Adria Airways (Ljubljana) is planning to ramp up its Tirana, Albania and Maribor, Slovenia operations next year CEO Mark Anžur has disclosed. According to EX-YU Aviation News, Anžur told local media outlet Sierra5 that his airline would base an aircraft out of the Albanian capital next year to supplement its existing services to Brussels National, Paris CDG, Frankfurt International, and Ljubljana.

“We have a 5% market share in Tirana and we are the third busiest carrier (there). Albania is fast growing and traffic is mainly focused on Italy. On the other hand, there is also strong growth in traffic between Albania and Germany,” the CEO said. “Next year we plan to base an aircraft in Tirana and have three daily flights to a number of destinations. We are considering at least two new routes. Italy is a very real possibility."

Anžur alluded to plans to enhance its operations at Slovenia's second largest city, Maribor, by developing it into a low-cost hub. With the upcoming launch of seasonal summer flights to London Southend next month, Anžur said a decision concerning the extension of the service to a year-round operation would be taken by month-end.

"All conditions are there to create a low cost base in Maribor and station an aircraft in the city next year. Flights to Germany are being considered and we see great potential there due to Graz’s close proximity," he said. "Even Spanish holiday destinations would be of interest. In the long-term, Maribor would be very appealing to eastern markets because of its short distance to many tourist destinations and would be interesting to Russians."

Aside from its Ljubljana primary hub, Adria will this summer season maintain bases in Munich, Lodz (Poland), and Tirana.