Montenegro’s airports have the potential to become a major player in the European market in the near future. If a concession is granted, this development could occur quickly, as private capital is not constrained by the administrative procedures of the public sector, such as approvals, consents and public procurement processes, stated Roko Tolić, CEO of Airports of Montenegro, in an interview with the Standard portal.
Tolić discussed the plans for the upcoming winter season and emphasized the need to improve infrastructure in order to accommodate the growing number of passengers, which has long exceeded current capacities.
He believes that Montenegro has the potential to become the next top European destination, not just in the summer, but throughout the entire year.
In this context, Tolić added, new flight routes are crucial for connecting tourists eager for new destinations with Montenegro, a hidden gem.
“It is clear that the Airports of Montenegro lack the necessary infrastructure, as we saw this summer when the number of passengers greatly exceeded our capacity. Expanding the terminals at both airports and increasing the number of flight routes are top priorities for the management of Airports of Montenegro,” he said.
Tolić pointed out that the number of passengers at Montenegrin airports is constantly rising, while the terminals remain unchanged in size for nearly 30 years.
The solution lies in determining whether a concession is the way forward or if the company remains state-owned, he emphasized.
Tolić also mentioned that, depending on the pace of administrative procedures, Airports of Montenegro are preparing for partial expansions of the Podgorica and Tivat terminals to offer a more comfortable experience for tourists by 2025.
