Slovenia’s emergency evacuation flights for citizens stranded in the Middle East have become the subject of growing controversy after the government chartered aircraft from Jordanian carrier Jordan Aviation, with criticism focusing on the airline’s selection and the disruption of the planned repatriation flights. The Slovenian government organised special evacuation flights after escalating tensions in the Middle East and widespread airspace closures left Slovenian nationals stranded across the region. Citizens were transported to Muscat in Oman, from where charter flights to Ljubljana were scheduled. To operate the repatriation services, the government awarded a contract worth 1.5 million euros for the lease of aircraft with crew to Jordan Aviation.
The selection of the Jordanian carrier has attracted scrutiny in Slovenia. Jordan Aviation previously faced restrictions affecting part of its fleet in the European Union due to safety-related deficiencies, although the airline later obtained the necessary authorisations to operate flights into the EU. The carrier was tasked with operating the evacuation flights from Muscat to Ljubljana. The evacuation operation encountered disruptions when the expected charter flight failed to operate as planned. The 144 passengers waiting at Muscat Airport reported long delays as the aircraft scheduled to perform the evacuation flight did not arrive according to schedule due to the rapidly evolving aviation situation in the region, including temporary restrictions affecting airspace in Jordan. The plane eventually departed, arriving in Ljubljana late yesterday evening.
Questions have also been raised after it emerged that alternative charter operators had been proposed during the planning phase of the evacuation flights. According to correspondence cited in Slovenian media, a charter broker proposed operating the Musca – Ljubljana service with Czech carrier Smartwings using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The proposal reportedly included an indicative charter price of approximately 145.000 euros and suggested securing permits and aircraft availability for the operation. Despite the proposal, the Slovenian authorities ultimately proceeded with Jordan Aviation as the contracted operator for the evacuation flights. The airline is expected to operate one more evacuation flight. Reports indicate that more than 200 Slovenians are stranded in Dubai, while hundreds more are attempting to reach connecting flights from destinations as far away as Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia.
