Low cost carrier Wizz Air has scheduled the launch of three new routes from Skopje, after being awarded subsidies by the state in return for improving the country’s air connectivity, but has also removed five destinations from its network. The budget airline will commence three weekly operations from the Macedonian capital to Lyon on May 1, two weekly rotations to Barcelona from May 3, as well as a three weekly service to Stuttgart from September 29. Tickets are now available for purchase through the carrier’s website. On the other hand, Wizz Air has closed reservations between Skopje and Salzburg this week for next summer. The service was maintained twice weekly, while Bremen and Skavsta, which operated twice weekly in summer 2024, as well as Copenhagen and Cologne, which ran three weekly, will not be featured in the network next summer.
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Commenting on its new routes out of Skopje, Wizz Air’s Managing Director, Roland Tischner, said, “These new routes from Skopje highlight our dedication to offering convenient and affordable travel options for our passengers. We are thrilled to diversify our network and link Skopje with popular destinations such as Barcelona, Lyon, and Stuttgart. These new connections will allow travellers to explore exciting new locations and embark on unforgettable adventures, while offering the chance for Western European tourists to discover the hidden gems of North Macedonia". The CEO of airport operator TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, added, “At TAV Airports we are thrilled to announce the comeback of Barcelona as a leisure destination from Skopje Airport as of May 3, 2025, operated by Wizz Air, especially since it was the most desired route by our passengers. In addition to Barcelona, Wizz Air will launch Lyon and Stuttgart next year as new destinations from Skopje Airport. Through this expanded network, we are looking forward to offering greater convenience and enhancing connectivity for our passengers to the world".
Wizz Air last maintained services from Skopje to Barcelona in January 2022. It was due to inaugurate operations between the Macedonian capital and Stuttgart this year, which never materialised due to its ongoing fleet issues. On the other hand, Lyon has never been served from Skopje. Lyon Airport recently said it was targeting flights to the Macedonian capital. Based on the outcome of the Macedonian government’s recent airline subsidy tender, Wizz Air is still obligated to schedule a new route between Ohrid and Basel, while Flydubai is yet to put tickets on sale between Dubai and Skopje.
So new routes are being introduced but we are losing almost double the number of routes... Does not seem Wizz engine issues will be resolved next year.
ReplyDeleteYes, seems like the only way they were able to open these new routes was by discontinuing others and freeing up capacity.
DeleteThem starting Stuttgart at the end of September is all the proof you need.
DeleteLet’s give them some credit for trying to expand even when facing significant challenges.
DeleteStill better to have BCN then BRE…Someting for us travelers finally!
DeleteGiven the constraints caused by the Pratt & Whitney engine inspections, this trade-off might be the only way for Wizz Air to maintain a presence in some markets while exploring new routes.
DeleteMacedonia as one of the poorest European countries is paying them to cancel 5 routes and start 3! This costs millions! What exactly are the benefits of it?
Deleteyes they are paying them to cancel routes. The most stupid thing ever written
DeleteWow Wizzair is beyond embarassing. Not keeping 5 but opening 3 new? Money talks
ReplyDeleteWizzair, Ryanair, same story
DeleteThey'll fly to routes they get paid for and stop once the subsidies end
Great to see Barcelona back but shame about Copenhagen though
ReplyDeleteThe previous flights to Barcelona were always packed.
DeleteOn the other side they are increasing SKP-LJU to 4 weekly, which is nice
ReplyDeleteIt is the only destination that has increased frequencies. Everything else is the same.
DeleteLjubljana keeps winning?
DeleteConsidering the passenger numbers on this route, it is not surprising.
DeleteThey are increasing ljubljana
ReplyDeleteBy one single weekly flight.
DeleteSo? What is the problem if only by one? They are also moving dates to they cover week perfectly
DeleteBecause they are discontinuing other routes. They will have less flights next summer than this summer despite these new routes.
DeleteYes problem for skopje in general but not for this route
DeleteConsidering they still have not scheduled OHD-BSL, I really hope it doesn't turn out that they won't start those flights after all.
ReplyDeleteWizz Air, don’t forget about Ohrid!
DeleteNot very optimistic it will launch.
DeleteHonestly, the new IST-OHD route is much more useful. Both for locals and tourism.
Delete^ Agree. Brings Turkish tourists and transfers from Turkish's massive network. Basel brings gastos.
DeleteI notice all the new routes are on the A320. Does not seem they are bringing back that A321s.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm happy for the new routes it seems Wizz Air will be a disappointment again next year.
ReplyDelete'The addition of new destinations shows Wizz Air is still interested in growing its presence, even if it’s at a slower pace than expected.
DeleteYes but its only because they are being given subsidies. Otherwise they wouldn't add anything.
DeleteWho knows if these will even start. In the last few years they have announced many new routes and either never launched them or operated them for a few weeks and then discontinued them.
ReplyDeleteThey need to focus on reliability
DeleteWill Barcelona be seasonal or year round?
ReplyDeleteYear round.
DeleteIt's great to see Wizz Air adding new routes. Too bad about the routes being cut though, especially Copenhagen.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who relied on the Skopje-Copenhagen route, I’m really disappointed it’s being removed. I hope the "engine inspections" excuse isn’t just a cover for prioritizing other markets.
DeleteI agree. I am fluing to CPH several twice in a ear and flying to Malmo and taking a bus to Copenhagen is not convenient at all. They discontinued CPH and announced Stuttgart (If I am not mistaken this is the 3rd time and not sure the will start operating it at all).
DeleteAs someone who booked twice SZG last year im also bit meh
DeleteFinally, Barcelona is back on the map! It was long overdue, and I know so many people who have been waiting for this. Hope Wizz Air resolves their engine issues soon so we don’t face more cancellations.
ReplyDeleteWhile it’s exciting to see new destinations, I wish the focus was also on keeping the existing ones.
ReplyDeleteStuttgart is an excellent addition for both leisure and business. However, cutting Copenhagen hurts. It was good for connections. Fingers crossed they bring these routes back soon.
ReplyDeleteLyon is a first. I’m curious to see how popular it becomes.
ReplyDeleteIt’s such a beautiful city
DeleteAgree. It's very nice and worth a visit.
Deleteeasy access to Geneva might halep too. Its actually closer to it then ZRH/BSL
DeleteSo Salzburg cut for a second time
ReplyDeleteThe first time was in the middle of Covid when Austria introduced an entry ban for people from the Balkans.
DeleteWhat a crazy time that was.
DeleteWizz Air’s engine problems are a real issue. Hopefully, they can resolve this soon, or we’ll see even more cuts.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened with that rule that new routes cannot be discontinued for several years
ReplyDeleteWizz is probably using force majeure rules. Engine issues are outside of their control so route can be suspended.
Deletenew routes but also fewer flights overall
ReplyDeleteClassic Wizz Air. It's never good for an airport to rely on them or Ryanair, especially for the most crucial routes.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThat's why legacy carriers never close routes.
DeleteThey stick to certain routes longer to make them work.
DeleteThat's why LCCs are more portable than legacy carriers. Not to mention that Macedonia doesn't even have a legacy carriers
DeleteBut I think Skopje could (and should) attract more legacies. Lots of options available. I would start with KLM since they have been open to expanding in the region.
DeleteSo much about the gazillion new routes that were being announced by the government.
ReplyDelete🤥 It wasnt me
DeleteWizz is cutting Skopje without mercy.
ReplyDeleteTodays planned flights for instance are even lower than Ljubljana. Half that of PRN.
Perhaps it is time to depart with Wizz once and for all and lookout for new partners instead.
Long overdue! But I fear it's at the point of no return. They are in too deep with Wizz.
DeleteStill better than being a hostage to Ryanair
DeleteThe main issue is that there is little interest from other airlines. Look at the subsidy tenders. Barely anyone applies other than Wizz. Simply no interest.
DeleteWizzair really scammed Skopje. However you didn't count well. SKP has today 24 departures and Ljubijana 15.
Delete@12:27
DeleteLjubljana 15 departures? That's just incorrect! Today's no of departures is as follows:
SKP 26
LJU 29
PRN 51
LJU 29 departures = from the FR24 fanboys.
Deleteyes, 29 incl cesna flights to Maribor,Wiener Neustadt, Munich, Sarajevo and Sloveni Airforce to Pristina LMAO, 3 flights to Podgorica (of 2 unknown status). lmao
@16.21 you better check LJU airport page before accusing others of being incorrect
DeleteOn the other hand, there's a new public call for new routes, which according to the Minister for Transport, should bring 6 new routes by the end of the year
ReplyDeleteYeah, like they announced 10+ new routes from this tender.
DeleteMaybe Wizz applies for 3-4 new routes and cuts another 5.
Deleteaccoriding the minister who dosnt have a f*cking clue
DeleteThis is a chance for Norwegian or SAS to start Copenhagen and Stockholm flights :)
ReplyDeleteI fear it's too late for next summer. Both airlines have already finalized their schedules.
DeleteThat would be a fantastic addition
DeleteWizzAir, being very embarassing as usual. The only reliable OPS they have is WizzAir Abu Dhabi.
ReplyDeleteBTW the guy (crew?) in the picture, holding the @SkopjeAirport sign is HOT. Would be good to know who he is.
lol
DeleteWizz seems like the most affected airline from the engine issues.
ReplyDeleteYes it is but not the only one. I think Indigo is officially the most impacted.
DeleteSome US LCC carriers are also impacted.
DeleteIndigo Partners has been hit the most. This is the holding that owns Wizz Air. Among them Wizz, Frontier and Volaris are really badly impacted by these engine problems. More than half of Volaris' Airbus fleet is going through inspections!
DeleteI love how Macedonian media is spinning this as some major success. None of them could have been bothered to research how many flights are being cut. Numbers are going to be worse than this year.
ReplyDeleteespecially the minister!
Deletesame for the airport
DeleteYes, TAV was also saying how these new routes would generate unprecedented growth
DeleteThey are closing all their 3 Salzburg routes
ReplyDeleteWhich other cities did they fly from Salzburg?
DeleteLondon and Bucharest
DeleteThank you. So they did the same as what they did to Luxembourg earlier this year by closing down all ops.
DeleteAnd Cologne at the beginning of the winter.
DeleteUntil the engine issue is solved in 2026, we won't see any meaningful growth from Wizz Air. Few routes here and there compensating reduction of other routes.
ReplyDeleteDiversifying airline partners should have been a priority at SKP this year
Deletenot under this gov
DeleteLyon is an interesting new destination. It definitely has potential.
ReplyDeleteThere is also demand from PRN for this roue so I think it will be very successful.
DeleteDid Wizz lay off any staff in SKP when they reduced the network this year?
ReplyDeleteI think they offer staff relocation or should I say they mixed through different Wizz bases then come back, fly from Skopje for some time and then are again mixed through other bases.
DeleteHope Barcelona will stick this time around.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the condition for subsidies that it must operate for at least 3 years?
DeleteIf Ukraine opens next year, we can forget new routes. All capacity is going to be reallocated to there.
ReplyDelete* all SPARE capacity, I should say.
DeleteUnfortunately, typically for Wizz. Don’t worry my Macedonian friends, they did the same at Sofia two months ago. Silently discontinued Lisbon and Geneva and opened Lyon, Stuttgart and Salerno. They discontinued Cologne from Varna too, and now Vienna and Prague are also not available for booking from Varna. So even without subsidies, they tend to do this. But I have noticed other things:
ReplyDelete1. Cologne was discontinued from all other Wizz bases, as well as Geneva, so there may be some issues with the airport , not with load factors or engine problems.
2. The second thing which I don’t understand is why they tend to stop routes mainly from Ex-Yu and Bg, but in Romania, Hungary, Poland they barely have completely stopped any routes, especially from Bucharest. Instead they expand with more routes,planes in OTP. For some reason, Wizz is much more sensible to load factors than Ryanair is. Or Ryanair almost always achieves their target loud factors? Any ideas also how many neos are scheduled to be delivered next year?
Barely stopped any routes from Hungary? They just shut down one of their hungarian bases (Debrecen) where all routes except Luton are axed completely.
DeleteLion 😁ke letaat prazni i nema da trae dolgo.
ReplyDeleteTaka e, 3 pati nedelno Lion nema koj ke patuva. Barcelona morase 3 pati nedelno da bide i namesto Lion ima mnogu drugi destinaci sto se potrebini za Makedonskiot narod.
DeleteWizzair should also take advantage of the new tender thet has been opened and focus more on Macedonin airports . Wizzair should bring new airbus to Skopje from 2025 .
ReplyDeleteSkopje:
Abu Dhabi
Nice
Laranca
Hurghada
Prague
Lisbon
Ohrid:
Basel
Malmo
Treviso
Baden-Baden
Eindhoven
London