Adria>About Us>History

History

Adria Airways became the national airline of Slovenia when Slovenia attained independence. We are proud of its 50 years of history.

50 years of Adria Airways
1961 Founding of the Adria Aviopromet charter airline with DC 6 aircraft; DC 9s are purchased at the end of the 1960s.
1970+ Adria is one of the most reliable charter airlines in Europe.
1980+ Domestic scheduled flights within Yugoslavia, the beginning of scheduled international routes, Adria becomes a member of IATA. Fleet: DC 9, MD 80 and Dash 7 aircraft.
1989 Purchase of the first Airbus A320 aircraft.
1991 The Republic of Slovenia declares independence on 25 June; Adria is grounded for three months for political reasons.
1992 Operations are re-established on a substantially reduced market at the end of January. Operating structure is substantially changed: the emphasis on charter flights shifts to scheduled routes.
1995 Beginning of cooperation with Lufthansa, participation in European integration processes.
1996 Financial consolidation of the company.
1998 Purchase of three new Canadair Regional Jet 200 aircraft.
2000 Purchase of a fourth CRJ 200.
Focus on operating scheduled regional flights especially throughout Europe, ongoing addition of new flights and destinations. Increasing cooperation with European airlines, especially Lufthansa.
2002 Adria is selected as the first authorized Bombardier heavy maintenance facility for CRJ aircraft.
2004 Adria joins Star Alliance as a regional member.
2005 Purchase of a fifth CRJ 200 aircraft. Adria Airways builds a new hangar and starts to perform maintenance work on the Airbus A320 family.
2006 The e-ticket launch.
2007 Two Canadair Regional Jet CRJ900 joined the fleet in May 2007 and June 2007.
2008 Purchase of a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ900NextGen.
2009 Purchase of a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ900NextGen
2010 May in and 2010 April fleet the joined A319 Airbus Two network. Alliance Star of member full a became Airways. Adria Airways became a full member of Star Alliance network. Two Airbus A319 joined the fleet in April 2010 and in May 2010.
2010 50 years of operation

Historical overview

1960 +

1969

At the end of the 1960s Adria begins to encounter European competition and therefore acquires a new modern fleet. The old DC 6Bs are sold, and the first 150-seat McDonnell Douglas DC 9s enter service in April 1969.

In the next few years there is increased demand for air transport, especially to the Adriatic coast, requiring further expansion and modernization.

1970 +

In the mid-1970s Adria Airways' main activity was charter flights for German, British, French and Scandinavian travel agencies to favourite summer holiday destinations on the Adriatic coast at Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Tivat.

Adria was a frequent visitor to all major European airports and was renowned as one of the most reliable charter airlines in Europe. In order to satisfy demand, Adria entered the domestic market and connected Ljubljana with all the major cities in Yugoslavia.

1980 +

At the beginning of the 1980s Adria received five modern 167-seat MD 80 aircraft and expanded further on the foreign market. In 1983 the first scheduled flights were established on the Ljubljana–Belgrade–Larnaca (Cyprus) route.

1984

Adria expands its fleet with two 48-seat de Havilland Dash 7 turboprop aircraft, also making service at regional airports possible.

1987

In the following years Adria expands its network of scheduled flights to Munich, London and Paris. The number of passengers constantly grows and reaches one million, peaking in 1987 with 1,740,000 passengers.

1990 +

Adria continually strives to stay in step with technological advancements in the aviation industry and ensure safe, efficient and affordable travel. Although the MD 80 aircraft were a true breakthrough in the 1980s, in the 1990s Adria begins offering service with three 168-seat Airbus A320 aircraft (the first A320 was acquired in 1989).

In the 1990s Adria introduces many new destinations from Ljubljana primarily to European cities. Charter flights are seasonal, most often to Mediterranean tourist destinations.

1991

The Republic of Slovenia declares independence on 25 June. Soon thereafter Yugoslavia's Civil Aviation Administration, which was still responsible for Slovenian airspace, bans Adria from flying for three months as a form of political repression.

1992

At the end of January Adria Airways resumes its activities on a reduced market. The majority of charter destinations to the Adriatic coast have become inaccessible because they are now on the territory of other countries. The entire operating structure of the company has changed dramatically.

Whereas charter flights earlier represented 90 percent of revenues, now 70 percent of revenues are represented by scheduled flights.

1995

The beginning of code share flights operated together with Lufthansa.

Because of new market conditions, Adria reduces its fleet of 13 aircraft – three Airbus A320s, five MD 80s (4 MD 82s and 1 MD 81), three DC 9-30s and two Dash 7s – which had originally been intended for charter flights. It sells its MD 80s, Dash 7s and DC 9s.

1998

At the beginning of 1998 Adria modernizes its fleet with two Canadair Regional Jet CRJ 200 LRs, and at the end of 1998 with a third CRJ.

Adria chose the Canadair Regional Jet aircraft because it is an economical and environmentally friendly jet aircraft that offers a range comparable to the Airbus A320 aircraft and makes flexibility possible on the entire flight network.

2000+

Adria focuses on operating scheduled regional flights especially throughout Europe, constantly adding new flights and destinations. Cooperation with other European airlines, especially Lufthansa, grows.

2000

Purchase of a fourth Canadair Regional Jet 200 LR aircraft.

2002

The Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace Canada selects Adria as its first European heavy maintenance facility for Canadair Regional Jet aircraft. Adria thus carries out service and maintenance work for other airlines on all types of CRJ aircraft, and in 2005 operations expand to cover Airbus A320-type aircraft.

2004

In December Adria becomes a member of the largest strategic airline association in the world, Star Alliance. This represents the achievement of a strategic goal and a clearly planned business policy for a network carrier that offers global services. In 2004 Adria carried 885,00 passengers and realized a profit of €171,000.

2005

The purchase of a fifth Canadair Regional Jet 200 LR.

2006

One Boeing 737-500 leased.

2007

One Boeing 737-400 leased.

The purchase of a two Canadair Regional Jet 900LR.

2008

One Fokker 100 leased. The purchase of a Canadair Regional Jet 900NextGen

2009

The purchase of a Canadair Regional Jet 900NextGen

2010

The purchase of two Airbus A319. So the current fleet comprises 14 aircraft: 2 Airbus A320s, 2 Airbus A319s, 6 Canadair Regional Jet CRJ200 aircraft, 4 Canadair Regional Jet 900.