Slovenia is expected to appoint a new government in the coming days, with the incoming Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Jernej Vrtovec, indicating that the country will fast-track approvals for new airlines seeking to enter the market. Mr Vrtovec previously served as Slovenia’s Minister of Infrastructure between 2020 and 2022.
Speaking at a parliamentary committee session yesterday, which endorsed his nomination for the ministerial post, Mr Vrtovec stressed the importance of improving connectivity and attracting new airline partners. “It is about connectivity and attracting partners. I was surprised to read in the media that airlines wishing to operate flights to Slovenia were effectively being shown the door simply because they were coming from places such as the Middle East. We at the ministry will process and sign these documents quickly; there is really no reason for delays. And this applies to operators from the European Union as well,” Mr Vrtovec said.
The incoming minister made no mention of plans to establish a new national airline. In June 2023, while serving as an MP following his first ministerial term, Mr Vrtovec argued that if the purpose of a new flag carrier was simply to provide more expensive flights to Brussels for civil servants, then “it makes no sense and would become a bottomless pit”.
The initial airline subsidy scheme aimed at improving Slovenia’s air connectivity was introduced under Mr Vrtovec’s ministry. The programme was designed to address the combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the pre-pandemic collapse of Adria Airways. His ministry oversaw the first rounds of tenders for airlines launching new services to Ljubljana, with the initiative later evolving into a longer-term programme under the subsequent government.
Commenting on the uncertain future of Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport, which remains without scheduled commercial flights, Mr Vrtovec said, “As for Maribor, we already had plans during my previous term and we intend to continue developing them, namely the creation of a multimodal logistics centre. In fact, the concept dates back to 2007 under the so-called Oregon Project. Logistics and logistics-related activities are a key part of improving connectivity and strengthening transport links”.
It will be interesting to see whether this opens the door for more flights from Turkey
ReplyDeleteI support faster approvals, but the bigger issue is demand. Airlines will only come if the economics make sense and if the airport remains competitive.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a much more proactive government working to attract companies, you will have much more initial interest
DeleteWhich is funny because Bratušek somehow managed to attract the most new airlines in the last four years.
DeleteDefinitely a better one than good old Alenka. Hopefully his words translate into actions.
ReplyDeleteBratušek has been a scourge for Slovenian aviation, hopefully she's out from the relevant ministries for good
DeleteWill the new government bring any real change too the sector? Asking someone from Slovenia
ReplyDelete*to
DeleteHe was appointed (mainly) because he is experienced in the field, the previous one was appointed because she helped the PM get his position. I think it is clear which one is better.
DeleteIf nothing else, this new government is much more pro business oriented (unlike last one)
Delete09:08 - lol sure😅😅😅
DeleteThey actually turned someone down?
ReplyDeleteThey effectively turned down Israir and Sundor in 2025 by revoking the country's permit to allow armed security on planes, something Israeli commercial airlines are required to have by law
DeleteAnd it was right way to do so
DeleteFinally some common sense. If an airline wants to fly to Slovenia and meets all regulatory requirements, why should politics get in the way? We need more connections, not fewer.
ReplyDeleteThe only route affected by politics was Tel Aviv.
DeleteMoscow?
DeleteOk, the only route that was affected by Slovenian government policies was Tel Aviv. If we are being pedantic, nearly all routes are affected by geopolitics.
DeleteI'm glad he ruled out a new national carrier.
ReplyDelete"The incoming minister made no mention of plans to establish a new national airline."
DeleteThe best national airline Slovenia can have is a competitive market with multiple carriers serving different destinations.
DeleteDoubt much will change
ReplyDeletePretty much this. Vrtovec was good for railroads and roads, but aviation has always been the child that is left behind.
DeleteAs if he wasn't part of the govt that rejected Easyjet but gave money to Swiss that didn't even fly to LJU.
ReplyDeleteTrue that!
Delete"indicating that the country will fast-track approvals for new airlines seeking to enter the market. "
ReplyDeleteAirlines from EU are free to come and they do not require any approval from the ministry or the government.
Which clearly indicates how much he knows about aviation sector. And the feceptive language he uses also clearly demonstrate the mindset. Previous govt didn't allow Israeli companies to fly to Slo, as Israel is ocupator and is engaged in illegal war (also confirmed by UN). But this ultra right (and I would not use the word conservative, but rather backwards) coalition sees Israel as friend. But Vrtovec doesn't say it, but rather lies that it is Middle East which is the problem. He was minister once and he did absolutely zero for aviation.
DeleteI agree, when you read it you think they have declined Qatar airways, s.Arabian airlines...
DeleteNo, but Fraport declined Etihad. And noone talks about it.
DeleteEtihad? Really?
DeleteWell you obviously know more and you also don't talk about it. So whats up with that?
DeleteWhy would anyone reject EY?
Deleteis Radio Mileva also broadcasting in Slovenia?
DeleteThere have been rumours about LJU and EY being in talks.
DeleteThere have also been rumours about LJU and Belavia, Qatar and Ryanair being in talks. Does that mean Fraport turned them down?
DeleteFlights to Israel will return. The current government does not support them and is delaying the issuance of approvals. Resolving that is relatively easy and requires little effort. Attracting new airlines, however, is a completely different story.
ReplyDeleteIs there any country in Europe where they are facing issues? I think Slovenia is the only one.
DeleteThey need to reform the subsidy model
ReplyDeleteSince austerity is being discussed, you can expect that the subsidy model will be gone pretty soon.
DeleteI have s feeling they will get an LCC to open a base.
ReplyDeleteWizz please
DeleteThat would be nice. Or easyjet.
DeleteYeah, that was my first thought too
DeleteIn order to make that happen they should get rid of fraport and Krasnja first.
DeleteI wonder which airlines were supposedly being "shown the door". If there were carriers genuinely interested in Slovenia, the public deserves to know who they were and why they were rejected.
ReplyDeleteIsrair and other Israeli carriers
DeleteThe collapse of Adria happened almost seven years ago and Slovenia is still discussing connectivity recovery.
ReplyDeleteAnd not discussing it will fix it, right?
DeleteAt least be is more focused on growth and competition.
ReplyDelete+1
Deleteairport charges, incentives and marketing support are important and these things should be in focus.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
DeleteMaribor Airport has been living on promises for decades. Every new government arrives with a new vision, but the runway remains largely empty.
ReplyDeleteA multimodal logistics hub makes much more sense than chasing passenger flights. Maribor's location is actually quite attractive for cargo and distribution activities.
DeleteThe Oregon Project must be one of the longest-running airport concepts in Europe. Nearly twenty years later and we are still discussing it.
DeleteAnd what cargo do you think will be pouring to MBX? Is there a logistics hub? Industry in need for quick transportation capabilities? MBX needs to be closed down.
DeleteI hope this means Slovenia will finally become more proactive in aviation. The country has excellent tourism potential but remains underserved
ReplyDeleteSlovenia should look at what airports like Tirana and Sarajevo have achieved in recent years. Strong growth is possible even without a national airline.
ReplyDeleteSarajevo?
DeleteYes. Compare to where it was just a few years ago.
DeleteSarajevo is a diaspora airport plus the summer flights for the Gulf.not applicable to LJU
DeleteTirana is as well and they focus on mass tourism.
DeleteWithout a stronger route network, Slovenia will continue losing passengers to Zagreb, Venice and Vienna.
ReplyDeleteStrong route network? But Fanboys have been telling us all you need is FRA?
Deletewith not having a diaspora its a wishful thinking. It is surrounded by 3 tourist heavyweights: Italy, Austria and Croatia
DeleteAnd Bratislava is not? Dont be a clown like the one from Fraport
Deletelol BTS is literally VIE's low cost airport
Delete@10.19 you cant be for real. Bratislava has NOT one single legacy carrier!
DeleteBut your language is in synch with the new rightwing government.
Bratislava really cannot be put as an example of good connectivity.
ReplyDeleteMaybe chechk destinations avaible from Bratislava and then talk ? Keep in mind that VIE is nearby and they are doing not so bad at all.
DeleteOh yes, twice weekly to Pisa and four weekly to Varna much better than flights to Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dubai, Copenhagen and Helsinki.
DeleteHey expert, give me an airline that would fly to BTS and VIE. Iberia Finnair Klm should abandon Vienna and went for BTS ? Or you suggest they go and schedule additional flights to an airport 40km away so they compete with them self ? haha LOL
DeleteWhy did you give BTS as an example of good connectivity then? They basically only have leisure routes. You only know how to be rude when the arguments run out.
Deleteits not only leissure routes. Wizz moved all their gasto routes from VIE to BTS catering mainly to diasporas living in AUT
DeleteA bit of an unrelated question but you can see one Swiss plane in the header picture that is turned the other way around compared to other planes. That plane is without engines and has been parked there for months. Isn't the plane taking away a gate parking space from other planes? Is there no other place at the airport to park it long term?
ReplyDeleteGood point
DeleteThey are renovating a sizable chink of the apron, so it's parked there.
DeleteI saw this plane a few days ago and was shocked they just parked it like that to obstruct the gate.
DeleteOhh thanks @14.01
Deletethat plane is in long term parking and is there for almost a year. They just move it around when needed
DeleteYou can see how much of the apron is not used currently on the live camera:
Deletehttps://www.lju-airport.si/sl/letalisce/spletne-kamere/
Smrt fašizmu, svoboda narodu!
ReplyDelete🥰
Delete+1
DeleteGood luck Slovenia. Hope for some new life in aviation sector now.
ReplyDeleteDon't get hot hopes up
DeleteWhen the previous government came everyone said how they will save aviation and even establish a new airline. And nothing happened. Same story now.
Delete"Nothing happened" meanwhile new routes to Riga, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Edinburgh and Istanbul Sabiha got launched. Just because Ryanair didn't open a base in LJU, it doesn't mean that nothing is happening.
DeleteDear Mr. future minister: EU carriers DO NOT NEED any approval from anybody to operate flights to Slovenia. Free market and that sort of things. You can not speed the process to obtain permit if it is not required.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteNice to see a busy apron at LJU (on the phot)
ReplyDelete*photo
Delete