Skopje, 17 February 2025 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov, TAV management, and director of the German tour operator RSD, Horst Zsifkovits, welcomed on Sunday the arrival of Freebird Airlines first charter flight at Skopje International Airport, which brought the first group of 180 German tourists.

This marked the start of daily charter flights to Skopje Airport, running from Sunday until early June, and then resuming from October until mid-December. These flights are expected to bring 35,000 tourists to the country.

“The most important thing to note is that, thanks to the joint efforts of the government, tour operators and the support of TAV Macedonia, along with both airports in Skopje and Ohrid, we are succeeding in attracting tourists beyond the main summer and winter seasons. Between February and May and between October and December this year alone, 35,000 tourists will visit Macedonia,” Nikoloski said.

He expressed hope that this number will increase in the coming years, with 35,000 tourists staying in hotels, visiting restaurants and taverns, buying souvenirs, and contributing to the local economy.

Minister Ljutkov expressed hope that we will continue to be good hosts in the future with this level of capacity and that hospitality providers will have the opportunity to further improve their services. This, in turn, would lead to a greater number of tourists and expanded accommodation capacities.

“Today, we welcomed the first charter flight of Freebird Airlines, bringing 180 German tourists from Düsseldorf and Frankfurt. We hope that all 35,000 tourists expected this year from 13 destinations in Germany, France, and the UK will leave with great memories of hospitality, culture and delicious food,” TAV Macedonia General Manager, Nejat Kurt, said.

Director of the German tour operator RSD, Horst Zsifkovits said that their clients are early looking forward to visiting our country, with plans to bring 35,000 guests by the end of the season.

“We have already arranged flights for 25,000 passengers from Germany, Austria, France and the UK, and we expect to reach 35,000 by season’s end. I am sure the guests will love your beautiful country, its history and its warm hospitality. I had a great time when I visited North Macedonia,” Zsifkovits said.

The airline, contracted by Macedonian and German tour operators in partnership with the Macedonian Government, will fly daily to Skopje Airport from February to June and from October to December, bringing 35,000 tourists from Germany, France, and the UK.

Freebird Airlines will operate flights to Skopje Airport from Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt in Germany; Manchester and London Gatwick in the United Kingdom; and Paris, Lyon, and Marseille in France.

Photo and video: MIA