Montenegro’s Airports set new passenger records in 2024

From January 1 to December 29, 2024, Airports of Montenegro (ACG) served more than 2.87 million passengers, marking a record year for the company. The record is particularly attributed to Podgorica Airport, which saw a 36% increase in passengers compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, and a 6% rise compared to 2023.

Tivat Airport milestone
For the first time since the pandemic, Tivat Airport surpassed one million passengers in 2024. ACG emphasizes that the cooperation with low-cost carriers dates back to 2013 (Ryanair) and 2016 (Wizz Air and easyJet). They also point out that until 2020, the government, through the National Tourism Organization, supported these collaborations, which led to an annual increase in traffic.

Post-pandemic growth and low-cost carrier success
After the pandemic, Airports of Montenegro, through competitive pricing and incentives, independently enhanced cooperation with low-cost airlines. This resulted in a record 90% increase in passenger traffic with these carriers in 2023 compared to 2019. In 2024, the share of Ryanair and Wizz Air passengers at Podgorica Airport reached nearly 34%. Additionally, easyJet at Tivat Airport transported 80% more passengers than in the record-setting year of 2023, mostly from the UK market, which is a key market for Montenegrin tourism.

Global connectivity through network carriers
ACG highlights the importance of network carriers like Austrian Airlines and Turkish Airlines, which provide connections to virtually every part of the world with just one stop. The company is also in negotiations for new routes for 2025, aimed at further boosting traffic, particularly on routes crucial for Montenegrin tourism.

Plans for future growth
ACG plans to introduce a new incentive scheme early in 2025, making their pricing more competitive regionally. This, along with potential government support for improving air connectivity, is expected to lead to more year-round routes at Podgorica Airport during the 2025 IATA winter season.

At Tivat Airport, an improved connection to major tourist markets is expected from the upcoming summer season, particularly with easyJet, which has already announced six routes for next summer, along with a significant increase in traffic volume.

Looking ahead
As Montenegro’s aviation industry continues to recover and grow, Airports of Montenegro remain optimistic about future growth, with plans to further enhance the country’s connectivity and tourism potential.