Adria Airlines takes off from Southend Airport
For passengers travelling through the airport that evening there was cake – baked in the shape of an Adria Airlines plane and decorated in the blue of their livery - and champagne to celebrate the latest new arrival at the ‘Best Airport in Britain’ (Which? magazine, 2013 & 2014)
The new link with Maribor operates on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings using an Airbus 319 with a flight time of around two hours. The service operates until September.
The Adria Airlines service is the only direct connection with London. Iztok Franko Adria Airways’ Marketing Director, said they chose London Southend Airport for its service above other airports because of its 'Simply Easier' operation and its frequent and fast connections to London: "I am delighted that we have succeeded in introducing scheduled flights from Maribor to London Southend. This is extremely important both for the local community and for the wider region.
"As part of our new strategy, Adria Airways is establishing more routes between Slovenia and European cities. Airways In close cooperation with Maribor Airport and the Slovenian Tourist Board (SPIRIT) expects this new route from Maribor to London to be a success story.”
Welcoming the first flight and its passengers, which included dignitaries from Maribor, including the mayor, London Southend Airport Chief Commercial Officer Roger Clements said: “We are very pleased to welcome Adria Airlines to London Southend Airport and we look forward to a great partnership with the airline. Maribor has a wealth of things to offer travellers from Essex, London and beyond looking for everything from a weekend break to longer holidays at any time of the year, so I am sure these flights will prove popular.
“And there’s good news for passengers arriving here at London Southend too, as for June and July every single one of them will be offered a complimentary standard train ticket to London.”
Maribor was European Capital of Culture in 2012, and is renowned for its Lent International Summer Festival, one of the Top 50 events in Europe. This major arts festival takes place annually for two weeks at the end of June, attracting theatre, opera, ballet and jazz musicians from all over the world, as well as thousands of international visitors.
Historic Maribor was founded in 1254 and is situated on the River Drava with vineyards to the north and the Pohorje Mountains to the southwest. It enjoys pleasant temperatures in the spring, followed by balmy summers, colourful autumns and sub-zero winters where it is all about the skiing. The World Cup ski slope on Pohorje Mountain just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Magnificent hiking, biking routes, high-adrenalin activities and world-class events are also on offer.
Not only is it in an eminent wine growing area, but Maribor is also home to one of the biggest and oldest classic wine cellars in Europe (at more than 20,000 square metres / 215,000 square feet) which rests right underneath the city. Also in Maribor is the Old Vine, which at 400-years is the world's oldest vine – as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.
There is also plenty to see in the Old Town – from medieval towers and remains of the city walls, as well as the square Grajski trg with the castle and museum, Bishop Slomšek's cathedral with its viewing tower. There is also one of the oldest synagogues in Europe.
