Pristina Airport launches new incentive scheme

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Pristina Airport has announced the launch of a new incentive scheme in a bid to attract new carriers and encourage exiting operators to boost flights. The incentives, which come into effect on March 27, will run until 2018. The scheme encourages airlines to launch flights to Pristina, base aircraft there, operate during off-peak hours and offers a 30% discount for handling and landing. Late last year, Pristina Airport’s Managing Director, Haldun Fırat Kokturk, said, "Because of the fees, airlines are hesitating to start operations to Kosovo since they want to get cheaper prices from the airport. We worked hard to convince the government that we have to offer discounts in order to attract airlines. If we increase the passenger quantity we can compensate these discounts. With more passengers we will generate more revenue”. He added, “Our incentive program is fair to all airlines. It says - bring me additional passengers, get more discounts. Put an additional flight, get more discounts. Open a new route which is not served from here, get more discounts. Base an aircraft here, leave the aircraft here and get more discounts”. easyJet and Adria Airways have announced new services to Pristina this summer. easyJet plans to launch three weekly flights from Berlin, while Adria Airways will introduce two weekly services to London Luton Airport. Pristina Airport handled 1.549.198 passengers in 2015, up 10.3% on the year before.