The Macedonian government has vowed to improve the country’s air connectivity with plans to launch a new subsidy scheme for the introduction of new routes from both Skopje and Ohrid airports next year. The country’s newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Communication, Aleksandar Nikoloski, said, “We made a decision to form a task force that will examine all possibilities for increasing the number of flights from the Skopje and Ohrid airports. Our goal is for the launch of new destinations next year that are currently unserved from Skopje and Ohrid. As a result, we would welcome many more tourists, but also enable Macedonians to travel abroad more easily and affordably”.
Mr Nikoloski said the government will engage in talks with airlines. “We will talk to several global carriers that offer fast and cheap flights, and I am convinced that next year we will have many more destinations”, the Minister said. The Macedonian government has been conducting tenders for the introduction of new services since 2013 and has so far held four. All have been won by Wizz Air, which was the only airline to have applied, with exception to the last one in 2023, which also included Lufthansa. Wizz Air has not introduced all its planned new routes on the basis of which it was awarded the previous tender due to ongoing fleet issues.
The 2023 subsidy scheme provides state funds to the amount of seven euros per each departing passenger from Skopje over the next three years. Under the terms of the subsidy program, airlines are obligated to continue operating their newly launched routes after the subsidies end, otherwise they would be required to return the funds. Mr Nikoloski did not specify the value of the planned new subsidies or whether a public call would be issued. The airport operator TAV Macedonia previously said it was working on establishing new flights from Skopje Airport, with an emphasis on services to Spain as well as Western European capitals.
Hope Ryanair finally comes
ReplyDeleteRyanair said recently it was interested in opening many new bases across Europe due to the number of planes they are getting. I'm hopeful they revisit their plans to open a base in Skopje which is what they wanted to do 10 years ago until they were chased out by Wizz Air.
DeleteHighly unlikly. They will stick to TIA. Like they pulled from TGD.
DeleteThe universe does not revolve around TIA and its nonexistent fees. They did not pull out of Podgorica. They still fly there and will fly there. They reduced operations in winter because Podgorica recently increased its fees and is one of the most expensive airports in this part of Europe.
DeleteQuestionable if Wizz will apply this time around due to fleet issues.
ReplyDeleteWhen money is involved, Wizz will aleays apply.
DeleteWizz dont need to apply , anyway they hold the 60% of the market , and they still did not launch the routes from the 2023 tender ...
DeleteHopefully the tender won't involve only EU airlines.
ReplyDeleteSoemthig definitely needs to change since Wizz is the only one that applies.
Delete*something
Delete^ that is the whole purpose of the tender. It's made for Wizz Air.
DeleteWith easyjet leaving in November, Wizz is the only LCC serving SKP year round.
ReplyDeleteWondering why Easyjet never applies.
DeleteThere have been feuds between sharehold over expansion. Haji-Ioannu wants to keep the airline focused on the UK, the rest want to expand further
DeleteInteresting
DeleteLet me guess, Wizz Air will get the money.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely
DeleteGood news. But I hope we finally see another airline using these subsidies. Wizz Air needs some competition.
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam and Prague would be great additions.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what Transavia is waiting for.
DeleteActual demand for these routes? And especially from their customer bases which are French and Dutch.
DeleteThere is a lot of demand for Amsterdam. Thats why Eindhoven is five weekly with W6 and used to be daily before they cut the frequencies. Also, becasue their prices are so high on this route, it is cheaper for many people to use AMS and come to SKP with OS and LH.
DeleteTime to diversify
ReplyDeleteThis country needs to stop relying on foreign carriers and launch their own, call it Air Macedonia or North Macedonia Airlines, grab two E190/195 and go !
ReplyDeleteThis policy has been a great success for Macedonia really
DeleteTi ke gi plakas zagubite?
DeleteHope that Ohrid will get some flights. It is completely sidelined.
ReplyDeleteWhen there is tender it is for both airports.
DeleteDon't get it. Launch of every new route depends on subsidies. Where is the organic growth?
ReplyDeleteOrganic growth in small country with big airports around?
DeleteNot true. Norwegian, Air Baltic, Nordwind Airlines, Pegasus with Izmir, easyJet all came on their own.
DeleteLjubljana 5 yimes a week
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that it will be wizz here, unfortunately this government has started a solid cooperation with the Hungarian government
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteLjubljana 5x weekly is a must
ReplyDeleteAegean should apply
ReplyDeletethey will as they did for SKP-SJJ. I wouldn't mind at all seeing them operate another SKP to an EX-YU airport. Maybe its LJU...
DeleteAfter they cancel Corfu I think they will not apply this time , for what route they can apply ?
DeleteAmsterdam (EasyJet, Transavaia, or KLM)
ReplyDeleteDusseldorf (Eurowings)
Prague (Wizz)
Munich (LH)
Barcelona and Madrid (Wizz)
Wizz Air will get the money and will launch new routes. When they hear money they will immediately find two planes to base in SKP. Just like they do with the new ones that are arriving every single week and that they are basing them in FCO, TIA, BUD, WAW, OTP.
ReplyDeleteOther airports will pay the price
DeleteWhy would they? Wizz Air chooses where to base the new planes.
DeleteI hope with this, the middle east routes will come back
ReplyDeleteIt will not , this tender like all others will be mainly call for the low cost airlines , which means , Wizz , Ryanair ....
DeleteFed up with low budget airlines! Bring us quality please. Qatar Airways, Etihad,...
ReplyDeleteYou will fly with Qatar via Doha to Amstersam from SKP or what?
DeleteYes, QR would return to SKP and then he would complain how prices are too high
DeleteI hope this call will bring other airlines such as Ryanair,Volotea,Transavia,Euro wings , and btw dont forget that Wizz need to launch its routes from 2023 , because they get money and dont start the routes.
ReplyDeleteWizzair VIE-SKP!
ReplyDeleteBig mistake , not possible! And no reason for that too.
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