Wizz Air has recorded strong results on its Skopje – Ljubljana service launched in 2023, however, the carrier sees limited scope for broader expansion from the Slovenian capital, twenty years after first entering the market. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, Wizz Air does not believe the current state subsidies, introduced to attract airlines following the collapse of Adria Airways and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, are structured in a way that would allow it to profitably scale up operations from Ljubljana. Although the low cost carrier has expressed interest in growing its presence in Slovenia, it considers the existing incentive framework misaligned with its commercial model. Over the past two years, Wizz Air has held several meetings with Slovenian government officials to explore potential expansion opportunities. While discussions have taken place, no concrete growth plans have materialised under the present subsidy scheme.
Wizz Air first entered the Slovenian market in 2006, launching services from Charleroi and London Luton. Both routes proved short-lived, with the Luton service ending in February 2007 and Charleroi discontinued in January 2008. The airline returned to Ljubljana in 2012, reinstating flights to Charleroi, which were maintained until late 2022, while the Luton route continued until 2024. In late 2023, Wizz Air introduced flights between Skopje and Ljubljana, supported under a three-year subsidy agreement with the Macedonian government. Under the terms of that arrangement, the airline is required to maintain the service beyond September 2026 for an additional three-year period. In 2025, Wizz Air carried 68.060 passengers on the Skopje – Ljubljana route, achieving an average cabin load factor of 92.9%. This June, it will commence flights between Podgorica and the Slovenian capital, subsidised by the Montenegrin government.
The Slovenian government’s subsidy program, introduced to improve the country’s air connectivity, has delivered mixed results. Over the course of nine public calls to airlines, Luxair, airBaltic, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Iberia, Eurowings, Cyprus Airways and Air Albania submitted applications. Of the two low cost carriers that participated in the scheme, Eurowings has since discontinued flights to Ljubljana, while Norwegian continues to operate seasonal services to Copenhagen. The outcome has raised questions over the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the current incentive framework in attracting and retaining low cost capacity.
Wizz Air last held official talks with the Slovenian government in March 2025, Wizz Air publicly acknowledged that it needs more clarity on Slovenia’s subsidy program. Ljubljana Airport has previously said it aims to increase its share of low cost carriers to 30%. It noted, “We have several objectives, but one of the biggest challenges is increasing the share of low cost carriers. We are well covered by full service airlines, however, a stronger low cost presence would further enhance our business. That does not mean we aim to become a low cost hub. Low cost carriers currently account for around 20% of traffic at our airport, and we would like to see that figure rise. At the same time, we are not a hub airport, so our connectivity depends on links to major hub airports, which low cost carriers do not always serve. Maintaining hub connections remains essential for overall connectivity. Our goal is to increase the LCC share to 30%”.
