AirBaltic launches direct flights from Ljubljana to Gran Canaria

The Latvian airline airBaltic will launch direct flights between Ljubljana and Spain's Gran Canaria island in the autumn. The inaugural flight is scheduled for 25 October, followed by flights every Friday until the end of March, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

"This route fills a clear gap in the market, offering Slovenian travellers an easy and comfortable escape to the Canary Islands," Mantas Vrubliauskas, airBaltic vice president for network management, was quoted as saying as the airline announced its expansion in the Slovenian market.

He said the company remained committed to strengthening connectivity from Slovenia, continuing its direct flights to Riga and enabling seamless travel to the Baltics, Nordics, and other parts of Europe through its expanding network.

The airline's decision to expand flights from Ljubljana airport was welcomed by Babett Stapel, managing director of the airport operator Fraport Slovenia.

"As a popular holiday destination for many Slovenians, the route will begin just ahead of the October school holidays, providing a convenient travel option throughout the autumn and winter seasons," she was quoted as saying.

Tickets for the weekly scheduled service are already available for purchase via the airBaltic's homepage, starting from €139 in economy class and €349 in business class.

AirBaltic's fleet is one of the youngest in Europe and composed of 50 Airbus A220-300 planes, the airline said, adding they were working to double the size of the fleet.

AirBaltic also operates scheduled flights between Ljubljana and Riga. It secured the route through a state subsidy scheme to boost Slovenia's air connectivity.

Currently the eighth call to boost Slovenia's air connectivity is ongoing and two airlines have applied. The newspaper Delo quoted unofficial information in May in reporting the two new potential connections were with Albania's capital Tirana and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.

The Infrastructure Ministry has told the Slovenian Press Agency that both airlines have had to amend their applications. They have to submit them by 4 June.

Under the scheme, the state subsidises 50% of the airport fees. So far, just over €494,000 of the €16.8 million available has been used to create links with Luxembourg (Luxair), Riga (airBaltic), Copenhagen (Norwegian), Madrid (Iberia) and Düsseldorf (Eurowings).