Airlines and airports across the world are among those who have filed claims against the bankrupt Slovenian national carrier Adria Airways as its bankruptcy proceedings continue to drag on. Both Air Serbia and Croatia Airlines are among those seeking compensation from the defunct company, as well as Croatia’s Trade Air, Slovenia’s Solinair, and Montenegro Airlines, with the latter itself having gone into bankruptcy. A total of 150.869.616 euros in claims have been filed against the former Slovenian national airline. The former flag carrier’s bankruptcy administrator has recognised 87.9 million of the filed claims while the remaining 63 million euros are being contested, some of which are currently in court. However, the funds being requested by airlines and airports from across the world are not in dispute.
Airlines which have filed claims against Adria are mostly those that have worked with the carrier as part of their Star Alliance partnership. They include Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, the now-bankrupt Montenegro Airlines, Aeromexico, Shenzhen Airlines, Brussels Airlines, United, EVA Air, Air China, TAP Air Portugal, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, South African Airways, Egypt Air, Air New Zealand, Trade Air, Solinair, Air Serbia and Croatia Airlines. The Serbian national carrier is seeking 22.236 euros in compensation, its Croatian counterpart 48.461 euros, Trade Air 47.590 euros, while Solinair is asking for 114.054 euros. However, these are among the smallest claims. Turkish Airlines aims to collect 121.912 euros, United 202.663 euros, while Lufthansa is seeking 6.607.074 euros. In addition, Lufthansa’s subsidiaries and affiliated companies, such as Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Industry Solutions, Lufthansa Aviation Training and Lufthansa Systems are jointly owed almost three million euros.
Over a dozen airports are also seeking funds from the bankrupt airline. Among them are the airports in Ljubljana, Belgrade, Pristina, Tirana, Manchester, Brussels, Copenhagen, Zurich, Berlin, London Southend, Antalya, Lugano, Trieste, Moscow Sheremetyevo, Sofia, Podgorica, Tivat and Brač. Claims have also been filed by various service providers, aircraft leasing companies, tour operators and hotels. The Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services Agency (SMATSA) is seeking 81.642 euros, although the bankruptcy administrator has recognised only 40.953 euros, rejecting the remaining amount due to a lack of relevant evidence. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s air service provider BHANSA is claiming 93.720 euros, while Obzor Putovanja, a tour operator wholly owned by Croatia Airlines, is seeking just over a thousand euros. Requests for financial compensation have been lodged from all former Yugoslav republics. Due to the numerous claims, and a number of ongoing court cases for the contested funds, the bankruptcy process will last at least until 2024. The administrator is hoping to raise the funds to settle the debts through the sale of Adria Airways’ remaining assets. So far, it has successfully sold Adria’s Air Operator’s Certificate, flight school, brand name, website, social media channels, headquarters, uniforms and artworks. However, the funds are nowhere near enough to cover the amount being claimed.