Montenegro’s airports are experiencing record traffic, with two million passengers served last month—an impressive feat achieved nearly a month ahead of last year’s numbers. This surge, involving around sixty destinations to Podgorica and Tivat, is being handled under less-than-ideal conditions. The decision on whether to introduce a concessionaire could be crucial in addressing these infrastructure challenges, with a final decision expected by October.
Airport congestion has reached critical levels, with Podgorica managing 1,300 passengers per hour instead of the projected 600, and a similar scenario at Tivat.
“As we speak, we are excited to announce that we have just served our two millionth passenger at Montenegro’s airports, nearly a month earlier than last season. This milestone highlights that this season is set to break records based on our data,” stated Roko Tolić, Executive Director of Airports of Montenegro.
Tivat Airport has seen a 67% increase in weekly flights compared to last year, while Podgorica has experienced a 19% rise. Despite the increase in flights and passenger numbers, the infrastructure has not kept pace. The question now is whether introducing a concessionaire will be the solution.
“If a concession decision is made, it would mean a swift influx of substantial capital to improve the much-needed infrastructure. We are running out of time, and our traffic is growing with expectations for further increases. The need for a concession has arisen due to our inability to keep up with infrastructure development. However, we are not standing still; my team is actively exploring ways to upgrade our infrastructure this winter at both airports,” Tolić said.
He also mentioned efforts to maintain low-cost airlines beyond the peak season and to enhance Montenegro’s connectivity with Europe. The resolution of these issues and the decision on concessioning will be critical for the future development of Montenegro’s airports.
