Arkia Israeli Airlines intends on launching flights between Tel Aviv and Skopje next year following talks with the Macedonian government. The carrier, Israel's second largest behind El Al, said it wants to reach a cooperation agreement with the state before introducing the service. The Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications, Goran Sugareski, noted, "We had a fruitful meeting during which we explained our policies in the aviation sector. They [Arkia] presented their plans to spread their wings in Macedonia by establishing this new service. If we reach an agreement in the coming period, these plans will be implemented. We hope for a positive outcome and for flights between Skopje and Tel Aviv to be established".

Arkia has a limited presence in the former Yugoslavia and Macedonia itself. The airline maintains seasonal flights from Israel's largest city to Ohrid, as well as year-long operations between Tel Aviv and Belgrade. Furthermore, it runs seasonal charter flights to Ljubljana and also operates services to Dubrovnik and Rijeka on occasion. "The development of air traffic is a priority for the Macedonian government. Measures have been taken by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to secure a wide range of European and global destinations from Macedonia", Mr Sugareski noted. This year both Wizz Air and Qatar Airways introduced new flights to Skopje.

The development comes following a recent visit by the Macedonian Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, to Israel together with a delegation of over sixty businesspeople. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at forty million dollars, although growth has been stagnant in the last few years. "Our two nations want to improve ties in agriculture, high-tech and tourism, especially through the set-up of year-round nonstop flights", the Israeli Ambassador to Macedonia, Dan Oryan, said. A string of airlines have recently held talks with the Macedonian government over the launch of flights to Skopje and Ohrid, including LOT Polish Airlines and Onur Air, while Aegean Airlines has announced plans to introduce services from Athens to the Macedonian capital.