Flydubai, Qatar extend Skopje suspension until further notice
Gulf carriers Flydubai and Qatar Airways are extending their Skopje service suspensions, with the Dubai-based airline recently discontinuing ticket sales for flights to the Macedonian capital, which were to be restored on November 1. Neither of the two have indicated when operations from their respective hubs may be restored, with no flights scheduled for the 2022 summer season either, although this is subject to change at this early point. As a result, Skopje is expected to see another season without nonstop flights to the Gulf. Despite an announcement by the Macedonian Minister for Transport and Communications that an agreement had been reached for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to commence operations between the Emirati capital and Skopje, these have not materialised so far.
Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Qatar Airways said, “Similar to other airlines around the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has created significant operational challenges for Qatar Airways. While we continue to operate as many flights as possible, many routes remain commercially unviable due to the significant drop in global demand for air travel”. It added, “We understand how important it is for many of our passengers to have access to flights and we want to reassure them we remain committed to operating as many flights as possible. An ongoing review is being conducted and the intention is to reinstate flights in line with a return to regular conditions and market demand”.
In 2019, passengers flying point to point on Qatar Airways’ Doha - Skopje - Doha service accounted for 23% of all traffic on the route, with the remaining 77% being transfers. The majority either originated or were destined for the Australian market - 33%, followed by India 7%, Thailand 5% and Singapore 4%. All of these remain largely closed to international travellers with little prospects they will reopen any time soon.
Flydubai launched flights to Skopje in October 2012 and maintained the service until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its last three years of operations, passenger numbers averaged at around 27.000 per year. Flights were initially to be restored last October but were moved to March of this year, until being delayed until November. Reservations have now been closed for the route.
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