Lufthansa to Maintain Frankfurt–Skopje Flights on a Limited Winter Schedule

Lufthansa has decided to continue operating flights between Frankfurt and Skopje throughout the winter season under a significantly reduced schedule. Back in May, the airline had planned to suspend services between 1 February and 28 March 2026 under the 2025/26 winter timetable valid from 26 October 2025 to 28 March 2026.

However, with a revision announced this week, the airline will instead reduce frequencies to three weekly flights in February and March, operating on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. This marks a reduction compared to the ten weekly services offered during the same months of the previous year.

Flight Details and Equipment

The route will be operated with an Airbus A319 during the two-month period. According to Lufthansa’s winter programme, there will be ten weekly flights in November and December, while in January the service will be limited to two weekly flights on selected days. No daily flights will operate in January.

Passenger Data

In 2023, Lufthansa carried 73,456 passengers on its newly launched Skopje route, achieving a 71.1% load factor. In 2024, its first full year of operations, the airline welcomed 105,653 passengers with an average load factor of 72.7%. February and March are traditionally the weakest months for the route, with average load factors of 53.1% in February and 64% in March 2024.

Background and Competition

Lufthansa launched Skopje flights at the end of April 2023, supported by subsidies from the Macedonian government, which will remain in effect until 30 December 2025. While Lufthansa has no direct competitor on this route, low-cost carrier Wizz Air continues to operate flights between Skopje and Hahn Airport, located about 125 kilometres from Frankfurt’s main hub.