Ljubljana Airport expects United Airlines’ upcoming Newark service to support the development of further long-haul connectivity. In an interview with EX-YU Aviation News, Ljubljana Airport's CEO, Juergen Deischl, discussed how the landmark route was secured following six months of intensive talks, the airport’s preparations for Boeing 767 operations and the potential for additional long-haul services. United’s four weekly seasonal flights, launching next May, will provide Slovenia with its first nonstop connection to the United States since the country gained independence. How significant is United’s arrival for Ljubljana Airport and Slovenia as a whole? United’s decision to launch nonstop service between Newark and Ljubljana marks a defining new chapter for Slovenian aviation. For the first time since Slovenia gained independence, the country will have a direct, nonstop connection to the United States. Previous services belonged to a different era and operated under fundamentally different circumstances. This is Slovenia’s first direct transatlantic gateway to America. It is far more than a new route. It connects Slovenia directly with one of the world’s most important aviation markets, provides seamless access to United’s extensive network across North America and places the country more firmly on the global aviation map. For Ljubljana Airport, it is a powerful statement of confidence in the market, the destination and the airport’s future as the leading gateway for the wider region. What are your expectations for the new service, both in terms of its initial performance and its potential development in the years ahead? We approach this service with confidence and a clear long-term vision. The fundamentals are strong, with demand spanning leisure and business travel and the wider regional market that Ljubljana Airport serves. We expect the route to build momentum from the outset and establish itself as a sustainable and strategically important part of United’s transatlantic network. But the real opportunity extends well beyond the launch. As the service gains visibility and Slovenia’s international profile continues to grow, we see considerable potential to develop the route further and broaden its reach across the region. Our ambition is clear: to make this not simply a successful new service, but an enduring transatlantic connection that creates long-term value for United, Ljubljana Airport and Slovenia. How did Ljubljana secure the United service, and how long were negotiations between the airport and the airline underway? Long-haul routes of this significance are not secured through a single presentation or meeting. They are built through relationships, market intelligence and the ability to see an opportunity before it becomes obvious to everyone else. While engagement with United had been under way for some time, the decisive phase began at the end of March this year, when we intensified the dialogue and jointly developed the full strategic potential of the route. From my experience in airline development at Frankfurt Airport, such a process would typically take two to three years. To move from focused discussions to a shared commitment within six months is therefore an exceptional achievement. United deserves considerable credit for approaching the opportunity with vision and entrepreneurial courage. Rather than relying solely on conventional traffic models, the airline recognized the wider story: Slovenia’s tourism appeal, its economic and trading links, the demand across the wider region and the potential of a market that had never before enjoyed a nonstop connection to the United States. That combination of insight, speed and shared ambition transformed an opportunity into a route. It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when two partners look beyond the obvious and act with confidence. Does United’s arrival potentially open the door for additional long-haul services in the future, and is Ljubljana Airport actively pursuing other long-haul opportunities? United’s arrival changes the perception of what is possible from Ljubljana. It demonstrates that the airport and the wider region can support a high-quality long-haul service when the right market opportunity is matched with the right airline partner. That will undoubtedly attract attention across the industry. We are ambitious about the future of Ljubljana Airport and are actively pursuing further long-haul opportunities. We take a focused and disciplined approach, targeting markets where Slovenia’s tourism appeal, economic links and the wider regional catchment create a compelling and sustainable proposition for both passengers and airlines. Our immediate priority is to make the United service an outstanding and enduring success. At the same time, we see it as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the conclusion of one. It gives us a powerful platform from which to advance Ljubljana Airport’s global connectivity and strengthen its position as the Airport of Choice for the Region. How will Ljubljana Airport accommodate United’s Boeing 767 operations? Will the aircraft be handled at a remote stand, and does the lounge have sufficient capacity to comfortably accommodate passengers, given the route’s relatively premium-heavy profile? Ljubljana Airport is no stranger to widebody operations. We have successfully handled a range of widebody aircraft in the past, including long-haul charter services, and we continue to welcome aircraft such as the Boeing 747 on special operations. From both an airside and terminal perspective, the airport has the infrastructure, operational expertise and dedicated people required to support United’s Boeing 767 service to a high standard. Naturally, a route of this significance requires every aspect of the operation and passenger journey to be examined in detail. We are doing this in close cooperation with United, whose operational experts will visit Ljubljana as part of the preparations. The final operating concept, including whether the aircraft will be handled at a contact or remote stand, will be determined jointly based on safety, efficiency and the best overall passenger experience. Our facilities, including our premium services, provide a strong foundation for the new route. We will nevertheless make targeted enhancements where they add value and ensure that the entire experience meets the standards expected by United and its customers. Passenger satisfaction at Ljubljana Airport consistently exceeds 90 per cent, and we intend to bring that same focus on quality, efficiency and personal service to this important new connection. Our objective is not merely to accommodate a Boeing 767. It is to deliver a seamless transatlantic experience that reflects the quality of United’s product and the standards for which Ljubljana Airport is recognised. EX-YU Aviation News
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