Montenegro is accelerating preparations to expand its international airports in Podgorica and Tivat, with the immediate objective of increasing capacity ahead of the 2027 summer season and a longer-term investment programme estimated at €200 million-€300 million. The government said on Sept. 2 that it had established an inter-ministerial coordination body led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to accelerate airport planning, financing and administrative procedures.
The immediate programme will target measures that can deliver additional capacity before next summer. A new 10-year Airport Master Plan will establish the scope of larger investments and provide a basis for pursuing EU grants and financing from international financial institutions.
Airport investment needs estimated at up to €300 million
Airports of Montenegro Chief Executive Roko Tolić has estimated that development requirements at the two airports could reach €200 million-€300 million. No final investment budget or financing package has yet been approved. The state-owned operator expects passenger traffic to surpass 3 million by the end of September 2026, three months earlier than the previous full-year record. The increase is adding pressure on terminals, aircraft stands and other airport infrastructure.
At Podgorica Airport, the longer-term plans include a new passenger terminal, expanded apron, and reconstruction and possible extension of the runway. The government is also seeking capacity for larger wide-body aircraft. The programme for Tivat Airport envisages a new terminal, expanded apron, additional taxiway infrastructure and comprehensive runway reconstruction. No construction timetable or individual project costs have been announced. Their definition will depend on completion of the Master Plan, technical documentation, permitting and the eventual financing structure.
Tivat faces strongest seasonal capacity pressure
Tivat faces particularly strong seasonal pressure because it serves the Bay of Kotor and major tourism and real-estate destinations including Tivat, Kotor, Herceg Novi and the Luštica peninsula. Passenger flows are concentrated heavily in the summer months, increasing pressure on terminal facilities, aircraft parking and ground operations. Podgorica has a broader year-round function, serving the capital, business travellers and much of central and northern Montenegro. Passenger growth is nevertheless increasing the requirement for additional capacity there as well.
The airport expansion is closely linked to Montenegro’s tourism model, with air connectivity influencing the ability of hotels, developers and international businesses to operate and expand. The country is seeking to attract more visitors from Western and Northern Europe and extend tourism beyond July and August. Increasing airline frequencies and routes will depend partly on whether airport infrastructure can accommodate additional traffic.
Master Plan to support EU and IFI financing
The Master Plan is also intended to support access to EU grants and favourable international financial institution financing. This could be important given the scale of the potential programme. An investment requirement of €200 million-€300 million would represent a significant capital commitment for Montenegro, alongside spending needs for motorways, railways, electricity networks, water infrastructure and environmental projects.
Airports of Montenegro has indicated that it could potentially finance part of the programme through borrowing. Its passenger growth could support such an approach, although the eventual structure will depend on future cash flows, project economics and government policy concerning airport ownership and management. Montenegro has considered airport concession models for years without completing a transaction. The latest approach prioritises accelerated development while leaving longer-term decisions over the operating model open.
2027 summer season set as immediate priority
The 2027 summer season is the immediate focus. Smaller capacity improvements can be delivered faster than new terminal construction, while major airport projects require design, environmental approvals, land arrangements, procurement and operational sequencing. Construction will also need to be coordinated with existing airport operations to avoid materially disrupting traffic.
The new high-level coordination body is intended partly to address these administrative and implementation constraints. Similar bottlenecks have affected major infrastructure projects in Montenegro when financing was available before permits, property matters or technical documentation had been completed.
Airport capacity linked to tourism growth
The airport programme also highlights the connection between tourism growth and wider infrastructure requirements. Rising arrivals and overnight stays in 2026, together with additional hotel and residential development, are increasing demand for airports as well as roads, electricity, water and wastewater infrastructure. Tivat offers the clearest example of the capacity challenge. Its airport serves an increasingly premium tourism market, while its infrastructure was designed for substantially lower traffic volumes. During peak periods, capacity limitations can affect airline scheduling and passenger handling even when demand for additional flights exists.
Additional capacity could support more direct connections, particularly from markets where Montenegro is seeking to increase higher-spending tourism. Podgorica could complement that role by handling more year-round and connecting traffic. A larger terminal and apron would provide airlines with greater operational flexibility and strengthen its role as the main gateway to central and northern Montenegro.
Expansion could create major procurement pipeline
The potential programme would also generate a significant procurement pipeline for construction companies, engineering firms, equipment suppliers and airport-technology providers. Terminal projects would require civil, mechanical and electrical works, while apron and runway construction would involve specialised aviation infrastructure.
The longer-term programme could also include digital passenger processing, baggage systems, security equipment and energy-efficiency investments. The €200 million-€300 million figure remains an assessment of potential development needs rather than a final investment decision. The Master Plan will determine the scope and sequencing of individual projects. The government’s decision to establish a coordinated planning mechanism comes as passenger traffic exceeds previous records, increasing pressure to deliver additional capacity at both airports.
