Brussels Airlines has already stepped up to maintain Star Alliance links to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, following the collapse of Adria Airways.
The Belgian carrier says it will open a six-times-weekly service from Brussels from 4 November, using Airbus A319s configured with 141 seats.
Brussels Airlines has not specifically mentioned the demise of Star partner Adria but its decision to launch the new route comes just 24h after the Slovenian airline revealed it would file for bankruptcy.
Ljubljana airport operator Fraport Slovenija’s managing director, Zmago Skobir, has welcomed the quick response from the Belgian airline.
“I’m convinced that a carrier with an attractive network of flights, including onwards from Brussels, will attract many business and tourist travellers,” he says.
“We hope that this will be reflected in the occupancy of the aircraft from the initial flight period.”
Adria’s failure has taken place just as work has started on an expanded passenger terminal for the airport, intended to relieve bottlenecks during peak periods in summer.
The €17.3 million project will be carried out over the next two years.
Fraport Slovenija’s full-year pre-tax profit increased to €14.2 million, from €11.6 million, over the course of 2018. Operating revenues rose to €46.5 million.
Domestic carriers, however, accounted for more than 50% of the airport’s passenger numbers.
“The capacities of airlines already flying to Ljubljana airport are already increasing, while our activities are focused on establishing connections with new airlines as soon as possible,” says Skobir.
“Visibility of Slovenia in foreign markets is increasing, and as a result the interest in travelling to Slovenia is increasing.”
Source: FlightGlobal.com
