MAT resumes flights

MAT Airways ends flight hiatus

MAT Airways has resumed services after nearly 4 weeks from its hub in Skopje with a flight to Rome yesterday evening. The airline voluntarily grounded its sole aircraft, a Boeing 737-500. According to MAT’s management it did so in order to review its position on the market in face of increased competition. However, other sources claim that the airline has been having financial problems. Passengers are still unable to purchase tickets with the airline. Within the next few days MAT will not be operating its full schedule. Its next service is planned for tomorrow morning, to Dusseldorf.

MAT Airways began operations last year as a charter carrier, although its own management has admitted that the airline is aspiring to become Macedonia’s national carrier sometime in the near future. Currently, the airline has a license to operate flights out of Macedonia until June 15, 2012 after which the Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency will review its permit.

MAT went through a short term tie up with struggling charter airline Skywings International Airlines earlier this year, in turn adding a Boeing 737-300 to its fleet. However, the two are no longer partners. The operator of Skopje and Ohrid airports, TAV, has expressed its anguish at the fact that the country does not have a flag carrier.