Macedonia is accelerating preparations to launch long-haul intercontinental flights from Skopje International Airport. The country’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Aleksandar Nikoloski, announced during the annual conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations in Skopje that the government plans to initiate non-stop intercontinental flights from Skopje. This project is seen as a significant opportunity not only for Macedonia but for the entire region.
Boost for Diaspora and Tourism
Minister Nikoloski emphasized that this new initiative would serve the country’s large diaspora while also benefiting the region in terms of tourism. “We have a large diaspora that wants to fly directly from Skopje. At the same time, this project will greatly help attract tourists, not just to our country but to the whole region,” he said. While acknowledging the ambitious nature of the goal, the minister expressed confidence that long-haul flights would bring substantial economic and strategic advantages to the country.
Roadmap for Long-Haul Flights
Nikoloski did not provide specific details on how the long-haul flights would be implemented, but the idea is not new. In 2017, the Macedonian government held discussions with Turkish Airlines (THY) about potential flights from Skopje to the U.S. and Canada. Both Macedonia and Turkey have an Open Skies Agreement with the U.S. and Canada, allowing Turkish carriers to operate such flights with certain regulatory approvals. However, for direct flights from Skopje to the U.S. to begin, a safety audit by U.S. authorities is required.
TAV Macedonia: Infrastructure Ready for Long-Haul Flights
Nejat Kurt, General Manager of TAV Macedonia, which operates Skopje International Airport, stated earlier this year that the necessary infrastructure and equipment for long-haul flights are already in place. Kurt mentioned that they have been in discussions with various airlines about launching flights to markets like North America and expect positive outcomes from these talks. “We hope to reach a favorable outcome with airlines interested in operating these types of flights,” he said.
New Support Program for Airlines
Minister Nikoloski also mentioned that the government is calling on airlines to launch new routes in exchange for subsidies and that the results of this initiative will be announced soon.
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