New Route of the Day (21 September 2021): Nordwind Airlines between St. Petersburg and Skopje
On 21 September, Nordwind Airlines began weekly (Tuesday) service between St. Petersburg and Skopje. The inaugural service (flight number EO 2109 operated by a Pegas Fly Embraer E190LR, registration VP-BZH) departed St. Petersburg at 11:25 and touched down in Skopje three hours and two minutes later at 13:27 local time. The return flight (EO 2110) departed the North Macedonian airport at 14:47 and landed back in Russia three hours and seven minutes later at 18:54 local time. No other carrier connects these two airports.
Nordwind Airlines and Pegas Fly are related airlines with both being subsidiaries of Pegas Touristik, a major Russian tour operator. This new route is bookable on the Nordwind Airlines website and is operated by a Pegas Fly aircraft, with a Pegas Fly flight number. However, the route is not bookable on the Pegas Fly website.
20-year wait for return of Russian flights from Skopje
Aeroflot offered direct flights between Moscow SVO and Skopje until October 2001 according to Cirium Data and Analytics schedule information. Nordwind Airlines took up this route earlier this summer using its own aircraft and flight numbers, though Pegas Fly’s E190s also appear to operate the route at various times.
What they said
Metin Batak, TAV Macedonia General Manager, said: “St. Petersburg is the second destination in Russia that Nordwind introduces from Skopje International Airport, after the route Moscow-Skopje that was launched in June this year. The new air connection to St. Petersburg will be established for first time in the history of Macedonian airports. From now on, Skopje is connected by air to St. Petersburg, thanks to Nordwind. We are very happy for their interest to develop the air travel between North Macedonia and the Russian Federation. As TAV, we truly believe that Macedonian travellers will grasp the opportunity to discover the historical and the cultural heritage of this beautiful port on the Baltic Sea, the former imperial capital beautifully described in the Russian literature. At the same time, St. Petersburg’s citizens will have the opportunity to fly to Skopje in just three hours and enjoy the beauties of Macedonia and the neighbouring region.
Ibrahim Yildiz, Director of Revenue Management, Nordwind Airlines said: “We are as Nordwind Airlines proud to become the first airline connecting two capitals with a direct flight; the cultural capital of Russia – St. Petersburg – and the beautiful city of Skopje. We are starting to operate on Tuesdays with one weekly flight with a very comfortable schedule. As one of the leading airline companies in Russia with a yearly passenger number of eight million and a fleet of 60 aircrafts, Nordwind Airlines is offering passengers not only the chance of exploring the amazing history, architecture, nature, exhibitions and so many other attractions of St. Petersburg. We also want to thank TAV Macedonia for their efficient cooperation and warm welcome. Once again, we would like to thank all of you for being here and offer you to visit our beautiful city, St. Petersburg.”
