Regarding the last statement by Professional Union of Air Traffic Controllers that the Management Board of “M-NAV” GOJSC, Skopje does not respect the Agreement and announces a competition for the employment of non-essential personnel, we inform you that these statements are untrue and that the competitions published are in accordance with the financial plan for 2023, approved by the Government of North Macedonia and consent received from the Ministry of Finance. The legal deadlines defined in the law on labor relations have been respected and the announcements have a deadline of 10 days for application and not a deadline of 2 days as presented in the opinion by the president of Professional Union of Air Traffic Controllers.

 Regarding the statement that the Management Council of “M-NAV” GOJSC, Skopje publishes announcements for non-essential profiles, we categorically reject them as unfounded because we need candidates from the professional profile, operative, engineers, technicians and meteorological staff, operator in the center for approval of flights, translator from Macedonian to Albanian, which is a legal obligation derived from the law on the use of languages. The need for an assistant in the air navigation department and an independent accountant-advisor in the finance department is necessary.

But the competition for an independent consultant in the human resources department has NOT been published.

 The contests are published in two print media, Koha and Vecer, with a deadline of 10 days (not counting the day of publication itself), they are public and all candidates who meet the conditions can apply.

We also inform the public that today, December 18, 2023, our company has sent an urgent letter to the Republic of North Macedonia Employment Agency to provide clarification regarding the announcement of competitions with a deadline of 2 days, which is contrary to our established deadline of 10 days.

Management Council “M-NAV” GOJSC, Skopje

On 28.07.2022, the Government-owned Joint Stock Company for Provision of Air Navigation Services M-NAV GOJSC Skopje published an Announcement for admission of 8 candidates to acquire an Air Traffic Controller license and for fixed-term employment. The deadline for submitting the applications and the required documentation was 15 (fifteen) business days, counted from the day following the day of publication of the announcement (not counting the day of publication itself).

In accordance with the determined needs and plans for training and employment of new Air Traffic Controllers, a public procurement was carried out for Selection, initial training and training of 8 candidates for Air Traffic Controllers for ADI TWR rating, after which M-NAV GOJSC Skopje concluded a Contract with the most favorable Tenderer, the Economic Operator GATE Aviation Training APS.

For the purpose of ensuring an efficient and transparent implementation of the processes for recruiting and selecting candidates for Air Traffic Controllers, M-NAV GOJSC has adopted an Action Plan on Recruiting and Selecting the candidates for Air Traffic Controllers.

The Committee for reviewing the submitted applications for the public announcement reviewed the submitted applications and concluded that out of a total of 247 (two hundred and forty-seven) applications in regard to the public announcement no.3/2022, 243 (two hundred and forty-three) applications meet the required requirements.

Due to the fact that the number of applicants exceeded 200, a pre-selection test was conducted by GATE Aviation Training APS in collaboration with the Committee, after which the top candidates were tested with the FEAST test.

The pre-selection test covered three modules – English language, Spatial Reasoning and Critical Thinking. M-NAV`s Committee established for selecting candidates took part in the process and was monitoring the entire process which was conducted at a location provided by the Economic Operator (FEIT). The pre-selection test was taken on a computer and the results were received electronically immediately after the test was completed. According to the results obtained from the pre-selection test, a ranking list was made of all candidates who appeared for the test and took the test, a total of 225 candidates.

In accordance with the Action Plan, the top candidates from the pre-selection, continued to be tested with FEAST test (I, II, III). 166 candidates took the FEAST I test and 55 candidates out of the total number passed the test. 13 candidates out of 55 passed the FEAST II test.

These 13 candidates also passed the FEAST III part of the test and were interviewed by the Economic Operator in accordance with their procedures, using an appropriately trained psychologist. After the selection stages carried out by the Economic Operator in accordance with the Public Procurement Contract (pre-selection, testing with the FEAST test, interview with successful candidates), GATE Aviation Training APS submitted a ranking list of the most successful candidates.

According to the Action Plan, it is envisaged the candidates to be sent to medical examinations for Class 3 at the Aeronautical Medical Center authorized to conduct initial medical examinations for Class 3, and the costs of the medical examinations to be borne by M-NAV GOJSC Skopje.

The medical examinations were scheduled and arranged in the Aeronautical Medical Center in Sofia due to the fact that in the Republic of North Macedonia there is no authorized Medical Center for conducting initial medical examinations for Class 3.

After reviewing the entire report on the conducted selection of the candidates, submitted by the Committee, the Management Board of M-NAV GOJSC Skopje adopted a Decision with which it accepted the selection made by the Committee for selecting candidates for Air Traffic Controllers.
M-NAV GOJSC Skopje announces that the following candidates will be sent to initial training and training for ADI/TWR license in the Training Center GATE Aviation Training APS in Denmark:

• Marko Kolekjeski
• Ana Jovkovska
• Dorart Ambari
• Stefan Konstantinovikj
• Petrit Ajdini
• Ivan Popov
• Blerim Leskovica
• Dino Dominik Bjondikj

We wish successful training to the selected candidates.

07.11.2021  is the date when 25 years have passed since the opening of Area Control Centre Skopje. In the early morning hours on 07.11.1996, the Area Control Centre Skopje took over the responsibility over the entire airspace of the Republic of Macedonia which was controlled by Belgrade until then in accordance with the division between Air Traffic Controls in Zagreb and Belgrade since the time of SFRY. El Al Israel Airline`s aircraft the destination of which was Tel Aviv, was the first aircraft guided and instructed by our Air Traffic Controllers. Since then, during the past 24 years, the Air Traffic Control has evolved into a modern air traffic control center which operates in compliance with Eurocontrol`s standards, the Member State of which we have been since the year of 1998 and of the European Commission in accordance with ECAA Agreement since the year of 2006.

At the beginning, ten licensed Air Traffic Controllers who were assisted by colleagues from Serbia and Bulgaria provided the air traffic services from a small Area Control Centre with an area of 25 square meters and equipped with only one radar, while today M-NAV operates with almost hundred Air Traffic Controllers, Air Traffic Controller Assistants and with highly qualified and educated technical and supporting aeronautical personnel in charge of providing safe, regular and expeditious services for Skopje and Ohrid Airports, the said personnel is also being in charge of handling the overflights over our Airspace. The service is being provided with integrated data from five radars, three of which are located on our territory and one radar each from Greece and Bulgaria, whereas the data from our radars are being used by our neighboring countries and this is regulated by bilateral agreements.

After separating from Civil Aviation Agency, M-NAV has continued to operate as national Air Navigation Services Provider.

During the most frequent days in the summer season, more than 1000 flights per day are handled, while the year of 2019 saw 230160 flights that used M-NAV`s air navigation services.

The Government-owned Joint Stock Company M-NAV provides also services for the State aircraft of the Ministry of Defense and of the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

Through continuous and proactive participation in the work of international aviation organizations and safety institutions – Eurocontrol, ICAO, CANSO, we are committed to following the existing standards, but also on the implementation of new procedures and work technologies, in order to provide more efficient service for airlines and enhanced environmental protection.

Nowadays, when the whole planet is facing the COVID 19 pandemics and the aviation is one of the most affected industries with prediction of operation normalization even after period of 2-3 years, M-NAV continues to provide air traffic services with utmost professionalism and safety, while the employees` engagement is tailored to the existing work protocols.

Besides all hurdles caused by the crisis, the required competence of Air Traffic Controllers and of other aviation personnel was maintained continuously, the operation of air traffic control systems was provided and appropriately the international, strict regulations were implemented as well.

M-NAV is especially proud that during the month of August 2021 has seen an air traffic drop of only 7.8% when compared to the same month in the year of 2019, followed by a slight decline of the curve and in the month of September it was recorded air traffic drop of -11.9% when compared to the same month in the year of 2019, so that in October, finally after more than а year and a half, M-NAV records an air traffic increase of 1.3% compared to the month October in 2019. Thus, the Republic of North Macedonia for the month of October 2021 is a country with the highest volume of overflights growth when compared to the year of 2019, at level of ECAC Member States.

Today, in extremely complex circumstances, we continue to work and we are maximally committed to Projects regarding the implementation of the new ATM system and other radar and communication systems being part of the long-term strategy to upgrade the ATC and are required to ensure an efficient service provision in future in order to handle the estimated air traffic volume. The Air Traffic Controllers`s competence and the competence of the aviation personnel is being maintained, the required trainings are continued. We are also working on plans to expand the Free Route Airspace concept with the adjacent air traffic control centres, something that will increase service efficiency through reducing the length of flight routes, thus reducing fuel consumption and gas emission in the atmosphere.

At the same time, by applying work protocols intended for the operational personnel and for the other personnel, we maintain the required level of service provision, while maximum care is taken to protect and prevent the employees.

With respect,

M-NAV GOJSC Skopje

With regard to the Article entitled as: “A Big Tragedy Could Occur: Airport Skopje has had a faulty landing signalization for two weeks” and the information announced on 10.09.2020 on internet portals, M-NAV GOJSC Skopje strongly denies them and rejects them fully as inaccurate based on all three grounds.

We would like to inform the whole public that the air traffic safety has not been jeopardized at any moment, taking into account that up to now there has been no occurrence report with regard to faulty lighting signalization – Precision Approach Path Indicator “PAPI” at Skopje Airport, filed either by pilots or by TAV that bears responsibility for procurement and maintenance of the afore-mentioned aids.

Our PR Department has not been contacted at all, neither by phone, nor at the official e-mail address where anyone can contact us. The publication of such inaccurate and extremely tendentious information inflicts serious damage of M-NAV`s reputation and creates a false image of the air traffic status.

We reject entirely as false the information that in the last several months a great number of employees being close to retirement, have been fired from our Company.

Regarding the financial competence of our Company, we would like to inform the public that the Management Board of M-NAV GOJSC has adopted a package of economic measures aimed at maintaining the liquidity.

All human and technical resources of M-NAV GOJSC work with maximum capacity and most professionally perform all operational tasks, thus the criteria for provision of the required level of safety and efficiency in air navigation services are continuously maintained at highest level.

With respect,

M-NAV, GOJSC Skopje

Dear All,

M-NAV GOJSC confirmed the first case of an employee who was tested positive for the Coronavirus COVID-19.  In view of activities undertaken by M-NAV in order to prevent further virus spread, besides implementing the already adopted internal measures, M- NAV GOJSC Skopje followed all recommendations and undertook all activities as suggested by the competent Authorities, COVID Center and the epidemiologist on-duty.  In this sense and in addition to the regular disinfection, an urgent, non-scheduled environmental disinfection was performed in the working premises and it was done by a Company which holds a relevant Certificate issued by the Ministry of Health. The positive employee and all other determined risk contacts are in self-isolation with appropriate Decision on Self-Isolation.

The Company has established additional, reinforced measures for protection and prevention and due to this the visitors` access to the operational premises in the building is maximum limited for which we hope you will have understanding. For the time being, our priority is smooth, safe, efficient and uninterrupted air traffic services provision, however M-NAV will continuously contribute to protect its employees as core resource for enabling all users of our Airspace to obtain efficient and safe air navigation services.

The Management of M-NAV is vigilantly watching the situation development with an aim of undertaking the necessary measures and it fully follows the recommendations, conclusions and measures given by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and by the other competent institutions.

The team of M-NAV GOJSC Skopje wishes the employee recovery as soon as possible and it wishes a good health to all other employees as well.

Regarding the recent articles disseminated in several electronic media and in connection with the published Final Report of an Audit of the Financial Statement and audit of compliance of M-NAV GOJSC`s Skopje, we would like to notify you the following:

• Following previously conducted procedure for long-term debt to international financial institution, the same one conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport and Communication, on 24.09.2013 M-NAV GOJSC Skopje signed a Loan Agreement with EBRD for providing funds for the “M-NAV Modernization Project/Macedonian Air Navigation System Upgrading – second stage”, without providing a state warranty, in the amount of EUR 11.150.000,00, the same being the fourth credit line concluded with EBRD whereby all project procurement processes and procedures are implemented in accordance to the EBRD Procurement Policies and Rules.

  The Loan Agreement that was reached in the year of 2013 covers several project components for supply of communication systems, radar aids and meteorological equipment, but the supply, installation and commissioning of ATM system including technical-operating room is its primary component.

  The above-mentioned Projects should have been realized by the year of 2017, but the same ones were not realized and up to that period the amount of the interest on non-withdrawn assets from EBRD was EUR 243.000,000. As the new Management Board was assigned in the month of August 2017, a Project audit (check) was done and significant omissions were noticed, particularly for the part of placing the strategic infrastructure on private land – the radar, this means that a monthly rent in amount of 500 Euros was to be paid to a physical person for a period of 20 years, thus causing EUR 120.000 damage to the Budget of M-NAV GOJSC, Skopje, then a Contract to be signed for commencing the construction of new room and new ATM system on a still non-provided, legalized land with AUP and Construction License.

  At the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, initially it was made a Contract for providing a land for the new room and the new system, the land was ceded by TAV, regarding this an approval was provided prior to contract signing, i.e. new Architectural Urban Plan was made and Construction License was acquired. Regarding the radar, a new location on state land was provided and the radar will be placed with no financial compensation. The stated omissions caused delay of the execution of these two projects covered by the Loan Agreement concluded with EBRD. We must emphasise that for a period of three years, the new Management brought four projects in their final phase and it completed the largest process, layout and method of operation of the ATM system, this was done in coordination with Eurocontrol Experts and with the Consultant from France, Egis Avia, thus commencement of its manufacturing was approved. For the other two projects, new technical specifications were made and the same ones are to be approved by EBRD prior to announcement.

• In the part of the Report which refers to illegal fuel consumption, court proceedings against the employees involved in this abuse, have already been initiated and completed and by following the court expertise, the financial damage was compensated on this ground.
• Regarding the statements for the employments, i.e. the employment criteria, the way of job rotations of the existing employees, the compensations for the overtime and regarding the part of the lawyer services, explanations were provided by M-NAV GOJSC Skopje, but they were not accepted from reasons unclear to us, so we are to follow the recommendations given by State Audit Office.
• We inform You that the activities regarding the compliance with the recommendation for the premise leased out for a canteen of internal type, which serves only to the needs of the employees, аre ongoing.
• Regarding the remark that the land, i.e. the administrative building Lazar Pop Trajkov completed in 2017 and where the Division of Financial and Legal Affairs is currently accommodated, technical check of the building has not been done yet, besides that several meetings were held with the competent authorities, now it is up to the Ministry of Transport and Communication and the Municipality of Centar to make the registration of the building in AUP. Namely, we emphasise that several state institutions are located in the building and M-NAV GOJSC Skopje keeps only 8% of the entire space.
• As one of the most significant results of the new Management`s work is the fact that the basic capital of the Company has been increased for enormous 5 million euros in the last three years, and a significant decrease of the unproductive expenditures was done, thus proving the commitment and the professionalism.

With respect

M-NAV GOJSC Skopje