The aircraft under speculation has undergone a comprehensive technical and operational check, including analysis by expert teams from Air Montenegro, the manufacturer and EASA-certified maintenance organizations.
This was announced by the national airline Air Montenegro. They sent a press release regarding, as they claim, continuous and unfounded media reports and claims by individuals with extremely questionable credibility regarding the procurement of the third aircraft.
"Air Montenegro wishes to clearly emphasize that it will not participate in public polemics that do not aim to improve air traffic and develop the national airline, but rather serve to spread disinformation and politically manipulative actions, with the ultimate intention of causing damage to the company and air traffic in Montenegro by causing panic.
The company points out that Montenegro needs better air connectivity, and that Air Montenegro needs to increase its fleet in this regard, and they managed to achieve this using exclusively their own funds.
"Every unargued attack on this procedure, which does not seek to establish facts and reference evidence from authorized institutions, but rather attempts to damage the company's reputation through media captions, in the most important segment - passenger safety, is merely an attempt to personally profit by endangering the common good.
"As the national air carrier, we strongly distance ourselves from tendentious and inaccurate claims that, without any evidence, attempt to question not only our expertise and commitment to passenger safety, but also the findings of all relevant international institutions," Air Montenegro said.
DON'T MISS IT
The national airline announced that all operations are carried out in full compliance with the requirements of international institutions such as EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), IATA (International Air Transport Association) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
"Our absolute priority is to uphold professional civil aviation standards – not sensationalist claims from unprofessional sources. While we are actively working on expanding our fleet and introducing a third aircraft, we are in the final stages of negotiations with renowned partners from the global aviation industry, including aircraft manufacturers, certified maintenance organizations, and leading European airlines. This cooperation confirms that relevant stakeholders in the international sector recognize us as a safe and responsible partner. Therefore, we will not allow ourselves to be drawn into political showdowns, nor will our professionalism be questioned," the statement reads.
It is added that their response to the needs of the Montenegrin public and the tourism sector for improved air connectivity is reflected in the strategic expansion of the fleet.
"Every step in this process is carried out in strict compliance with applicable domestic and international regulations. All relevant entities are involved in the process – from manufacturers and authorized maintenance and audit organizations, to national and international regulatory bodies. The safety of passengers, crew and operations as a whole remains our absolute priority.
"The aircraft in question has undergone a comprehensive technical and operational check, including analysis by Air Montenegro's expert teams, the manufacturer and EASA-certified maintenance organizations. The claims about 'invalid documentation' and 'compromised safety' are completely unfounded, unsubstantiated and as such represent a clear attempt to discredit a professional process of strategic importance to our company," the company said.
Air Montenegro said that the operator, which is part of the group of owners of the aircraft in question, is on the EASA priority list of carriers.
"The owner of that company is also the current president of ERA (European Regions Airline Association), elected by votes of members such as Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Systems, TAP, KLM, Airbus, ATR and other renowned European organizations. Such professional credentials and international trust represent a relevant indicator of credibility for us - far more significant than unfounded claims and speculations by individuals without professional legitimacy, but with a very questionable ethical and safety profile."
"Finally, the Board of Directors fully supports this decision by the company's management and sees no room for further discussion," the statement said. The national airline threatened that if these, as they say, inappropriate and harmful announcements continue, they will be forced to react by initiating appropriate legal proceedings.
"Considering all of the above, we believe that the Montenegrin public deserves accurate and verified information, not attempts to destabilize the national airline that operates responsibly, professionally and with clear development goals. Air Montenegro will, as before, continue to operate transparently, professionally and in the interest of all passengers, citizens of Montenegro and international partners.
"We expect all actors in public life, and especially the media, to demonstrate professionalism in approaching such sensitive topics and to refrain from spreading disinformation that could have serious consequences for the public interest," the statement concludes.
Bonus video:
