Pristina Airport launches wide-ranging incentive scheme

NEWS FLASH

Pristina Airport has launched a new four-year incentive scheme in a bid to attract new airlines and routes.

One of the core pillars of the program is the New Route Incentive, which aims to stimulate air links to destinations not currently served from the airport. For airlines to qualify for the incentives, the route in question must not have been in operation for at least two years and must be maintained at least six consecutive months. Seasonal routes require a minimum of four months of operation in summer or three in winter. Airlines launching new routes benefit from substantial discounts: landing fees are reduced by 90% in the first year and 70% in the second, while ground handling services are discounted by 30% to 50%. Additional marketing support is available at the discretion of the airport, based on the airline’s submitted and approved marketing plan. New entrant airlines that carry over 20.000 departing passengers in a year receive an extra 5% discount on ground handling services during their first season.

The Additional Frequencies Incentive encourages airlines to grow existing operations by adding at least one new weekly frequency compared to the same period the previous year. This applies to both seasonal and year-round services. Airlines that qualify receive a 50% discount on landing fees in the first year. However, routes already operated more than 14 times per week are excluded from this incentive.

Another major element of the program is the Fixed Base Operation (FBO) Incentive, which supports airlines that base at least one aircraft at the airport. To qualify, an airline must operate a minimum of eighteen weekly flights with a load factor of at least 80% and maintain an on-time performance rate of 85% or more. Participating airlines benefit from a 50% landing fee discount, 100% discount on parking fees, and up to 50% off ground handling services. Marketing support may also be provided if the airline launches a new or long-haul route from its base.

For airlines interested in long-haul operations, Pristina Airport is offering a Long-Haul Route Incentive targeting nonstop flights with a minimum flight time of four hours. Routes must not have been served in the past twelve months and must run for at least six consecutive months. Qualifying airlines receive a full 100% discount on landing and parking fees for the first two years, and ground handling is discounted by 50% in year one and 30% in year two. Marketing support is available based on evaluation and requires a minimum spend of 50.000 euros per route.

Additionally, the Limited Ground Handling (LGH) Incentive is designed for airlines operating low-complexity services, carrying only passengers and personal baggage with no cargo or mail. To qualify, the airline must achieve at least a 10% increase in seasonal turnaround operations compared to the previous year. Discounts on ground handling range from 15% to 50%, depending on the level of growth, and the incentive is monitored on a seasonal basis.