Lufthansa is considering expanding its presence in Montenegro following talks with the country's airport operator in Podgorica, the second to take place in months, with new routes to both the Montenegrin capital, as well as Tivat in play. Bernhard Wodl, the Lufthansa Group Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, met with the General Manager of Airports of Montenegro, Danilo Orlandić, where the two discussed growth opportunities and the continuation of their ongoing partnership. Mr Wodl noted, "This meeting was a good opportunity to discuss potential new routes. We talked about the possibility of deepening our existing cooperation". Mr Orlandić added, "These talks were a good indication that there is enough room to develop new routes. Airports of Montenegro are prepared for all kinds of cooperation because the German market is extremely important for our tourism industry. Furthermore, German airports have excellent worldwide connectivity, so the launch of new routes to this market is vital for our public".
Year round Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Tivat, as well as Austrian Airlines services from Vienna to Tivat, are being negotiated. Furthermore, Eurowings is expected to introduce services to the Montenegrin capital this year after adding its first seasonal flights to the country, from Dusseldorf to Tivat, in 2017. The Lufthansa Group member has said it is considering boosting frequencies on its Tivat route and launching flights to Podgorica. The Montenegrin capital was featured in the airline's public vote last October to select its newest destination, which was ultimately won by Mostar. In addition, another member of the Lufthansa Group - Brussels Airlines - will commence a one weekly service from the Belgian capital to Tivat on May 9. "Expanding the destination network is one of the priorities at Airports of Montenegro. Lufthansa, as one of the most important carriers in Europe and the world, should be our partner in this process. Currently, Austrian Airlines maintains services between Podgorica and Vienna, and I hope that Lufthansa will launch new European routes to Montenegro as early as this year", Mr Orlandić said.
Following on from a record 2017, Montenegro's main airport has continued to post strong results this year too. In February, Podgorica welcomed 55.002 passengers, representing an increase of 17.7% on the same month last year. During January and February, Podgorica Airport handled 114.863 travellers, up 17.8%.
Month
|
PAX
|
Change (%)
|
|---|---|---|
| JAN | 59.861 | ▲ 17.8 |
| FEB | 55.002 | ▲ 17.7 |
Over in Tivat, the airport registered 16.534 passengers in February, an increase of 15.6%. This year, the airport welcomed 36.379 travellers through its doors, up 25.5%, while the number of aircraft movements increased 14%. Serbia remains the biggest country market from Montenegro, with 54.436 passengers handled to and from Belgrade so far in 2018, followed by 19.235 from Moscow and 11.448 travellers from Istanbul.
Month
|
PAX
|
Change (%)
|
|---|---|---|
| JAN | 19.845 | ▲ 35.1 |
| FEB | 16.534 | ▲ 15.6 |
The head of the Montenegrin airport operator noted, "There is strong interest from major global airlines this year that were not directly present on the market in the past, such as Lufthansa. We are already at a point where both of our airports will be operating at full capacity from May until the end of October. For example, TUIfly alone, which is entering the Montenegrin market this year, is expected to handle some 90.000 passengers on its flights to Podgorica". Airports of Montenegro has also held talks with Vueling where new services between Barcelona and Podgorica were discussed.
Comments
Lufthansa group airlines have joint marketing and sales activities, and OS is so to say post holder for Balkan within LH group.
Yes, unlike Montenegro airlines, a truly independent company.
People really use TK from Western Europe to Montenegro? You have any more info on that?
Eurowings (EW, Dusseldorf) is mulling entering into partnerships with other low-cost carriers in order to offer its passengers more travel options, Chief Commercial Officer Oliver Wagners has been quoted as saying by Reuters.
He added that the carrier is looking at cooperation with both short-haul LCCs which could feed Eurowings' long-haul network, as well as with carriers offering long-haul flights which could, in turn, be supported by Eurowings' European flights.
The move would follow similar steps taken by other European LCCs, affecting mostly transatlantic services. Last year, easyJet signed partnerships with Norwegian, WestJet, Loganair, Corsair International, Neos, Aurigny Air Services, and La Compagnie, allowing travel on a single itinerary mostly via London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, and Paris Orly.
For its part, Ryanair entered into a similar agreement with Air Europa last year, providing connecting travel through Madrid Barajas. Recently, the Irish LCC also announced it will offer a similar option with Aer Lingus through Dublin Int'l.
Wagner did not disclose any potential partners nor any timelines.
new arrivals are freaking out how populated the beaches are
Btw, LJU figures are out I hope admin posts them tomorrow - Feb 99 213 +10,2% increase and 929 cargo which is 11,3% increase. FRA airport is growing like crazy too.