Low-cost airline EasyJet has launched a direct flight between Skopje and Paris Orly, with the inaugural service landing at Skopje International Airport on Wednesday.
EasyJet will operate the route twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, under a government subsidy programme managed by the Ministry of Transport.
Orly Airport, located about 20 km south of central Paris, offers a more convenient alternative to Beauvais Airport, which is served by Wizz Air and sits roughly 90 km from the city.
“With its twice-weekly flights, EasyJet will not only provide a direct link to Paris but also connections to 160 destinations across 35 countries,” said Pero Lupevski, deputy general manager of TAV Macedonia, the airport’s operator.
The airline has committed to maintaining the service until Dec. 31, 2027, under the terms of the agreement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski said the new route would enhance connectivity with European capitals while boosting tourism in North Macedonia.
“We are creating conditions that attract new airlines, and the results are already visible. In a short period, we have launched eight new routes from Skopje and two from Ohrid,” Nikoloski said.
He added that the government had shifted its subsidy model to focus on incoming passengers rather than departures, aiming to increase tourist arrivals and spending in the country. Discussions are ongoing with other airlines to introduce additional destinations, he said.
The Skopje-Paris route is part of a broader initiative to expand air connectivity through state-backed financial incentives.
