The takeover of Alibus International is of strategic importance in the development of Nomago into a leading provider of road transportation between Italy's Venice and Croatia's Dubrovnik, the company said in a press release.

With the acquisition, the Italian market will account for around 10% of revenue of the Nomago group, with the share expected to increase with organic growth and planned activities.

The Ljubljana-based company, which operates around 500 buses, has been present on the Italian market for years. At the end of June, it introduced a shuttle bus line to the Venice airport, which it says has been "accepted exceptionally well".

Nomago is also the official carrier of the Udinese Calcio football club, the Alma Palacanestro Trieste basketball club and Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force.

"It was thus only a matter of time when we were going to expand our business to the Italian market, which is of strategic importance for Nomago," chief executive director Sandi Brataševec commented on the acquisition.

The former owners of the Italian company will stay on as managers, with Brataševec joining them on the management board.

Based in Pordedone, Alibus International was established in 1986 and has around 80 employees. It has a fleet of 41 buses and 14 other passenger vehicles.

The company generates most of its revenue with chartered rides, transport of school children and transport to and from the Aviano Air Base. It also organises events, conferences and individual trips.