The Municipality of Ohrid will subsidize two flights per week, connecting the Ohrid-based St. Paul the Apostle Airport to one of London’s airports, Utrinski Vesnik daily reports.
The municipality has launched a public call and has decided to earmark funds to an airline that would connect the city of Ohrid with London-based airports. The airline is obliged to offer two flights from Ohrid to London a week, starting from June 15th until September 15th this year, as well as in 2015 and 2016.
Authorities have said that the subsidies were included in the working program and budgetary funds have been earmarked for that purpose. According to them, launching a public call in the middle of an election campaign is not disputable, since these activities have been planned in advance. The public call was also approved by the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, Utrinski Vesnik writes.
Introducing new, low-cost airlines was an initiative raised by Ohrid Mayor Nikola Bakraceski, in an attempt to further boost the tourism. The idea was first presented last autumn, and it was supported by the Mayor of Struga, Zijadin Sela, as well. Although they had the same idea, they disagreed on the destinations. Struga mayor preferred Zurich and Germany, while the Ohrid mayor wanted direct flights to be introduced to Ljubljana and northern Italy.
Meanwhile, initial consultations and discussions with the low-cost airline Wizz Air and others have taken place. Ohrid made the first move, and in early April, its Council decided to launch a public call. According to the call, the Ohrid municipality will provide funds for introduction of a direct flight to London.
