Montenegro’s two international airports have surpassed 3 million passengers in 2026, reaching the threshold almost two and a half months earlier than during the record year of 2025. State-owned Aerodromi Crne Gore recorded the three-millionth passenger, compared with December last year. The company attributed the stronger traffic to improved airline connectivity and negotiations with carriers, while its management described the three-million-passenger level as a new baseline rather than an exceptional annual target.
The faster increase in passenger traffic is adding pressure to expand capacity at Podgorica Airport and Tivat Airport. Both facilities can experience significant congestion during peak periods, with Tivat facing particularly strong pressure during the summer tourism season. Montenegro has planned immediate airport improvements worth up to €10 million before the summer 2027 season. Longer-term modernisation requirements have been estimated at approximately €200 million to €300 million. The broader investment programme could cover terminal and apron expansion, runway works and upgrades to ground infrastructure.
The increase in passenger numbers is also relevant to Montenegro’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on international air connectivity. Road and rail alternatives remain limited for many visitors from Western Europe. Airport capacity consequently affects airline operations as well as hotel investment, tourism revenues, property development and efforts to extend the tourism season. Podgorica Airport has increasingly developed into a year-round gateway, supported by the expansion of low-cost and scheduled European services. Air Montenegro is also seeking to expand its network.
Tivat Airport remains more seasonal but has a significant role in serving the Bay of Kotor, including higher-end tourism developments and Montenegro’s yacht and marina sector. The two airports have different infrastructure requirements. Podgorica has greater physical space for expansion and a larger year-round domestic catchment area. Tivat operates within a more constrained location and faces stronger seasonal peaks, as well as tighter limitations on terminal, apron and access-road capacity. The differing conditions mean future traffic growth will require separate investment approaches for the two airports. The government has temporarily shifted away from the long-running concession process and is focusing on direct infrastructure upgrades. A previously preferred foreign concession bidder withdrew from the process, while domestic investors have also expressed interest in airport development.
Aerodromi Crne Gore has said it could potentially finance substantial investment through borrowing. Increasing passenger traffic could support that approach because higher airport volumes provide more predictable revenues from passenger charges, aircraft fees, retail, parking and commercial concessions, strengthening the capacity to service debt. Direct public financing, however, would leave investment and operational risks within the public sector, while a concession or private partnership could transfer part of those risks while also allocating a share of future airport revenues and commercial control to private operators. The faster growth in passenger traffic provides the government with stronger demand conditions while reducing the time available to expand infrastructure.
Continued growth before additional capacity is completed could increase congestion and affect airline schedules and passenger experience. Operational reliability is also considered by airlines when allocating aircraft. Strong passenger demand combined with persistent delays, insufficient terminal capacity or limited aircraft parking can affect decisions on further route and capacity expansion. Milestone therefore marks a change in the timing of traffic growth as well as a higher passenger volume.
