The Montenegrin government has adopted plans to put its two international airports in Podgorica and Tivat up for concession. A public call for the expression of interest is expected to be issued soon. The Montenegrin Minister for Transportation and Maritime Affairs, Osman Nurković, said the two airports will be offered up for a concession ranging between 25 and thirty years. "The airports will be offered to credible, experienced and proven global concessionaires. This way we can make a great deal for the airports and the state", Mr Nurković said. Turkey's TAV Airports Holding, which has become a global brand in airport construction projects and operations, held talks with Mr Nurković on two different occasions late last year in order to examine suitable concession models.
The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković, previously said, "Several well established companies have already shown serious interest for the airports. The concession is vital in order for Tivat Airport to follow through with its plans to build a new passenger terminal, extend its runway and overhaul its taxiways". Last year, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was set to approve a fifty million euro loan for the development of Tivat Airport, however, it requested for the Montenegrin government to guarantee the airport would remain in state hands over a period of ten years following the completion of the expansion project. Mr Marković's administration was unable to agree to such terms.
Montenegro's opposition parties have slammed the government's concession plans, noting that operator Airports of Montenegro is one of the country's most profitable public enterprises. It recorded profit before tax of 5.2 million euros last year. Montenegro's two airports handled a combined total of 1.3 million passengers during the January - July period. Last month alone, the two welcomed 422.220 travellers through their doors. Last Sunday, Tivat Airport broke its 24-hour record by handling 11.233 passengers, while Podgorica saw its busiest day in a decade on July 22 with 7.670 travellers.
Comments
Also the mafiosi deal they have with the taxi company is crazy. Only one taxi company is allowed to drive you from the airport and they charge a fixed rate of 15 euros to the city. You can go with any taxi company back to the airport and the actual price from the city is just 6 euros.
Btw, I dunno what happened to the plan to build one new, large airport between Podgorica and Tivat/Budva area? Hard to imagine it is cheaper to have two outdated smaller airports that need larger investments, upgrades and refreshments.
Serbia did an excellent move by choosing the Frenchies.
Slovenia benefited a lot from Fraport, we can see the results.
N Macedonia also has now 2 modern and efficient airports.
ZAG has probably one of the most modern airports in the Balkans.
Bulgaria's coastal airports have developed significantly thanks to Fraport and SOF's fate will be known this autumn.
I think BiH is next, SJJ needs a serious intervention. We all saw how TZL grew like crazy.
Lastly, I really hope that GoS will take care of INI and not chase away the airlines.
They should be lucky if they get a deal like in SKP
Greece has not decided to gave away the mainly profitable airports to Fraport in a situation they would need sustainable income to their state budget, they were fotfor to do so by the EU/ECB.
However, surely private companies could be beneficial for YU airports, because they just keep the relatives of the politicians out of management... But it should not be seen as an automatism.