Ohrid, 19 June 2023 (MIA) – An Air Serbia plane from Belgrade with 57 passengers landed at the St. Paul the Apostle airport in Ohrid on Monday afternoon, reestablishing the seasonal air route between the two cities following a six-year hiatus. 

The plane was greeted with a water salute, in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Communications, Blagoj Bochvarski, and the leadership of TAV Macedonia, which manages the airport. 

At the ceremony marking the reestablishment of the route, it was stated that Air Serbia will service the route four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and that it will represent a good connection to western European and overseas countries.

The air route will enable a connection to several destinations such as Amsterdam, Vienna, Berlin, Bologna, Zürich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Ljubljana, New York, Oslo, Podgorica, Prague, Rome, Venice and Zagreb.

According to Minister Bochvarski, the reestablishment of the air route comes at a time when, he said, we are only reaffirming the excellent relations with Serbia, when within the Open Balkan initiative we are creating a series of benefits for our citizens and the citizens of Serbia, and we are bringing the countries closer to regional economic cooperation and the promotion of the freedom of movement of people and goods.

“This air route also aims to promote the tourism potential of Ohrid and the Ohrid region. And Ohrid has great potential, to host new tourists and to show all of its historical and cultural landmarks,” stressed Bochvarski.

Air Serbia’s Commercial and Strategy General Manager, Boško Rupić, assessed that the route is of great significance for both North Macedonia and Serbia, and said it would result in an increased number of tourists.

According to the head of TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, Air Serbia’s decision to reintroduce the Ohrid-Belgrade air route will additionally contribute to increased operations at the Ohrid Airport during the summer season, and contributes a lot to the tourism of Ohrid and the surrounding areas.

Ohrid is the second Macedonian destination serviced by Air Serbia, after Skopje.