Ahead of the second round of local elections in North Macedonia, delays in landing permits for charter flights carrying members of the Albanian diaspora have sparked political controversy. According to the newspaper KOHA, the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC) is allegedly intentionally slowing down the permit process for certain charter flights scheduled to land at Skopje and Ohrid airports.
Allegations Against the DAC Director
As reported by the newspaper, DAC Director Dragi Stojanovski (VMRO-DPMNE) is accused of delaying requests for charter flight permits. Most of the passengers on these flights from Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and other European countries are ethnic Albanian voters planning to return to North Macedonia to cast their ballots in the second round of local elections.
Charter Agencies and Voters React
Travel agencies organising the charter flights stated that they had submitted their permit applications on time and in accordance with regulations but have yet to receive an official response from the authorities. Representatives of the diaspora told KOHA: “We bought our tickets weeks ago, but we still don’t know whether our flights will take place.”
Claims of “Intentional Delay”
According to sources, the delays are allegedly politically motivated. It is claimed that groups close to VMRO-DPMNE are attempting to make it difficult for the diaspora—who played a decisive role in Albanian-majority municipalities during the first round—to return to the country for the second round.
The Directorate of Civil Aviation has not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter. As most flights are scheduled for Friday and Saturday—just a day before the vote—the situation is expected to become clearer in the coming hours.
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