No airline has applied for the Slovenian government’s seventh tender call aimed at encouraging carriers to launch new flights to the country in return for subsidies. In a statement to EX-YU Aviation News, the Slovenian Ministry for Infrastructure confirmed that no carrier submitted its application by the set deadline on February 24. The Ministry for Infrastructure previously allocated a total of 16.8 million euros in funds for airlines between 2023, when the first public call was made, and 2026, when the last call is expected, although it can be extended if funds are left over. So far, just over one million euros have been used up. The funds equate to covering 50% of the carrier’s fees on the new route.
The previous public calls garnered mixed results. Luxair, airBaltic, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Iberia, Eurowings and Cyprus Airways have applied over the six previous tenders, although the latter did not submit complete documentation. Luxair (Luxembourg) has been granted 257.960 euros for operations between September 14, 2023, and May 31, 2025. airBaltic (Riga) will receive 284.408 euros for operations between May 2, 2024, and October 31, 2025. Norwegian Air Shuttle (Copenhagen) has been granted 557.518 euros between April 29, 2024, and October 31, 2025, while Iberia (Madrid) was the recipient of 18.774 euros between July 29, 2024, and September 5, 2024. The value of Eurowings’ subsidies has not been made public. So far, all the newly launched routes have been seasonal, with exception to airBaltic, which maintains year-round services, and Luxair, which operated throughout the 2023/24 winter and the 2024 summer, but has only a handful of flights this winter season.
The Ministry for Infrastructure had previously said it was in talks with a number of carriers in order to find a solution for the country’s perceived lack of air connectivity. “The Ministry for Infrastructure is continuing to rigorously seek out solutions that will improve Slovenia’s air connectivity long-term, including talks with airlines that present their proposals for improving connectivity. The fact is that basing a few aircraft at one of our international airports would increase connectivity and also improve flight frequencies on individual air routes. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia will decide whether the establishment of a national carrier is the most appropriate solution for improving connectivity, after all options to increase connectivity are presented”, the Ministry said last year.
How about Fraport doing something?
ReplyDeleteHow about Toni from security doing something.
Delete^ umm maybe the management should do something?
DeleteInforming airlines that there is an ongoing tender would be a good start.
Delete@Admin why is the article 'Airlines fail to apply to Slovenian tender'? It should rather be Slovenia fails to attract any carriers through its tender!
DeleteOr nobody really cares
DeleteThis must be all Fraports fault. Nothing to do with LJU being such a small market.
ReplyDeletePeople in these comments will hate on Fraport because it is German no matter what. No one ever blames the disastrous moves made by the Slovenian governments over the years, and no one ever talks about how highly successful Fraport is in Greece.
DeleteFor sure they are highly successful LOL.
DeleteWhy do you call them not successful?
DeleteFraport in Ljubljana is dealing with Ryanair opening two new bases (Zagreb and Trieste) in the immediate surroundings. Slovenia is one of Europe's smallest countries with a tiny capital city when you look at population size. The population density in Slovenia is low. Ljubljana has excellent road links to central Europe for business travellers and the Adriatic coast for leisure travellers. There is no large diaspora for VFR air traffic. There are no borders anywhere around Ljubljana due to Schengen so you can easily drive in all directions. There are trains to Croatia, Italy and Austria every day. And then there was the collapse of the national airline Adria Airways and the loss of all transfer traffic.
These are extremely challenging circumstances in an already limited market. What more is Fraport supposed to do?
Maybe get a profesional management?
DeleteComment from below:
DeleteYou know the sad part?
The airline I worked for wanted to apply, but wanted to negotiate with Fraport. You don't wanna imagine how that went
Also for the sake of anyone on here, next time they put the tender out, email every airline in Europe about it, you might think it doesn't help, but Fraport or ministry do it... So at least someone can
@anon 11:12 What on earth does diaspora and VFR air traffic have in common ?
DeleteIt is the same thing. VFR=Visiting Friends and Relatives=Diaspora.
DeleteA wealthy country like Slovenia does not have a large diaspora as no need for mass immigration, so flights to German villages are not needed. Fraport is a very successful company, just look at the Greek portfolio of airports. What they have done in LJU is offer a decent amount of flights to airports in the near vicinity. LF on so many of these flights is average at best. Please advise what non stop routes would be profitable from LJU bearing in mind the vast majority of airlines are in the business of making money. OU are of course an exception.
DeleteLjubljana is smaller in size than most of those German 'villages'. But you are right. With your mindset, people will just continue using Venice, Trieste, Klagenfurt, Zagreb. Slovenia definitely should not work on growing tourism, corporate travel, MICE etc.
DeleteIf LF is poor to places like FRA and MUC imagine what it would be like to BER or MAD.
Delete21.16
DeleteSlovenia is not wealthy country. Slovenia is post-socialist Eastern European country with deep deep deep Balkans mentality, just a little bit wealthier than most of post-socialist countries and waaay poorer than really wealthy countries of northern and western Europe.
Please compare LJU numbers and connectivity with those of for example Riga or Vilnius, similar in size and wealth, and tell me are you ashamed at least a little bit for what you wrote.
Just saying it how it is. LJUs offering is ideal for population/demographic/size of the area it serves.
DeleteNo it is not. Riga and Vilnius have 2-3 TIMES (200-300 %) more passengers, airlines and destinations. But your Balkans mentality doesn't allow you to admit it
DeleteWhere is Riga and where is Ljubljana? Can you drive to your summer holiday from Riga like you can from Ljubljana? Can you take a train to Europe's biggest cities and arrive the same day like you can from Ljubljana? Can you drive anywhere in Central Europe within one day like you can from Slovenia?
DeleteYou want to tell me Slovenians travel to neighbouring countries only which one can Richard by car, bus and train? Give me a break. And try to visit east Adriatic coast and witness numerous cars with LT and LV plates. Conclusion: another failed attempt to advocate Fraport and their sponsors in slovenian government. You only missed singing Danke Deutschland
Deletereach, not Richard, autocorrect
DeleteWhat a surprise
ReplyDeleteIt is time to stop with this stupid subsidies which clearly does not work. Rather use this money to set up a new carrier and finnaly solve connectivity problem.
ReplyDeleteAnd fritter away just how many millions just to keep a few armchair CEOs happy. The offering from LJU is quite varied considering the size of population.
DeleteCheck numbers and destinations from Riga or Vilnius, considering the size of population
Delete"Ali je ustanovitev nacionalnega prevoznika najprimernejša rešitev za izboljšanje povezljivosti, se bo Vlada RS odločila potem, ko bodo predstavljene vse možnosti za povečanje povezljivosti,« so lani sporočili z ministrstva.
DeleteTe raziskave o možnostih večje povezlljivosti trajajo že pet let in bodo trajale še dolgo, dokler politika ne bo dojela, da letalski promet spada pod infrastrukturo.
Anonimno09:07
In zapravite le toliko milijonov, da bi osrečili nekaj izvršnih direktorjev na foteljih. Ponudba LJU je glede na število prebivalcev precej pestra.
Poleg politike tudi večina Slovencev (vsaj tistih najbolj glasnih) vidi v nacionalnem prevozniku samo "osrečevanje direktorjev in elite". Zato je za njih ponudba (čarterjev) popolnoma zadovoljiva. Zato je do nadaljnjega tudi vsaka debata o večji povezljivosti odveč in le nepotrebno zapravljanje časa.
Seems there is indeed not more interest for LJU even for a LCC. Ofc we dont know the exact details of the tender payments, but strange that no LCC is even applying for it.
ReplyDeleteThey are not applying because covering 50% of the fees is not enough for a major LCC to make it work.
DeleteThis is a clear indication that just offering subsidies isn't enough. Slovenia needs to rethink its entire approach to aviation. Are we even targeting the right airlines or markets with these calls?
DeleteThe best chance of an LCC setting up a base in LJU was in the immediate aftermath of Adria's bankruptcy or during Covid. Now it's too late.
DeleteWhy too late?
DeleteBecause Bratušek is incompetent as a transport minister. She presided over the Adria sale, Adria bankruptcy and now
DeleteAnonimno10:16
DeleteKer je Bratuškova kot prometna ministrica nesposobna. Vodila je prodajo Adrie, stečaj Adrie in zdaj
Bratuškova je bila le izvajalec in danes izgovor. Pri uničenju Adrie je sodelovala skoraj vsa slovenska politika, velik del slovenske javnosti, večina slovenskih medijev. Vsa ta množica je več kot desetletje pripravljala averzijo do Adrie, kar je na koncu pripeljalo skoraj do splošnega navdušenja ob koncu Adrie. Potrebno je samo pogledati pisanje medijev iz tistega časa.
Disappointing.
ReplyDeleteGovernment doesn't care. They will endlessly launch these tenders.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Ministry could care less.
DeleteSo they launching tender number 8?
ReplyDeleteThey will soon.
DeleteYou can't just launch tenders. You have to do some work, together with Fraport, to get airlines to apply for them
ReplyDeleteNotice how the side that's not doing anything is Fraport
Delete@9:20 How dare you spreading lies! Bravo Fraport!
Deletelol same old same old
ReplyDeleteThey should allow non EU airlines to apply.
ReplyDeleteThey can't because the aid being provided is EU money.
DeleteAnd who do you think will apply even if they do that, Singapore Airlines and Etihad? Cmon LJU market is SMALL y’all need to understand that.
DeleteIt's disappointing to see no takers for the subsidy this time around. It feels like we're always a step behind in improving our air connectivity.
ReplyDeleteIf it ain't working, try something new.
DeleteYear after year, the same story. Our government throws money at the problem but never seems to solve the underlying issues of competitiveness and appeal to international carriers. What are we doing wrong that no airline wants to commit?
ReplyDeleteExactly. This should be a wake-up call to our government that mere financial incentives are not enough to improve our air connectivity. We need a more comprehensive plan.
DeleteThe lack of applications is a major red flag.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would avoid dating the next tender as well. No applications on the previous tender is such an ick.
DeleteAnd here we were hoping for ITA and others.
ReplyDeletePeople also used to claim how TAROM would start flights.
DeleteDon't forget HAM and LIS :)
DeleteAnd Austrian from VIE
DeleteWe can only hope :(
DeleteAdria did fly to Bucharest and Vienna and the load factors were abysmal but that doesn’t bother couch commanders.
DeleteWhere did you get that the loads were 'abysmal'?
DeleteCrystal ball. Couch commanders don't use it.
DeleteThe best load factor that Adria ever managed across the fleet was 73% in 2013. In the last years of Adria's operation, where both mentioned routes were active, it struggled to get a load factor above 66%. In todays world, this is abysmal.
Deleteand bear in mind how many 50 seat CRJ200's they flew. JP was useless at filling planes.
DeletePeople here were also mentioning how OU will base A220s in LJU. And how Etihad would launch flights...
DeleteTerrible
ReplyDelete😂😂
ReplyDeleteSo Cyprus Airways is definitely out?
ReplyDeleteThey have fleet issues. So for the time being yes.
DeleteThey cut FCO and CDG from LCA which are big and strong markets do you think they’ll start operate LJU?
DeleteYou missed the story. They were interested to set up a base in LJU. But this story is gone with the wind.
DeleteThey have fleet issues? With A220? I don't believe you. Jasmin doesn't believe you as well 🙂
DeleteUnfortunate
ReplyDeleteNew low for Slovenian aviation.
ReplyDeleteOut of the seven tenders, I believe this is the third that no one has applied for.
ReplyDeleteIt's a small market with good road connectivity surrounded by much bigger markets with good air traffic development. What do people expect?
ReplyDeleteSo just give up and close the airport?
DeleteNot at all. But don't expect airlines applying for every tender.
DeleteHave they announced the eighth tender yet?
ReplyDeleteNot yet. But I'm sure they will soon.
DeleteOne has got to ask what is the point
DeleteAnd passenger numbers keep sliding at LJU.
ReplyDeleteThings will improve soon
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2025/02/ljubljana-set-for-strong-growth-as.html
Let's wait and see what the minus will be in February.
DeleteOnly option is national airline. That is if you want to have a big increase in traffic and good connectivity. Whether that is sustainable is a different matter.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to do it yourself and see if caa.si is even capable of issuing and maintaining an AOC.
DeleteAegean upgraded ATH-LJU flights to year round, something optimistic and good in all these bad news for LJU.
ReplyDeleteThis is very questionable as they do it every year and then in Augist cancel it.
DeleteBut else what did you you expect from a person, who saw only sellout of aviation industry as a way of operating it?
ReplyDeleteJust set up a new flag carrier.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to do it yourself and see if caa.si is even capable of issuing and maintaining an AOC.
DeleteLJUBLJANA HAS MORE CONECTIONS THAN MUCH BIGGER GERMAN AIRPORTS BUT NOT ENOUGH PASSANGERS.
ReplyDeleteLast year it was named the worst connected airport in Europe.
DeleteAmong European capital cities. It is also one of the smallest capital cities in EU with its own airport. Of course it will "underperform" under such conditions.
Delete^ Capital city in Europe*
DeleteYou know the sad part?
ReplyDeleteThe airline I worked for wanted to apply, but wanted to negotiate with Fraport. You don't wanna imagine how that went
Also for the sake of anyone on here, next time they put the tender out, email every airline in Europe about it, you might think it doesn't help, but Fraport or ministry do it... So at least someone can
Wow I can't believe they don't even inform airlines about the tender. That's the least they can do!
DeleteOutrageous
DeleteIt must have been a very renowned airline then. /s
DeleteWhy do you not want to name it then?
^ Not the same guy, but Idk if that's the point really.
DeleteIt kinda is. If he worked for Binter Canarias or Air Greenland, what sense would it make to contact such airlines?
DeleteI know since Brexit it doesn't seem to be possible, but opening up these tenders to UK-based airlines / flights would likely yield positive results. Surely someone can make a Manchester / Liverpool-LJU service work ?
ReplyDeleteIf British Airways can't even fly to Ljubljana year-round from London, who is going to fly from Liverpool to Ljubljana?
DeleteExactly
DeleteAdria used to fly Wednesday and Saturday MAN-LJU. Build it, and they will come. Plus, I never said all year round. I'd actually prefer Blackpool-MBX, but there we go...
DeleteI wish I could just start my own airline. Sadly I don't have the expertese, or the money :D
ReplyDeleteFraport can't do much if the destination of the airport that served has no further potential ! Fraport has in its control airports in Greece like Chania , Santorini , Kefalonia , Corfu ,zakynthos , Rhodes , Kos , Mykonos ,Samos , Skiathos , Mytilene , Thessaloniki . And all of them are doing well because they are major tourist destinations .
ReplyDeleteNot surprising if the airport operator can't even bother do some marketing.
ReplyDeleteOk, so they will keep these tenders going until 2026. And then what? It is obvious that these tenders have reached their maximum and no one is interested anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe ministry says it will then consider a national carrier.
DeleteIt seems that Sarajevo manages to generate the most interest from these regional subsidy tenders.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteEmbarrassing
ReplyDeleteNeo Liberal capitalism at its best ...... good luck LJU ! .......
ReplyDeleteYes, better to fly empty planes at a loss for the sake of national pride 💅
DeleteAnonymous18:55 ..... jezik, tj, prsti brzi od mozga ......
DeleteI flew to Paris this weekend, yet the r.f. VCE-ORY was 110 eur and LJU-CDG was 500. So yes I decided to take the road to Venice.
ReplyDeleteThe choice is easy, when the time spent, car amortization, road tolls, fuel cost and such don't matter.
DeleteStill, the tickets alone would save you 400 eur.
Deleteffs @10:28 from Ljubljana there is 2 hr ride. Fuel cost 40eur, tolls 20 ? Yet 300 eur saved pp. 4 He only lost 2 hours in travel time. lmao
DeleteExactly, your 2 hours are worth very little, for someone else, that might be a different story.
DeleteAlso, how about parking and the car amortization. Why did you convenietly leave those details out? This is the classic obsession that a car doesn't cost anything, yet most families in Slovenia spend a quarter of their disposable income on a car.
Haha parking must be paid also in Ljubljana :).
DeleteHave you checked the prices? VCE is about 50% more expensive than LJU.
DeleteVCE has wide range of parkings with diferrent price categories. There are long term parkings some 5 minutes walk to the terminal building with low and very affordable prices. Claiming VCE has just one price for parking indicates intention to manipulate with facts in order to favour LJU over VCE
DeleteNever said that VCE has only one parking. Compare the prices across all the ranges and then compare LJU's official parking price. Also in LJU, you have the ex-Adria gravel parking spot that is the cheapest one around and I did not even consider that one. You're nitpicking. The general point still stands, most Slovenians are willing to ignore time spent and the largest car costs in order to save a few euros.
DeleteJust going around in circles
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why Norwegian has been granted double the amount of support that Air Baltic has been given if Norwegian only flies twice a week during summer season and Air Baltic twice a week year round. Shouldn't it logically have been the other way around?
ReplyDeleteNot sure I understand why people are so upset - Ljubljana is a city of less than 300,000, has excellent road & train connections and 24 non-stop flights, including to a number of international hubs… that’s a lot more than many other European cities of similar or even larger size…
ReplyDeleteRiga & Vilnius are a lot larger and further from much of the EU… and they have a carrier offering connecting traffic…
I’m pretty impressed with the number of routes they have - great if they can get even more…