The Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure has issued a fresh tender to boost the country’s air connectivity, providing financial incentives for airlines to introduce new scheduled services from the country’s airports. The state will provide subsidies covering up to 50% of airport charges for a maximum of two years from the start of operations. Eligible costs include landing, take-off, parking, passenger processing and ground handling charges at Slovenian airports. Unlike a direct discount, carriers must first pay the full airport fees and will then be reimbursed upon submitting invoices.
Only airlines registered and based in the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) are eligible for the subsidies. The ECAA is made up of states that are part of the European Union, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Iceland, Macedonia, Norway, Kosovo and Montenegro. The Slovenian government is primarily targeting the introduction of flights to Vienna, Copenhagen, Madrid, Prague, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Oslo, Barcelona, and Lisbon, although all destinations within the ECAA are eligible. Applications must include a detailed business plan showing that the route can become profitable beyond the subsidy period. This plan should include projected passenger numbers, profitability forecasts, and marketing strategies. If no business plan is submitted, carriers must provide a binding written declaration committing to operate the route for at least as long as the period of aid.
Airlines may operate supported routes seasonally rather than year-round, provided they comply with the submitted business plan. Applicants must also set the maximum one-way economy fare (excluding taxes and baggage fees), which will be assessed if multiple carriers apply for the same route. The ministry has clarified that aid cannot be combined with subsidies from other states for the same route, and if an airline ceases operations without fulfilling obligations, the financial support must be repaid in full. In case of multiple applicants for the same route, those offering stronger connectivity at the destination airport or operating within the preferred time blocks will gain additional points.
Airlines must submit applications by October 25, 2025. The government hopes this round of tenders will help Slovenia close its connectivity gap and strengthen links with priority markets. The previous public calls garnered mixed results. Luxair, airBaltic, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Iberia, Eurowings, Cyprus Airways and Air Albania applied over the eight previous tenders., although not all qualified for the subsidies.
