The German based Express Airways plans to resume operations later this year with a single Airbus A320 which it will base in Maribor in Slovenia’s north-east. The airline will operate charter flights from the city, with services to be inaugurated in May. The airline is tipped to first launch flights to Antalya in Turkey, though it is still putting together its summer timetable. “Our destination network is still being drafted and it will be published by mid March”, Express Airways owner and CEO, Sefa Tuncer says. Express Airways already runs a flight school at Maribor’s Edvard Rusjan Airport. In Germany, the airline has been operating on and off since 1998. However, it hasn’t had any aircraft in its fleet for several years now. It last announced plans to resume operations back in 2007 with BAe 146-100s but failed to do so.
Express Airways’ arrival could give Maribor Airport a new lease of life. The airport, which opened a brand new terminal several months ago, is looking to overturn its fortunes and is attempting to attract airlines which have been hard to come by for several years. The CEO of Maribor Airport, Marko Gros, says talks are being held with other airlines as well in order for them to launch services to the city. “At the moment, talks with different airlines are at different stages. We are hoping to reach a concrete agreement with Adria Airways. However, it is difficult to speculate as to how the talks will unfold since it could hinder the negotiation process”.
Earlier this month it was announced that Greece’s Aegean Airlines will operate services from the Greek island of Kos to Maribor every Friday starting June 14 through to September 20. Flights will operate with the Airbus A320. Passengers using the service will also be offered free parking at the airport, in an attempt to lure potential travellers from surrounding countries but also locals away from using the nearby airport in Graz, Austria. Source; Ex-YU Aviation News