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SLOVENIA-TRANSPORT-AVIATION-ADRIA
Slovenian flag carrier suspends flights over liquidity problem
LJUBLJANA, Sept 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Slovenian flag carrier Adria Airways
suspended all its flights on Tuesday over liquidity problems but said
intensive talks were under way to resume operations.
“The decision to temporary suspend all air operations is due to the current
lack of fresh cash needed to continue with the flights,” the airline said in
a statement on its website late Monday.
It added the financially distressed company was “in intensive talks to find
a solution with potential investors.”
The Slovenian state sold the financially stricken carrier, which operates
regional flights between the Western Balkans and other parts of Europe, to
German investment fund 4K in 2016 after having put over 50 million euros ($55
million) into it.
But under the new owner the airline continued to lose money, and Slovenian
media speculated that a bankrupcy procedure could be imminent after two of
its 16 jets had to be grounded last week over unpaid bills to a lender.
Prime Minister Marjan Sarec confirmed Adria Airways had asked the
government for financial help to continue with its operations but warned it
was a privately owned company and there was nothing the state could do.
“We all know that would be throwing away money,” Sarec said earlier this
week.
In its statement, Adria Airways said flights had been cancelled for Tuesday
and Wednesday, apologised to passengers for the problems and advised them to
follow the situation on the company’s website.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1215 hrs