The Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications, Aleksandar Nikoloski, has said the country is laying the groundwork for the introduction of long-haul flights from Skopje. Speaking at the annual conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations in Skopje, Mr Nikoloski said, “The government has plans to organise nonstop intercontinental flights from Skopje Airport, which will be a unique case not only for the country but also for the region. We have already started working on it, and I believe it is a big ambition, but we will greatly benefit from it. This will be of great importance for the entire country, because we have a big diaspora that wants to fly nonstop from Skopje, but it will also help attract tourists not just to our country but the region as well”.
Mr Nikoloski did not specify how long-haul flights would be established from Skopje, however, it is not the first time the idea has been floated. In 2017, the Macedonian government discussed the possible introduction of flights from Skopje to the United States and Canada with Turkish Airlines’ CEO Bilal Eksi. Macedonia and Turkey have an Open Skies Agreement in place with both the United States and Canada, which permits for a Turkish carrier to be issued fifth freedom rights by regulators from all parties involved. However, in order for Skopje to secure flights to the States, it would also have to undergo an audit by US authorities.
Commenting on the potential introduction of long-haul flights, the General Manager of airport operator TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, said earlier this year, “It is an ongoing conversation with airlines and our headquarters are working on this. We have all the tools, necessary equipment, and facilities to cater for long-haul flights to markets such as North America. I am personally convinced that this will happen in the nearest future. I believe that this is a good step forward and I hope that we will have a positive outcome with airlines that are willing to operate such flights”. Meanwhile, Minister Nikoloski said the outcome of the country’s public call to airlines for the launch of new routes in return for subsidies will be made public in the coming days.
