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lding. One of the most beautiful Due to careful maintenance and design, Ljubljana airport is considered to be one of the most beautiful airports in this part of Europe by its users. In addition Ljubljana Aerodrom is a successful business. Since Slovenia gained independence, turnover has increased markedly, which is reflected in excellent business results. Traffic at Ljubljana Airport increased in 2005. The number of passengers handled increased by 16 % to 1.2 million passengers and 37,767 flights. Operating revenues were also strong and in comparison to 2004 were 14 % higher (surpassing the annual plan by 5 %). The operating result before taxes was EUR 10.4 million, which was 7 % more than in 2004 (exceeding the annual plan by 9 %). For the future Aerodrom Ljubljana has set itself the goal of surpassing a number of significant milestones in its development: 1,600,000 passengers by 2010; 2,000,000 passengers after 2015; 50,000 flights by 2013 and 15,000 tons of cargo by 2015. The increase in air traffic at Ljubljana Airport, coupled with the need to separate Schengen and non-Schengen passengers following Slovenia's entry into the European Union, means that Aerodrom Ljubljana plans to construct a new airport terminal. In addition, the current terminal will be renovated and linked to the new terminal by a connecting walkway that will include seven boarding bridges. The capacity of the new terminal will be 850 passenger departures per hour and 850 passenger arrivals per hour. An IATA level C standard of service is envisaged to ensure the necessary quality of service for passenger arrivals and departures. The planning has taken into account both international and domestic regulations and standards for such facilities and equipment. Separation of Schengen and non-Schengen The new terminal will be expanded to 32,000 square meters, and will include 40 new check-in counters, including several automated ones. The complete separation of Schengen and non-Schengen traffic will be ensured, as well as the separation of arriving and departing passengers. Luggage will be thoroughly inspected and three new luggage carousels for baggage reclaim will be installed. There will also be room in the new terminal for airlines, travel agencies, restaurants and shops, and there are also plans for business lounges and additional services for passengers. After reviewing and evaluating the bids, at the suggestion of the commission the management board decided to accept the bid made by SCT for just over EUR 9.58 million (excluding VAT). Traffic on the road that runs alongside Ljubljana Airport has increased tenfold since the airport began operating. It is now considered very unsafe and few changes or improvements have been made to it during this time. The plan therefore calls for the relocation of the road, which will also make further expansion of the airport possible. Approximately 2,400 meters of the road will be relocated to the north of the airport. A business area will be created on the land between the new road and the airport. The airport complex will be accessible from three roundabouts. Year 2006 plans Ljubljana Airport plans moderate growth in 2006 including a 6 % increase in flights, a 5 % increase in passenger traffic, a 4 % increase in freight and a 4 % higher operating result. Attention will be particularly focused on realizing the investment plan. The beginning of the construction of the first phase of the new passenger terminal, and the expansion and modernization of manoeuvring areas will be a large financial investment. A second important project is the beginning of preparations for the construction of a business and logistics centre on a 20-ha site for the development of tourism, marketing, warehousing, production and commerce connected with airport activities. A New era for Maribor airport? The other two international airports in Slovenia have not seen the same level of investment in their development and in a way have been neglected. This year an important development occurred that should result in the future development of Maribor airport. After four long years of talks Prevent Global, the owner of Aerodrom Maribor, signed an agreement with the Ministry of Transport on the use of the airport's infrastructure, which is state owned. The duration of the agreement is only two years but it is hoped that during this period the State and Prevent will try to find a long-term arrangement for the airport. Nevertheless the agreement marks the beginning of the revival and development of the airport. According to the agreement Aerodrom Maribor will have to invest 25 % of inflows from airport services a year, up to EUR 346,000. EUR 10 million in investment needed The priority task of all stakeholders in the airport is to build a Schengen border crossing, and ensure modern technology, equipment and organisational procedures in order to attract low-cost airlines to the airport. However estimates about the total amount of investment needed in the airport need to be done carefully. Joze Kozmus, President of the management board of Prevent Global, estimates that investment in the necessary equipment to enable the prompt handling of larger aircraft alone will require an investment of approximately EUR 10 million. Some infrastructure projects are already in progress, especially the project to reconstruct and expand the passenger terminal, as well as the public procurement for the purchase of three airport vehicles. Despite the fact that the only regular airline flying into Maribor, Styrian Spirit, declared itself bankrupt , the number of passengers Maribor airport handled last year grew by 165 % compared to the year before. The majority of the 16,471 passengers flew to Djerba in Tunisia, 21 % flew on the Maribor - Salzburg route, and 15 % between Maribor and the Bulgarian airport of Varna. The new director of Aerodrom Maribor, Matjaz Sonc, estimates that with further investment Maribor airport can handle at least 50,000 passengers a year and that coupled with the other services the airport provides Maribor airport has good prospects for the future. When will Ryanair come? The airport is still counting on an agreement with the low-cost carrier Ryanair, who they have been in talks with for quite some time. The realisation of a deal with the company would be a huge boost to the tourist industry of northeast Slovenia. Because of the potential of such a deal many companies involved in the tourist sector, mostly spa resorts, have established an association together with Aerodrom Maribor called Rast. Aerodrom Maribor also doesn't exclude the possibility of cooperation on a project for a business-logistics centre, planned near the airport, since cargo represents, and will continue to represent, a large part of the traffic at the airport. The business-logistic centre is the project of Hoce community, which will soon announce the consortium of Slovene and international companies that will cooperate and invest in the project. New runway at Portoroz airport Portoroz Airport is used for passenger transport, sport, tourist and business flights. It has the latest up-to-date equipment and fulfils all security and safety conditions. The airport is located near the Secovlje salt-pans only six kilometres from Portoroz. The airport lies two metres above sea level, and the runway measures 1200 metres in length and 30 metres in width and is equipped for night flights. The airport is also equipped with its own engineering and jet fuel supply services. In 2004 Aerodrom Ljubljana, Luka Koper, Istrabenz and Cestno podjetje Koper increased the capital of Aerodrom Portoroz to almost EUR 3 million. This year they have renovated the runway, the lighting and navigation system and the parking lot at a cost of EUR 1.125 million. There future plan is to enlarge the runway by 200 metres so that medium size regional aircraft (that can carry up to 75 passengers) will be able to land and take off more comfortably at Portoroz airport. This investment depends on the State's location plan, and some fear it could affect the Secovlje Salina Nature Park. However, the director of Aerodrom Portoroz, the company that manages the airport, estimates that all the paperwork will be ready in two years time. In the meantime the main building will be renovated. Portoroz-Rome connection? The management of Aerodrom Portoroz want to see more tourist flights into Portoroz so that the whole Primorska region can benefit. Consequently they are now cooperating with Aerodrom Ljubljana, the tourist agency Kompas, Istrabenz and Casino Portoroz with the goal of securing a Portoroz - Rome airline. Last year Portoroz airport handled 13,000 passengers and 8,500 aircraft movements. This was down slightly on the previous year. Clearly the management were not happy with these results and this in part explains their desire to see a regular airline operating not just between Portoroz and Rome but also to other several other interesting Italian destinations.