Slovenia has issued a fourth tender call for airlines to introduce new routes to the country in return for subsidies lasting over a period of three years. The previous three public calls garnered mixed results, which the government has labelled as “disappointing”. Luxair. airBaltic, Iberia and Norwegian were the only four carriers to apply over the past three tenders. The national carrier of Luxembourg has since launched operations to the Slovenian capital, with airBaltic to follow suit from Riga this May, Iberia in July and Norwegian during the coming summer. Only airlines registered and based in the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) are eligible for the subsidies. The ECAA is made up of states that are part of the European Union, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Iceland, Macedonia, Norway, and Montenegro. The Slovenian government is primarily targeting the introduction of flights from Vienna, Copenhagen, Madrid, Prague, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Oslo, Barcelona, and Lisbon, although all unserved destinations within the ECAA are eligible.
The state has allocated 16.8 million euros in subsidies divided over three years, or 5.6 million euros per year for the latest public call. They are designed to cover 50% of the airline’s airport costs in Slovenia. If funds are left over following the completion of the ongoing public call, the state will launch a new one. Interested carriers have until February 12, just before midnight, to submit their applications. Their opening will not be public and will be carried out by the Aid Granting Commission within fifteen days of the tender deadline. Airlines will be notified of the outcome of the selection process no later than thirty days after the opening of the bids.
Commenting on the subsidies, the Slovenian Ministry for Infrastructure said, “The purpose of the call is to improve Slovenia’s air connectivity, with the aim of promoting the establishment of new nonstop scheduled air routes to and from Slovenia. The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic severely reduced the level of air passenger traffic in Slovenia, together with the negative effects of the pre-pandemic bankruptcy of Adria Airways. The recovery of air traffic in Slovenia has been very slow, and the aim of the call is to increase the mobility of people in Slovenia”.
Outlining Ljubljana Airport’s development and plans for 2024, the General Manager of operator Fraport Slovenija, Babett Stapel, said, “2023 brought a revival for Ljubljana Airport. An excellent 30% annual growth in passenger numbers is a sign that traffic recovery is on the right track. We are making strong efforts to bring the flight network back to pre-epidemic levels. This year will also see new destinations – Riga, Copenhagen, and Madrid – along with increased frequencies on some routes, including major European hubs. This will significantly improve Slovenia’s air connectivity with the world. We are pleased that the 60th anniversary of the airport is marked by vibrant tourism,
