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Skopje Airport is poised for strong passenger growth in 2026, driven primarily by the continued expansion of its base carrier, Wizz Air. After handling a record of more than three million passengers in 2025, Macedonia’s main gateway is set to add over 560.000 seats in the first half of the new year alone, representing a year-on-year increase of 33%. However, TAV Macedonia CEO Nejat Kurt says the airport is not pursuing short-term traffic surges. “Our goal is not growth for its own sake, but responsible, long-term value for passengers, partners and the country”, Mr Kurt, notes.
The airport operator is currently targeting new services from Skopje to Denmark, Finland and destinations in the Middle East. In addition, from the markets already served, it is focusing on greater connectivity with Spain and the United Kingdom. “As we look ahead to 2026, our direction is clear. We will focus on strengthening year-round connectivity, adding more destinations, operational growth, supporting sustainable tourism growth, enhancing operational reliability and passenger experience, continuing alignment with European aviation standards and building resilience for the future of air transport”, Mr Kurt says. He adds, “Through the combined efforts of our airport teams, airline partners, institutions and government counterparts, we have achieved strong, stable growth, while maintaining safety, reliability and European operational standards. In 2025, our two airports together served 3.4 million passengers, representing 9% growth compared to 2024, with 54 destinations and eighteen airline partners connecting North Macedonia to Europe and beyond”.
Apart from growth at Skopje Airport, Ohrid is adding over 25.000 seats during the first half of the year. It has also secured a new legacy carrier in the form of Austrian Airlines, which will launch seasonal operations to the lakeside city in May, following Turkish Airlines last year. “Skopje International Airport remains the country’s gateway to discovery, supporting year-round travel for business, diaspora, culture and regional exploration. Ohrid Airport continues to serve as a destination gateway, offering direct access to one of Europe’s most unique UNESCO heritage and leisure destinations, while respecting sustainability and seasonality. This approach allows tourism to grow without compromising quality, and connectivity to expand without distorting the market”, Mr Kurt concludes.
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