As passenger numbers continue to grow and Ljubljana Airport expands its route network, infrastructure and airline portfolio, its operator, Fraport Slovenija, is positioning the airport for long-term, sustainable development. In an interview with EX-YU Aviation News, Fraport Slovenija's Managing Director, Jürgen Deischl, discusses the airport's performance, future route development priorities, the impact of changes within the Lufthansa Group, competition from neighbouring airports, ongoing infrastructure investments and his vision for strengthening Ljubljana Airport's role as Slovenia's primary international gateway.
EX-YU Aviation News: Ljubljana Airport has seen strong passenger growth so far this year. What are your expectations for the remainder of 2026?
We remain optimistic for the remainder of 2026. Demand for air travel to and from Slovenia remains strong, our network continues to expand, and passenger traffic has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels. Excluding the transfer traffic historically generated by the former hub operations in Ljubljana, traffic is already above pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the strength of Slovenia’s underlying origin-and-destination market.
What is particularly encouraging is that this is no longer a recovery story. Ljubljana Airport has entered a new phase of sustainable growth. Since 2023, we have significantly expanded our route network, strengthened and diversified our airline portfolio, and improved Slovenia’s connectivity for both inbound and outbound travellers.
At the same time, we remain realistic. The aviation industry continues to face geopolitical uncertainty, fleet constraints, industry consolidation and rising cost pressures. In this environment, competitiveness is becoming an increasingly important success factor. Continued growth will depend on improvements in efficiency, productivity and innovation, supported by constructive cooperation between industry stakeholders and policymakers.
Ljubljana Airport is well positioned for this challenge. With modern infrastructure, available capacity and a diversified airline base, we are confident in our ability to sustain growth and further strengthen Slovenia’s connectivity in the years ahead.
Which markets remain at the top of your target list for future route development?
Our route development priorities are guided by one principle: we want to build a balanced, resilient and commercially sustainable network for Slovenia. This means strengthening connectivity through key European hubs, while also developing attractive direct point-to-point services where there is proven demand. Germany, Italy, selected markets in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, and additional leisure and city-break destinations remain important areas of focus. At the same time, long-haul connectivity - either direct in the future or through strong one-stop partnerships - is a strategic priority, especially where we see significant untapped demand.
From an inbound perspective, the United States remains particularly relevant as one of Slovenia’s most important overseas source markets. More broadly, we see significant potential in improving access from North America, the Middle East and Asia, where Slovenia is increasingly recognised as a high-value, sustainable and authentic destination. The key point is that we are not chasing routes for the sake of announcements. We are pursuing routes that can be commercially viable from an airline perspective, add real connectivity value, and strengthen Ljubljana Airport’s role as the natural gateway to Slovenia and the wider region.
Ljubljana has successfully diversified its airline portfolio since the collapse of Adria Airways. Going forward, is the airport looking to attract more low cost carriers (and routes) or is your focus primarily on large hub carriers that can provide transfer options to passengers?
For us, route development is not about choosing one airline model over another. A successful airport requires a balanced airline portfolio. Network carriers provide access to global markets through their hub systems, while value carriers stimulate demand and expand direct European access. Charter and leisure airlines complement the offering by serving important holiday markets.
The strength of Ljubljana Airport today lies in this balance. Rather than relying on a single airline, segment or business model, we have built a diversified and resilient network that supports growth and strengthens Slovenia’s international accessibility.
Our objective is to develop traffic that creates lasting value for passengers, airlines and the wider Slovenian economy. This is fully aligned with Slovenia’s positioning as a high-value, sustainable destination rather than a mass-tourism market.
We therefore welcome any airline - network, value, leisure or hybrid - that can contribute to this objective and is prepared to build a commercially viable partnership.
The market has fundamentally changed over the past decade. While connectivity is delivered through a different model today, Ljubljana has successfully rebuilt its network and reduced dependency on any single airline. Resilience now comes from diversification, sound partnerships and a route portfolio that serves both Slovenian travellers and international visitors.
Slovenia is becoming increasingly attractive to airlines. A strong economy, high-yield passenger base, growing tourism sector and strategic location at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Alps-Adriatic region and South-Eastern Europe create a compelling market opportunity.
Ljubljana Airport further supports this with available capacity, no structural slot constraints, efficient infrastructure and reliable operations. Whether an airline chooses to establish a base is ultimately its decision. Our role is to provide the right commercial and operational environment.
Strategically, the label "base" is less important than the outcome. What matters is sustainable capacity growth, strong year-round market access and continued development of inbound tourism. If an airline sees Ljubljana as a long-term platform for serving Slovenia and the wider region, we would certainly welcome that.
Lufthansa's ongoing restructuring and network optimisation are expected to have implications for Ljubljana as well. How confident are you that the Munich route will be maintained in some form over the longer term?
It is important to distinguish between Lufthansa Group as a strategic partner and the future of Lufthansa’s own operations on the Munich route.
We remain highly confident in Lufthansa Group’s long-term commitment to the Slovenian market. Through Lufthansa, SWISS and Brussels Airlines, the group continues to play a vital role in connecting Slovenia with major European and global markets.
The current developments on the Munich route should primarily be viewed in the context of Lufthansa’s fleet and network restructuring rather than a weakening of demand. Following the discontinuation of Lufthansa CityLine operations, Lufthansa has fewer regional aircraft ideally suited to markets such as Ljubljana. Aircraft such as the CRJ900 offered an excellent fit in terms of capacity, frequency and economics, while larger Airbus narrowbody aircraft are more challenging to deploy efficiently in a market of Slovenia’s size.
For this reason, I would not interpret the recent changes as a strategic reassessment of Ljubljana. They are primarily the result of fleet allocation decisions within a much larger network. Lufthansa currently plans to maintain seasonal summer operations on the Munich route, while no winter operation is currently foreseen. Naturally, we would welcome a return to year-round Lufthansa service given Munich's importance for both business travel and global connectivity.
Our view is that the issue is not demand from Slovenia, but the availability of aircraft that are economically suited to markets of this size. The underlying market fundamentals remain strong. At the same time, Ljubljana Airport is today much more diversified than in the past. Airlines such as SWISS, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Air France-KLM, Turkish Airlines and Air Serbia provide alternative hub options and help ensure network resilience.
Germany remains one of Slovenia’s most important economic partners, and strengthening air connectivity between our two countries remains a priority. Whether this is delivered through Munich, other Lufthansa Group hubs, a broader mix of network carriers or further direct connections in the future is ultimately less important than ensuring reliable and competitive access to global markets for Slovenian travellers and businesses.
Many Slovenians continue to use airports in neighbouring countries, including Zagreb, Venice and Trieste. How significant is this leakage today?
Some level of cross-border airport use is natural in a country of Slovenia’s size and location. At the same time, leakage remains significant in certain market segments, particularly where specific destinations, frequencies or airline products are not yet available from Ljubljana.
We are surrounded by several international airports within driving distance, and passengers today compare schedules, prices, airline products and convenience very actively.
But I would not frame this only as a leakage challenge. It is also a regional opportunity. Ljubljana Airport itself attracts passengers from neighbouring regions, particularly from parts of Austria, Italy and Croatia. The real question is therefore: how do we make Ljubljana the most attractive airport choice wherever we can compete?
Our answer is clear: by expanding the route network, offering reliable and efficient operations, maintaining a high-quality passenger experience, and working with airlines and tourism stakeholders to build direct demand for Slovenia. Different airports in the region play different roles. Some are more focused on volume-driven low-cost traffic.
Ljubljana’s position is different: Slovenia is a high-value, sustainable destination, and our airport strategy reflects that. Sustainable growth does not mean low growth. It means growth that can be maintained over the long term while preserving service quality, airline profitability, operational resilience and destination attractiveness. We want growth, but not just any growth. We want connectivity that supports tourism, business, the economy and the long-term positioning of Slovenia.
So yes, leakage exists. But the trend is that Ljubljana Airport is becoming stronger, more visible and more competitive. Our task is to convert more of the region’s demand into sustainable traffic through Ljubljana.
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| Jürgen Deischl, Managing Director Fraport Slovenija |
Which routes could help recapture outbound Slovenian travellers currently using foreign airports?
For a country of around two million inhabitants, Slovenia can be proud of the level of connectivity it has achieved. Today, Ljubljana Airport is served by 24 airlines offering 30 direct destinations, providing a broad and diversified network for a market of our size. The progress made in recent years is also reflected in international benchmarks, with Slovenia recording one of the strongest improvements in air connectivity within the EU+ region according to ACI Europe’s Connectivity Report 2025.
Of course, there are markets where additional frequencies or new routes would help retain more Slovenian outbound demand. Selected German and Italian markets remain relevant. We also see opportunities in parts of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, as well as in stronger long-haul connectivity through major hub partnerships.
But I would frame the opportunity more broadly. The objective is not simply to “recapture” every Slovenian passenger who uses a foreign airport. The bigger strategic opportunity is to further strengthen Ljubljana as the airport of choice for Slovenia and the wider region, serving outbound travellers, inbound visitors and international business flows alike.
This is why inbound traffic is so important. When airlines see strong inbound demand, route economics improve, frequencies become more sustainable, and Slovenian passengers benefit as well. In the long run, the most effective way to reduce leakage is not by focusing on leakage alone, but by continuously strengthening the overall attractiveness, connectivity and competitiveness of Ljubljana Airport.
Fraport Slovenia has invested heavily in infrastructure, including the new terminal and taxiways. Could you give us an overview of existing infrastructure development and plans for the future?
Over the past decade, Ljubljana Airport has undergone a major transformation. The new passenger terminal was an important milestone, and we have continued to invest in airside infrastructure, operational resilience and service quality.
Our most important current infrastructure project is the comprehensive reconstruction of the main apron. This project is being delivered while the airport remains fully operational, which makes it operationally demanding but also strategically important. It is not simply a pavement renewal project. Covering approximately 37,000 square metres, it modernises one of the airport’s most critical operational assets, improves operational efficiency and flexibility, and prepares the airport for future growth. Once completed, the apron will provide capacity for 22 Code C aircraft stands, 4 Code D stands and 2 Code E stands, giving us a strong platform for further network development and future traffic growth.
Importantly, this investment is being delivered while maintaining normal airport operations, demonstrating both the resilience of the airport and our commitment to supporting airline growth without disruption. We are also investing in more sustainable and efficient airport operations. This includes electrification of ground operations, fixed and mobile electrical ground power infrastructure, vehicle electrification and broader decarbonisation measures.
At the same time, the apron investment also creates the foundation for future digital apron solutions and smarter airport operations. Ljubljana Airport already benefits from an efficient and compact airport layout. Looking ahead, our focus is not only on concrete and asphalt. We are developing a smarter airport ecosystem where digitalisation, automation, customer experience and operational efficiency are just as important as physical infrastructure.
We want passengers and airlines to experience Ljubljana as efficient, reliable, easy to use and distinctly Slovenian. There are also broader aviation opportunities around cargo, logistics and aircraft maintenance. The recent developments around aircraft maintenance in Ljubljana underline that the airport is not only a passenger gateway, but part of a wider aviation ecosystem.
Our vision is clear: Ljubljana Airport should be a modern, efficient and sustainable gateway for Slovenia and the airport of choice for the wider region.
Interesting that they have long haul ambitions. Could this be in form of some charters or actual scheduled flights and to where?
ReplyDeleteA direct US route would be fantastic, but I think Slovenia is still too small. Better connections through major hubs are a more realistic goal.
DeleteWell he mentions US inbound demand. Maybe we'll eventually see seasonal flights to New York, although that's probably still some years away.
DeleteAnd once upon a time there were year round nonstop flights to New York and seasonal flights to Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
DeleteOnce upon a time...
DeleteThere is more and more American tourists here every year, this year i think already close to 100k visitors already and it’s not even the main season yet. Flights to the USA are gonna come sooner than later.
DeleteIt would be amazing. Hope I see the day.
DeleteI still drive to Venice several times a year because the fares are much cheaper. Until Ljubljana becomes more price competitive, people will keep using other airports.
ReplyDeletethe challenge is convincing airlines that Slovenia can support additional routes year round.
DeleteI would much rather pay €30 more and fly from Ljubljana than spend hours driving to another country. Convenience has value too.
DeleteCompetition from neighbouring airports will never disappear. The key is offering enough destinations that most Slovenians don't feel the need to drive elsewhere.
Delete@09:16 omg its never 30eur more but 150 very likely now multiply this for a family of four and you get the result.
DeleteYou do you. The route network won't always make everyone happy.
DeleteI would be interested to know how much traffic is lost specifically to Zagreb versus Venice if anyone knows.
DeleteIt will be very hard if not impossible to know that acuratly without major and long term surveys.
DeleteNo one knows that. Even ZAG and VCE. They can only make an estimate or assumption.
DeleteConservative assessment is that at least 0.5mio pax are lost each year. I guess its more around 0.75mio.
DeleteThanks. That's actually quite a lot
DeleteZAG said it's around 5%, so more than 250.000. Now add all other airports such as TRS, VCE, TSF and VIE and it's probably more than 1 million.
DeleteBut it should be kept in mind that some parts of Slovenia are simply closer to those mentioned cities and people simply use it over LJU.
DeletePeople use these airports because they offer more for cheaper. I'm 15 min drive from LJU and never use it.
DeleteNot everyone is you. Is this so hard to see?
Delete@12:52 what does that mean lol.
DeleteIt is just a recommendation not to look at everything only through your own eyes. There are different people with different priorities.
DeleteNice. A balanced network with quality carriers is best for Slovenia in the long run.
ReplyDeletepassengers ultimately judge an airport by ticket prices. Flights from Ljubljana are still too expensive compared to Venice or Zagreb.
DeleteDepending on when and where you look. If you only know the Ryanair website, then yes, by all means LJU cannot compete with VCE and ZAG.
Deletelong haul flights are very often, very similar in price compared to zagreb/venice
DeleteBased on my experience, Ljubljana is often cheaper than Zagreb for long‑haul flights. Zagreb is comparable to Ljubljana, just slightly more expensive, while Venice and Vienna can sometimes be a bit cheaper — but not enough to justify driving there, parking, paying tolls, vignettes, fuel, and especially the time. I’d rather pay €30 more and fly from Ljubljana. I fly at least 10 times a year, including three long‑haul trips.
DeleteLet's first get Dubai to grow before we dream of New York.
DeleteDoes not seem like any LCC will open a base anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI still think easyJet should open a base in Ljubljana. It would complement the existing network nicely. Plus it has a maintenance base there now.
Delete^ +1
DeleteLJU actually is mini charter hub.
DeleteDefinitely not, LJU is unfortunately too expensive to base aircraft there, so Ryanair and Wizz are out
DeleteIt is the only airport in the wider region with a charter airline based there with constant charter flights throughout the year on an almost daily basis.
DeleteThere are many factors to be considered whether an airline will open a base somewhere. Airport taxes is one of the smallest considerations in this whole process. The main factors will be local regulatory environment, workforce availability and flexibility, total tax load and fuel prices.
DeleteAren't the fuel prices one of the biggest issues at LJU? Something to do with Petrol
DeleteThe airport has done a remarkable job since Adria disappeared. Many predicted Ljubljana would never recover yet today it has more airlines than before.
ReplyDeleteLjubljana has improved enormously in the last three years.
DeleteA lot of people underestimate how difficult it is for an airport to replace a collapsed home carrier. Ljubljana deserves credit for rebuilding from scratch. Especially since the pandemic started almost immediately afterwards.
DeleteThe airport has become much more international since Adria disappeared. Before, everything revolved around one airline.
DeleteAnd an airlines whose business model worked following the collapse of Yugoslavia when getting to Sarajevo and Prishtina wasnt that easy. I remember how useful they were for that kind of thing. But Slovenia's geographical location is very poor for a connecting hub (a-la Belgrade) so it was always destinated to have to change.
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DeleteLol, How on earth is Slovenias geographical position much worse than VIE or MUC??? It was perfect for a hub connecting yugo and west/north Europe...
@10:02
DeleteWhile Ljubljana sits on a direct physical line between Western Europe and the Balkans, a straight line on a map does not make a successful aviation hub. Hubs rely on catchment size, premium corporate traffic, and long-haul connections—areas where Ljubljana could never compete with Munich or Vienna.Adria Airways peaked in the early 2000s purely because Western European carriers did not yet fly directly into post-war Balkan cities. Adria filled this vacuum, acting as a vital bridge to underserved markets like Pristina and Sarajevo. However, once the region normalized and direct flights opened up, this artificial monopoly vanished.The local market between Slovenia and the rest of the Balkans was far too small in terms of Origin & Destination (O&D) traffic to sustain a hub. Furthermore, Slovenia’s population of just 2 million lacked the massive corporate base needed to generate high-paying local flyers to subsidize cheap, low-margin connecting passengers. Unlike Munich or Vienna, which feed intercontinental flights into regional routes, Ljubljana was stuck connecting inefficient short-haul flights. Once direct flights bypassed Slovenia entirely, the economic gravity of its larger neighbors inevitably won.
You literally wrote "But Slovenia's geographical location is very poor for a connecting hub"
DeleteIt would be interesting to compare Ljubljana's recovery with other airports that lost their national carrier, like Budapest after Malev.
DeleteIts possible that Budapest's overall numbers would be lower today if Malev had survived. Certainly the airline would not be operating high density A321s like Wizz do there.
Delete@11:12 indeed it is both in terms of physical geography and economic geography. Its too close to Zadar/Pula/Venice/Vienna/Salzburg/Trieste to offer flights. Even places like Split, Sarajevo and Dubrovnik nowadays fall into that category. So yes its geographical location is not particularly favourable for many of the routes can comfortably command connections either to Budapest during the Malev years of JU nowadays.
DeleteThey gave up on charter hub?
ReplyDeletethat was the former ceo :D
DeleteIt still has a huge number of charters. Especially compared to nearby ZAG.
DeleteI think LJU has more airlines than ZAG too.
DeleteGermany and Italy should definitely be priorities. Hope ITA is coming :).
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't give up on Munich. It is one of the most important business destinations for Slovenia.
DeleteWould love to see TAP Portugal. Lisbon is one of the biggest missing destinations from Ljubljana.
DeleteWith slots being so scarce at Lisbon I don't think we will see them soon. TAP still isn't flying to much larger European cities. They just launched Athens the other day.
DeleteTrue that
DeleteI'm surprised Scandinavian destinations weren't mentioned.
DeleteOverall a very informative interview. I like the fact they aren't obsessed with attracting an LCC base at any cost. But more has to be done to attract new airlines/destinations.
ReplyDeleteThe CEO comes across as pragmatic. He doesn't promise miracles but explains where the opportunities actually are.
DeleteAt least he didn't say "charter hub"...
ReplyDeleteNo mention of Ryanair....
ReplyDeleteAnd what did the police say?
Delete...to be on the look out and contact us with more information.
DeleteI like that they aren't trying to become another mass-market low-cost airport. Every airport doesn't need the same strategy
DeleteAfter reading this, it seems Ljubljana's future depends less on subsidies and more on convincing airlines they can make money. That's probably the right approach.
ReplyDelete22 code C stands should leave plenty of room for future growth.
ReplyDeleteI think ZAG and LJU are generally in competition. I think that is why after all we don't see Air Baltic or easyjet in Zagreb. An airline might choose one or the other.
ReplyDeleteFor sure there is some competition. Pegasus reduced ZAG to SAW from 4x to 3x per week for the summer season, probably because people from Slovenia are using Ljubljana now.
DeleteI am really surprised that LJU is served by 24 airlines, while for example BEG has only 27
ReplyDeleteI guess the small difference is a home airline serving over 100 destinations.
DeleteWell Stansted is served by only 20 airlines and welcomes just under 30m passengers. Like 09:31 said its about where a based airline flys to.
DeleteBravo Fraport!
ReplyDeleteThe airport has recovered, but passenger growth across Europe is slowing. The next few years will show whether this momentum can continue
ReplyDeleteCargo and aircraft maintenance could become important sources of revenue.
ReplyDeleteSlovenia has one of Europe's strongest economies per capita. I'm surprised there still aren't more business routes though and now MUC will be lost.
ReplyDeleteSorry to burst the bubble but pretty much every country north and west of Slovenia has a stronger per capita economy.
Delete@09:53 what do classify as a business route. Passenger make-up is diverse and varied.
DeleteThey mention more German routes but who? Eurowings didn't do well and I don't see any LCC stepping in.
ReplyDeleteCondor?
DeleteNo chance
DeleteWhy not?
DeleteEveryone keeps talking about new routes, but I'd rather see daily frequencies on existing services first, starting with Paris.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The route map has improved, but schedules still leave room for improvement. More early morning departures would make same day business trips much easier.
DeleteAlthough nowadays so much business is done virtually the need to fly for the day somewhere is financially and ethically questionable.
DeleteSome Greek islands in summer and some Spain destinations would do the work
ReplyDeleteWhat could be the destinations in Eastern Europe he mentions?
ReplyDeleteBucharest and Sofia I'm guessing.
DeleteMoscow. Just before the invasion Aeroflot planned double daily with A320 SVO-LJU. Quite a few Russians living in Slovenia.
Delete@12:59 well that ain't coming back for years.
DeleteYes, Moscow is definitely on the list after the war ends. In 2022, there was some 60k passengers that flew between the two cities.
DeleteWell dont be so sure even after the war 'ends' the EU will be fast to start issuing Schengen visas for Russians. Moscow-Ljubljana is a way off
DeleteThis interview makes it clear that airports and airlines often have different priorities. An airport wants connectivity, an airline wants profitability.
ReplyDeleteAnd we forget that Fraport AG is a publicly traded company and ultimately all that matters is profitability.
DeleteFor me, The teal success story isn't passenger numbers but that the airport has managed to rebuild without becoming dependent on a single airline again.
ReplyDelete* real
DeleteThe real success is profitability for the operator, that is the true measure of success.
Deleteand Ljubljana is profitable ... i would love to see 2025 results for all exyu airports ...
DeleteUntil when does Fraport's concession last?
ReplyDeleteIt's not a concession. They own the operator of Ljubljana airport and have a lease of the land until 1 January 2054.
DeleteLJU is not in a concesion. It's owned by Fraport.
DeleteThe national disgrace of Slovenia. Let them tell us the occupancy of flights from Ljubljana airport. The state is giving money to support Fraport so they can pocket it. If Fraport lowers fees for airlines, providers will come; without state subsidies, we can forget about all airlines. Fraport can only survive on its own, just like some airlines in the former region.
ReplyDelete+
DeleteMeant to survive with the help of subsidies
There they are.. the bitter Slovenian pilots at Ryanair.
DeleteWithout properly paid work force, everything is or will be just a big wish. Strugling to get new workers for some time now and also good qualified workers leaving Fraport Slovenija. Invest in work force and than start dreaming
ReplyDelete"Ljubljana Airport itself attracts passengers from neighbouring regions, particularly from parts of Austria, Italy and Croatia."
ReplyDeleteQuite a laugh. Anything but that. No reason for people from Aut, Ita or Cro to use Lju Airport. Exactly the opposite.
If you travel alone, Lju might be the option. Family of 3 or 4 would rather go to other airports. Fares are usually 150 to 300 eur cheaper (per person). Multiply that with 3 or 4. Even if you add travel costs, gas, tolls and parking in let's say Venice, you would still pay a lot less. My family travels a lot and we have used Lju Airport exactly once in last 10 years ...
Wait wait wait but Fanboys have been telling us tickets from LJU are only 30€ more expensive? Or are we way to dumb to see that? (Also you forgot to add that flights from other airports are usually direct while from LJU you have to connect via other airports).
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