The Macedonian government will next month launch tender procedures for the allocation of subsidies to low cost carriers (LCCs) willing to introduce new services to the country. The policy, initially launched in 2012, has been credited with attracting Wizz Air to commence flights to Macedonia, which, in turn, resulted in the opening of a base in Skopje. State subsidies for the launch of new routes operated by budget airlines have been offered by the Macedonian government on two previous occasions for a three-year period (in 2012 and 2015), with Wizz Air being the sole beneficiary. The Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications, Goran Sugareski, said yesterday, "The tender process will be fully transparent. The focus of this state aid will be on the development of traffic at Ohrid Airport". The government is expected to allocate some 1.7 million euros in subsidies.
Ohrid only?
ReplyDeleteWell he does not say only Ohrid but obviously that's where they will be focusing. I don't understand why this government is particularly focused on Ohrid (I'm not from Macedonia so I'm genuinely asking). They said a thousand times how Ohrid airport is a priority.
DeleteSo Wizz does not get competition :)
DeleteThis is actually a wise move. Unlike Skopje, where you give subsidies mostly for gastarbeiters (I don't say that they do not spend money too) , you can develop imcoming tourism in OHD and multiply the effect of the subdsidies.
DeletePlus the risk in SKP is not that big, since there is much more developed traffic, and the logic behind subsidies is that you want to compensate for the risk.
All in all a smart move, which would develop Ohrid area.
I can see Ryanair starting some seasonal Ohrid flights from Poland in particular.
ReplyDeleteI think OHD will become the next big INI and TZL.
ReplyDeleteOHD will need more UK and DE destinations.
OHD can supply all Southern Albania. You have to see the amounts of Albanian passports on their Bergamo flights from SKP
DeleteI wouldn't say southern but surely large area. Also whole southeast Macedonia (Bitola, Kichevo, Debar), And perhaps part of Greece bordering with Republic of Macedonia.
DeleteI wonder what would happen with Skopje if the Government cut subs to Wizz? Would Wizz be gone with the wind within months?
ReplyDeleteOvernight actually. Has been done before. You feed an addiction.
Deletecannot be tired of repeating: 75% of Wizz routes out of SKP are not subsed atm. Surely they are basing two A321 at SKP just for fun
DeleteA321 is coming to INI in November too.
Deleteyes, in Nis for 3 weekly rotation, in Skopje for 42..... just for fun!
Deletethats gonna be an SKP based 321 tht will serve INI
DeleteIt took SKP longer to get A321. INI got it in less than 2 years. At least it's VIE and not BTS.
Deletelol
DeleteOhdrid makes senses since its inbound tourism. Skopje siphons off money to EU. You lose twice, one from subsidies and second by sending tourists abroud.
ReplyDeleteStatistics say that more tourist visit Skopje than Ohrid.
DeleteFinally some focus on OHD
ReplyDeleteBtw, W6 has loaded its winter timetable for both SKP and OHD confirming their solid position in Makedonija.
ReplyDeleteOHD-LTN is now year round!!!!!!
OHD will be served to VIE, LTN and BSL ;)
oh interesting
DeleteI hope they give out subs per route and not per based plane. Only with this you can attract new airlines which were shy to fly to Macedonia before
ReplyDeleteif they go for based airplane = Wizz
they should add new routes to SKP also since they are doing great there
ReplyDeleteSo far the subs were per passenger taking of from Macedonian airport (9 EUR/passenger).
ReplyDeleteOHD-BSL must be doing well. Many of the fares during April/May are either sold out or are astonishingly expensive (300€+ one way).
ReplyDelete