The Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski, detailed yesterday the “impossible” demands set out by Ryanair to launch flights from the country, which led to the collapse of talks between the two sides. According to Mr Nikoloski, one of the main sticking points was Ryanair’s demand for subsidies amounting to 25 euros per seat, significantly higher than the current level of state support for airlines. At present, the government provides nine euros per passenger at Skopje Airport and twelve euros per passenger at Ohrid Airport as part of its programme to encourage new routes and increase inbound foreign traffic. “I’ll be direct. I don’t believe that would be good for the Macedonian market because the conditions they are setting are impossible”, Mr Nikoloski said.
In addition to financial incentives, the Deputy Prime Minister said the airline also sought operational concessions. These reportedly included priority treatment for its aircraft during airport handling, as well as exemptions from certain services typically used by airlines, on the basis that Ryanair has its own equipment (stairs) for passenger boarding and disembarkation. Furthermore, the minister said discussions also touched on the possibility of reviewing some existing routes operated by other airlines, which he described as another contentious issue in the negotiations. The ministry said there is interest in attracting new airlines, but stressed that the state has no intention of accepting conditions that would create an uneven competitive environment in the aviation sector.
Ryanair has been considering services to Macedonia for the past decade. In 2015, it announced plans to launch flights to Skopje and confirmed it was in talks with the Macedonian government over a number of routes. Shortly after, Wizz Air responded by unveiling several new services from the Macedonian capital to existing Ryanair bases. Despite the initial momentum, Ryanair ultimately shelved its entry into the market. The airline revisited the idea in 2018, but no routes were launched. Talks between the two sides resumed in 2025, but failed. Wizz Air, which dominates the Macedonian market with an annual passenger share of over 50%, will have seven aircraft stationed at its Skopje base this summer and has launched a number of new routes over the past twelve months.
