Macedonia to invest €1.7 million in aviation in 2020


The Macedonian government has outlined it plans to invest 1.7 million euros into the country’s aviation sector in 2020. The majority of the funds will be directed towards Wizz Air for the upkeep of new routes launched in 2019 based on a three-year subsidy agreement. Investment in aviation presents the smallest share of the Ministry for Transportation and Communications entire budget for 2020. “The development of air traffic is the government’s strategic commitment and our activities are aimed at expanding the network of destinations accessible to citizens, by establishing new nonstop flights and intensifying cooperation in the sector with other countries”, the ministry said in a statement. Under its agreement with Wizz Air, the Macedonian government will next year provide eight euros per passenger for new routes launched from Skopje in 2019 and twelve euros per traveller for new routes introduced from Ohrid in 2019.

The operator of the country’s two airports, TAV Macedonia, previously said it plans to further invest in Skopje and Ohrid airports. TAV plans to expand Ohrid Airport’s terminal following strong passenger growth. Since being awarded a twenty-year concession of the two facilities in 2010, TAV has invested some 120 million euros in airport infrastructure and development and paid a total of 47.4 million euros in concession fees and taxes to the state. With another ten years left on its concession agreement, the Turkish company is exploring possibilities of extending the deal past 2029. “We expect this development to continue at a similar pace in the coming period, taking advantage of the potential of Macedonia’s airports to become a joint regional hub and to contribute to the development of the country’s economy, as well as business relations between Macedonia and Turkey”, the President and CEO of Turkey’s TAV Airports Holding, Sani Sener, said.

Skopje Airport has continued to post growth in October by handling 213.252 passengers, representing an increase of 12.9%. Commercial aircraft movements stood at 1.489, up 4.9%. During the January – October period, Skopje Airport welcomed 2.011.369 travellers through its doors, an improvement of 8.8%. It added an extra 162.410 passengers. Overall, commercial aircraft movements increased 5.7% to 15.378. Meanwhile, Ohrid Airport registered 279.112 travellers, up 64.5%. In October alone it welcomed 26.212 passengers, representing an improvement of 191% from 8.991 travellers in 2018.

SKOPJE AIRPORT, JAN - OCT PASSENGER TRAFFIC

MonthPAXChange (%)
JAN152.292 4.6
FEB137.676 5.9
MAR164.480 4.8
APR194.302 10.4
MAY195.452 11.2
JUN215.021 11.7
JUL241.836 1.7
AUG263.977 11.1
SEP233.081 11.9
OCT231.252 12.9




Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    The growth in Skopje has been truly fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:03

      Let's not forget Ohrid. The true success story of the year.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:50

      It has been good. But I'm a bit worried there are no new routes announced for next year.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:02

    Not very much. The country's aviation industry now purely depends on Wizz Air and TAV.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:04

      Had investment been higher not so many aviation professionals would have left the country.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:10

      If there were real aviation professionals there would be no need for subsidies.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:10

      It is not investing much yet passenger numbers are booming. Smart decision.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:02

    Nice growth in North Macedonia.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:07

    So SKP - 2.011.369 | PRN - 2.028.918
    So close

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      PRN will have a stronger December because of new routes being launched and much bigger diaspora arrivals. But it is getting close. If Wizz was to base a sixth aircraft in SKP it would overtake PRN.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:52

      PRN has more perspective for high level growth in the next few years. SKP has experienced that in the last few years.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:47

      SKP will have a good Dec too. You can’t break through with one strong week in Dec especially not if you’re SKP or PRN with so many foggy days.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:11

      I think it will also depends on who adapts faster to the loss of Adria.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:09

    The fact SKP has reduced October difference with ZAG to just 100.000 only goes to show how successful the North Macedonian model is. With more subsidies coming Wizz Air's way I am sure these numbers will keep on growing in the future.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:21

      +1

      Delete
    2. Pa dobro. Ajmo onda davati subvencije proizvođačima tekstila, pa se možemo hvaliti koliko smo odjeće proizveli. Hoćete li kapitalizam ili etatizam? A najgluplje je da makedonski porezni obveznici plaćaju STRANCIMA da bi letjeli. Bila nekad serija ili tako nešto Nikad robovi. Da baš...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:24

      And before Wizz Air who did they fly on? A long list of failed local carriers and foreign airlines. So either way money mostly goes to foreigners. That's how it is in reality. Look at Croatia. Taxpayers are paying millions but are getting a limited network and high prices on OU. So who wins here? Macedonians or Croats?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:36

      Dont forget udruzeno oglasavanje fund.

      It is very direct way to give money to foreigners to fly to the country where otherwise they wouldn't have flown.

      And it comes directly from Croatian budget

      Delete
    5. Anonymous14:08

      Socio-economic impact is huge in underdeveloped countries like Balkan in which Croatia definitely dont belong. That said ZAG region is very rich and SKP will have more passengers in 2019 because ZAG has 20% transfer passenger while SKP only around 2%.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous14:11

      Erm continental Croatia is as rich as Bulgaria or Romania, Zagreb is the only exception.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous21:27

      No. Cost of living in Croatia is equal to Hungary and Poland. Croatia culturally is not Balkan only transition. I would also rule out Romania it is not Balkan.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous21:47

      No one spoke about the whole of Croatia but of its continental part which is poor. Geographically HR is very much in the Balkans. Mentally as well ... sorry.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:49

    Excellent that they plan to expand Ohrid. Much needed.

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  7. Anonymous09:50

    Excellent results. Continuous growth for such a long time is really impressive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:53

      Thanks to people from Albania & Kosovo.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:32

      Diazepam

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:44

      Excuse me but Pristina Airport officials said 50% of Macedonian traffic was being generated by Kosovo. Also Skopje Airport itself said it sees considerable traffic from Kosovo and is working at attracting even more customers from Albania at Ohrid Airport.

      Also, had you ever flown with Wizz Air from Skopje you would understand my statement.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:45

      Yes, everyone wants their government to subsidize a Hungarian company's monopoly ;)

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:46

      But the people have a benefit from it.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:58

      At first, later on prices go way high up. Look at the tickets from SKP to that village called Luton. SKP deserves flights to LHR or LGW. I fly this route a few times per year and prices are going up every time.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:00

      In the end this competition is good and all these airports will do more to attract new airlines and passengers.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:14

      I don't think a new airline has launched SKP since LO did it and I heard they are not doing that well.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous12:29

      After attending recent tourist fair in Poland, some tourist bureau from Ohrid or nationwide (l'm not sure) announced another 2 weekly charters for the next summer season KTW and WAW to OHD, respectively.Also they held talks with LO representatives for regular summer flights WAW/OHD/WAW 2pw from 2021 and even year round (if....)��.LOT flew Katowice charters this summer.BTW, 25-30% increase of Polish tourist is expected in future years.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:51

    Best of luck.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:55

    :))))

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:56

    My only issue with SKP is that 75% of the entire traffic is held by 3 airlines - Wizz, Turkish and Austrian. More variety is needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:02

      I think it's even more than that. Wizz Air is 70% and TK is around 8% so those two alone are around 78%. When you add Austrian is goes over 80%.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10:02

    1.7 million, the cheapest amount compared to the surrounding countries with national airlines.

    Skopje: questionable statues, wise aviation strategies.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous10:47

    The amount of W6 subsidies is rather low compared to this: https://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/11/all-ex-yu-carriers-to-receive-state.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:51

      go and tell that to the hater brigade. The are also all loss making which makes it worst

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:55

      ^ Can you understand that just because someone doesn't say "Bravo Skopje" and "amazing" does not mean they hate Skopje or Skopje Airport. This is an aviation site where people discuss aviation. The sole purpose isn't to heap praise on everything. You have to learn to live with it. If you are unable to properly discuss differences of opinions and just label everyone as haters then I don't know what you are doing here.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:59

      Are you seriously comparing what Serbia gets from JU with what North Macedonia gets from Wizz Air? You might want to look at the route map, frequencies and airports they fly to and will understand why it's not the same.

      also the only reason why W6 is successful in SKP is because they have a near monopoly.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:59

    Attracting more legacy carriers would, in my opinion, also result in more passengers. Legacy coverage is something the region is lacking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:00

      What region exactly? Primary airports have enough legacies, secondary ones don't for a reason.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:45

      I wouldn't say primary airports have great legacy coverage. Look at PRN, SKP, SJJ...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:32

      Sorry but those are not really primary but rather secondary airports.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous11:09

    I would hope that more will be invested in navigation services and other providers to the aviation industry in the country, and not just on Wizz Air.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:05

      Isn't M-NAV financed by Eurocontrol?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:40

      No. It is self-financed from the air navigation charges, airport taxes etc .

      Delete
  15. Anonymous11:35

    Last September most of prices from OHD were hovering between 200-300 Euros. Not sure if those subsidies are really needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:40

      Loads must be good

      Delete
  16. Nemjee11:36

    Were there flight reductions in Q1 and Q2 to ZRH? I am asking because there was a drop in passenger numbers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:40

      More flights from PRN

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:29

      ChAir is also expanding in PRN so there are more options. Don't forget Edelweiss sends widebody to PRN in summer.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:34

      Also Eurowings introduced Swiss routes to PRN.

      Delete
    4. Nemjee20:00

      Interesting, thank you

      Delete
  17. Anonymous17:33

    wow those are fantastic numbers for Skopje

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous17:35

    There will be more Egypt charters to Skopje next year so this will be a nice addition in 2020.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:43

      Sharm el Sheikh?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous07:46

      Actually rumor is that there will be charter flights to Luxor as well.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous17:43

    Actually the subsidy concept in Macedonia is very good after reading the last sentence of the first paragraph. Wizz is paid based on passenger carried not based on capacity offered (which is usually the case). So it is in Wizz's interest for the new routes it introduces to be viable and popular. Because the better the loads they have, the more money they receive.

    ReplyDelete

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