Currently for QR all shipments go to BUD and get exported from there. You eliminate 2-3 transit days because of that and lower the cost due to no trucking needed between LJU and BUD. Overall it would be a win for the airport in terms of cargo.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is SLO exporting via BUD? Wine? Electronics? Just asking out of curiosity.
DeleteZmaga v smislu tovora in za nekaj turistov, brez pomena pa za povezljivost LJU z evropskimi prestolnicami.
Delete