Slovakia's Sliač Airport civil flights pushed by citizen petition

A citizen initiative called “Together for the Future of Sliač Airport” has launched a public petition demanding the restoration of civil air traffic at the modernising Sliač Airport in central Slovakia. The petition, headed by regional MP Martin Turčan, argues that after six years of suspended civilian services – halted in 2020 for military‑focused upgrades – the upgraded runway and facilities should also serve commercial and charter flights to boost regional tourism and investment. Petition organisers cite comparable regional airports such as Poprad‑Tatry and Piešťany as evidence that dual‑use airports can foster local development. They have appealed to the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Transport and Tourism for a clear timetable, noting that the government approved a plan in June 2025 to resume civilian flights once modernization is completed later this year. Turčan warned that “we have waited four years after negotiations with the ministries; the public deserves to know what comes next.”