Ljubljana Joe Punik Airport (IATA: LJU, ICAO: LJLJ) (Slovene: Letalie Joeta Punika Ljubljana), also known by its previous name Brnik Airport, is the international airport of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The airport is located near the village of Brnik, 19 km (12 mi) north^[1] of Ljubljana and 11 km (6.8 mi) south of Kranj on the road between Kranj and Menge. It has a 3,300 × 45 m (10,827 × 148 ft) paved runway. Letalie Brnik was opened on December 24, 1963.

In 2007, the government renamed the airport to Ljubljana Joe Punik airport. Joe Punik was a Slovene public intellectual, dissident, and politician, leader of the Democratic Opposition of Slovenia (Demos) between 1989 and 1992, the coalition that led Slovenian independence movement.

The airport is home to Adria Airways, the Slovenian flag carrier. There is currently one low-cost carrier serving the airport, EasyJet, which connects Ljubljana to London Stansted. A few other airlines also serve the airport.

On December 8, 2004, the airport received its first annual millionth passenger. Overall, the airport handled 1,369,485 passengers in 2011, down from 1,673,050 passengers in 2008. It is the only airport in Slovenia with scheduled air traffic.

The airport is served by a motorway exit off the A2 motorway and by bus service connecting it with Ljubljana and Kranj. A rail line to both cities is planned as well.

Airport is equipped with ILS Cat IIIb on runway 31. NDB and VOR approach are also available.

The runway of the Ljubljana Joe Punik Airport was closed to air traffic in April 2010. During that time, the entire width of the asphalt surface of the runway was renovated, as well as the asphalt surface on some parts of taxiways.

History

The Ljubljana Joe Punik Airport was officially opened in December 1963.^[3] It superseded the original Ljubljana airport in the former Municipality of Polje,^[4] which was operational from 1933 and was the first Slovenian civil airport.^[5] Regular flights from the Ljubljana Joe Punik Airport started in January 1964.^[3]

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled

Charter

Cargo airlines

Traffic figures

Expansion plan

Due to growing air traffic and Slovenia's EU entry, which requires the separation of traffic into Schengen and non-Schengen, Brnik Airport Authorities have prepared a redevelopment plan for the existing passenger terminal with emphasis on expansion of passenger capacity in the mid to long term timeframe. The terminal expansion will be concluded in two phases.

The works on the first phase started in early July 2007 to accommodate Slovenia's entry into the Schengen zone in December 2007. The existing terminal building (T1) was extended with a whole new upper level added to it and renovated completely, the floor that has been added on top of the existing departure lounge, added additional 4,000 m² (43,000 sq ft), four jetways have been installed as well so that passengers have easier access to the terminal and aircraft. A walkway to the second terminal building (T2) will be added once T2 terminal gets a go-ahead. With completion of works on T1, the airport gained extra floor area which in short term will ensure the separation of Schengen and non-Schengen traffic.

The second phase,^[7] which will begin in 2012, includes the construction of a completely new airport terminal (T2). It will be built right next to the old one (T1), using the existing infrastructure as a connecting walkway. The new terminal building (T2) will expand over 32,000 m² (340,000 sq ft), where 40 check-in counters will be set up (including some automatic ones) and the installation of three baggage carousels is planned for luggage claim. It will also offer 8 jetways for direct entry from the terminal to the aircraft. There will be room in the terminal for airlines, travel agencies, restaurants and shops, and there are also plans for business lounges and additional services for passengers. The capacity of T2 will be 2.5 million passengers annually (850 departing and 850 arriving passengers per hour). T2 will only be used for Schengen traffic, while non-Schengen traffic will flow through the new part of the old terminal (T1). This will make some redundant space in T1 which will be transformed for commercial purposes. The construction of T2 is expected to be finished in 2014.

To the north, a business and logistics center officially named Aeropolis Ljubljana ^[8] is planned to be constructed by 2020. It will consist of four parts: business center, business park, logistic center and hotel-conference complex. Other major projects include the relocation of the Kranj-Menge road to the north and a new train station which will connect the airport and its logistic center with surrounding cities.

Expansion plan (visualization of the expansion plan)

References

External links

• Aerodrom Ljubljana (official website)
• Expansion plan (visualization of the expansion plan - Aeropolis)