NEWS FLASH
Macedonia and the United Kingdom recently formalised a new Air Service Agreement that will enable additional commercial flights between the two countries. The deal provides a legal framework for airlines to operate scheduled services, set fares and determine capacity based on market demand. It replaces previous arrangements in place during the UK’s membership of the European Union. Authorities in Skopje and London have both highlighted the agreement as an important step in strengthening mobility, trade and tourism opportunities. “The agreement, signed upon an initiative by Great Britain, represents a new legal framework that regulates relations regarding regular air transport between the two countries”, Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski, said. Since leaving the EU, the United Kingdom has signed new Air Service Agreements with both Serbia and Montenegro in the region, while Bosnia and Herzegovina hopes to finalise a deal in the near future.
The main problem is EU registered aircraft cannot operate non-EU to UK routes, meaning Wizz's Skopje base won't be able to add new UK routes. Therefore no real change has been made with this agreement.
ReplyDeleteAt present, the only UK - Macedonia routes are Wizz LTN-SKP and TUI MAN/LGW-OHD. Perhaps more needs to be done to attract easyJet onto the London/Manchester - Skopje market, or Jet2 to the lakes market.
Pure PR. Just like all of TAV's moves. Literally nothing to see here.
Delete*mentioning TAV because of how alike this move is to the whole non-factor PR strategy they have with some of the moves Skopje's gov does, not because it's linked to it directly, which it isn't.
DeleteAnon@10:33 It can however operate new flights trough Wizz Air UK, like how they do it with LTN-SKP. At the end new routes are always welcome, even if they aren't based from SKP
DeleteYes they can as Wizz Air UK is a subsidiary based there with 21 A321 UK registered aircraft.
Delete10:33 buddy are you real with this ? Wizz air have registered Wizz air UK and they have airctafts in the UK and they can operate from there without any problem, as they had before Wizz air Abu Dhabi , Wizz air Malta , please first research things before commenting something
DeleteThey had more than 20 aircrafts registered in the UK for your information
DeleteAs long as UK keeps treating Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia like Mordor and require visas in 2025, they can go to hell with their air routes.
ReplyDeleteBravo!
DeleteYep...the real elephant in the room is the visa requirement. Visas need to be abolished asap for Macedonia as well for all the others in the region. Total population of all these countries is less than the European part of Istanbul. It is common knowledge that getting a UK visa is harder than USA one.
ReplyDeleteUS visa is becoming more or less a formality for Serbian citizens. As long as you have your papers in order, a stable job and enough money theyll give you a 10 year multi entry visa without issues. UK on the other hand is ridicilous, not to mention you go through that infamous call center.
Delete13:42 same as in Macedonia with the US visa, as long you have job, some cash on the bank account they are giwing visa without problem for 10 years...
DeleteIt wont happen before EU acession. Its a non-starter
DeleteWizz Air can operate aircraft from the UK as they own a substantial stake in subsidiary Wizz Air UK. They currently have a fleet of 21 A321’s UK registered aircraft.
ReplyDeleteExactly and very well said
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