Iberia Launches Direct Flight Between Madrid and Ljubljana to Boost Connectivity

Spain's flag carrier, Iberia, has introduced a new twice-weekly service connecting Madrid and Ljubljana, Slovenia. The inaugural flight was greeted with a water cannon salute, marking the beginning of this direct link. This service aims to enhance travel and connectivity between Europe and Central and South America through Iberia's Madrid hub.

The new route operates on Mondays and Thursdays, continuing until September 5th. Iberia's regional affiliate, Air Nostrum, handles the flights using a CRJ-1000 aircraft, which seats 100 passengers. Flight IB8666 departs Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) at 12:20 on Mondays and 08:40 on Thursdays, arriving in Ljubljana at 14:20 and 11:50, respectively. The return flights leave Ljubljana's Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) at 15:30 on Mondays and 12:00 on Thursdays, reaching Madrid in approximately two and a half hours.

This connection significantly expands travel options for passengers from Ljubljana, offering one-stop access to over 140 destinations, particularly in Latin America. Iberia's membership in the oneworld Alliance further enhances the range of connections and benefits for travelers. Additionally, passengers can enjoy Madrid's robust stopover program, allowing for up to a ten-day stay.

Ljubljana, the gateway to Slovenia, boasts a rich history over 2000 years old and picturesque views of the Julian Alps. Key attractions include Ljubljana Castle, various museums, the opera, the Triple Bridge, and Congress Square. Dr. Babett Stapel, Managing Director of Fraport Slovenija, expressed excitement about the new route's potential:

"At Ljubljana Airport, we are happy to welcome Iberia and the new route to Madrid, with which we are importantly strengthening the network of our air connections and expanding the connectivity of the airport. As a new destination, Madrid offers a visit to the attractive Spanish capital, and the Madrid Airport, with its strong network of connections, is an excellent starting point especially for trips to Latin America."

Iberia will offer over 2,500 seats to Ljubljana this summer. Air Nostrum, along with Lufthansa's CityLine, remains one of the few carriers flying the CRJ-1000. The new Madrid-Ljubljana link restores a vital connection lost after Adria Airways ceased operations. The Slovenian government has subsidized flights to ten destinations, including Madrid, to rebuild air connectivity.

Iberia's followers highlighted Ljubljana as a desired destination in a 2021 survey, and the route has now become a reality. Robert Latin, Acting Director General of the Directorate for Air and Maritime Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure of Slovenia, praised the development:

"The decision of the carrier Iberia Airlines to connect Madrid with Ljubljana in the summer time made us happy, as the capital of the Kingdom of Spain ranks at the very top of the largest cities in the European Union. The established direct connection to Madrid airport is also important because this European hub offers many onward connections."

Other carriers have also begun operating on routes included in the Slovenian government's tender, such as Transavia to Amsterdam, Aegean Airlines to Athens, Norwegian Air Shuttle to Copenhagen, Finnair to Helsinki, and Wizz Air to Skopje. The remaining targeted airports include Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Brussels South Charleroi.