Municipality of Petrovec

Petrovec exists because Skopje International Airport required a municipality, and the village 15 kilometers southeast of the capital inherited that infrastructure identity. This municipality of 9,150 residents in the Skopje Statistical Region hosts North Macedonia's primary international gateway—awarded 'Best Small Airport' for Europe by Airports Council International in 2012—operated by TAV Airports under concession through 2032.

The formation era positioned Petrovec at the intersection of Macedonia's external connectivity and internal development. The airport that once bore the village's name processes approximately 2.9 million passengers annually, serving as the country's window to Europe and beyond. Special economic zones around the airport and nearby Okta refinery have attracted foreign manufacturers: Johnson Controls, Johnson Matthey, and Van Hool produce here, leveraging air freight access and labor cost advantages.

Today Petrovec demonstrates how airport infrastructure transforms municipal economics. The Skopje Statistical Region produces 45.5% of Macedonian GDP, with per capita output at 155% of national average—and Petrovec benefits disproportionately from this concentration. Some localities outside Skopje city limits function as outer suburbs, and Petrovec's airport, major roads, and railway connections make it a prime example of metropolitan extension.

By 2026, Petrovec's trajectory follows aviation and manufacturing investment trends. TAV's concession renewal through 2032 provides operational stability; the special economic zones continue attracting manufacturers seeking EU-adjacent production. The municipality has evolved from rural village to logistics and manufacturing hub, its identity inseparable from the runways that define its economy.