Macedonian airports set for ten new routes, Dubai flights and hub connectivity

The Macedonian government’s public call to airlines for the launch of new routes to both Skopje and Ohrid airports in return for subsidies is expected to have a “major impact” on air traffic in the country during next year’s summer season and the 2025/26 winter, according to operator TAV Macedonia. The tender is open until Monday with the Macedonian government outlining the call will result in the launch of at least ten new routes. “The new subsidies have been very well received and we expect for it to have a major impact on the airports throughout the next summer and winter seasons. We believe that many carriers are interested and that it will hopefully result in the arrival of airlines that have not entered the market so far, as well as the launch of routes that are currently unserved”, the General Manager of TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, said.

The Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications, Aleksandar Nikoloski, said the country’s airports will add 200.000 passengers next year as a result of the ongoing public call. “We expect the introduction of at least ten new routes and that part of those airlines applying will not be low cost carriers. Furthermore, we anticipate the introduction of flights to two hub airports, which will complement operations to Istanbul and Vienna that are primarily used as transfer points by Macedonian travellers, as well as Frankfurt to a lesser extent. We expect for flights between Skopje and Dubai to be launched, which will enable connections to Asia and Australia, as well as services between Ohrid and Istanbul, which will open up connections to the rest of Europe and the Middle East”.

Mr Nikoloski met with Wizz Air’s CEO Jozsef Varadi in Budapest during the week to discuss the ongoing public call in detail. Wizz Air is the largest airline in Macedonia, handling over half of the country’s passenger traffic. A key difference from previous tenders over the past decade, which were almost exclusively won by Wizz Air, is that this call now allows non-European carriers to participate. However, applicants must have handled at least five million passengers in 2023 and reported a net profit of at least ten million euros. Financial support will be awarded based on criteria such as the duration of operations, the frequency of weekly flights, the appeal of the destination airport, and the number of seats available for sale.