Ljubljana - The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology has decided to distribute almost EUR 1.83 million to ten airlines in a public tender for subsidies to improve Slovenia's air connectivity with the world. The selected airlines will perform more than 700 flights between Ljubljana and other countries as part of the deal.

This year's public tender to re-establish Slovenia's air connectivity attracted ten applications from airlines that maintain and establish new scheduled air links with destinations in Europe and beyond, the ministry said on Wednesday.

A total of EUR 1.83 million in subsidies will be provided to Deutsche Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Flydubai, Air Serbia, Tomontenegro, Turkish Airlines, Easyjet, Wizzair and LOT.

This way the ministry will support the existing air links provided by eight airlines and establish two new air links - Ljubljana-Dubai and Ljubljana-London.

Minister Matjaž Han noted on the occasion that it was vital for Slovenia to be part of global trends. "We are an export-oriented economy and we can only compete by ensuring our business executives are present in world markets in person."

The ministry also quoted Han as saying that good air links were also important for the summer tourist season, as "we want to attract as many foreign guests as possible to Slovenia".

"The subsidy is an appropriate step in maintaining international connectivity not only of tourism, but of the entire Slovenian economy," the minister added.

The ministry noted that the subsidised links were strategically important for Slovenia and its economy, and they also provided connectivity with the EU and the rest of the world.