Montenegro Airlines sees strong 2010

Montenegro Airlines named “Hottest to watch in 2011”

In 2010, Montenegro Airlines carried 630.000 passengers, an increase of 20% compared to 2009. The airline recorded similar losses as in 2009, amounting to approximately 6 million Euros. Zoran Djurišić, the airline’s CEO, told a media conference in Podgorica that 2010 was one of the most difficult years in the airline’s history. He explained that the airline’s losses accumulated primarily due to an increase in fuel prices on the Montenegrin market. Djurišić outlined that the Montenegrin carrier operated more flights last year, up by 16% compared to 2009, while its average return ticket (without taxes) amounted to 93 Euros.

In 2011 Montenegro Airlines will commence flights to Milan and Brussels and increase its frequencies to London. Commenting on the recently failed privatisation drive, Djurišić said that the carrier should remain in government ownership for now.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has published a list of 75 airlines “Hottest to watch in 2011”. Montenegro Airlines is the only EX-YU airline to be included in the list with the likes of Lufthansa, easyJet, Wizz Air, S7, Malaysia Airlines and Etihad.