Lufthansa puts focus on Montenegro

Lufthansa is considering expanding its presence in Montenegro following talks with the country's airport operator in Podgorica, the second to take place in months, with new routes to both the Montenegrin capital, as well as Tivat in play. Bernhard Wodl, the Lufthansa Group Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, met with the General Manager of Airports of Montenegro, Danilo Orlandić, where the two discussed growth opportunities and the continuation of their ongoing partnership. Mr Wodl noted, "This meeting was a good opportunity to discuss potential new routes. We talked about the possibility of deepening our existing cooperation". Mr Orlandić added, "These talks were a good indication that there is enough room to develop new routes. Airports of Montenegro are prepared for all kinds of cooperation because the German market is extremely important for our tourism industry. Furthermore, German airports have excellent worldwide connectivity, so the launch of new routes to this market is vital for our public".

Year round Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Tivat, as well as Austrian Airlines services from Vienna to Tivat, are being negotiated. Furthermore, Eurowings is expected to introduce services to the Montenegrin capital this year after adding its first seasonal flights to the country, from Dusseldorf to Tivat, in 2017. The Lufthansa Group member has said it is considering boosting frequencies on its Tivat route and launching flights to Podgorica. The Montenegrin capital was featured in the airline's public vote last October to select its newest destination, which was ultimately won by Mostar. In addition, another member of the Lufthansa Group - Brussels Airlines - will commence a one weekly service from the Belgian capital to Tivat on May 9. "Expanding the destination network is one of the priorities at Airports of Montenegro. Lufthansa, as one of the most important carriers in Europe and the world, should be our partner in this process. Currently, Austrian Airlines maintains services between Podgorica and Vienna, and I hope that Lufthansa will launch new European routes to Montenegro as early as this year", Mr Orlandić said.

Following on from a record 2017, Montenegro's main airport has continued to post strong results this year too. In February, Podgorica welcomed 55.002 passengers, representing an increase of 17.7% on the same month last year. During January and February, Podgorica Airport handled 114.863 travellers, up 17.8%.

Month	PAX	Change (%)
JAN	59.861	▲ 17.8
FEB	55.002	▲ 17.7

Over in Tivat, the airport registered 16.534 passengers in February, an increase of 15.6%. This year, the airport welcomed 36.379 travellers through its doors, up 25.5%, while the number of aircraft movements increased 14%. Serbia remains the biggest country market from Montenegro, with 54.436 passengers handled to and from Belgrade so far in 2018, followed by 19.235 from Moscow and 11.448 travellers from Istanbul.

Month	PAX	Change (%)
JAN	19.845	▲ 35.1
FEB	16.534	▲ 15.6

The head of the Montenegrin airport operator noted, "There is strong interest from major global airlines this year that were not directly present on the market in the past, such as Lufthansa. We are already at a point where both of our airports will be operating at full capacity from May until the end of October. For example, TUIfly alone, which is entering the Montenegrin market this year, is expected to handle some 90.000 passengers on its flights to Podgorica". Airports of Montenegro has also held talks with Vueling where new services between Barcelona and Podgorica were discussed.