China Southern Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline measured by passengers carried, and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried.

Infrastructure and Spatial Planning Minister Samo Omerzel told the press today he had been invited to a meeting with officials from China Southern Airlines, but did not attend it.

He did not comment on the report that the Chinese were in talks with Aerodrom Ljubljana and Adria Airways about the possibilities for cooperation in setting up new routes.

Omerzel said that the Jože Pučnik Ljubljana Airport should establish "ties with the airline, to establish business cooperation and increase traffic at the airport".

The business daily Finance also recently reported that Aerodrom Ljubljana chairman Zmago Skobir wants to bring China Southern Airlines aircraft to the Ljubljana airport.

Omerzel noted that Aerodrom Ljubljana was among the companies that the government wants to privatise. "It is important to look for a partner which comes from this field, which in addition to money brings additional synergies for the development of the company."

The more interest in the airport, the better, according to him. "Everything is focused on the concept of having a partner who is ready to develop the company and create added value in Slovenia."

The minister announced that the government will continue preparing projects and work on striking public-private partnerships over the summer. He is convinced that Slovenia can find partners who are ready to invest.

Aerodrom Ljubljana and Adria Airways are majority state-owned and they are are among 15 companies recently for privatisation by the government in a bid to secure much-needed budget revenue.