Crisis hits Montenegro

The smiles start to fade

It has become clear that the entire aviation industry in the Ex-Yu region has been seriously affected by the global financial crisis. The two airports in Montenegro, Podgorica and Tivat, are no exception to the global trend. Both airports are reporting significantly lower passenger figures for the first 6 months of the year. The news comes at the back of a decline in visitors to the Montenegrin coast.

At Montenegro’s main airport, Podgorica, traffic from January to the end of June, when compared to the same period last year, decreased by 24%. A total of 191.181 passengers passed through the airport’s terminal this year, compared to 236.188 last year. It should also be noted that the number of aircraft operations also decreased which would naturally cause a decline in passenger figures. At Podgorica there were 9% less flights then from January to the end of June last year.

Similar results can be tracked at Tivat Airport. The number of passengers passing through the airport during the first half of the year declined by 22%. There were a total of 171.679 passengers this year compared to 208.823 last. However, the number of flights operated to Tivat significantly declined when compared to 2008 (by 19%). This is because many charter carriers have avoided Tivat this year with less people travelling.

Both Tivat and Podgorica are reporting more arrivals into the country then departures. July and August will be key for both airport’s as it will indicate the extent to which this year’s tourist season has been affected.