KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has launched daily flights between Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport and Amsterdam's Schiphol, initially for the summer but with plans to make it a year-round service.

The service is codeshared with Air France and Delta. The majority of the flights will be operated by a 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft.

"We are very happy to welcome KLM Ljubljana for the first time," head of airport services at Fraport Slovenija Janez Krašnja said at the official inauguration on 31 March.

"This will improve Slovenia's connectivity, not only between Ljubljana and Amsterdam, but also further afield, allowing passengers to travel across KLM's vast network through Schiphol," added Krašnja.

The Dutch budget airline Transavia, a company of the Air France - KLM group, has been operating flights between Ljubljana and Amsterdam for years.

However, Transavia flies four times a week, while KLM now flies every day. In total, 11 weekly flights to Amsterdam are now available.

For now KLM plans to operate the flight only during the summer season, but Bas't Hooft, Air France and KLM general manager for Central Europe, said KLM wished to fly to Ljubljana throughout the year.

The launch coincided with the start of the airport's summer season, during which two dozen airlines offer flights to 26 destinations.