Adria Airways, which has achieved solid operations results this year and currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft, has become a member of the Star Alliance, an elite association of airline companies.
According to Branko Lučkovnik, the Chairman of Adria Airways Management Board, the company's operations for the first seven months this year were "solid". The company is expected to conclude the year with a profit of some €500,000, the same figure the company posted for 2003. Compared to the first seven months last year, the number of passengers on regular flights was up 7%, corresponding directly to the increased number of flights.
In early September, Adria Airways became a member of the Star Alliance, an association comprising 15 airlines from all of the continents. The Star Alliance has a fleet of 2477 planes flying to 132 countries. Its members fly 433.21 billion miles and carry 360 million passengers annually. Only recently Adria expanded its fleet with a hired 48-seat Canadair Regional Jet CRJ 200 LR.
Increased fuel prices represent the biggest problem and will exert pressure on operating costs this year. According to Adria Airways, fuel is now as much as 40% more expensive compared to last year. Adria Airways has met with competition from a low-budget airline at the Ljubljana airport, but has managed nonetheless to increase its turnover.
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