British to farewell Priština

British Airways to suspend Priština service in October

After months of speculation, British Airways has officially suspended ticket sales for its flights from London Gatwick to Priština starting late October. The move comes following British’s growing dissatisfaction with the airport’s primary operator, Limak Holding. Limak angered airlines after it significantly increased handling fees at the airport. Furthermore, British was furious after the airport owner terminated contracts with British Petroleum for the supply of aircraft fuel and selected the Kosovar Ex Fis company instead. As a result, on its flights to Priština, British Airways introduced refuelling stops in Dubrovnik.

First whispers of British’s plans to suspend flights to Priština were reported back in May. The final flight between the two cities will operate on Thursday, October 25. British Airways runs three weekly flights from London Gatwick to Priština and will prove as a big loss to the airport as it is the most established carrier operating flights to the city. Until recently, Priština has provided subsidies for certain airlines operating flights to the city, however, the new management has now suspended them. Following British’s exit, there will no longer be direct flights between the United Kingdom and Priština.

Priština Airport handled 658.304 passengers in the first half of the year, cementing its position as the third busiest airport in the former Yugoslavia. The figure represents an increase of 7% compared to the same period last year. Construction of the airport’s new terminal building is ongoing and is set to open in 2013.