One of the largest low-cost airlines, Wizz Air, is considering opening a base at Podgorica Airport in early 2026, and has also announced the opening of routes that have not been available in Montenegro so far, the Airports of Montenegro (ACG) announced.
This came about, as stated, after lengthy negotiations with the Executive Director of the Airport of Montenegro, Roko Tolić, in which Prime Minister Milojko Spajić also participated, and with the direct support of the Minister of Transport, Maja Vukićević.
It was explained that the opening of the base means that Wizz Air planes will "overnight" in Podgorica.
"They asked us - 'where do you want to fly, just say it, but it has to have potential,'" said Tolić, but added that "someone has to pay for it."
"We have found opportunities to lower prices per departing passenger in line with them. So, it's not all about profit. Maybe Aerodrom will earn less, but for every euro we invest, the budget of Montenegro will earn five euros," explained the executive director of Aerodrom, pointing out that, in this case, the public interest prevails over the company's profits.
In order to implement this plan, Podgorica Airport has less than 12 months to prepare for this undertaking. As stated in the Airport's statement, the opening of the Wizz Air base in Podgorica, among other things, implies the urgent expansion of the airport building - until a decision on a possible concession is made, the construction of temporary, modular terminals is being considered. Then, work should begin on the reconstruction of the landing platform and the construction of two additional parking spaces, in addition to the existing six. This also means new jobs in operational services, as employees' working hours would start at 3.45 in the morning.
Tolić pointed out that they have the funds, the support of the Board of Directors and all state authorities, but added that he cannot guarantee the pace of public procurement, the speed of design...
"Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Works was formed, to which I give my full support. If I could draw attention to what is most important, I would immediately draw attention to the Airports of Montenegro. I repeat the aviation mantra that says that three kilometers of roads lead nowhere, but that three kilometers of runways lead to the whole world. Let's create the conditions for the world to come to us," he said.
Tolić also reminded that Ryanair once canceled some of its routes because ACG, as announced by the airline, increased the security fee per departing passenger from 1.75 to 3.25 euros, thereby increasing the cost of their operations.
"With the current changes, for the passenger traffic at that time, the step forward would mean a reduction of five to six euros per departing passenger," said Tolić, explaining that this would open up the possibility of improving cooperation with Ryanair.
In addition to low-cost carriers, ACG announced that they are working intensively to bring British Airways, one of the most important network carriers in Europe, to Montenegro.
"Negotiations are underway to open a line from Podgorica or Tivat to the premium airport in London - Heathrow. We have proven to our colleagues that the British market has exceptional potential for us," Tolić is convinced.
He added that negotiations are underway to open new routes in Podgorica and Tivat, and the list includes Amsterdam (Transavia), Marseille (Volotea), Basel (easyJet), Antalya (Sun Express), Glasgow and Liverpool (Jet2.com), as well as Hamburg, Hanover and Düsseldorf (Eurowings).
The CEO of ACG also said that negotiations with the Saudi airline Flynas have agreed to open the Podgorica-Riyadh route this summer, starting on June 27. This season, for the first time, we will also have charter flights from Podgorica to Madrid (Iberia), he added, expressing his belief that if we prove to be good hosts to the Spaniards during this season, the space will open for Madrid to become a regular seasonal route starting next summer.
Tolić thanked the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Urbanism, the Ministry of Finance, and the mayors of the municipalities of Zeta and Tivat for their support and cooperation.
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