North Macedonia plans to start construction of a rail link between Skopje and the international airport at Petrovec in spring 2027, Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski has announced.

The planned service would cut the journey between central Skopje and the airport terminal to between 8 and 11 min, according to the minister.

Wider programme

The airport link forms part of a wider programme to modernise railway infrastructure and put the capital's existing network to work for suburban passenger services.

The government is preparing to launch two additional routes, following the recent introduction of Skopje's first suburban railway service.

A new station near the 11 Oktomvri Baraki neighbourhood in Kisela Voda is planned to improve connections between rail services and the public transport operator JSP Skopje.

The second suburban route would run from the new station via Avtokomanda, Madžari, Čento and Ilinden to Agino Selo. The third would connect Volkovo and Gjorče Petrov with Skopje Sever and Butel before continuing to Skopje railway station.

The ministry has not yet published a timeline for the two suburban routes.

Fleet procurement

In co-operation with the World Bank, the Ministry of Transport is finalising the procurement of between four and six multiple-units. Nikoloski said the trains would meet European standards and provide dedicated space for bicycles and prams.

The ministry has not disclosed the contract value or a delivery date for the multiple-units.

Separately, the procurement of up to five new electric freight locomotives is planned with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development. The EBRD approved a sovereign loan of up to €20.9m in December to finance the locomotives, including spare parts, and an enterprise resource planning system for the national railway.

Nikoloski has said the locomotives could also be used for passenger services, giving the national operator operational flexibility beyond freight.

The airport link's 2027 construction start and the 8-11 min journey time remain projections from the ministry. Actual delivery will depend on the pace of the multiple-unit tender now being finalised with the World Bank and on the completion of station works at Kisela Voda. If the spring 2027 date holds, Skopje would gain a rail connection between its city centre and its main international gateway within the decade.