Adria withstands tough times

Passengers still loyal to Adria

Adria Airways, which experienced financial problems last year and endured negative press in 2011, has managed to see only a slight decrease in passenger numbers when compared to 2010. Last year, Adria Airways welcomed a total of 1.163.016 passengers, a decrease of only 0.6% compared to 2010. Despite a significant downturn in passenger numbers in November and December, figures were aided by an outstanding performance in April and nearly the same passenger numbers recorded in the first half of 2011 compared to 2010. The Slovenian national carrier saw its average cabin load factor stand at 63%, a decrease of three points. In November, the airline recorded one of the lowest load factors amongst European national carriers as its figures dipped below 60%, to only 58%.

However, there are still tough times ahead for Adria. Even though it will launch a new service from Priština to Verona this Saturday and seasonal flights to London, Barcelona and Manchester in the summer, the airline will significantly cut down on its summer network and capacity compared to last year, which is likely to be followed by fewer passenger numbers. The airline is currently deciding whether to resume services to Paris which were suspended over the winter period. However, as the low cost easyJet bids farewell to the route, a new opportunity has been given to Adria to restart the flights and hopefully make a profit, having to compete only against Air France this time around.

Adria Airways ended 2011 as the third busiest national airline in the former Yugoslavia. It was behind Croatia Airlines which handled 1.880.000, recording an increase of 15%, and Jat Airways which welcomed 1.219.703 passengers onboard and recorded an increase of 14% compared to 2011. The Serbian carrier had the best average cabin occupancy on its flights, standing at 70%, followed by Croatia Airlines at 67% and Adria at 63%. Apart from Croatia Airlines and Jat, all the other national EX-YU carriers saw their passenger figures decline in 2011 compared to 2010.