Spanish flag carrier Iberia Airlines and Norway's budget carrier Norwegian Air have secured subsidies offered by the Slovenian government to link Ljubljana with Madrid and Copenhagen, respectively.

Announcing the results of the latest call in a scheme designed to improve the country's air connectivity, the Infrastructure Ministry said the amount of subsidies will be known once contracts with the two successful bidders are agreed.

Iberia Airlines will get subsidies to operate flights between Madrid and Ljubljana between 29 July and 5 September this year, and Norwegian Air to operate flights between Copenhagen and Ljubljana from 29 April 2024 to 31 October 2025.

Slovenia, which has had poor air links since its flag carrier Adria Airways went bankrupt in 2019, is offering a total of €16.8 million in the form of airport fee subsidies in 2023-2025.

Carriers can apply for subsidies for new passenger air links covering 50% of airport fees at Slovenia's three international airports, Ljubljana, Maribor and Portorož.

The latest was the third call for applications. In the first two rounds Luxair was awarded subsidies to operate flights to Luxembourg, which are ongoing, and Air Baltic for flights to Riga, which are scheduled to launch when the summer timetable kicks in at airports with the shift to daylight saving time on 31 March.

The fourth call for airlines will be published on 12 January.