Slovenia has launched an eighth call for tenders to encourage airlines to launch new routes to the country. This initiative follows the seventh call, which received no applications. Under the new call, only airlines registered and based in the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) can benefit from the subsidies offered. The ECAA covers the member states of the European Union, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Iceland, Macedonia, Norway, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
The Slovenian government's goal is to expand the country's air transport connections and improve connections to key European cities. Flights to Vienna, Copenhagen, Madrid, Prague, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Oslo, Barcelona, and Lisbon are particularly in demand, although in principle all destinations within the ECAA are eligible for subsidies. Interested airlines have until April 14, 2025, to submit their applications. The opening of the tenders will not be public, but will be conducted by the responsible commission within 15 days of the application deadline.
The call for applications is part of the Slovenian government's efforts to strengthen the country's air transport connections, which is intended to promote both economic development and tourism. It remains to be seen whether more airlines will show interest in the subsidies this time than in the last call.