A historic castle surrounded by green trees near the lake under the white clouds in Bled, Slovenia. © Image by wirestock on Freepik

Austrian Airlines has expressed interest in launching flights to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) in Slovenia. The carrier recently sent a delegation to meet with representatives from the airport and Slovenia’s Ministry of Infrastructure to discuss the potential for future cooperation.

A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that it is “assessing various options and potential developments for the Slovenian market,” but declined to comment further on the matter.

Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines flies to over 120 destinations. © Austrian Airlines

Ljubljana and Austrian Airlines’ Rumoured Plans

Ljubljana Airport has seen a significant increase in interest from carriers recently, with several airlines either adding new routes or considering launching services to the airport. In addition to Austrian Airlines, Montenegro Airlines has announced plans to launch flights to Ljubljana later this month, while Wizz Air has added new destinations to its network from the airport. Other carriers, such as Air Serbia and easyJet, are also expected to add new routes to Ljubljana in the coming months.

The interest in Ljubljana Airport can be partly attributed to Slovenia’s growing popularity as a tourist destination. The country has seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals in recent years, particularly from neighbouring countries in the region. The airport’s strategic location, situated between several major cities in the region, including Vienna, Zagreb, and Trieste, makes it an attractive option for carriers looking to expand their networks.

If Austrian Airlines does launch services to Ljubljana, it will mark the carrier’s first entry into the Slovenian market. The airline currently operates flights to several destinations in the region, including Zagreb, Belgrade, and Sarajevo. Adding Ljubljana to its network would further solidify Austrian Airlines’ position as a leading carrier in the Balkans and provide passengers with additional travel options between Slovenia and the rest of Europe.

Ljubljana Airport with mountains and Adria Airways planes 2015 - Travel Radar - Aviation News
Ljubljana Airport is Slovenia’s largest facility. © Ljubljana Airport

Slovenian Aviation

Overall, the interest from airlines in Ljubljana Airport is a positive development for both the airport and Slovenia’s tourism industry. The increased connectivity will make it easier for tourists to visit the country and provide more travel options for local residents. As airlines continue to assess the potential for future operations at Ljubljana, it is likely that the airport will see further growth in the coming years.

Do you believe a Vienna-Ljubljana route has potential? Let us know in the comments down below!