Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is expecting one of its busiest years in 2026, with passenger numbers projected to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels. That year marked a turning point for the airport, as its home carrier, Adria Airways, which accounted for more than 50% of total traffic, declared bankruptcy in September. The airport is on track for strong growth, with scheduled seat capacity in the first half of the year set to increase by 17.5%, or just over 150.000 seats year-on-year. This will mark the first time since 2019 that more than one million seats will be available during the first six months. While capacity in the first half of 2026 will remain below 2019 levels, the second half of the year is expected to exceed figures recorded seven years ago.

Unlike last year, Ljubljana Airport will be served by Vueling, which launched operations in December, and Pegasus Airlines, set to introduce services to the Slovenian capital at the end of the month. In addition, easyJet has expanded its presence by adding two new destinations, Manchester and Edinburgh, while Wizz Air will inaugurate flights from Podgorica.

Furthermore, Iberia will significantly extend its seasonal Madrid – Ljubljana service by resuming operations on June 2 and operating twice weekly until September 25. This marks a notable expansion compared to the 2025 season, when flights ran only between July 27 and September 7.

Other airlines that plan to grow frequencies from Ljubljana include KLM, which will double operations from seven to fourteen per week, as well as Aegean Airlines from Athens, Flydubai from Dubai, British Airways from London Heathrow, Swiss from Zurich and Wizz Air from Skopje.

The Slovenian government is set to continue its policy of attracting new airlines through its subsidy scheme, with a tenth call for expressions of interest expected to be issued shortly.