Maribor Airport Welcomes First Charter Flight in Over a Year

(MARIBOR) Maribor Airport welcomed its first charter flight in more than a year in early 2025, a rare bright spot for Slovenia’s second city after a long lull in commercial activity. As of August 27, 2025, there are still no scheduled passenger flights. The field remains open and active for private and charter traffic, and a new management bid by SiDrone is under review, raising hopes for a long-term plan to bring steady work and new jobs to the region.

The charter flight, arranged for sports and private groups, highlights a pattern that has kept The airport going: bespoke trips that fill a narrow but steady need. Official figures show the airport processed only 2,330 passengers in 2024, underscoring how quiet it has been compared with other airports in the region. Yet the runway and ground teams have stayed ready. Maribor Airport’s 2,500‑meter (8,202 ft) runway can handle heavy jets, and operations run 24/7, according to the current manager, DRI, and charter providers.

Current operations: charters and private flights

There are no scheduled commercial flights at Maribor Airport. All current passenger movements come from charter flight operations and private aviation.

• Several brokers—often used by business travelers, sports teams, and leisure groups—continue to sell trips into and out of Maribor.
• Providers such as Mercury Jets, LunaJets, and AlbaJet advertise bespoke solutions, including same-day departures when aircraft are available.

This niche traffic matters for local life:

• Sports teams can arrive close to training venues.
• Business groups can land near factories or project sites without connecting through Ljubljana or Graz.
• Emergency services benefit from an open airfield with trained staff and equipment.

Aviation analysts note Maribor’s location and runway strength make it a good fit for private and charter operations, even if airlines have not committed to regular routes.

Management and the state role

The airport is managed by DRI, a state-owned consulting and engineering firm, under a government mandate that began in 2019 after the prior concession, held by Chinese investors, ended. Since then, the government has covered basic operations while searching for a long-term operator who can invest, expand services, and build a sustainable plan for the city.

The government’s interim role has kept the airport operational, but a lasting solution requires a long-term concession and investment.

SiDrone bid and the need for zoning

SiDrone, an aviation school and maintenance provider, has proposed a ten-year plan to guide the airport’s next chapter. In a February 2025 presentation to Slovenia’s National Assembly, SiDrone proposed:

• Establishing a maintenance hub for passenger and cargo aircraft.
• Wider cooperation with nearby airports to build traffic.
• Creating a strong technical base to attract airlines and freight operators needing reliable checks, repairs, and overnight work.

The government is reviewing SiDrone’s proposal alongside interest from other industry players. Officials and local partners emphasize one crucial barrier: a clear spatial plan (Slovenia’s zoning tool for land use).

Why zoning matters:

• Airlines require predictable rules for terminals, hangars, noise limits, and future growth.
• Investors need clarity on where new buildings can go and how fast permits will be issued.
• Without the spatial plan, prior attempts to attract low-cost carriers (e.g., Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet) stalled.

Local leaders and businesses support a stable, long-term solution. They view Maribor Airport as a missing link for regional tourism and trade, potentially supporting:

• Factories in Podravje
• Ski trips in Pohorje
• Cross-border ventures with Austria and Croatia

SiDrone’s plan also aims to create technical jobs, train young workers, and bring new spending into the area. Night maintenance and quick-turn checks for medium and heavy jets would fill a market gap in Slovenia. Coordination with neighboring airports could smooth peak loads and seasonal swings.

Passenger practicalities and charter economics

For travelers, Maribor’s private aviation setup is straightforward: book a jet through a broker and fly direct when a slot is available.

• Price range: $2,000 to $17,000 per hour, depending on aircraft size, route, and short-notice needs.
• Services: VIP terminal, fast customs and immigration, and on-request group services.
• Availability: Booking is possible at any time, which suits teams and business travelers requiring tight timelines.

Key points for passengers and operators:

1. No scheduled commercial flights; all trips are private or charter.
2. 24/7 operations with runway and support services ready.
3. ILS‑equipped, 2,500‑meter runway suitable for heavy jets.
4. Charter brokers serving Maribor include Mercury Jets, LunaJets, and AlbaJet.

Local companies say these amenities let them bring partners to site visits and ship spare parts quickly. Sports clubs can adjust travel around fixtures without long bus rides from other airports. Still, the absence of scheduled flights means most residents must connect elsewhere for regular trips, shaping choices for families and firms.

Policy outlook and next steps

The state’s search for a long-term operator continues. DRI maintains baseline operations and safety standards on the government’s behalf. Lawmakers and officials remain in talks with aviation companies—including leisure sector names—about what a new concession could look like.

The next steps hinge on two elements:

1. Outcome of the SiDrone review.
2. Progress on the spatial/zoning plan.

Without a spatial plan, large investments in hangars, terminals, and new routes will likely remain on hold.

For official policy updates, follow the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure and the National Assembly’s public records:

• Government of Slovenia: Ministry of Infrastructure

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travelers want clearer rules and dependable timelines when planning cross-border trips—whether by scheduled airline or private jet. Maribor’s focus on fast processing for charter passengers aligns with that wider demand for simple, predictable steps.

Possible futures

Aviation watchers say the coming months will matter:

• If the government approves SiDrone’s bid and advances zoning, the airport could add maintenance work, deepen charter activity, and build a base for future scheduled links.
• If talks stall, Maribor is likely to remain a specialist field for private flights—useful to teams and business groups but limited in broader reach.

For now, the runway stays open, the tower stays staffed, and brokers keep phones on for last-minute requests. The first charter flight in over a year did more than bring passengers; it showed that interest still exists. Whether that spark becomes steady growth depends on policy choices in Ljubljana and boardroom decisions in the aviation industry—decisions that will shape how people live, work, and travel in and around Maribor for years to come.