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Skopje International Airport Меѓународен аеродром Скопје Aeroporti Ndërkombëtar i Shkupit
IATA: SKP ICAO: LWSK
Summary
Airport type	Public / Military
Operator	TAV Airports
Serves	Skopje
Location	Petrovec, North Macedonia
Opened	1928; 96 years ago (1928)
Operating base for	BH Air Wizz Air
Elevation AMSL	238 m / 781 ft
Coordinates	41°57′40″N 021°37′37″E / 41.96111°N 21.62694°E / 41.96111; 21.62694
Website	skp.airports.com.mk
Map
SKP/LWSKLocation within North MacedoniaShow map of North MacedoniaSKP/LWSKSKP/LWSK (Europe)Show map of Europe
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 16/34 3,042 9,992 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Passengers 2,883,378 Passenger change 2022-23 34.8% Aircraft movements 21,985 Movements change 2022-23 38% Cargo (tons) 3,585 Cargo change 2022-23 36%
Source: Republic of North Macedonia AIP at EUROCONTROL

Skopje International Airport (Macedonian: Меѓународен аеродром Скопје, Albanian: Aeroporti Ndërkombëtar i Shkupit) (IATA: SKP, ICAO: LWSK), also known as Skopje Airport (Аеродром Скопје, Aeroporti i Shkupit) and Petrovec Airport is the larger and busier of the two international airports in North Macedonia, with the other being the St. Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid, which is located 170 km (110 mi) southwest from the national capital Skopje. The airport was previously named Skopje Alexander the Great Airport.

History

Early years

The airport was built in 1928. The first commercial flights in Skopje were introduced in 1929 when the Yugoslav carrier Aeroput introduced a route linking the city with the capital, Belgrade. A year later, the route was extended to Thessaloniki and further to Athens in 1933. In 1935, Aeroput linked Skopje with Bitola and Niš, and also operated a longer international route linking Vienna and Thessaloniki through Zagreb, Belgrade and Skopje.

After the Second World War, Aeroput was replaced by JAT Yugoslav Airlines, which linked Skopje to a number of domestic and international destinations until the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

Development since the 2000s

In December 2006, the conservative VMRO-DPMNE-led government of the Republic of Macedonia renamed the airport after Alexander the Great, sparking further controversy in the ongoing diplomatic feud with Greece. Both countries consider Alexander the Great as part of their respective heritages, demonstrated by the fact that the regional airport of Kavala in Greek Macedonia is also named after Alexander. However, the airport in Kavala was the first to be named as such since 1992.

In 2008, the Macedonian Government signed a contract with the Turkish company Tepe Akfen Ventures (TAV) for a twenty-year-long concession, during which this company would manage Macedonia's two existing airports, the Skopje Airport and the St. Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid.

In September 2011, the new terminal building, extension of the runway, new administrative building, cargo building and new access road with parking facilities were opened.

In February 2018, Alexander the Great was dropped from the airport's name in a move to improve relations with Greece, with the airport being officially renamed Skopje International Airport. A few months before, Aegean Airlines announced future flights between Athens and Skopje, the first flights to Greece for several years, another example of improved relations between the two countries following the Prespa agreement.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Skopje:

Cargo

Statistics

Traffic development

The number of passengers has increased since 1990, from 312,492 passengers in that year, to 2,158,258 passengers in 2018, but this was not a steady increase. In 2000 the airport handled 1,005,852 passengers, but in 2001 the number of passengers dropped to 499,789. This was influenced in part by a number of airlines replacing services to Skopje with services to nearby. In 2014 Skopje airport handled 1,208,359 passengers, surpassing one million for the first time since 2000.

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

Traffic figures at Skopje International Airport

Year	Passengers	Change	Cargo (t)	Change	Aircraft movements	Change
1991	397,660	27.3%	1,088	41.9%	7,158	106.5%
1992	390,025	1.9%	1,023	6.0%	7,079	1.1%
1993	577,425	48.0%	4,338	324.0%	10,681	50.9%
1994	603,447	4.5%	6,936	59.9%	10,803	1.1%
1995	583,053	3.4%	10,205	47.1%	11,692	8.2%
1996	422,598	27.5%	3,209	68.6%	8,618	26.3%
1997	440,988	4.4%	4,881	52.1%	8,995	4.4%
1998	511,784	16.1%	5,239	7.3%	10,321	14.7%
1999	840,985	64.3%	11,682	123.0%	23,912	131.7%
2000	1,005,852	19.6%	4,335	62.9%	24,234	1.3%
2001	499,789	50.3%	3,262	28.8%	16,673	31.2%
2002	520,497	4.1%	3,271	0.3%	13,725	17.7%
2003	500,012	3.9%	2,083	36.3%	12,428	9.4%
2004	497,105	0.6%	2,004	3.8%	10,940	12.0%
2005	525,965	5.8%	1,815	9.4%	12,101	10.6%
2006	547,198	4.0%	1,903	4.8%	12,637	4.4%
2007	626,144	14.4%	2,194	15.3%	13,085	3.5%
2008	658,367	5.1%	2,771	26.3%	10,666	18.5%
2009	602,298	8.5%	2,125	23.3%	9,871	7.5%
2010	716,000	18.9%	-	-	-	-
2011	759,918	6.1%	2,376	-	10,977	-
2012	828,831	9.1%	2,297	3.3%	10,418	5.1%
2013	984,407	18.8%	2,504	9.0%	11,276	8.2%
2014	1,208,359	22.7%	3,422	36.7%	13,210	17.2%
2015	1,452,465	20.2%	2,649	22.6%	14,451	9.4%
2016	1,649,374	13.6%	3,090	10.9%	15,407	6.6%
2017	1,868,272	13.3%	2,744	11.2%	16,680	8.3%
2018	2,158,258	15.5%	3,298	20.2%	18,188	9.0%
2019	2,360,400	9,4%	3,407	3.3%	19,177	5.4%
2020	709,241	70.0%	2,132	37.4%	7,625	60.2%
2021	1,266,230	78.5%	3,039	42.5%	12,056	58.1%
2022	2,139,191	68.9%	2,635	13.3%	15,923	32.1%
2023	2,883,378	34.8%	3,585	36%	21,985	38%

Busiest routes (2022)

Largest airlines (2022)

Largest country markets (2022)

Ground transportation

Taxis to Skopje are available. There is also a bus service linking the airport and the city with several stops.

Incidents and accidents

• On 24 July 1992, an Antonov 12BK of Volga-Dnepr Airlines crashed at the mountainous Lisec village near Tetovo, on approach to Skopje Airport, after the crew strayed off course while trying to circumnavigate a thunderstorm, because the DME at Skopje Airport was inoperative. All 8 occupants died and the plane was written off.
• On 5 March 1993, Palair Macedonian Airlines Flight 301, a Fokker 100 bound for Zürich, crashed seconds after takeoff from runway 34. Investigation into the accident determined the cause of the accident to be the failure of the flight crew to have the aircraft deiced before departure. Of the 97 people on board, 83 died.
• On 12 January 2008, a Mil Mi-17 of the Macedonian Air Force, from Mostar en route to Skopje Airport, crashed on a hill near Katlanovsko Blato in dense fog and burned out. All 11 occupants died and the helicopter was written off.
• On 13 February 2009, Austrian Airlines Flight OS780, Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 scheduled flight from Skopje to Vienna, failed to retract landing gear after take-off and performed an emergency landing on Skopje Airport.
• On 14 November 2011, a private flight Socata TBM700N (TBM850), from Maastricht Aachen Airport to Skopje, hit several treetops and approach light while landing and missed the extended asphalt of the runway and touched down on grass. All five occupants escaped unharmed. The plane received substantial damage and was sent to Daher-Socata at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport for repairs.
• On 11 February 2012, Czech Airlines Flight 848, a Boeing 737-55S scheduled flight from Prague to Skopje, made an emergency landing at Skopje, because of reported smoke that came out of the aircraft. Airport firefighters and ambulance were alarmed. The plane had a minor damage and all passengers escaped uninjured.
• On 6 September 2016, a private Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II crashed near Vetersko, Veles while landing in Skopje, killing all 6 on board. The aircraft was written off.

References

1. ^ "EAD Basic - Error Page". 19 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
2. "Macedonia says ready to change its name and end row with Greece". www.euronews.com. 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
3. "Од 53-тата седница на Владата на РМ: Автопатот "Александар Македонски" преименуван во "Пријателство"; новото име на аеродромот "Александар Велики" е "Аеродром Скопје"..." Влада на Република Македонија. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
4. "Премиерот Заев: Македонија направи значителен напредок на својот европски пат, ова е заеднички успех на сите граѓани". Влада на Република Македонија. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
5. ^ Drustvo za Vazdusni Saobracaj A D – Aeroput (1927-1948) at europeanairlines.no
6. "Skopje's airport to be named "Alexander the Great"". Kathimerini. 2006-12-29. Retrieved 2006-12-26.
7. "Makfax". Retrieved 7 February 2018.
8. "Денис Звиздиќ номиниран за претседател на новиот Совет на министри на БиХ". Retrieved 7 May 2016.
9. "Macedonia says ready to change its name and end row with Greece". Reuters. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
10. Press-room. "Aegean: 18 νέα δρομολόγια το 2018 - Airnews". www.airnews.gr. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
11. skp.airports.com.mk - Timetable retrieved 30 August 2020
12. "airBaltic to launch Ljubljana, Skopje and Pristina flights". exyuaviation.com. 30 August 2023.
13. "Air Serbia / Etihad Resumes Codeshare Partnership from Feb 2024".
14. "AnadoluJet to launch new Skopje service". exyuaviation.com. 10 July 2024.
15. "Aurora Tours". aurora.mk.
16. "Austrian NW24 Europe Frequency Changes – 26MAY24". Aeroroutes.
17. "Summer flight timetable '23" (PDF).
18. Liu, Jim. "Croatia Airlines NW24 A220 Network – 27OCT24". Aeroroutes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
19. "CROATIA AIRLINES ADDS SPLIT – SKOPJE SERVICE IN MID-2Q23". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
20. "Air Canada Begins Edelweiss Air Codeshare in NS24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
21. "Nikoloski brings good news: Six new flights will be launched in 2025, connecting Skopje with Dubai, Barcelona, Ohrid with Istanbul". Republika. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
22. "Norwegian to enter Macedonian market". 17 November 2022.
23. "Pegasus NS24 Antalya Network Expansion – 08NOV23".
24. "АНТАЛИЈА ЛЕТО 2023".
25. "Tunisar Adds Skopje / Tirana Charters in NS24".
26. ^ "Wizz Air schedules new and discontinues select Skopje routes".
27. "Wizz Air 1Q24 Routes Suspension Summary – 31DEC23".
28. "Wizz Air schedules first two of four new Skopje routes". EX-YU Aviation News. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
29. "Wizz Air NS24 Network Additions".
30. aviationcargo.dhl.com - Destinations served retrieved 4 September 2022
31. "AirportsBase :: Skopje Airport". Retrieved 7 May 2016.
32. "Former Yugoslav airports handle 32.5 million passengers in 2023". ExYu Aviation. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
33. ^ "TAV: 2.4 million passengers traveled through Skopje and Ohrid airports in 2022".
34. Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov 12BK CCCP-11342 Skopje Airport (SKP)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
35. Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Fokker 100 PH-KXL Skopje Airport (SKP)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
36. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Cessna 172N Skyhawk 100 II Z3-DCV, 28 Aug 2008". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
37. "My Info Agent". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
38. "2 Dash 8 emergency landings in Skopje, Macedonia - PPRuNe Forums". Retrieved 7 May 2016.
39. "AUA-Maschine musste nach Start in Skopje umkehren". derStandard.at. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
40. Ranter, Harro. "Incident Socata TBM700N (TBM850) F-HBGE, 14 Nov 2011". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
41. Ranter, Harro. "Incident Boeing 737-55S OK-XGC, 11 Feb 2012". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
42. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II D-GLLW, 06 Sep 2016". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 7 February 2018.

External links

Media related to Skopje Airport at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website
• Accident history for SKP at Aviation Safety Network
• Current weather for LWSK at NOAA/NWS

• North Macedonia
• Aviation

v t e City of Skopje
Municipalities	Aerodrom Butel Čair Centar Gazi Baba Ǵorče Petrov Karpoš Kisela Voda Saraj Šuto Orizari
Geography	Matka Canyon Skopje Statistical Region Skopska Crna Gora Vardar River Vodno Mountain
History	Timeline of Skopje history 1555 Skopje earthquake Skopje fire of 1689 1963 Skopje earthquake Reconstruction of Skopje 1963
Landmarks	Cerje Čifte Hammam Kale Fortress Kapan Han Kuršumli An Macedonia Square Millennium Cross Old Bazaar Pella Square Porta Macedonia Ristiḱ Palace Scupi Skanderbeg Square Skopje Aqueduct Skopje Zoo Sobranie Palace Stone Bridge Suli Han Tauresium Tumba Madžari
Churches	Church of the Ascension of Jesus Church of St Clement of Ohrid Church of St Nicetas Church of St Panteleimon Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos Marko's Monastery
Mosques	Mustafa Pasha Mosque Sultan Murad Mosque
Museums & Archives	Cinematheque of Macedonia Museum of North Macedonia Museum of the Macedonian Struggle National Gallery Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje City Museum Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia Memorial House of Mother Teresa Historical Archive of Skopje
Sports venues	Avtokomanda Boris Trajkovski Sports Center Boris Trajkovski Stadium Čair Stadium Cementarnica Stadium Independent Macedonia sport hall Ǵorče Petrov Stadium Jane Sandanski Arena Lokomotiva Stadium Toše Proeski Arena Rasadnik Hall SRC Kale Training Centre Petar Miloševski Železarnica Stadium
Sports clubs	FK Aerodrom FK Alumina FK Balkan Skopje FK Butel FK Cementarnica 55 FK Goce Delčev Skopje FK Gorno Lisiče FK Ilinden Skopje KK Karpoš Sokoli FK Lokomotiva Skopje FK Madžari Solidarnost FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov FK Metalurg Skopje FK Rabotnički FK Shkupi FK Skopje FK Sloboden FK Sloga Jugomagnat FK Vardar MZT Skopje KK Rabotnički KK Torus KK Vardar ŽKK Badel 1862 RK Metalurg Skopje RK Tineks Prolet RK Vardar ŽRK Metalurg ŽRK Vardar
Education	FON University European University Ss. Cyril and Methodius University University American College Skopje Yahya Kemal College Nova International Schools Georgi Dimitrov High School Rade Jovčevski-Korčagin High School Orce Nikolov High School Josip Broz Tito High School Nikola Karev High School Kočo Racin High School Panče Arsovski High School Lazar Ličenoski Art School Dr. Panče Karagjozov Medical High School Vasil Antevski-Dren Economical/Legal High School Ilija Nikolovski-Luj Musical High School Mihailo Pupin Electrotechnical High School
Events	Basker Fest Dance Fest Skopje Oro Bez Granici Kota 2023 Skopje Book Fair Skopje Fest Skopje Film Festival Skopje Jazz Festival Skopje Summer Festival Super Dzvezda Theatre Fest
Transportation	Skopje Airport Transportation Center Skopje
People	List of people from Skopje

• Airports in North Macedonia
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• Petrovec Municipality
• Yugoslav Macedonian architecture