This year's increase in passenger numbers is positive news for the carrier, which saw the figure plunge 11% in 2016 over 2015.

Arno Schuster, the head of Adria Airways, said that 2017 was key for the carrier as it improved connections and reduced waiting times for connecting flights.

In addition to introducing flights to Ukraine, Adria also announced flights to Brač, Dubrovnik, Bucharest, Hamburg, Sofia and Geneva, which will be introduced as the carrier shifts to summer schedule.

The improved results also contributed to a record number of passengers serviced at Ljubljana Airport last year, the head of the operator Fraport Slovenija Zmago Skobir said.

Adria Airways, which was acquired by the German turnaround fund 4K Invest in 2016, posted a EUR 3.23m net profit for 2016, bouncing back from a EUR 9.19m loss in 2015. The profit was attributed to the EUR 7.6m sale of the Adria Airways brand.