Ljubljana Airport marks 60th anniversary with record-breaking increase in passenger numbers

Celebrating 60 years of passenger traffic, Ljubljana Airport reflects on a remarkable journey marked by the strong growth in passenger numbers. Commencing operations in 1964 with a modest 78,000 passengers, the airport has undergone significant development, reaching new heights in recent years. The culmination of 2023 saw a staggering 30% annual increase in passenger numbers, exceeding 1,270,000 travelers. A testament to this growth, 22 scheduled airlines now offer flights on 26 routes during the summer schedule.

Over six decades, Ljubljana Airport has served more than 47.7 million passengers, recorded over 1.1 million aircraft movements, and handled approximately 662 thousand tonnes of cargo. The airport's operator, Fraport Slovenia, has been steadfast in its commitment to enhancing infrastructure, service quality, and sustainable passenger growth. Priorities include reclaiming pre-epidemic passenger traffic levels and expanding Slovenia's air connectivity. Between 2014 and 2023, Fraport Slovenia invested €67 million in infrastructure, IT, and equipment development, with an additional €130 million planned by 2030.

The introduction of a new terminal, a €23 million investment, has positioned Ljubljana Airport as one of the most modern airports in Europe. The forthcoming investment cycle focuses on modernizing and expanding maneuvering areas, leading the charge toward a carbon-free airport by 2045.

The success of 2023, marked by a 30% increase in passenger traffic, exceeded forecasts. The bustling passenger terminal witnessed over 1.27 million travelers on 23 regular and 39 charter destinations, with notable traffic to Istanbul, London, Frankfurt, Paris and Zurich. Comparisons with the pre-pandemic year of 2019 reveal that connections to Istanbul, Paris, Warsaw, Zurich, Tel Aviv, Belgrade and Niš have already surpassed previous passenger levels. Charter traffic, too, experienced a revival, with more than 151,000 passengers, reaching 2019 levels.

Looking ahead to the summer schedule, Ljubljana Airport anticipates flights to 26 destinations with three new connections to Riga, Madrid and Copenhagen. The winter schedule, featuring new destinations like Luxembourg and Skopje, offers 18 destinations through 15 carriers. Preliminary projections for the upcoming summer season suggest a 10% increase in flight frequencies on regular routes. Noteworthy enhancements include double daily flights to Munich, strengthening connectivity by the end of March.

Source and additional information: Ljubljana Airport

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