Slovenian carrier Adria Airways has temporarily suspended most of its operations, due to a lack of liquidity.

It is the biggest upset in the country's civil aviation in decades.

Thousands of passengers on scheduled and charter flights are likely to be affected.

Adria Airways' pilots have asked the state for a bailout. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said that the only thing that could save the German-owned air carrier was a restructuring plan, agreed with the creditors.

L.P.