The Macedonian government has outlined it plans to invest 1.7 million euros into the country’s aviation sector in 2020. The majority of the funds will be directed towards Wizz Air for the upkeep of new routes launched in 2019 based on a three-year subsidy agreement. Investment in aviation presents the smallest share of the Ministry for Transportation and Communications entire budget for 2020. “The development of air traffic is the government’s strategic commitment and our activities are aimed at expanding the network of destinations accessible to citizens, by establishing new nonstop flights and intensifying cooperation in the sector with other countries”, the ministry said in a statement. Under its agreement with Wizz Air, the Macedonian government will next year provide eight euros per passenger for new routes launched from Skopje in 2019 and twelve euros per traveller for new routes introduced from Ohrid in 2019.
The operator of the country’s two airports, TAV Macedonia, previously said it plans to further invest in Skopje and Ohrid airports. TAV plans to expand Ohrid Airport’s terminal following strong passenger growth. Since being awarded a twenty-year concession of the two facilities in 2010, TAV has invested some 120 million euros in airport infrastructure and development and paid a total of 47.4 million euros in concession fees and taxes to the state. With another ten years left on its concession agreement, the Turkish company is exploring possibilities of extending the deal past 2029. “We expect this development to continue at a similar pace in the coming period, taking advantage of the potential of Macedonia’s airports to become a joint regional hub and to contribute to the development of the country’s economy, as well as business relations between Macedonia and Turkey”, the President and CEO of Turkey’s TAV Airports Holding, Sani Sener, said.
Skopje Airport has continued to post growth in October by handling 213.252 passengers, representing an increase of 12.9%. Commercial aircraft movements stood at 1.489, up 4.9%. During the January – October period, Skopje Airport welcomed 2.011.369 travellers through its doors, an improvement of 8.8%. It added an extra 162.410 passengers. Overall, commercial aircraft movements increased 5.7% to 15.378. Meanwhile, Ohrid Airport registered 279.112 travellers, up 64.5%. In October alone it welcomed 26.212 passengers, representing an improvement of 191% from 8.991 travellers in 2018.
SKOPJE AIRPORT, JAN - OCT PASSENGER TRAFFIC
| Month | PAX | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| JAN | 152.292 | ▲ 4.6 |
| FEB | 137.676 | ▲ 5.9 |
| MAR | 164.480 | ▲ 4.8 |
| APR | 194.302 | ▲ 10.4 |
| MAY | 195.452 | ▲ 11.2 |
| JUN | 215.021 | ▲ 11.7 |
| JUL | 241.836 | ▲ 1.7 |
| AUG | 263.977 | ▲ 11.1 |
| SEP | 233.081 | ▲ 11.9 |
| OCT | 231.252 | ▲ 12.9 |
The growth in Skopje has been truly fantastic.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget Ohrid. The true success story of the year.
DeleteIt has been good. But I'm a bit worried there are no new routes announced for next year.
DeleteNot very much. The country's aviation industry now purely depends on Wizz Air and TAV.
ReplyDeleteHad investment been higher not so many aviation professionals would have left the country.
DeleteIf there were real aviation professionals there would be no need for subsidies.
DeleteIt is not investing much yet passenger numbers are booming. Smart decision.
DeleteNice growth in North Macedonia.
ReplyDeleteSo SKP - 2.011.369 | PRN - 2.028.918
ReplyDeleteSo close
PRN will have a stronger December because of new routes being launched and much bigger diaspora arrivals. But it is getting close. If Wizz was to base a sixth aircraft in SKP it would overtake PRN.
DeletePRN has more perspective for high level growth in the next few years. SKP has experienced that in the last few years.
DeleteSKP will have a good Dec too. You can’t break through with one strong week in Dec especially not if you’re SKP or PRN with so many foggy days.
DeleteI think it will also depends on who adapts faster to the loss of Adria.
DeleteThe fact SKP has reduced October difference with ZAG to just 100.000 only goes to show how successful the North Macedonian model is. With more subsidies coming Wizz Air's way I am sure these numbers will keep on growing in the future.
ReplyDelete+1
DeletePa dobro. Ajmo onda davati subvencije proizvođačima tekstila, pa se možemo hvaliti koliko smo odjeće proizveli. Hoćete li kapitalizam ili etatizam? A najgluplje je da makedonski porezni obveznici plaćaju STRANCIMA da bi letjeli. Bila nekad serija ili tako nešto Nikad robovi. Da baš...
DeleteAnd before Wizz Air who did they fly on? A long list of failed local carriers and foreign airlines. So either way money mostly goes to foreigners. That's how it is in reality. Look at Croatia. Taxpayers are paying millions but are getting a limited network and high prices on OU. So who wins here? Macedonians or Croats?
DeleteDont forget udruzeno oglasavanje fund.
DeleteIt is very direct way to give money to foreigners to fly to the country where otherwise they wouldn't have flown.
And it comes directly from Croatian budget
Socio-economic impact is huge in underdeveloped countries like Balkan in which Croatia definitely dont belong. That said ZAG region is very rich and SKP will have more passengers in 2019 because ZAG has 20% transfer passenger while SKP only around 2%.
DeleteErm continental Croatia is as rich as Bulgaria or Romania, Zagreb is the only exception.
DeleteNo. Cost of living in Croatia is equal to Hungary and Poland. Croatia culturally is not Balkan only transition. I would also rule out Romania it is not Balkan.
DeleteNo one spoke about the whole of Croatia but of its continental part which is poor. Geographically HR is very much in the Balkans. Mentally as well ... sorry.
DeleteExcellent that they plan to expand Ohrid. Much needed.
ReplyDeleteExcellent results. Continuous growth for such a long time is really impressive.
ReplyDeleteThanks to people from Albania & Kosovo.
DeleteDiazepam
DeleteExcuse me but Pristina Airport officials said 50% of Macedonian traffic was being generated by Kosovo. Also Skopje Airport itself said it sees considerable traffic from Kosovo and is working at attracting even more customers from Albania at Ohrid Airport.
DeleteAlso, had you ever flown with Wizz Air from Skopje you would understand my statement.
Yes, everyone wants their government to subsidize a Hungarian company's monopoly ;)
DeleteBut the people have a benefit from it.
DeleteAt first, later on prices go way high up. Look at the tickets from SKP to that village called Luton. SKP deserves flights to LHR or LGW. I fly this route a few times per year and prices are going up every time.
DeleteIn the end this competition is good and all these airports will do more to attract new airlines and passengers.
DeleteI don't think a new airline has launched SKP since LO did it and I heard they are not doing that well.
DeleteAfter attending recent tourist fair in Poland, some tourist bureau from Ohrid or nationwide (l'm not sure) announced another 2 weekly charters for the next summer season KTW and WAW to OHD, respectively.Also they held talks with LO representatives for regular summer flights WAW/OHD/WAW 2pw from 2021 and even year round (if....)��.LOT flew Katowice charters this summer.BTW, 25-30% increase of Polish tourist is expected in future years.
DeleteBest of luck.
ReplyDelete:))))
ReplyDeleteMy only issue with SKP is that 75% of the entire traffic is held by 3 airlines - Wizz, Turkish and Austrian. More variety is needed.
ReplyDeleteI think it's even more than that. Wizz Air is 70% and TK is around 8% so those two alone are around 78%. When you add Austrian is goes over 80%.
Delete1.7 million, the cheapest amount compared to the surrounding countries with national airlines.
ReplyDeleteSkopje: questionable statues, wise aviation strategies.
Is that you Mr Varadi?
Deletenailed it!
DeleteThe amount of W6 subsidies is rather low compared to this: https://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/11/all-ex-yu-carriers-to-receive-state.html
ReplyDeletego and tell that to the hater brigade. The are also all loss making which makes it worst
Delete^ Can you understand that just because someone doesn't say "Bravo Skopje" and "amazing" does not mean they hate Skopje or Skopje Airport. This is an aviation site where people discuss aviation. The sole purpose isn't to heap praise on everything. You have to learn to live with it. If you are unable to properly discuss differences of opinions and just label everyone as haters then I don't know what you are doing here.
DeleteAre you seriously comparing what Serbia gets from JU with what North Macedonia gets from Wizz Air? You might want to look at the route map, frequencies and airports they fly to and will understand why it's not the same.
Deletealso the only reason why W6 is successful in SKP is because they have a near monopoly.
Attracting more legacy carriers would, in my opinion, also result in more passengers. Legacy coverage is something the region is lacking.
ReplyDeleteWhat region exactly? Primary airports have enough legacies, secondary ones don't for a reason.
DeleteI wouldn't say primary airports have great legacy coverage. Look at PRN, SKP, SJJ...
DeleteSorry but those are not really primary but rather secondary airports.
DeleteI would hope that more will be invested in navigation services and other providers to the aviation industry in the country, and not just on Wizz Air.
ReplyDeleteIsn't M-NAV financed by Eurocontrol?
DeleteNo. It is self-financed from the air navigation charges, airport taxes etc .
DeleteLast September most of prices from OHD were hovering between 200-300 Euros. Not sure if those subsidies are really needed.
ReplyDeleteLoads must be good
DeleteWere there flight reductions in Q1 and Q2 to ZRH? I am asking because there was a drop in passenger numbers.
ReplyDeleteMore flights from PRN
DeleteChAir is also expanding in PRN so there are more options. Don't forget Edelweiss sends widebody to PRN in summer.
DeleteAlso Eurowings introduced Swiss routes to PRN.
DeleteInteresting, thank you
Deletewow those are fantastic numbers for Skopje
ReplyDeleteThere will be more Egypt charters to Skopje next year so this will be a nice addition in 2020.
ReplyDeleteSharm el Sheikh?
DeleteActually rumor is that there will be charter flights to Luxor as well.
DeleteActually the subsidy concept in Macedonia is very good after reading the last sentence of the first paragraph. Wizz is paid based on passenger carried not based on capacity offered (which is usually the case). So it is in Wizz's interest for the new routes it introduces to be viable and popular. Because the better the loads they have, the more money they receive.
ReplyDelete