Croatia and Montenegro plan to launch tender procedures for the operation of Public Service Obligation (PSO) flights in 2026, whereas Slovenia’s latest amendments to its aviation regulation pave the best way for related measures. PSO schemes present monetary help for routes which are commercially unviable but thought of important for regional connectivity and financial improvement.
Croatia’s current PSO association expire on March 28, 2026. The federal government is predicted to start tender procedures quickly. The earlier public name, issued in November 2021, awarded the multi-million-euro contracts for the maintenance of twelve home routes to Croatia Airways and Commerce Air, which have traditionally been the one beneficiaries of state funds for home flights. Ryanair has expressed curiosity in probably partaking within the tender. European Union-based carriers are eligible to take part within the name.
Routes that are presently compensated and maintained as PSO are: Dubrovnik – Zagreb – Dubrovnik, Break up – Zagreb – Break up, Zagreb – Zadar – Pula – Zadar – Zagreb, Zagreb – Brač – Zagreb, Osijek – Dubrovnik – Osijek, Osijek – Break up – Osijek, Osijek – Zagreb – Osijek, Rijeka – Break up – Dubrovnik – Break up – Rijeka, Osijek – Pula – Break up – Pula – Osijek, Rijeka – Zadar – Rijeka and Osijek – Zadar – Osijek. There have been calls to reform the checklist of PSO routes, with Rijeka Airport arguing that its restricted inclusion within the present scheme undermines regional connectivity and limits its potential to develop year-round air providers. Alternatively, questions have been raised as as to whether flights from Zagreb to Break up and Dubrovnik are unprofitable and meet PSO pointers.
Montenegro formally amended its air visitors regulation to allow subsidies for PSO routes. The federal government is now figuring out which providers will qualify underneath the scheme, with tender procedures anticipated to start subsequent 12 months. Precedence shall be given to locations that strengthen hyperlinks with main European administrative, financial and transport centres, in addition to these thought of important for residents, the economic system and worldwide cooperation. Among the many routes underneath analysis are potential providers to Brussels.
Slovenia’s new Aviation Act (ZLet-1), adopted in September 2024 and in partial power since April this 12 months, turned totally relevant on October 5. The laws offers a authorized basis for revised air-connectivity help measures, permitting the present subsidy mannequin to get replaced with schemes compliant with ZLet-1. Crucially, it allows Slovenia to designate particular routes as Public Service Obligations. Nevertheless, regardless of confirming that it’ll proceed subsidising new air providers, the federal government has despatched blended alerts concerning whether or not it intends to implement a full PSO framework.
