Tivat Airport is handling approximately 20% more passengers than during the same period last year, with rising traffic placing increasing pressure on terminal facilities, ground operations and the surrounding road network. During peak Sundays, the airport processes up to 11,500 passengers within a 24-hour period. Flight disruptions on 24 and 25 July added to congestion and prompted negative public reaction during one of the busiest stages of the summer tourism season.
The airport serves as the principal aviation gateway for Tivat, Kotor, Herceg Novi and much of the Bay of Kotor tourism market. Its operational performance affects hotels, private accommodation providers, marinas, transfer companies and high-end residential developments throughout the region. Growing passenger volumes have increased demand on airport infrastructure, with long queues, limited waiting areas and baggage handling disruptions affecting the passenger experience before visitors reach their destinations.
Congestion continues beyond the airport, with local authorities identifying traffic at the entrance to Tivat and along the Adriatic Highway as the main operational challenge during the summer season.
Peak traffic extends airport transfer times, while employees, residents and commercial deliveries also experience delays, increasing labour costs and reducing productivity. The geography of the Bay of Kotor adds further constraints, as road expansion is technically complex, costly and environmentally sensitive. Traffic generated by the airport combines with local and through traffic along a limited coastal transport corridor.
The airport’s capacity is therefore closely linked to the surrounding transport network, with terminal expansion alone unable to eliminate congestion without improvements to ground access infrastructure. Operational measures, including more efficient passenger processing, ground handling, traffic management and coordination with airlines, could provide short-term improvements. Longer-term growth will require investment in additional terminal capacity and regional transport connections.
Reliable airport operations remain important for premium tourism, as visitors using higher-category hotels and marinas expect efficient transfers and airport services. Operational performance is also a consideration for airlines when allocating routes and aircraft, with congestion and infrastructure limitations increasing scheduling complexity and disruption costs.
Discussion over the future of Tivat Airport has continued for years, including investment options, ownership structure and possible concession arrangements. Passenger growth has outpaced infrastructure modernisation, while the latest traffic figures indicate that transport capacity has become a key constraint as tourism demand and hotel activity continue to increase.
