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.
We'll see if they actually return.
ReplyDeleteAustralia’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.
DeleteI don't like this.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I don't think they will cube back.
ReplyDelete*come
DeleteThese two were having issues at SKP even before the crisis.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteAnyone remember their frequencies pre Covid?
ReplyDeleteFlydubai 2x p/w and Qatar 4x p/w.
DeleteWasn't FZ more in the past?
DeleteYes but they reduced it before covid
DeleteI see, thanks for the information.
DeleteSad :(
ReplyDeleteNot surprised really considering those figures for QR where over 30% were Australia transfers.
ReplyDeleteExpected
ReplyDeleteSeems like the prefect time for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to step in.
ReplyDeleteOr EK.
DeleteFlydubai and Qatar didn't have much success and you expect Wizz to have?
DeleteIf Flydubai can't make it work from DXB, why do you think Wizz Air Abu Dhabi can make it work from Abu Dhabj?
DeleteSeems like we wrote the comment at the same time :D
DeleteWork or not work it will probably be included in the next round of Wizz's AUH expansion.
Delete^ True. If minister says agreement has been reached they will probably get subsidies.
DeleteMaybe EK could introduce DXB-SKP-SJJ-ZAG-DXB?
ReplyDeleteLol they can't fill B737 in SKP and you want them to fly with B777.
DeleteYeah but they could combine all these together with 5th freedom.
DeleteAdd Banja Luka and Ljubljana while you're at it
DeleteBus ride
DeleteJust send a380 and to lju-zag-beg-ssj-skp-tiv-dxb rotation. It's not how business works mate
DeleteAdd Osijek, Brač and Mali Lošinj also.
DeletePaint the aircraft in Adria livery as well, true Balkan express experience.
DeleteDo Macedonians need visa to enter UAE?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteI believe FZ might come back eventually, Qatar I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteWhy not QR?
DeleteHas Qatar resumed Thessaloniki?
ReplyDeleteWizz 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
ReplyDeleteProblem 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.
DeleteI 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.
I think ZAG and LJU will be moved to next year.
DeleteThey won't. Both launch next month. Confirmed.
DeleteI guess that's great news for TK.
ReplyDeleteuntil Australia remains closed I'm not seeing any reason why they would comeback to Skopje
ReplyDeleteTrue 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.
DeleteI guess SKP should just focus on more profitable and less notorious routes leading them to nowehere.
Wow that is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteQatar is the only oneworld airline operating to Skopje. Hope we see them back sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping we will see them back at all. I'm not too hopeful.
DeleteOuch
ReplyDeleteAdvanced bookings must have been poor on Flydubai. They were selling tickets for this winter until recently.
ReplyDeleteI'm not liking there isn't any provisional resumption date.
ReplyDeleteCan there be any demand from alternative Gulf cities like MCT, BAH or KWI?
ReplyDeleteI might be mistaken, but didn't QR place a big order of A321 not so long ago with the aim of replacing the A320s?
ReplyDeleteif 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
These a321neo will have same number of seats as flydubai b737 max 8, both 166 seats.
DeleteWizz no conn to any destination out of AUH , how to compare FZ/Ek.
ReplyDelete