The Macedonian government has announced it will set up a commission which will grant state aid to airlines wishing to introduce flights to the country. It comes less than a month after the Ministry for Transport and Communications annulled a tender aimed at granting financial support for the launch of new routes for which only one airline applied. "The Government of the Republic of Macedonia has adopted a decree outlining the method and detailed criteria for granting financial support to domestic and foreign airlines, as well as determining the funds required to encourage and develop air traffic in Macedonia for the period 2019 - 2021", the Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications, Goran Sugareski, said.
The commission will be formed immediately following the decree's publication in the government gazette. A new public call will then be issued to airlines in both local and foreign media with the subsidies to kick in from January 1, 2019. "I would like to point out that the entire procedure for granting financial support will be carried out publicly, fairly and transparently. On this occasion, I invite all interested airlines to apply for the public call. The government of the Republic of Macedonia will remain committed to creating conditions for the development of air traffic in the country and the provision of affordable and cheap flights for citizens to new and attractive destinations", Mr Sugareski said.
The Ministry for Transport and Communications noted it was "strongly committed" to creating conditions for increasing the number of airlines operating to both of Macedonian's international airports - Skopje and Ohrid - as well as increasing the number of passengers, introducing new destinations and improving the quality, safety and availability of air transport in the country. The annulled subsidy tender offered airlines a one-time payment of 40.000 euros for each new route launched over a three-year period, as well as nine euros per passengers for each new destination from Skopje for the first year, eight euros during the second year and seven during the third. On the other hand, the winning carrier would have received thirteen euros per passenger during the first year of operations on a new route out of Ohrid, twelve during the second and eleven euros per traveller in the third year. The previous two tenders offering similar financial support were both won by Wizz Air.
It's now obvious that the government didn't want Wizz Air to win the last tender and that's why they made it void. Since they are putting emphasis on "creating conditions for increasing the number of airlines operating to both of Macedonian's international airports" I hope we will see more choice from SKP and OHD soon.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI also don't think that Wizz Air's downgrades and cancellations which are the first since they started flying to Macedonia are a coincidence.
Deleteno, Wizz could finally optimize their schedule because they are not obliged to subsidies anymore.
DeleteWill the terms be the same as the last tender?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it because the subsidies will now be 2 years not 3. So my guess is the money offered will be less.
Delete@last anon : lol its 3 years again
Delete"I would like to point out that the entire procedure for granting financial support will be carried out publicly, fairly and transparently."
ReplyDeleteWould be nice to know then why the previous tender was annulled.
Because Wizz didn't write their name and address correctly :D
DeleteI can smell corruption
DeleteIs this only for low cost airlines? Why is the minister constantly talking only about LCCs. I believe this tender is open for anyone even legacies.
ReplyDeleteIt's open to everyone. I agree that the minister should not put emphasis only on one type of airline.
Delete"low cost airlines" are not explicitly mentioned. it applies to all airlines
DeleteUnless that government talks directly to airlines I doubt we will see anyone other than Wizz Air apply again.
ReplyDeleteI fear there is very little room for further expansion, Wizz Air came, saw and conquered the market. Who would expand now and where to?
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand seems like many airlines are struggling there, latest to cut flights were Qatar and flydubai. I fear others like JU might cut as well in winter. It's turning into a Wizz Air monopolistic circus down here.
Are there any increases this winter? I know we have LOT 3x per week. Anyone else?
Deletestruggling only in your fantasy. keep repeating it every week. ask TK, LO, OU if they are struggling with their SKP route ...
DeleteFor the time being that's pretty much it. Also I am sure LO is sticking around for winter due to a sweet deal they got from the government. SKP needs to diversify!
DeleteI am surprised Wizz didnt scrap routes like Malta and Rome this winter, really wonder who is flying to Valetta say in February, they even increased it to 2x compared to last winter when it was 1x weekly
Deleteanon 9.32: classic fake news
Delete^so what other airlines are increasing frequencies then?
DeleteMalta
DeleteFrom 1 to 2 per week? Anything else?
Deletefake news regarding LOT
DeleteIf A3 can't operate the whole winter in ZAG then LO most likely can't do it in SKP without some aid.
DeleteLOL. (wonder what LOT is doing in winter in ZAG then) Samo lupetaj
Delete@Anonymous 10.14
DeleteNo related to this winter but for next summer Turkish Airlines is increasing Skopje to 18 weekly
https://www.exyuaviation.com/2018/07/turkish-to-grow-operations-across.html
The market in Zagreb is larger, most routes ourof SKP are there because of government subsidies.
Deletekoji hejter covece ej.
DeleteSKP is such an overhyped airport.
DeleteHope it is successful this time.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a new legacy start flights to Skopje. Maybe BA, AF or LH.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I doubt we will be seeing any of those anytime soon.
Deleteif we see one its probably gonna be Aegean. or something east european
DeleteAegean will start flight after the referendum.
DeleteEurowings would be a good alternative to Lufthansa.
DeleteAlitalia - il ritorno
DeleteWow that would be great. Is it a rumor or is it confirmed?
Deletenope. its my wishful thinking
DeleteAlitalia had good loads to SKP. SKP Airport issued some statistics about their numbers the year they cancelled the flights to show that poor figures was not the reason.
DeleteSo what was the reason then?
DeleteAlitalia operated by Air Alps had twice daily D328 Zagreb to Malpensa, always fully booked, and they cut it as well. It had to do something with restructuration or whatever they call it
DeleteFingers crossed we get easy or Ryan or Norwegian :)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at this whole Wizz situation with the government. I think there is something more going on there.
ReplyDeleteWithout sounding too negative, but even if any new routes are launched in the future, their durability will remain questionable. It is more than certain that the gasto routes will remain for a long time as they have been covered. SKP is highly unlikely to get a leisure (even seasonal) destination neither.
ReplyDeleteThe only possible option are charters to Greece, Spain or Antalya just like BNX.
FR will not enter as they saw that it was a pure bloodbath with W6, who are experts in the region. We saw how in less than 2 years FR was "self kicked" out of Romania.
The entire region is much poorer compared to West and population is declining rapidly in absolutely all countries. It is sad, but very true.
W6 has played it's game eastwards and is left with Ukraine, Moldova & Georgia who are also facing serious demographic issues as people are fleeing the country after visa abolishments.
So, back to MK - the only possible scenario is to really focus on primary European destinations.
i stopped reading at "just like BNX"
DeleteWIZZAIR will be back SKP-BCN next summer. Many albanians flying
DeleteSeems albanians are sustaining the whole airport
DeleteBCN won't be back. It's all downhill for SKP now that PRN is booming.
Deleteyes we are closing our airport because of PRN
DeleteWell. Albanians provide the critical mass for some (if not most) of the routes, so yes, PRN is a threat...
DeleteBNX seems to know what it's doing. Kon Tiki said that their charters to AYT were full this year while next year they plan two flights to Turkey and one to Greece. BNX will shine next summer.
DeleteThe biggest winner from the SKP flight reductions will be INI. I think the BCN route will be transferred to INI. Also the QR service reduction is a clear example that that there is market for INI as they already fly daily from BEG using their A321 state-of-the-art aircraft.
DeletePotrebna je subvencija vazduhoplovnoj navigaciji i povecanje placa za bolji uspjeh svih aviokompanija
ReplyDeleteWizz air delays delivery of new generation of aircraft due to new 271 and 251 Engine glitches that have disrupted Airbus A320neo and A321neo jet operations around the world may take at least 125 months to resolve amid a scarcity of upgraded turbines,they choose the best option to order and buy current and reliable Airbus320(HA-LYO and others with the same old and reliable 232 engine)
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if this will effect their plans in ex-Yu.
DeleteRumors are the tender is set for air albania so it becomes also the national airline of Macedonia?! Just sharing, no idea if it has at least 1% truth in it
DeleteAir Albania is not likely to be a national airline in SKP in a classic sense but possibly to add a couple of needed routes from SKP that Wizz refuses to fly. Initial routes from TIA are avoiding primary market in Italy for now and are focused on EX YU market that will damage Air Serbia connections via BEG. Real threat to Air Serbia JFK route would be Air Albania addition of wide body expected in 2019. Supported by Turkish THY they could at one point fly to destination like JFK from TIA, PRN and SKP at least 2 times per week from each airport with a single aircraft.
DeleteСе изнапрајвте муабет анонимуси ��
ReplyDeleteMacedonian subsidy commission is not in partnership with Air Albania,Wizz Air or other, they need to support increase of wages in air navigation sector for further success of all airlines operating in Macedonian airports and support them.
ReplyDeleteAirbus 320NEO new aircraft deliveries in 2018 are 50% new unreliable engine design(251 AND 271),It has 250 orders using old and very good and reliable engines(232engines).Wizz air plan to introduce new engine design(251 and 271) in late 2026 if all reliability problems are resolved.
ReplyDeleteAir Albania national airline , thanks God I left the country 20y ago
ReplyDeleteYou should have left earlier!
Delete