Ita Airways competes for subsidised Rome-Ljubljana flights in expansion push

Ita Airways is bidding for state-subsidised flights to Slovenia as part of a broader expansion plan. The airline aims to launch a new route between Rome and Ljubljana, with a focus on boosting transatlantic connections. Four carriers are competing for the subsidised routes, which include key European destinations. Slovenia's Infrastructure Ministry will soon reveal which airlines have won the bid for subsidised flights. The current funding programme sets aside over €10 million to support new routes, with Vienna, Prague, and Berlin listed as priority destinations. Airlines securing these contracts must operate them for at least three years.

Ita Airways' proposal includes a direct Rome-Ljubljana service, designed to increase connecting traffic through its Rome hub. The strategy aligns with parent company Lufthansa's goal of expanding Ita's European network, particularly to feed long-haul flights to the U.S. No official confirmation of Ita's bid has yet been released. The winning bidders will be chosen by a committee under Slovenia's Infrastructure Ministry. The selected airlines will receive state funding to maintain the routes for a minimum of three years. The decision will shape air connectivity between Italy and Slovenia, with potential knock-on effects for transatlantic travel.