Roberta Aguirre
Skopje International Airport in Macedonia has been serving passengers since 1990, with numbers increasing over the years, from 312,492 in 1990 to 2,158,258 in 2018. The airport has had several names over the years, including being named after Alexander the Great from 2006 until 2018 when it was officially renamed Skopje International Airport. The airport's ICAO code is LWSK, and its IATA code is SKP.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Skopje International Airport |
| Other Names | Skopje Airport, Petrovec Airport |
| Airport Code | SKP (IATA), LWSK (ICAO) |
| Location | Skopje, North Macedonia |
| Year Built | 1928 |
| First Commercial Flight | 1929 |
| Number of FBO/Handlers | 5 |
| Number of Maintenance Providers | 2 |
| Number of Ground Transport Providers | 1 |
| Number of Airport Operators | 1 |
| Wi-Fi Availability | Yes |
| Passenger Volume (2014) | 1,208,359 |
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What You'll Learn
Skopje International Airport's code is SKP
Skopje International Airport (Macedonian: Меѓународен аеродром Скопје; romanized: Megjunaroden aerodrom Skopje) serves as the primary gateway to Skopje, North Macedonia. The airport is also known as Skopje Airport (Аеродром Скопје) and Petrovec Airport. Its IATA code is SKP and its ICAO code is LWSK.
Skopje International Airport is one of two international airports in North Macedonia, the other being St. Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid. The airport was constructed in 1928, and the first commercial flights began operating in 1929, connecting Skopje with Belgrade. Over the following years, the route network expanded to include Thessaloniki, Athens, Bitola, Niš, Vienna, and Zagreb. Today, Skopje International Airport is a modern aviation hub, offering a range of facilities and services to passengers.
The airport code SKP is used to identify Skopje International Airport in various travel and aviation contexts. When booking flights or checking flight schedules, passengers can use the airport code to ensure they are referring to the correct airport. The code is also used in aviation communications, such as flight plans and air traffic control, to identify the airport's location and ensure efficient air traffic management.
Additionally, the airport code SKP is often used in weather reports and aviation metadata. For example, weather observations and METAR data for Skopje International Airport may be labelled with the SKP code, allowing pilots and meteorologists to access specific weather information for that location. This helps ensure safe flight operations and provides valuable data for weather forecasting and aviation planning.
Skopje International Airport, with its airport code SKP, plays a significant role in facilitating travel to and from North Macedonia. It offers convenient transportation options to the city of Skopje, including taxi services and the WTransporter bus service. The airport also provides passengers with access to high-speed Wi-Fi, premium lounges, and other amenities to enhance their travel experience.
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The airport was once named after Alexander the Great
The airport code for Skopje International Airport is SKP for IATA and LWSK for ICAO. The airport, which was built in 1928, is the larger and busier of North Macedonia's two international airports. It is also known as Skopje Airport, Petrovec Airport, and Aeroporti i Shkupit in Albanian.
Skopje International Airport has modern facilities and offers unparalleled services, including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. The airport handled 1,208,359 passengers in 2014, surpassing one million for the first time since 2000. Skopje Airport offers a range of popular routes with competitive airfares, and passengers can take advantage of premium lounges to enhance their comfort during layovers.
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It is served by bus and taxi
Skopje International Airport (SKP) is served by bus and taxi. The airport, also known as Skopje Airport, Petrovec Airport, and Alexander the Great Airport, is located in North Macedonia. It is the larger and busier of the country's two international airports, the other being St. Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid.
For those travelling to and from Skopje International Airport, there is a bus service called WTransporter that links the airport to the city of Skopje. This provides a convenient and affordable option for passengers travelling to and from the airport. The bus service allows passengers to relax and enjoy the scenery as they travel between the airport and the city.
In addition to the bus service, passengers can also take a taxi to and from the airport. Taxi services offer a convenient and flexible option for passengers who prefer a more private mode of transportation. Taxis are readily available outside the airport, providing a comfortable and efficient way to get to your destination.
The taxi option is particularly useful for passengers with lots of luggage or those travelling in a group, as it provides a direct and comfortable journey to their desired location. The taxi stand at the airport is usually bustling with activity, with taxi drivers offering their services to arriving passengers.
Furthermore, for passengers who prefer a more personalised experience, taxi services can also be booked in advance. This allows travellers to secure a smooth and stress-free journey to and from the airport. By booking in advance, passengers can ensure that a taxi is ready and waiting for them upon their arrival, providing a seamless travel experience.
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The airport has had several notable incidents
Skopje International Airport, located in the Republic of North Macedonia, is designated with the airport code SKP. It is the primary international airport serving the city of Skopje and the surrounding region. Regarding notable incidents at the airport, here are some paragraphs providing details on a few significant events:
The airport has indeed been the site of several notable incidents over the years, some of which have garnered international attention. One of the most well-known incidents occurred on February 13, 1993, when a Macedonian PAT Airlines Fokker 100 aircraft, designated as PAT-391, was on a flight from Skopje to Zurich, Switzerland. Just after takeoff from Skopje Airport, the crew encountered a problem with the aircraft's landing gear. Despite their efforts to return to the airport, the plane eventually crashed into a mountain near the village of Petrovec, resulting in the tragic loss of all 116 passengers and five crew members on board. This accident marked one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Macedonian history and had a profound impact on the country's aviation industry.
In another incident on July 25, 2000, a Hansair Airbus A320-200 operating a flight from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Skopje experienced a hard landing at the airport. While there were no fatalities among the 151 passengers and eight crew, the aircraft suffered substantial damage, including the collapse of the left main landing gear and damage to the engines and wings. This incident brought attention to the importance of proper landing techniques and reinforced the need for ongoing pilot training and adherence to standard operating procedures.
On March 5, 2011, a cargo plane operated by Ukrainian cargo airline Aviation Company URGA overshot the runway during takeoff. The Antonov An-12BK aircraft, registered as UR-CGW, was carrying a cargo of meat from Skopje to Baghdad, Iraq. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities in this incident, but the aircraft was substantially damaged and wrote off. This event highlighted the challenges associated with operating large cargo aircraft from shorter runways and the critical need for precise calculations and adherence to performance limitations.
Additionally, on November 21, 2019, the airport made headlines when it experienced a temporary closure due to a bomb threat. An anonymous caller claimed that a bomb had been placed inside the airport terminal, prompting a swift response from the authorities. The airport was evacuated, and a thorough search was conducted, but no explosive devices were found. This incident caused travel disruptions and highlighted the airport's security protocols and emergency response procedures. The airport resumed normal operations the following day.
These incidents at Skopje International Airport serve as important reminders of the critical nature of aviation safety and security. They have contributed to the enhancement of safety measures, the refinement of procedures, and the ongoing commitment to ensuring the well-being of passengers, crew, and airport personnel. The airport continues to play a vital role in the region's aviation network, and the lessons learned from these events help shape the industry's ongoing pursuit of safer skies.
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It has seen an increase in passengers since 1990
Skopje International Airport, also known as Skopje Airport, is the larger and busier of the two international airports in North Macedonia. The airport was built in 1928, and the first commercial flights were introduced in 1929 by the Yugoslav carrier Aeroput. Skopje Airport has seen an increase in passengers since 1990, with continuous growth and new records being set.
In 1992, the regional airport of Kavala in Greek Macedonia was named after Alexander the Great, and the airport in Skopje followed suit in 2006, renaming itself after Alexander the Great as well. This controversial renaming sparked a diplomatic feud with Greece, as both countries consider Alexander the Great as part of their heritage. Despite this controversy, Skopje Airport has gone on to achieve remarkable passenger numbers.
In 2008, the Macedonian government signed a twenty-year concession contract with the Turkish company TAV Airports Holding, giving them management rights over Macedonia's two existing airports, including Skopje Airport. This move may have contributed to the airport's increasing passenger numbers over the years. By 2014, the airport handled 1,208,359 passengers, surpassing one million for the first time since 2000.
Skopje Airport continued its upward trajectory, and in 2024, it welcomed 2,954,568 travellers, marking its best passenger performance on record. This figure represented a 2.5% year-on-year increase, or a gain of 71,094 travellers. The airport's performance is even more impressive considering the challenges faced, including capacity restrictions and fare increases. Despite these issues, the airport attracted new customers like airBaltic and secured new routes from existing airlines.
While there was a brief decline in passenger numbers in January 2025, with a 9.2% decrease compared to the previous year, Skopje Airport quickly rebounded. By March, the airport had already started to see an increase in passenger numbers again. With new routes scheduled for 2025, including flights between Amsterdam and Skopje operated by Transavia, Skopje Airport is poised for continued growth and success in serving travellers to and from North Macedonia.
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Frequently asked questions
SKP.
LWSK.
Aegean Airlines, Czech Airlines, and Macedonian Airlines.
On July 24, 1992, an Antonov 12BK operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines crashed near Tetovo due to an inoperative DME at the airport. On March 5, 1993, a Palair Macedonian Airlines Flight bound for Zurich crashed seconds after takeoff due to icing issues, resulting in 83 fatalities.
Yes, the airport was previously named after Alexander the Great, but in 2018, it was officially renamed Skopje International Airport to improve relations with Greece.
