Macedonia, Slovenia and Bosnia target new routes through subsidies

Several airports in the former Yugoslavia are set to benefit from subsidies provided by state or local authorities to airlines that are willing to establish operations. There are currently three public calls taking place related to Macedonia, Slovenia, Sarajevo, and Mostar.

The Macedonian government has announced a public call for airlines to launch new routes to Skopje and Ohrid airports in exchange for subsidies. Although the Macedonian Minister for Transport previously indicated that the tender conditions would be adjusted to attract a wider range of carriers compared to previous calls, the requirements remain largely unchanged. Only airlines that handled at least five million passengers last year and achieved a profit of at least ten million euros are eligible to apply. Financial support will be granted based on factors such as the duration of operations, the frequency of weekly flights, the attractiveness of the destination airport, and the number of seats available for sale. The tender is open to all airlines and is not limited to European ones. The selected carriers will receive nine euros per arriving passenger in Skopje and twelve euros per arriving passenger in Ohrid over a three-year period. The deadline for bid submissions is set for October 7 at 10:00.

Slovenia has issued a fifth tender call for airlines to introduce new routes to the country. The Ministry for Infrastructure previously allocated a total of 16.8 million euros in funds for airlines between 2023, when the first public call was made, and 2026, when the last call is expected, although it can be extended if funds are left over. So far, just 1.1 million euros have been used up. The funds equate to covering 50% of the carrier’s fees on the new route. Only airlines registered and based in the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) are eligible for the subsidies. The ECAA is made up of states that are part of the European Union, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Iceland, Macedonia, Norway, Kosovo, and Montenegro. The Slovenian government is primarily targeting the introduction of flights from Vienna, Copenhagen, Madrid, Prague, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Oslo, Barcelona, and Lisbon, although all destinations within the ECAA are eligible. Interested carriers have until September 16, just before midnight, to submit their applications. Their opening will not be public and will be carried out by the Aid Granting Commission within fifteen days of the tender deadline.

The Tourism Association of the Canton of Sarajevo has issued a public call to airlines for the introduction of new routes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital in return for subsidies. The funds will be distributed to an airline or carriers willing to open a base in the city, those launching flights to an unserved destination from Sarajevo, those commencing operations to one or more routes deemed to be of strategic importance, that are either unserved or maintained five times per week or less, as well as those operating long-haul flights from Sarajevo, i.e., services of over six hours. The airport is primarily targeting the introduction of thirty European destinations, some of which are already served. Airlines that apply for the subsidy scheme must operate the new route(s) at least twice per week, while a charter service can be maintained once per week. Aircraft with the capacity to seat over fifty passengers must be used and both seasonal and year-round operations are eligible for the funds. Interested carriers have until October 1 to apply. The exact value of the subsidies has not been publicly disclosed.

Finally, tender procedures for airlines interested in opening a base at Mostar Airport in 2025 in return for subsidies have been launched. Interested carriers have until September 17 at 16:00 to submit their bids. The exact tender conditions can only be obtained by interested carriers by contacting Mostar Airport directly.