Big plans for Montenegro’s airports

Airports of Montenegro have announced that they have served their millionth passenger this year 2 months earlier compared to 2007. Last year the millionth passenger passed through the doors of Podgorica and Tivat Airport on December 12. Airports of Montenegro, the company that regulates the two international airports in the country, is expecting that this year they will serve 1.1 million passenger. It is expected that, this year, 10.000 aircrafts will be served, an increase of 12% compared to last year. Officials from the company have concluded that the constant increase in passengers is as a result of the continuous improvements at the airport terminals. In its statement the company also mentions that in 2008 various investments have taken place including the instalment of the new information system for electronic check-in and improved baggage handling and boarding procedures. Currently the reconstruction at Podgorica’s old terminal 1 is under way as well as the expansion of the apron at Tivat. The total of these two investment stands at 6 million Euros.

Furthermore the master plan strategy is currently in development. The plan will outline the expansion and management of both airports until 2023. The master plan will also outline the pace at which the two airports will be expanded.

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Despite global crisisMontenegro Airlines with good results

The Montenegrin national carrier, Montenegro Airlines, has transported more than 400.000 passengers during the last nine months, which is by one fifth more than it has been the case during the same period last year. It is expected that a Montenegro Airlines financial report, to be published within the following days, should show that the company has achieved positive business results during these nine months. The number of passengers on international flights has increased by 78%. The airline had 11 regular lines and serviced 20 charter destinations this summer. When statistics are broken down in more detail it can be seen that 39% of the total number of passengers transferred were tourists. The airline has recently introduced flights to London and Milan. The flights to London have proven profitable. Up until now 5.000 passengers have flown on this line. Use of capacities on these flights are 70% at the moment. The flights to Milan are somewhat weaker in terms of results. The current use of capacity on the flights is at disappointing 32%.

Good news for all passengers is that Montenegro Airlines will not change its ticket prices in the upcoming period, despite the developments at the global financial markets.

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Montenegro Airlines winter 2008/09New flight to London

From October 20 to 26, 2008 Montenegro Airlines, will begin with its winter schedule. For Montenegro Airlines this usually includes the decrease in frequencies as the tourist season in the country comes to an end although despite cutting frequencies the airline will also introduce a new flight and cease operations to a few lines. The airline will be operating this winter with 6 aircraft (4 Fokker 100’s and 1 Embraer 195 jet) as the airline awaits the arrival of its new 2 new Embraers, although it is uncertain if the deliveries will be made before the 2009 summer season begins in late March.

From its base in Podgorica to its most important market, Serbia, Montenegro Airlines will increase its currently operated 19 weekly flights to 21. This has been done in accordance with Jat Airways as the both airlines agreed to evenly distribute their flights so they no longer have clashing departure times. The equipment used will be a mix of the airline’s both aircraft types. Flight YM500 from Podgorica to Vienna will decrease in frequency however the airline has secured a code share agreement with Austrian. Frequencies to Frankfurt, Rome, Paris and Zurich will all decrease while flights to Moscow will remain unchanged. From the EX-YU region Montenegro Airlines will end its seasonal flights to Niš and increase its frequency on flight YM180 to Ljubljana from 1 to 2 per week (with another 2 flights operated in a code share by Adria Airways). Montenegro Airlines will also be introducing flights to London-Gatwick to be operated every Friday.

From its secondary base in Tivat the 23 weekly operated flights to Belgrade will be reduced to 14 using the Fokker 100. Flights to London that have been operated twice a week will end and will be rerouted via Podgorica as mentioned above. Flights to Moscow will be decreased by one flight. Flights to Paris will also cease operations from Tivat.

Any related updates will be posted. Any question our readers might have regarding the new schedule can be posted by using the “comments” option or contacting us using our e-mail address.

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Low cost airlines not interestedin Montenegro?

Since the independence of the small republic of Montenegro from its state union 2 years ago, the government has not received any request from low cost airlines to commence services despite the country seeing an increase in tourism each year and having 2 international airports. The Government of Montenegro says that low cost will commence flights to the country when they see that they will be able to make a profit and when the government gives them approval. The Montenegrin government is requesting low cost airlines to fly to its airports throughout the year, which many airlines such as Ryan Air, Easy Jet and Jet2.com see as unprofitable as they believe their flights could only make money during the summer season. This is in contrast to neighbouring Croatia where the government has put no ultimatums to low cost airlines and as result many operate to cities such as Split and Dubrovnik on a seasonal basis.

Meanwhile the national airline, Montenegro Airlines, is announcing that it will, in the following few months introduce a “low cost scheme”. This will offer 15 seats on each flight at low-cost airline prices. However there have been suggestions that the Montenegrin Government is protecting its national airline, as the company begins to grow and enter new markets, as well as order new aircraft. Despite this, Tivat and Podgorica have seen a rise in passenger numbers this year. This news is particularly surprising for Tivat Airport which has been left out from the schedules of airlines that operate charters to Tivat during the summer as these airliners have moved to Podgorica due to a noise curfew imposed at Tivat from this year.

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Who gets the most air traffic?

Eurocontrol is the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. Created in 1963 by six founding members, this civil and military intergovernmental organisation now counts 38 Member States from across Europe. It is based in Belgium with specialised offices in six other European countries. Not only does it keep Europe’s skies safe, it also compiles information on air traffic. These are the results for countries of the EX-YU:

Bosnia and Herzegovina: In August the total number of departures from Bosnian airports amounted to 698 arrivals and 700 departures while 23.471 aircraft flew over Bosnian airspace. These results are an improvement compared to last year when there were 644 departures, 649 arrivals and 22.804 overflies. Overall Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen an increase in air traffic every month with the number of overflies increasing the most, meaning more aircraft are flying over the country’s airspace.

Croatia: Not only is August one of the busiest months for air traffic in Croatia but the country is also seeing improvements across all months when compared to last year. In August alone there were 4.527 commercial departures, 4.396 arrivals and a total of 38.324 overflies. However the August 2008 results did not see a large improvement in traffic figures as some previous months. In August 2007 there were only 51 departures less nevertheless this number was made up by the large increase in arrivals. A total of 197 more arrivals took place in August 2008 then in 2007.

Macedonia: Despite MAT being banned from Greece, causing a large decrease in charter operations, Macedonia is recording a big improvement compared to last year over all months. August was particularly successful this year when there were 645 departures compared to 527 in August 07, 643 arrivals compared to 527 the same time last year and in August there were a total of 16.107 overflies compared to 14.385 last year.

Serbia and Montenegro: Serbia controls Montenegro’s airspace until further notice and as a result all data is combined with no separated information available. Similarly Belgium takes care of Luxembourg’s airspace. Nevertheless Serbia and Montenegro are recording the largest increase in operations. In August 2008 there were 3.479 departures compared to last year’s 2.787, 3.492 arrivals compared to 2.800 and 50.285 overflies compared to 42.687 in August 2007. The increase in overflies can be thanked to Serbia’s ideal geographical location. The largest increase in passenger operations was seen in May 2008 which can be largely thanked to the Eurovision Song Contest that was held in Belgrade seeing an increase in air traffic.

Slovenia: Slovenia is also seeing an increase in operations particularly in January and February. In August 2008 Slovenia saw 2.054 departures, 2.057 arrivals and 31.134 overflies. This compared to August 2007 when there were 1.930 departures and 1.970 arrivals. However Slovenia has seen a slight decrease this year in overflies when compared to 2007. In August 2007 Slovenia has a total of 31.253 overflies.

When all data is calculated the leading countries in August 2008 are:
1. Serbia and Montenegro
2. Croatia
3. Slovenia
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Macedonia Read more

Madonna sells out seatson Jat Airways and Montenegro Airlines

Both Jat Airways and Montenegro Airlines have been sold out on flights between their biggest markets – Serbia and Montenegro as the pop star Madonna prepares to hold her concert in Montenegro’s seaside town of Budva, near Tivat on Thursday September 25. A very large number of Serbian and Croatian fans are expected. During this week 52 return flights will be operated from Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport to Tivat Airport. On Wednesday and on Thursday all tickets have been sold between the two cities on the 19 flights that will be operated (14 by Jat and 5 by Montenegro Airlines) as well as for the 3 flights to Podgorica to be operated before midday. Belgrade Airport’s management expects that due to the concert 2.000 extra passengers will pass through its doors. Serbia’s national airline Jat Airways has sold 544 tickets for Thursday’s 5 Tivat flights, three of which will be operated by a Boeing 737-300 and 2 using an ATR72. For Wednesday’s 3 flights Jat has sold 198 seats. Jat has also increased its frequencies to Podgorica and sold 318 tickets for Thursday while only a handful of tickets to Montenegro remain. These tickets are to Podgorica on Wednesday. Jat will operate a total of 14 flights to Montenegro on Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the concert Jat is seeing an increase in passengers from Banja Luka and Sarajevo. Montenegro Airlines is also increasing its frequencies. Madonna will for the first time hold her concert in the region. It will be located at Budva’s Jaz Beach (pictured above) and has gained widespread media attention across the EX-YU region. Read more

Montenegro Airlines privatisationStrategic partner soon

By October 1 the government of Montenegro will prepare its national airline, Montenegro Airlines, for privatisation. It has been planned that 30% of the airline will be sold while the remaining 70% would stay in the government’s control. The expected cost of the 30% is at 38.5 million Euros with the cost of each share at 17.7 Euros. Currently, only the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is interested in the purchase, which is not surprising since air carriers usually purchase another only if they are the majority owners. The government has furthermore created a strategic plan for Montenegro Airlines’ development, although the government has been delaying this plan for months due to the changes in management in the airline. The new part owners will inherit new aircraft orders as well as an older Fokker fleet and a promising destination network. It will also inherit an impending law suit against the airline after its incident a few years ago at Podgorica Airport. Read more

Montenegro Airlines places order for new Embraer jet

On Tuesday, Embraer announced the sale of the first Embraer 195 jet to Montenegro Airlines. The agreement with the national airline of Montenegro also includes purchase rights for two more aircraft of the same model. Montenegro Airlines already operates an Embraer 195 under a leasing contract. The value of the deal, at list price, is US$39.5 million, and could total US$118.5 million, if all of the purchase rights are exercised. The Embraer 195 for Montenegro Airlines will comfortably seat 116 passengers in a single-class layout, and delivery is expected in 2009. The company plans to use the new airplane for key markets in Europe, including routes to cities like London and Moscow.

Last June, Embraer delivered the first E195 jet to Montenegro Airlines through a leasing operation carried out by GE Commercial Aviation Services. This leasing contract includes another aircraft of the same model for delivery next year that will increase the airline's fleet to three Embraer 195s by mid 2009. Andrija Lompar, the Minister of Transport, maritime affairs and telecommunications of the Republic of Montenegro, stated, "Next year, with three new Embraer E-Jets in the fleet of this national airline, it will continue the expected passenger growth trend, entering new markets and introducing more destinations, thus making a quality contribution to economic development". The Embraer 195 is the largest and newest aircraft of the modern four- member Embraer 170/190 family of E-Jets, and entered revenue service in September 2006. In June 2008, the E-Jets had logged 847 firm orders and 827 options. Today, over 400 aircraft in operation have surpassed 1.5 million flight hours.

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Good result and new aircraft order for Montenegro Airlines

In the first 8 months of 2008 Montenegro Airlines (MGX) transported 345.000 passengers which is a 7% improvement compared to last year. The airline’s management expects that this year it will transport half a million passenger. Yesterday Montenegro Airlines also transported its third millionth passenger since operation began in 1994. The lucky passenger, Tatjana Marinović, purchased a ticket from Podgorica to Belgrade and gained a special present ticket for two people from Podgorica to Paris. The management of the airline states that it had problems this summer with operations due to the high price of fuel. A total of 10.8 million Euros was spent on fuel. The expenditure for fuel makes up 43% of all funds spent. The total number of flights in the first 8 months was increased by 17%, thanks to new lines to Paris, Moscow and London. The overall cabin occupancy rate rose by 2% to 68%.

The Montenegro Airlines board as well as the government are holding talks about a possible purchase of another Embraer 195 jet. Talks should conclude next week and a new order is imminent. This would mean that during the 2009 summer season Montenegro Airlines will have three Embraer aircraft in its fleet, with one already in operation and a second one arriving in May next year. Therefore the MGX fleet would consist of 3 Embraer aircraft and 5 Fokker 100’s.

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Montenegro Airlines and Sky Srpska hold talks on future cooperation

The new found airline of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entity Republika Srpska, Sky Srpska, is expected to launch flight next year with the help of the government and Serbia’s Jat Airways. Montenegro Airlines will now join the two. Following a meeting between ministers from Republika Sprska and Montenegro Airlines’ CEO the two agreed that flights between Banja Luka and Tivat should be established which would operate at least 4 months per year, since there was satisfactory aircraft occupancy between the two cities when flights were operated on a continual basis in 1999 and 2000. The management of Sky Srpska also spoke with Jat Airways a few days ago regarding potential flights to Tivat, if all necessary licenses could be received. Currently Sky Srpska, with its base in Banja Luka, plans to open services to Belgrade, Pula and Tivat – all of which would be in code share opeartion (once operated by Sky Srpska the other time by a partner airline). It is expected that Sky Srpska would bring back life to Banja Luka Airport. For a few years Republika Srpska had its own airline under the name of Air Srpska, operated by Jat Airways. However when Jat decided to return the two aircraft given to Srpska back to its own base in Belgrade, operations ceased. Read more

Montenegro Airlines privatisation: EBRD most serious candidate

The Montenegrin ministry of transportation is preparing to sell shares and therefore privatise the country’s national airline – Montenegro Airline. Currently the most serious candidate for the privatisation of Montenegro Airlines is the European Bank for Rebuilding and Development (EBRD). This bank has hired a US consultancy company, which will provide forecasts on the dynamics on the company’s privatisation by October. According to the “CG Economist”, the ministry has chosen a US company “SH&E”, which will provide analysis of business strategy for the needs of this privatisation.

The privatisation of Montenegro Airlines will be conducted in three stages, first being the selloff of 5% of shares, second being recapitalization and the third one being the selling of a majority share-package. “The 5% of shares, which will be sold at the market, are ‘a test balloon’, which will be used to estimate the value of the company’s shares. This experience would serve as the basis for the company’s recapitalization, for which the EBRD has expressed interest”, said an official in the ministry of transportation. EBRD is also interested in the privatisation of companies “Aerodromi Crne Gore” (Airports of Montenegro) and “Luka Bar” (Port of Bar), which are also to be restructured and privatized in the near future.

Montenegro Airlines is the only airline in Montenegro. 99.97% of the company is owned by the state. With recapitalization, EBRD would become the owner of, at most, one third of the airline’s property. Montenegro Airlines recently purchased a new Embraer aircraft, the first one in its fleet of Fokker’s.

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New expansion strategy for Montenegro airports

The government owned company Airports of Montenegro will by the end of this year revise its master plan which outlines the development of airports in Montenegro by the year 2023. The first phase of the plan was implemented successfully and much quicker than expected. The company’s main aim is to continue improving facilities at Tivat and Podgorica which were recently reconstructed (with Podgorica getting a brand new terminal and Tivat a complete reconstruction). There are currently studies in place to determine if there would be a need for a third international airport in the small Adriatic seaside nation. A proposed airport site would be the redevelopment of the domestic airport at Berane. Berane city officials, as well as the general public in north eastern Montenegro favors the reconstruction, while government authorities question the project's viability.

For the time being both Podgorica and Tivat airports have seen a rise in passenger numbers this summer. Podgorica’s terminal one is expected to undergo renovations soon while the two airports are served, besides Montenegro Airlines, by Jat Airways, Croatia Airlines and Adria Airways from the EX-YU. Read more

Montenegro Airlines still offline

Weeks after the web presentation of the national airline of Montenegro was attacked by hackers from Kosovo leaving messages in Albanian and images of the Albanian flag the airlines web presentation is still offline leaving a statement for passengers to come back later. Montenegro Airlines is today the only national European airline without a web presentation. The airline was supposed to change its previous design to a new look this October which would include online ticket purchase but, due to the new circumstances, it is expected that the new web site will be online in late August even though the airline was running a competition for a new web design which was to be online in October.

This morning the site of the Montenegro's Parliament was attacked and so far along with Montenegro Airlines the web presentation of news portal Dnevnik and various Montenegro government ministry websites have been attacked.

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Montenegro Airlines privatisation: 3 companies interested

Representatives of the Montenegrin national airline have announced that a total of 3 companies are interested in its purchase, one of which is the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). “Talks with EBRD have been going well” says a Montenegro Airlines official. American consulting group SH&E have been chosen to assist Montenegro Airlines with its analysis of interested airlines. Last Friday the airline’s board agreed that 30% of Montenegro Airlines shares should be sold. The airline has not revealed details on the other two companies interested in its purchase. A board of advisers have been selected which will monitor the progress of the airline’s privatisation.

Montenegro Airlines has been flying for 14 years. It has 6 aircraft in its fleet (one of which is leased to another airline). It recently decreased the age of its fleet by introducing a brand new Embraer 195 jet. A second is also on order. The airline operates to 12 destinations, recently opening services to London and Milan. The airline’s most negative aspect which may divert potential buyers is a corruption scandal involving the airlines CEO, its short lived sister airline Master Airways and an Albanian carrier. Furthermore Montenegro Airlines still has a case against it by passengers of a 2005 January flight from Belgrade when Montenegro Airlines was the only airline not to cancel its flight to a snow covered Podgorica thus landing on a frozen runway in the process experiencing a nose collapse. Some passengers were injured.

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New flights and new rules in Montenegro

The Montenegrin government has passed a new law regarding air transportation within the country. This is the first time laws have been changed since the 90’s following the collapse of Yugoslavia. It outlines that every low cost airline which requests slots at Montenegrin airports will gain licenses if they have all necessary security certificates. This is to respond to growing criticism that Montenegro’s government has not been allowing low cost airlines to commence services in order to protect the national airline. However the minister of transportation Andrija Lompar states that low cost airlines are now analysing the Montenegrin market and are making their decisions at a very slow pace. Currently there are no scheduled destinations by low cost airline to Montenegro’s two international airports Tivat and Podgorica.

Meanwhile Montenegro Airlines has started services to Milan, Italy. Flights began on Sunday and the flight occupancy for the two operated flights stands at 47%. Montenegro Airline CEO expects that the occupancy will reach 70 to 75% within the next month. Montenegro Airlines expect that 45% of passengers will be tourists, 15 to 20% transit passengers and business passengers should make up for 3 to 5%. The lowest ticket price for flights between Tivat and Milan is 89 Euros which does not include taxes which are 114 Euros. Flights between Tivat and Milan operate every Thursday and Sunday and from October 26, when the winter timetable starts, the flights will be modified so they depart from Podgorica instead of Tivat.

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montenegroairlines.com under attack

The official internet website of the Montenegrin national airline has been under attack for the last 24 hours (and is still under attack as this news is written) by ethnic Albanian hackers from Kosovo. The attack commenced yesterday in the late afternoon hours when the Montenegro Airlines web page was covered with Albanian flags. There were a few lines written in English all reading “United Albania”. The group of hackers signed with “Kosova Hackers Group”. In the evening hours Montenegro Airlines “cleaned out” its website however attacks are still taking place. As this news article is written one can enter montenegroairlines.com and come across material such as “Republika e Kosoves”, “Albanian hackers 4 ever” and a message written in Albanian.

The hacking group has become famous in the Balkans as they have already hacked into the rock internet portal “Balkanrock” when they wrote messages such as “United States of Albania”. Three years ago the Serbia’s mobile company “Mobiklik” web presentation was attacked with messages “063 never again in Kosovo) with 063 being the calling number of the mobile operator.
However this is a first time that a website of an airline company has been attacked this way. Montenegro Airlines has recently announced they are developing a new webpage which will be online by late September/early October 2008. The new website will include Internet booking and a much clearer and interesting web presentation. We hope security will also be updated.

UPDATE: montenegroairlines.com has now been taken off line

UPDATE 2: Hackers have now attacked the web presentation of Montenegro’s daily newspapers

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New destination and good passenger figures for Montenegro Airlines

Montenegro Airlines has announced that it will be commencing flights to Milan, Italy from July 20. This destination will operate year round. Tickets are already on sale with the return ticket price at 100 Euros. Flights will be operated 2 times a week on Thursday and Friday. Destination wise Montenegro Airlines has also introduced daily traffic to Frankfurt. From September the airline will start flights from Podgorica to London Gatwick. The already existing Tivat – London flights are on each 80% full which is a good result.

In the first 6 months of this year the Montenegrin national carrier transported just over 206.000 passengers, a 20% increase compared to last year while its cabin occupancy was increased by 6%. June saw the largest amount of passengers with 52.000 flying Montenegro Airlines, which is an increase of 18% compared to June 2007. The airline’s goal for this year is to transport just over half a million passengers.

Currently the 6 monthly EX-YU passenger figure leader board looks like this:
1. Croatia Airlines
2. Adria Airways
3. Jat Airways
4. MAT Macedonian Airlines
5. Montenegro Airlines
6. BH Airlines

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Another facelift for Podgorica’s airport

It has been just over 2 years since Montenegro’s biggest airport Podgorica received a brand new terminal. Now it’s time for the old terminal to be renovated and for it to start being used for air traffic again. According to the CEO of Airports of Montenegro, Milovan Đuričković, the renovated old terminal will have a medical centre, lost baggage area, detention room, police and boarder control offices and well as handling for foreign airlines landing in Podogrica. The reconstruction will last 8 months and will cost 3.82 million Euros. Two VIP lounges will constructed within the old terminal building along with a multimedia room, news conference hall and training facilities for Podgorica Airport staff. A Croatian company from Bjelovar has been hired to perform the needed reconstruction.

Currently there are 10 scheduled airlines operating to Podgorica (with Croatia Airlines and Jat Airways along with Montenegro airlines from EX-YU). However this year Podgorica’s airport will see a huge increase in passengers as the majority of summer charter flights (most originating from Russia) have been moved from Tivat to Podgorica (due to noise issues). In 2006 the second Montenegrin airport, Tivat was also completely renovated.

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New plane arrivals for Montenegro Airlines

After the successful start of the Tivat to London service last week with its brand new Embraer 195 jet, Montenegro Airlines management is announcing new plane arrivals. A second E195 is expected to arrive in May next year while two additional E195’s are expected to be purchase following the airline’s privatisation. The airline’s CEO Zoran Đurišić said: “An Assembly of our Shareholders is scheduled to take place on 22 July. At this session, Montenegro Airlines would change its’ structure and become a share-holding company. After this, we shall offer 30 percent of shares for sale, while the majority package would remain under the control of the government”. As he said, funds obtained through selling of these shares would be used for the purchase of two additional “Embrearer” planes to add to the two already purchased. Although it was originally planned for services to the UK to originate from Podgorica the airline, together with the government of Montenegro, decided to move the origin to Tivat as this way tourists from the UK could be attracted to Montenegro’s coast. However flights from Podgorica to London will now start in September 2008. Read more

Montenegro E195 arrives in Podgorica

Today Montenegro Airlines received its first new plane in many years. The Embraer 195 started its delivery journey from Cabral International Airport in Cape Verde on route to Rome’s Ciampino Airport yesterday arriving at 22.15CET. It departed from Ciampino at 12.00CET.

Live report

13.00 - The MGX E195 is set to arrive within the next few minutes.

13.10 - The delivery flight from Rome is numbered MGX 7503. Upon arrival in a few minutes a special ceremony will begin where politicians as well as MGX workers should be attending.

13.16 - The aircraft has arrived to Podgorica.

The new aircraft will begin regular service on June 15 operating from Podgorica to London Gatwick. Congratulations to the airline and there are high hopes there will be various deliveries for various airlines around ex-Yu this year. Croatia Airlines started a few weeks ago. Read more