Processes Behind New Route Openings

For airports and airlines, launching a new route is one of the most exciting yet complex processes. Behind every new route, there are months of meticulous coordination between airports and airlines, but the process also involves national tourism boards, embassies, commercial attachés, and government ministries.

When deciding to launch a new flight, several factors are carefully analyzed: market potential, passenger demand in both directions (load factors), competition with other airlines, airport infrastructure and services, slot availability, ground handling arrangements, fuel supply, and civil aviation permits.
This entire process typically takes between six months and one year.

Opening a new route costs significantly more for an airline than operating existing ones. The first three years are generally considered a “stabilization period,” during which airports support airlines with financial incentive packages, joint marketing efforts, and promotional activities to help the route succeed.

When we took over the management of Skopje and Ohrid airports in 2010, there were only about 500,000 passengers, a very limited number of flight destinations, and no national carrier.
Taking into account the country’s conditions, and with the support of the Macedonian (now North Macedonian) government, we reached an agreement with a low-cost airline to establish a company in the country, base two aircraft at Skopje Airport, and launch new routes from both Skopje and Ohrid.

Today, the airports in North Macedonia serve over 3 million passengers and offer flights to more than 60 destinations.
As passenger numbers grew, other airlines also turned their attention to this market and began operating there.