MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 31 May 2026 - 10 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 30 May): BRATISLAVA - Transaction prices of real estate in Slovakia rose by an average of 3.6 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2026, driven mostly by faster growth in prices of new properties, which increased by 3.8 percent, while prices of existing properties went up 3.6 percent q-o-q, according to the Statistics Office. Whereas existing properties had a greater impact on transaction prices in the previous two quarters, the current overall price increase was driven by new properties. From a regional perspective, prices of sold houses and flats increased quarter-on-quarter in all eight regions, with the Bratislava and Presov regions recording the fastest growth rate of more than 5 percent. The remaining six regions posted growth below the national average, with the slowest increases - of up to 2 percent - recorded in the Trnava, Trencin and Zilina regions. TELGART - State-run rail infrastructure operator ZSR has completed the modernisation of the railway stretch between the villages of Telgart and Cervená Skala in the Upper Hron area (Banska Bystrica region), ZSR director Miroslav Garaj has stated, adding that while this is a relatively short section, the renovation of nearly five kilometres of track is one of the most significant investments in railway infrastructure in the Upper Hron area in recent decades. The total costs reached nearly €11.2 million, and the project was funded through Slovakia's Recovery and Resilience Plan. "The reason for the reconstruction work was the technical condition of the track superstructure and substructure, dating back to 1968, which no longer met current operational and technical requirements. The extent of wear and tear on individual track elements, drainage and bridge structures required comprehensive renovation beyond the scope of routine maintenance, therefore," explained Garaj. The modernised section is one of the strategic parts of the line connecting the Gemer and Upper Hron areas. BRATISLAVA - The fact that more than a million-euro subsidy was awarded by Investment, Regional Development and Informatization Minister Samuel Migal (independent) to a company unable to prove its references, without a telephone number and not responding to emails, is scandalous, opposition MP Jan Hargas (Progressive Slovakia) has warned. According to Hargas, the company is officially based in a block of flats in Bratislava, while nobody can be found at the location where it is supposed to carry out activities financed by the subsidy. The company was also not found at the administrative centre in Poprad where the 1.2 million-euro project was meant to be implemented. "We therefore see more than enough red flags," the MP underlined. Despite this, minister Migal approved a subsidy exceeding one million euros for the company. According to Hargas, failure is too weak a word. "According to my information, the process of paying out the subsidy had already started and was stopped at the last moment only because the media began asking questions about this deal. I ask how many other deals are taking place at the ministry that we know nothing about," he noted. Hargas added that this was further proof that minister Migal, deputy minister Radomir Salitros and the entire current government care only about business deals. "Mr. Hargas is talking nonsense. We already commented on the matter this morning (Friday, 29 May), but since not everyone can read with understanding, we repeat: this is absurd because the company is listed as a debtor by the tax authorities, and therefore nothing can be paid out to it. Regardless of the fact that a check of any possible fulfilment must also take place," the ministry press department told TASR in response to Hargas. "And we remind everyone that we live in a state governed by the rule of law. MP Hargas cannot decide who may apply for a subsidy based on what he reads in newspapers. If the recipient implements the project in line with the approved project, proves it, proves that people were employed, demonstrates that at least 40 percent of the costs were covered from its own resources, and fulfils all legal conditions, then not even Mr. Hargas can decide whether it may receive money or not," the ministry added. BRATISLAVA - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair will add a fourth aircraft at its base at M.R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava for the 2026/2027 winter schedule, which will allow it to launch a brand new route to Turin, Italy starting on 26 October 2026, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary and Bratislava airport announced earlier this week. As a result, Ryanair will operate 23 routes from the Slovak capital, creating its largest-ever winter schedule at the airport. The four based aircraft will significantly expand current capacity and make flight connections more accessible for passengers from Slovakia and the surrounding regions, said O'Leary, adding that Bratislava's passenger volume could grow to two million annually. He confirmed that four new flight connections will be launched for the winter schedule, including to Warsaw (Modlin airport), Paphos in Cyprus and Tirana in Albania. These are already included in the current summer season and will continue as new regular routes in the winter. In the winter of 2025/2026, Ryanair operated 21 regular routes from Bratislava, meaning that next winter will see an increase by two routes. During the current summer schedule, the carrier is operating 33 regular routes from Bratislava airport, the highest number since Ryanair began using the airport in October 2005. Bratislava Airport general director Dusan Novota said that the airport ranks among the fastest-growing in Europe, partly due to the carrier's expanding route network. "Ryanair has been our long-term partner for over 20 years," said Novota. mf