The Government of Montenegro is currently in the process of tendering for the concession of two airports, in Tivat and Podgorica, for a period of 30 years. This move is strongly opposed by trade unions, who are calling for a national referendum to decide the future of the airports.
The tender process, initiated by the government in December 2024, invites three interested bidders to submit their offers by May 9.
Minister of Economic Development, Nik Đeljošaj, has stated that he cannot comment on the choice of the concessionaire, as the tender committee’s processes are confidential. Montenegro operates two international airports: Tivat and Podgorica, both managed by the state-owned company “Aerodromi Crne Gore.” In 2023, the company reported a profit of nearly 10 million EUR. The government believes that modernization and new investments are needed for the development of the company and the growth of Montenegro’s tourism.
The discussion around long-term airport leasing began under the government of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) in 2019, which started the concession tender. During that time, four bidders prequalified: a French-Turkish consortium (Groupe ADP Consortium-TAV and Aeroports de Paris), Indian GMR Airports Limited, South Korean Incheon International Airport, and Luxembourg’s Corporacion America Airports. The concession fee was set at 100 million EUR, with 200 million EUR in planned investments. However, after the change in government in August 2020, the process was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Đeljošaj confirmed that the current government is continuing the process initiated under DPS.
Đeljošaj stated that the government will decide whether to grant the concession based on the quality of the offers. He emphasized that the government is committed to protecting workers in case of a concession.
Three trade unions oppose the concessions, including the Union of Free Trade Unions, which argues that citizens should decide on the issue through a referendum. The union believes that state-owned assets of national importance should remain under government ownership for the benefit of future generations. Another union representing airport workers claims that the airports can be modernized using internal resources, as the company is profitable.
The Transport Services Workers Union also opposes the move, expressing concerns about future mistakes in concession decisions.
The consulting firm Fideliti Consulting believes that the concession of the airports is almost a foregone conclusion. They point out that the government has already started expropriating property near the Tivat airport, using state funds for the benefit of the potential concessionaire. They argue that the concession is unnecessary, given the airports’ profitability, and project that the airports could generate up to 421 million EUR in profit over the next 30 years based on growth forecasts for air traffic.
The government has proposed amendments to the law regarding the distribution of concession revenues. Under the current law, 70% of the proceeds from the concession would go to the municipalities of Tivat and Zeta, where the airports are located. However, the proposed amendments would reduce this share to 20%, with the remaining 80% going to the state. These changes have sparked protests from local officials in both Tivat and Zeta, who argue that it is unfair to reduce the local share of concession revenues.
The government, however, argues that the concession revenues will be reinvested into capital projects in the municipalities of Tivat and Zeta.
In 2024, Montenegro’s airports served over 2.87 million passengers. Podgorica Airport saw a 36% increase in passengers compared to 2019, and Tivat Airport surpassed one million passengers for the first time since the pandemic.
