Adria and Turkish lead Ljubljana growth

Ljubljana Airport sees passenger growth as Fraport delays takeover

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, which is to be taken over by German operator Fraport in the coming days, has handled 596.572 passengers during the first half of the year, a modest increase of 3.7% compared to the same period in 2013. The growth comes despite a decrease in the number of operated flights, from 15.972 in 2013 to 15.448 this year. According to the airport’s half yearly report, Adria Airways, Turkish Airlines and Air Serbia fuelled Ljubljana’s growth while Air France and Montenegro Airlines recorded a decline in passenger numbers. Adria was the busiest airline operating to and from the Slovenian capital, handling 394.690 travellers, an increase 1.7% on last year. On the other hand, Turkish Airlines recorded passenger growth of 17.9% on its Ljubljana flights, while Air Serbia, which launched services to the city in December last year, handled over 20.000 passengers on the route during the first six months of 2014.

Low cost airlines easyJet and Wizz Air welcomed a combined total of 76.288 travellers on their flights to and from the Slovenian capital, same as last year. easyJet has maintained its position as the second busiest airline in Ljubljana, while Wizz Air took fourth position behind Turkish Airlines. Low cost airlines now account for 13.4% of all passengers using Ljubljana Airport. Air France recorded a 5.5% decrease in passenger numbers while Montenegro Airlines also saw its figures decline slightly, handling just under 10.000 passengers on its flights to and from Podgorica. Frankfurt was the most popular destination followed by London, Istanbul, Zurich and Paris. Flights to and from Belgrade saw the greatest passenger growth, while Tel Aviv recorded the biggest decline. Among destinations in the former Yugoslavia, flights to Pristina saw a slight increase in passengers, while numbers weakened on services to Skopje, Sarajevo and Podgorica. Antalya was the most popular charter destination, followed by Hurghada, Monstir, Rhodes and Tenerife.

Fraport is expected to take its 75.5% stake in Ljubljana Airport next week. Originally, it was planned for the takeover to occur yesterday, however, the process has been slightly delayed as it is believed Fraport is renegotiating to reduce its initial offer. Local media now speculate Fraport has offered 240 million euros for its majority share in Slovenia’s busiest airport. Since yesterday, the country’s centre left publications have run negative coverage of the takeover, speculating Ljubljana will become a peripheral airport in Fraport’s empire. Fraport has expressed interest to turn Ljubljana into a major cargo hub.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:08

    In other words, Air Serbia had, on average, 56 passengers per flight on its 66 seat Atr. This is really amazing.I am happy they are finally making this route work. Shame Adria had 30 passengers on a good day.

    Maybe one day when JU adds more Atr we could see more frequencies- then again, I wouldn't complain even if we get Aviolet here. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:48

      LJU is doing good for JU. But mostly transits on that route to Ahens, Thessaloniki, Larnaca and Moscow of all places.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:50

      Also it wasn't a surprise that it didn't work out for Adra on the route, They were only handling point to point passengers. When JU came into the picture with dumping fares last December they killed Adria any hope Adria had.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:23

      Actually, Adria's decision to suspend Belgrade came as a result of an agreement with JU. That's why they signed the code-share. Adria was performing badly even before Air Serbia launched the route.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous10:23

    OT

    Good luck to Serbia with Egypt, Croatia with Philippines and Slovenia with Australia today! Easy first day for all ex-Yugoslav nations. :)

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  3. Anonymous11:25

    Good luck LJU

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  4. Anonymous12:28

    Why did the number of flights reduce? I know Adria increased their flight so who stopped flying?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:50

      I'm pretty sure Air France decreased their flights. But I'm also wondering who else decreased. Turkish Airlines for example increased their number of flights this year

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:32

      if i'm not mistaken AF hasn't changed their frequency.On the other hand Adria has, as they are replacing CRJ200s with CRJ900s, so with bigger aircrafts and at the same time reducing frequency (to MUC, VIE, etc)

      Delete
  5. Anonymous14:26

    hahaha its true the commie newspapers here have all condemned the deal with Fraport. Absolute hysteria -.-

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  6. Anonymous14:47

    So if I got it right all ex-Yu capitals are growing this year in the first half except for PRN. That’s pretty good.

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  7. Anonymous14:51

    Not a surprise Tel Aviv is doing badly. Tourism in Israel has been badly affected by the Gaza war and plus there was that cancellation of flights to Tel Aviv a month ago.

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  8. @Ex-YU Aviation
    Replace weekend with "weakened," please.

    I happened to be at LJU yesterday. I love the dramatic view of mountains from the airport, but the terminal is not fit as a transfer "hub" because of its lack of space. A tiny restroom on the ground floor and approx. 30 seats for 3-4 departure gates is totally inadequate. If Fraport wants to increase pax numbers then they will need to improve facilities and offer more breathing space.

    P.S. Adria's "Sky Shop" proved popular on their PRN-LJU route. If they sell as many sandwiches and drinks on other routes they will have made the right decision to go "hybrid."

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  9. Anonymous16:56

    OT
    Da nece JU mozda da montira SL na A320 :)
    Hvala unapred.
    INN

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:28

      SL?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:49

      Da npr AIRBUS A320-214 SL (Sharklet).
      INN

      Delete
  10. Anonymous23:08

    Oznaka je WL, iako je u pitanju Airbus.

    To bi bilo dobro, čisto da se uštedi na gorivu, ali pošto je gorivo njima u svakom slučaju jeftino, onda ne znam hoće li se na taj trošak odlučiti.

    ReplyDelete

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