NEWS FLASH
Pegasus Airlines commenced flights between Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport and Ljubljana today with ceremonies held at both airports to the mark the occasion. The new route will be maintained three times per week and faces no direct competition, although Turkish Airlines operates between Istanbul’s main airport and the Slovenian capital.
Commenting on the occasion, the CEO of Pegasus Airlines, Guliz Ozturk, said, “At Pegasus, we don't just see aviation as a transportation service. We work to transform the journey into an accessible, digital and customer-centric experience. Therefore, the launch of direct flights to Ljubljana is an important step in this journey. Both Ljubljana and Istanbul are very beautiful cities. This new route will be a good destination for both Turkish and Slovenian tourists”.
The Slovenian Ambassador to Turkey, Gorazd Renčelj, added, “A new airline is not just a means of travel, but also a way to connect people. Turks hold a special place in the hearts of the Slovenian people, and I think this is a reciprocal situation. Therefore, I have no doubt that the planes will be full. I think we will have a very beautiful story for both countries, the airline and this airport. I have personally witnessed the excitement this news has generated among Slovenian citizens living in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey. The new route creates a new opportunity for those who want to experience Istanbul, Turkey, or see Ljubljana”.
The CEO of airport operator Fraport Slovenija, Babett Stapel, said, “Following an exceptionally successful year in 2025, during which we handled almost 1.6 million passengers, Ljubljana Airport is entering the new year with strong momentum. The many planned enhancements in 2026 show that Ljubljana Airport is becoming an increasingly competitive, attractive and reliable gateway for air travel. One of these is today’s arrival of a new carrier, Pegasus Airlines, which is an important addition for our passengers and further proof of the appeal of the Slovenian market. We are confident the new service will further strengthen economic and tourism ties between Slovenia and Turkey”.
Congrats Ljubljana, I hope we get Antalya flights with them soon too!
ReplyDeleteAny idea how the LFs looked like? They used A321 which is upgrade compared to announced A320, and next week all flights are on 737 too!
Is there any real hope of them launching Antalya as well? Seems like a bold expansion so quickly for LJU standards haha.
DeleteIn peak summer there about 10 Antalya flights weekly, all charters. So I would say Pegasus coming in si viable, especially because Slovenian nowdays prefer to organize their vacation on their own
DeleteDamn, what are they waiting for then. Antalya would be a terrific route considering close to zero competition from surrounding airports.
DeleteThe prices are quite high for the upcoming months and they even sent the A321 for the first flight, I hope the route proves successful. Does anyone have any idea on the LF of the inaugural flight?
ReplyDeleteLF on an inaugural flight is not a valuable metric for anything.
DeleteNot a rule, but mostly they are filled with journalists and various freeloaders who get to get a free flight so somewhere.
Tuzla having 16 pax on first Lumiwings pax was a clear indication if you ask me
DeleteI know, Im just very passionate about aviation in Slovenia, thats why Im curious :)
DeleteInbound flight was sold out 5 days ago, that’s why they sent an A321neo. Outbound flight had ~70 pax
DeleteSMANJENJA - Pegasus smanjuje Zagreb (as a result)
ReplyDeletebecause of 3 weekly flights? i dont think so.
DeleteTBF tickets from Lju to Saw compared to Zag to Saw are much more expensive, which probably means Lju flights are selling better
DeleteHow are they reducing Zagreb? Its being increased to 4x per week this summer.
Delete16.00
DeleteIt's the same guy who use each and every opportunity to spit on Zagreb. It has nothing to do with aviation but with chauvinism. He also claimed flydubai would leave Zagreb after starting Ljubljana, passengers from Zagreb would use Ryanair from Banja Luka, before Ryanair started Zagreb, and so on and so on
Great developments for LJU airport this summer. Now only if we get Berlin and Antalya and the summer would be perfect!
ReplyDelete“As stated by Janez Krašnja, Head of Aviation Operations at Fraport Slovenia, they expect at least 25,000 passengers annually from the new connection and anticipate that the carrier will also operate the route in the summer schedule.“
ReplyDeleteIt seems literally everyone — except Fraport and its Head of Aviation Operations — knows that Pegasus has flights scheduled to Ljubljana until the end of October 2026. The summer schedule is already loaded, and tickets are on sale since the first day!
Truly impressive oversight for those entrusted with running the country’s main airport.
Ministry of infrastructure also published that the route opened because of the tender. They forgot that Turkey is NOT included in the tender.
DeleteExtremely sad on both ends.
DeleteStop with conspiracies! It's Bravo Fraport only!
DeleteSlovenians have Krasnja and croatians have Scuric :)
DeleteIf only. On croatian side, it's Bajić, Zsabo, Mišetić, Butković, and many many more
DeleteKrasnja is a cherry. Everything he touches turns to dust
ReplyDeleteHas anyone noticed how Turkish removed one weekly LJU-IST rotation and decreased several flights to A320, A319 and B737-800?
ReplyDeleteWhen is the reduction? On which days and for which months?
DeleteOn Tuesday evening rotations (TK1063/1064).
DeleteThey removed 6 flights in total, which is normal for January. 2nd week of Feburary we are back on 14 weekly
DeleteAlso they are starting with 18 weekly from April onwards - last year they started in June. I doubt that the arrival of Pegasus will make them reduce flights.
DeleteWhere can you see the reductions (or the flight schedules), is there a website for that? It seems tedious to be looking at their booking website for changes in frequencies.
Deletehttps://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/flight-timetable/
Delete