Ladimir Brolih, who took over as the boss of the operator of Edvard Rusjan Airport in August, said that an agreement has been made to launch in March the new connection with Düsseldorf, which will cover northern Germany.

"Tourism businesses in the region decided for such connection. The tour operator which will manage the sale of packages, has requested that we issue the statement that the connection will be realised," he added.

According to Brolih, the joint statement with the airline that will carry out the flights has been prepared, while there are some additional details to be sorted out. The preparations for the project are in the final phase, he added.

While Germany's Express Airlines is expected to operate the Maribor-Düsseldorf line, Aerodrom Maribor is also in talks with Slovenian flag carrier Adria Airways, which is also interested in cooperation.

Express Airways owner Sefa Tuncer was recently in Maribor to express interest in connections with Prishtina, Skopje and Munich. Talks are under way about these connections, but there are no concrete plans, Brolih said.