Adria on sale in March

Adria prepares for privatisation and keeps Banja Luka flights

The Capital Assets Management Agency of Slovenia has announced that it will begin Adria Airways’ privatisation process in March 2012 at the latest. Economists believe the Slovenian national carrier could attract interest from Qatar Airways, Emirates and the Air France-KLM group. Over the past year, Star Alliance partner Lufthansa has also been rumoured as a potential buyer as well as the financially troubled Air India.

Adria recently began its restructuring process by suspending several destinations, formulating a new fleet plan and composing a new collective agreement for its staff. However, the airline is still facing problems. Robert Vuga, the carrier’s Executive Director who has played a key role in securing a government bailout over the past several months has announced he will resign from his post. Furthermore, the airline recently endured negative publicity after it cancelled one of its Ljubljana - Sarajevo - Ljubljana flights due to poor loads. The few passengers were put on a bus and were driven to their final destination. They were not offered alternatives on other airlines nor were they offered a refund for having to travel by bus.

Meanwhile, Adria has reconsidered its decision to suspend flights to Banja Luka. The airline will continue four weekly flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second largest city, operated by a CRJ200. However, flight times have changed with aircraft departing Ljubljana late in the evening while the return trip to Slovenia’s capital takes off at 05.30 in the morning the next day. The news will be warmly welcomed by Banja Luka Airport which will see direct flights to Copenhagen, Zurich and Ljubljana this winter.