Skopje Becomes Wizz Air's Third Largest European Base as Seventh Aircraft Joins the Fleet
Wizz Air has added a seventh aircraft to its Skopje base, making the Macedonian capital the third largest Wizz Air base in all of Europe. Two new routes — to Palermo and Alghero — have already launched, and Macedonia recorded nearly 2 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a 28% year-on-year increase.
Wizz Air has placed its seventh aircraft at Skopje's Alexander the Great Airport, making the Macedonian capital the third largest Wizz Air base in Europe. The announcement was made on Monday at a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, TAV Macedonia General Director Nejat Kurt, and Wizz Air representatives.
Two New Routes Already Flying
The seventh aircraft did not arrive empty-handed. Two brand new routes have already launched as a direct result of the expanded fleet: services to Palermo (Sicily) and Alghero (Sardinia), with first flights on 15 and 18 July respectively. Both destinations are popular summer tourism markets, opening up new options for Macedonian travellers heading to Italy and the Mediterranean islands.
🛩️ Aircraft based in Skopje: 7 (3rd largest Wizz Air base in Europe)
👥 Passengers (Jan–Jun 2026): nearly 2 million (Skopje + Ohrid)
📈 Year-on-year growth: +28% in passenger traffic, +7.6% in flights
✈️ Flights operated (Jan–Jun 2026): over 13,000
🆕 New routes launched: Palermo (from 15 Jul), Alghero (from 18 Jul)
🎯 Target: 4 million passengers per year — "realistically achievable"
A 28% Surge in Passenger Numbers
The backdrop to Monday's announcement is a remarkable set of statistics. In the first six months of 2026, Skopje and Ohrid airports together served nearly 2 million passengers across more than 13,000 flights — representing a 28% increase in passenger traffic and a 7.6% increase in the number of flights compared to the same period in 2025.
TAV Macedonia General Director Nejat Kurt put the numbers in human terms: "Behind these figures are millions of personal stories and journeys: people visiting their families and friends, tourists discovering new destinations, and companies creating new business opportunities."
Nikoloski also struck an ambitious note about the future, suggesting that a target of 4 million passengers per year — which would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago — is now a realistic goal. "A few years ago we were fighting for 2 million passengers a year," he said. "Now we have a real chance to reach 4 million."
What This Means for Macedonia
The growth of Wizz Air's Skopje base matters well beyond aviation statistics. More aircraft means more routes, more frequencies, lower fares, and greater connectivity for Macedonian citizens and businesses. It also signals growing investor confidence in the country as a regional aviation hub.
For a country without a national carrier since the demise of MAT Macedonian Airlines in 2009, Wizz Air's deepening commitment to Skopje fills a gap that has shaped Macedonian travel for over 15 years. Whether the airline formally takes on the role of national carrier or not, the operational reality is clear: Skopje is now one of the most important cities in the entire Wizz Air network.
MKNews Hub · Економија · 21 July 2026