LOT Polish Airlines is considering introducing services to Macedonia next year as it continues to expand its operations across the former Yugoslavia. LOT representatives held talks with the Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications, Goran Sugareski, in Skopje yesterday to discuss potential flights from Warsaw to Skopje and Ohrid. "The government is offering support to all airlines interested in maintaining services to Macedonia. During the meeting, we also raised the possibility of establishing flights to Ohrid, as we are looking at boosting operations there", Mr Sugareski said. This year, Small Planet Airlines launched charter flights from Katowice to Ohrid, after TAV Macedonia, which runs the country's two international airports, signed an agreement with one of Poland's biggest tour operators to bring holidaymakers to the lake-side town.

LOT has been steadily expanding its operations in the former Yugoslavia over the past few years, with the airline introducing seasonal services to Podgorica and Pula this summer. It also serves Belgrade, Ljubljana and Zagreb on a year-round basis, as well as Split and Zadar seasonally. Within the region, the Polish carrier recently announced it would launch nonstop flights from Budapest to both New York and Chicago in May 2018. Its CEO, Rafał Milczarski, noted that the airline would focus on the Baltics and the Balkans region, which could see similar expansion in the future. LOT has proven popular with passengers from the former Yugoslavia, particularly for transferring through Warsaw to North America and Asia.

Mr Sugareski also held talks with Wizz Air yesterday, urging the airline to expand its operations from Ohrid and presenting it with the government's framework for the development of air traffic in Macedonia. "St Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid has untapped potential and we are focusing on shifting traffic to that airport and providing the public with many destinations operated by low cost airlines. It is one of the measures of the government's program. We will continue our efforts in improving air traffic in Macedonia", the Minister concluded. Wizz Air currently runs year-long flights from Ohrid to Basel and seasonal services to London Luton. The low cost airline is the busiest operating out of Macedonia with a passenger share of just over 54%.