Flydubai, Qatar extend Skopje suspension until further notice


Gulf carriers Flydubai and Qatar Airways are extending their Skopje service suspensions, with the Dubai-based airline recently discontinuing ticket sales for flights to the Macedonian capital, which were to be restored on November 1. Neither of the two have indicated when operations from their respective hubs may be restored, with no flights scheduled for the 2022 summer season either, although this is subject to change at this early point. As a result, Skopje is expected to see another season without nonstop flights to the Gulf. Despite an announcement by the Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications that an agreement had been reached for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to commence operations between the Emirati capital and Skopje, these have not materialised so far.

Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Qatar Airways said, “Similar to other airlines around the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has created significant operational challenges for Qatar Airways. While we continue to operate as many flights as possible, many routes remain commercially unviable due to the significant drop in global demand for air travel”. It added, “We understand how important it is for many of our passengers to have access to flights and we want to reassure them we remain committed to operating as many flights as possible. An ongoing review is being conducted and the intention is to reinstate flights in line with a return to regular conditions and market demand”.

In 2019, passengers flying point to point on Qatar Airways’ Doha - Skopje - Doha service accounted for 23% of all traffic on the route, with the remaining 77% being transfers. The majority either originated or were destined for the Australian market - 33%, followed by India 7%, Thailand 5% and Singapore 4%. All of these remain largely closed to international travellers with little prospects they will reopen any time soon.

Flydubai launched flights to Skopje in October 2012 and maintained the service until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its last three years of operations, passenger numbers averaged at around 27.000 per year. Flights were initially to be restored last October but were moved to March of this year, until being delayed until November. Reservations have now been closed for the route.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:52

    We'll see if they actually return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Australia’s is expected to reopen borders by the 2nd half of 2022. Depends on the vaccination progress. Although we’re seeing already that rules will be in favour of vaccinated travelers. Unfortunately the locals that would frequent these flights are also some of the vocal against vaccination. QR and FZ is playing it smart and will schedule in flights if and when they need to. But very likely the Australian market is going to reduce the demand seen before the pandemic.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:53

    I don't like this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10:05

    Unfortunately, I don't think they will cube back.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous10:06

    These two were having issues at SKP even before the crisis.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous10:06

    Anyone remember their frequencies pre Covid?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:08

      Flydubai 2x p/w and Qatar 4x p/w.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:19

      Wasn't FZ more in the past?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:25

      Yes but they reduced it before covid

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:59

      I see, thanks for the information.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous10:07

    Sad :(

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:08

    Not surprised really considering those figures for QR where over 30% were Australia transfers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:10

    Expected

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous10:11

    Seems like the prefect time for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to step in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:12

      Or EK.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:14

      Flydubai and Qatar didn't have much success and you expect Wizz to have?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:14

      If Flydubai can't make it work from DXB, why do you think Wizz Air Abu Dhabi can make it work from Abu Dhabj?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:18

      Seems like we wrote the comment at the same time :D

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:54

      Work or not work it will probably be included in the next round of Wizz's AUH expansion.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:58

      ^ True. If minister says agreement has been reached they will probably get subsidies.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:13

    Maybe EK could introduce DXB-SKP-SJJ-ZAG-DXB?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:16

      Lol they can't fill B737 in SKP and you want them to fly with B777.

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    2. Anonymous10:18

      Yeah but they could combine all these together with 5th freedom.

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    3. Anonymous10:46

      Add Banja Luka and Ljubljana while you're at it

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:28

      Just send a380 and to lju-zag-beg-ssj-skp-tiv-dxb rotation. It's not how business works mate

      Delete
    5. Add Osijek, Brač and Mali Lošinj also.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous21:21

      Paint the aircraft in Adria livery as well, true Balkan express experience.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10:15

    Do Macedonians need visa to enter UAE?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11:04

    I believe FZ might come back eventually, Qatar I doubt it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11:04

    Has Qatar resumed Thessaloniki?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous12:12

    Wizz Air Abu Dhabi could stimulate demand for direct traffic, with no more than 2x weeks flights. But that is a roof of that route. I know lot of people from Belgrade that in June were going to Abu Dhabi for vacation, where the ticket was cheaper than those Tivat flights. So there is a space for this flights

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:48

      Problem here is that summer was kind of ok but winter will be tough for the region as there will be a lot of uncertainty. For example Ryanair did kind of in summer on ZAG-SOF but in November they already reduced it to 1x.
      I am sure FZ and QR will struggle in many markets and that's why SJJ and SKP will have to wait for next spring... at least.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:57

      I think ZAG and LJU will be moved to next year.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:36

      They won't. Both launch next month. Confirmed.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous13:34

    I guess that's great news for TK.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous17:45

    until Australia remains closed I'm not seeing any reason why they would comeback to Skopje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:02

      True dat. SKP relies on German and Swedish gasto airports traffic and Australia transfers. There were various trip reports here from SKP from one Angel guy or smth like this. He admitted that the prices are high due to lack of competition.
      I guess SKP should just focus on more profitable and less notorious routes leading them to nowehere.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous17:45

    Wow that is unfortunate.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous17:47

    Qatar is the only oneworld airline operating to Skopje. Hope we see them back sooner rather than later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:50

      I'm hoping we will see them back at all. I'm not too hopeful.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous17:48

    Ouch

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous17:52

    Advanced bookings must have been poor on Flydubai. They were selling tickets for this winter until recently.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous17:52

    I'm not liking there isn't any provisional resumption date.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous19:10

    Can there be any demand from alternative Gulf cities like MCT, BAH or KWI?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous20:32

    I might be mistaken, but didn't QR place a big order of A321 not so long ago with the aim of replacing the A320s?
    if so, then it would be difficult for them to serve smaller airports such as SKP (or SJJ).
    Between the two (FZ and QR) I clearly prefer QR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:01

      These a321neo will have same number of seats as flydubai b737 max 8, both 166 seats.

      Delete
  24. Wizz no conn to any destination out of AUH , how to compare FZ/Ek.

    ReplyDelete

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