From TravelDaily:
Slovenian carrier Adria Airways has announced it will move its London flights from Gatwick to Luton next month.
The carrier will operate four flights a week to Ljubljana with an Airbus A319. Speaking at the launch event at Luton Airport today, Alen Mlekuz, director corporate communications at Adria Airways said the move to Luton had allowed the airline to offer more capacity with a larger aircraft, meaning it will be easier to make group bookings.
“Gatwick had difficulty with our smaller aircraft and we could not compete with low-cost fares,” he said. “The market in Slovenia is tough with the surrounding airports but we are confident at the end of summer we can say this is a success and perhaps extend frequencies”.
He hinted that the airline may also launch flights in Manchester in the future.
The announcement is also a coup for Luton Airport due to Adria's membership of the Star Alliance. Tine Murn, head of UK and ROI communications at the Slovenian Tourist Board is confident of Luton’s leisure position despite its strong business reputation.
“Some leisure partners questioned our move to Luton but after meeting with the airport we are confident and have to challenge and route and tourism,” said Murn. “We have a fresh new start with this route and people forget that Luton is as far from London as Gatwick is”.