Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport expects for its passenger growth to continue into 2019 following a record year, during which it handled over 1.8 million travellers. The airport's General Manager, Zmago Skobir, said, "Given the projected growth of the Slovenian economy and tourism sector, we anticipate for Ljubljana Airport to be part of these trends. It is predicted that the high growth rate we registered this year will ease and that future growth will be more stable. Adria Airways has made a considerable contribution to this because it is trying to restructure under new ownership. We are pleased that, despite numerous issues the national carrier has faced over the past ten years, things have started to improve. We will see the future outcome but, for the time being, our cooperation with Adria is exemplary and we expect for its capital increase and future plans to have a further positive effect". Speaking to the Slovenian News Agency, Mr Skobir added, "Of course, it wouldn't be the end of the world for the airport or Slovenia's connectivity if things didn't go according to plan".
Mr Skobir noted that the construction of Ljubljana Airport's new passenger terminal should commence in late spring of next year with the new facility to be completed by the end of 2020, in time for Slovenia's Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2021. During the country's last stint at the rotating EU presidency in 2008, Ljubljana Airport saw strong passengers growth. In addition to the new terminal, the airport is currently overseeing tender procedures for the overhaul of the existing rescue and firefighting services building. It is also preparing to open the Fraport Academy in March of next year. "Investors are also requesting for the construction of new logistics facilities and, over the next month or two, we are seeking an investor for the construction of an airport hotel", the General Manager noted.
Ljubljana Airport is working on attracting new carriers and opening new routes in 2019. "The great news is that British Airways will connect Ljubljana with London's Heathrow Airport, offering excellent transfer options. Although we have outstanding connectivity with the United Kingdom, we have not been linked with this key airport since 2001", Mr Skobir said. He added, "We are also expecting an increase in frequencies on some existing routes. We are very keen to connect with the Iberian peninsula, as well as Scandinavia and northern Germany, and we are in constant contanct with airlines. We are Slovenia's ambassadors, because we promote the state's development in order to convince carriers to launch flights. The small size of our market can be discouraging to major airlines so we put a lot of effort into these talks".
The new Sukhoi 100 superjet aircraft is great opportunity for very successful and profitable Ljubljana Airport.
ReplyDelete4K has lost all its credibility, so lets wait and see what happens to SSJ and JP itself. There is a chance of them announcing the acquiring of 35 to 50 B777, or they could go bankrupt.
DeleteAbsolutely, the Sukhoi 100 is the key to the success of every airline and airport. Ask Armavia and Interjet
DeleteArmavia went bankrupt because they were extremely mismanaged, not because of the SSJ.
DeleteAs for Interjet, they seem to be a bit confused as to what kind of airline they want to be. Despite that they seem to be doing ok.
Issues with SSJ are not related to its design, it's a fine aircraft. Manufacturer has issues when it comes to maintenance support outside of Russia, especially with spare parts. That's the source of all problems. However, from what I remember, they are planning on building a regional maintenance center at LJU so these problems should be overcome.
@anon10:12
Delete"As for Interjet, they seem to be a bit confused as to what kind of airline they want to be."
Yes, of course, as we all now, 4K has a very clear and precise strategy for Adria.
Name one airline that operates outside of ex-USSR and is very happy with the aircraft as a whole.
DeleteWhat has 4K and Adria got to do with my comment? I was merely replying to the Anon above who mentioned Interjet and Armavia.
DeleteAnon 10.26
DeleteThere isn't and I wrote the reason why that is. It's all there if you bothered to read carefully what I wrote. That is why I said that they are planning on building a maintenance center at LJU to overcome these problems. That said, we have smaller airlines such as Azimut that exclusively operate the SSJ and that have no issues as long as they can get their hands on spare parts.
Also, don't forget that Aeroflot has successfully resisted government pressure to introduce Russian built aircraft into their fleet. The government tried to force them to get the Tu-204 in stead of the A321 but they failed. Equally so, SU retired all Russian made aircraft over a decade ago. Now, if they decided to introduce the SSJ only tells us that it is probably a decent regional aircraft.
@1027
DeleteThat there is a 'strange' pattern of airlines that are acquiring SSJ's. They are virtually all in the restructuring process and, according to the folks doing the restructuring, total recovery is just around the corner.
And this statement by Skobir says it all:
"Of course, it wouldn't be the end of the world for the airport or Slovenia's connectivity if things didn't go according to plan".
CEO's do not make these kind of statements about their main business partners just off the cuff.
It doesn't have to do with JP going bankrupt. Before they used to ignore LJU for other markets like Albania, Poland, Germany...
DeleteNemjee you said that Aeroflot has successfully resisted government pressure to introduce Russian built aircraft into their fleet...do your homework properly and you will see that they have 50 SSJs in their fleet. They also fly with them from time to time to LJU airport
DeleteMore jetbridge gates please (15 Sukhoi aircrafts are planned to arrive and LJU has 4 bridges only???). Ok not all 15 Suks will be in LJU, still LJU needs 8 bridges! But with Fraport in the lead, we wont see that anyway, no wonder LH deployed A380s fm FRA to MUC and A350 are used fm MUC. All what for Fraport counts, is to have a global training centre in LJU with a lower cost structure. Quality is not a question. Neither in FRA or LJU.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mr. Skobir: we need either LH, OS or LX start operating to LJU in order to avoid JP
No airbridges planned for new terminal in LJU means one thing... LCCs are coming as tbey normally don't like to use airbridges, as it slows down the boarding/disembarkation.
DeleteThe deal between LJU and Eurowings is basically done - they will initially take over flights to MUC and VIE, and Brussels will take over LJU-BRU.
DeleteWell, they probably think that only 4 Sukhois will be operational :)
Delete@09:19 Don’t take my word for it, but as far as I remember, one extra jetbridge is planed to be added.
DeleteYes it was confirmed in the tender documentation. 1 new jet bridge will be added now. More can be added later if needed.
DeleteAnnon 9:34. Is this information about Eurowings taking over routes true? If so, when will Eurowings start flying on these routes from Ljubljana?
Deletewhat kind of deal? If euro takes over MUC&VIE say good bye to ...
DeleteIt sounds like a Notplan to be honest
Regarding Brussels taking over LJU-BRU...wasn't that subject of bid/ticket subside by Slovenian government?
Deleteye and that JP has won that. i think somwbody is fooling us
DeleteInterjet also operates 22 aircraft Sukhoi 100 Superjet,has very profitable charter flights throughout the Americas, mainly in the Caribbean from Mexico city airport.The first quarter profit for 2018 year is 44 million dollars.
ReplyDeleteAlso... "Interjet in talks with Sukhoi to sell SSJ100 fleet"
DeleteYes, because they can't get the spare parts in time, not because it's a bad aircraft.
Delete@Nemjee 10:30
DeleteBut that is the key to having a successful operation. You need good technical support to keep the aircraft up in the air where they belong. There are many good aircraft out there per se but keeping them in the air is another thing.
That airplane has issues with engines, multiple reports talking about that. Therefore, airplanes has to go more often (shorter flight hours then specification). Then there are no spare parts for maintenance/repair of engine.
DeleteSo, call it a good airplane if you want but it has issues with flying.
What about A320neo then? It has much more issues with engines, is it also crap plane?
DeleteOh an LO Dramliners are parked for weeks and weeks now because of engine problems. Another crap plane?
DeleteA320neo first commercial flight: 25th January 2016
DeleteSSJ100: first commercial flight 21st April 2011
5 years difference. And A320neo issues are mainly with PW GTF engines, CFM seems to mainly be unaffected.
Likewise with 787, issue only affects RR engines, not GENx. Plus it's one of the first aircraft where you can change the engine type (RR to GENx) at any time of the aircraft's life, not just at the factory during construction.
The biggest difference is that A320neo is not a brand new model, it's continuation of a highly successful aircraft. SSJ on the other hand was made from scratch and these engine issues you are speaking of are exaggerated.
DeleteThere is so much anti-Russian hysteria on here, you are worse than CNN.
"Of course, it wouldn't be the end of the world for the airport or Slovenia's connectivity if things didn't go according to plan".
ReplyDeleteI hope they have a contingency plan. Seems to be a likely scenario.
I'm sure some LCCs have plans what to do if JP fails.
DeleteGreat work Ljubljana!
ReplyDeleteGood news for Ljubljana Airport. I'm glad things are finally picking up with new airlines and routes, plans for a terminal expansion and passenger numbers growing.
ReplyDeleteLJU is really moving forward. Good luck, Slovenia!
ReplyDeleteBravo Fraport!
DeleteThe good results are mostly down to Adria and Slovenia's strong economy. Not because of Fraport.
DeleteExpansion of the terminal can't come soon enough.
ReplyDeleteHope the construction of the new terminal goes to schedule and that it results in some new airlines like in Zagreb.
DeleteI'm hoping Vueling or Iberia start flights from Spain if Adria doesn't want to.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think Spain is underserved from Ljubljana and I also think there is potential for more flights to the Scandinavian market.
DeleteAdria and Vueling already flew to Spain and it didn't work out.
DeleteSpain is not underserved. Flight to Spain are mainly utilized by students, young people and tourist, who all rather use low costers than 500 eur+ JP. Since Slovenia has relatively few business relation with Spain, this won't go. As it is, even flights to MUC and FRA are questionably profitable.
DeleteSpain is served from ZAG. LJU needs to concentrate on other markets like Berlin and so on.
DeleteLJU has flights to Berlin.
Deletespain is mostly served from italy (venice/treviso/verona and others)
DeleteSpain is served from Trieste, Venice and Treviso.
DeleteBut if it was offered from LJU, I'm sure Slovenes wouldn't travel to the Italian airports.
DeleteTRS ti ima jedino VLC, a i to samo dvaput tjedno. Nije nešto. A VCE i TFS su daleko. Ako zbrojiš gorivo, skupe talijanske cestarine itd. već je pitanje da li se jednom čovjeku to isplati
DeleteBus from Ljubljana to Marco Polo Mestre costs 10 EUR, there are many shuttle companys, who offer tickets from 5 EUR. That need for cheaper flights made VCE easy accessible.
DeleteGood to hear about plans for the hotel.
ReplyDeleteI'm still disappointed Athens didn't work out with Aegean. They were a nice addition.
ReplyDeleteIf they sent Dash 8 it would have worked.
DeleteI'm sure if JP gave it another shot, it would work this time around. They last flew the route during the financial crisis.
DeleteThis is good news for Ljubljana Airport which needs more destinations and airlines.
ReplyDeleteHaters gonna hate but LJU is transforming itself into a regional hub, feeder of Star Alliance.
ReplyDeleteGive JP just 2 years and you will see the effect when the 15 aircraft begin working. I'm seeing JP resuming the previous destinations and agressively adding new ones.
Fraport will negotiate with more airlines and LJU will prosper. I know and confident of this success.
Go Slovenia!
o_O
DeleteRegional hub system is dead. Somebody from let's say SOF to some remote-ish place in USA would have to take 4 flights if they went through this "regional-hub": SOF-LJU-FRA-JFK-AAA. Or they could just take LH flight, go straight to FRA and by doing so, they'd probably avoid JP's Europe sightseeing trip via OTP or some other place.
DeleteThe future is large hubs and P2P.
Volim ovo slovo: hater. Svako neslaganje, svaka kritika može se lako njime pobiti
DeleteCould LJU reach 2 million next year?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteLjubljana airport is working very hard to reach Skopje annual passengers benchmark next year.Slovenia and Macedonia has almost identical number of permanent inhabitants approximately 2 million.
ReplyDeleteIf W6 bases another aircraft in SKP next year, then I have my doubts as numbers will grow again. The other interesting trend is with PRN. LJU-SKP-PRN they will be literally neck to neck.
DeleteAlso we don't know what INI is up to. So far, Egypt flights are likely to begin and maybe we can see other LCC routes, Vienna or Moscow.
Ne možeš to uspoređivat. Makedonija ima puno jaću dijasporu i (pretpostavljam - nisam nikad bio) lošije ceste. Danas dođem iz Celja za 3 sata do Beča.
DeleteLJU has a bright future.
ReplyDeleteAnd when you wake up?
Delete