“ToMontenegro” becomes new national carrier


The Montenegrin government has registered a new airline called ToMontenegro as its flag carrier less than ten days following the collapse of Montenegro Airlines. The company has been founded with thirty million euros in start-up capital. The state noted the airline’s name will likely change and has invited the public to send in their branding proposals. “We had to act fast so we could salvage parts of Montenegro Airlines, however, the name, logo and design are susceptible to change. We invite everyone who is passionate about this matter to send in their proposals to 2montenegro@gov.me. We will present your proposals to the public which will have a final say”, the Minister for Finance, Milojko Spajić said. He added, “A large part of Montenegro Airlines’ hard working employees will be involved in the creation of this new company”. 

The race is on to get Montenegro’s new airline off the ground in order to preserve some of Montenegro Airlines’ slots at European airports, crew permits and respond to the quick reaction by its competitors. Montenegro Airlines has been suspended from IATA Clearing House, which provides billing and settlement services in multiple currencies for the air transport industry. Furthermore, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, Air France and Alitalia have ended their codeshare partnerships with the grounded airline. “Montenegro Airlines’ status is undefined. We are trying to keep the company alive in this transition period while we form a new carrier. We are aware that we must have a national airline”, the Minister for Capital Investments, Mladen Bojanić, said. 

Commenting on the new airline, Mr Bojanić noted, “ToMontenegro will be the pride of the country and will be profitable, unlike its predecessor. Montenegro Airlines was in debt tens of millions of euros to everyone. The company had negative capital amounting to sixty million euros. Two days before its last service, the flight from Podgorica to Vienna was cancelled because of debt owed to Eurocontrol”. Mr Bojanić previously said it could take between six to nine months to launch a new airline but that efforts would be made to do so before the start of the height of the summer season.


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    I really hope they change that name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      Avetinja airlines

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    Wish them good luck

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. are you serious? 350-400 employees for the airplane company with 1 or 2 planes.... of course it will be different...

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:08

    I don't see how this will work any differently than Montenegro Airlines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:46

      I believe that they will change everything, like every and each airline in Ex-yu should do it...

      Delete
    2. It will work totally different. All management, including lower, will be from totally different political parties, now in power

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:08

    We had to act fast so we could salvage parts of Montenegro Airlines, however, the name, logo and design are susceptible to change. We invite everyone who is passionate about this matter to send in their proposals to 2montenegro@gov.me.

    AIR ĐETIĆ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:21

      Air Novi Beograd by the largest Montenegro city?

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:09

    I think they made a mistake by shutting down YM. Should have written off the debt, 85% of it is to the state and paid for the rest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      I think the debt to foreign suppliers was huge and it was impossible to pay it off.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:26

      I also think that they made a mistake. They should have just restructured the airline and saved costs. No more free bags, no more free food and drinks, fired the board of directors which had huge paychecks. Savings could have easily been made.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous22:21

      I don't think you can just "write off debt", "restructure" and keep all the assets while not having to pay for any liabilities. Creditors can write off debt, but Montenegrin gov't was far from being YM's main or only creditor.

      If such magic worked, every government would be doing it all the time, whenever a problematic company gets in too much trouble.

      Moreover, YM was structurally in so much trouble (i.e. thoroughly corrupt and inefficient) that it's probably easier to start anew.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous21:51

      Just some legal 2cents: Writing off debt is a form of state aid (for debt owed to the gvmt). So such an "aid" has to be according to state aid rules and on market principles. Good luck proving 100% debt write-off is legal.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:10

    This is a bit amateurish. Asking people to send in their proposals for the new airline...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      Minister Bojanic said how it is going to be great because they will put "more red than blue" on the plane.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:10

    Montenegro keeps winning!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:13

    What will they do fleet wise?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      To my knowledge YM owns 1 F100 which is still in a flying state.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:15

    I don't get it. It's not like you just shut down a cafe and can reopen in a month. It is very difficult to launch a new airline that is already in IATA, has codeshares etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:44

      Nordica started the next day after the Estonian Air went into bankruptcy. This was done as a virtual carrier with the help of Adria (their AOC and everything). Nordica/Xfly have the experience. Why not use it? Xfly planned to introduce E195 in 2020 and has all the preparations made. The ToMontenegro will be too small anyway to survive, but if the planes will be part of the larger fleet (cheaper maintenance, etc.), then it should be doable. It would be even better if Slovenia would use the same approach with the help of Xfly. Then the number of Xfly aircraft in the region will be large enough to keep also a spare plane in the region. Xfly uses local staffing companies and provides jobs for the local crews. It should not be a problem to get a new company (or two of them) up and running by the summer season

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:50

      Lets wait and see, codeshare is not really so critical, if you have connections and technical knowledge how to do it then it's really quick.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:16

    At least they want to do it quickly. Unlike here in Slovenia.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:16

    "We are aware that we must have a national airline"

    Then what was the point of closing MGX?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      There was no other choice.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:17

    To Montenegro or 2 Montenegro sounds very LCCish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:24

      That's why its temporary.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:33

      Well if they want to succeed and make a profitable airline venture, then the LCC model is the best or perhaps the only way to go. The fact its going to be a national airline is not changing the scope much. Theres absolutely no problem in having a national airline which is an LCC. Take AirBaltic as an example.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:19

    Hope it works out.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:20

    30 million is way too little for an airline.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:26

      Really? How did you come to that conclusion? You do realize that aircraft can be leased?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:28

      Wow, that was fast. And we still have nothing in Slovenia a year and 3 months after Adria's bankruptcy.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:34

      Did Slovenia even send its EU recovery plan? Becouse new airline is planned in it and EU has to approve it

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:51

      As far as I know our government did not send it yet. Should be done in next 10 days and then we are waiting for EU commission...

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:24

    Awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:31

    So when can we expect them to launch flights?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      Like the minister said - 6 to 9 months.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:34

      Absolutely no chance a new airline can be up and running by summer 2021.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:32

    Meanwhile Montenegro Airlines' website still selling tickets, advertising fares for non existent destinations and wishing everyone a happy new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      Parallel universe

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:32

      This one surprises me the most. They don't bother keeping their customers up-to-date.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:32

    Whatever airline they create it will be money loosing. There is just no point.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:52

      So by that logic 90% of airlines around the world should just close their doors?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:26

      Yup

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:52

      Okey..So actually you comment is without any point because that will not happen, never ever!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:31

      Anon 9:25
      He thinks new airline will be money losing always and after pandemic, not only now.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous15:25

      I was talking about that time frame as well, during pandemic we all know that everyone is making loss.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous22:09

      90% of airlines were loss making before pandemic?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:24

      Can you deny that?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:33

    Why not call it Montenegro Airways?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:37

    New chance for a new airline will a clean slate. All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous09:38

    Montair like their original callsign.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:17

      Yes! Montair is simple, clear and easy to remember.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:51

      But keeping the name of country on aircraft is free marketing around the world. Just think how many people see airplanes everyday and you never know who will select next journey because they saw "Montenegro" on aircraft..

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15:45

      right ... most of those small planes were parked far away from the terminal ... so quite hard to spot them ...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:39

      Or MonteWings

      Delete
  22. Anonymous09:41

    The name needs changing immediately. Air Montenegro would sound a lot better then To Montenegro.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous09:42

    They are dealing with trivial things like the name instead of the economics behind the new airline.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:44

      I wouldn't say so. They are obviously working on it. They just mentioned the name as something on the side.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous09:45

    @SLOgovernment

    Watch and learn!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10:10

    They seem determined to create a new airline which is impressive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:48

      They should have prepared everything before they grounded YM. That would have been impressive. Not adhoc like this.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:14

    I hope they will change the name!!! FlyMontenegro sounds better!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10:16

    Retain the 1 Fokker they own and fly only TGD/TIV - BEG. It's the only viable route and the only one that will bring profit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:47

      That fokker is old. I'm not sure how much longer it can fly.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:08

      Not as old as JU's B737s :)

      Delete
  28. Anonymous10:21

    No chance this will work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:48

      What do you mean with "work"? To be profitable? That it's not going to be established at all?

      Delete
  29. Anonymous10:22

    Is anyone going to compensate all those poor people that had tickets with YM? Seems like no one is mentioning them. Where is the agency for the protection of consumer rights in Montenegro?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:36

      It's non-existent. I had tickets booked with YM and did not even know they went bankrupt until this news article was showing up in my feed. They don't bother sending their customers an email to stay informed but instead expect them to check their website every other day.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous10:29

    They should just buy the Adria brand :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:49

      As far as I know a guy from MNE is the only one interested to buy Adria's brand, so you never know :)

      Delete
  31. Anonymous10:45

    This is bad news for JU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:46

      Of course, everything is bad news for JU.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous10:46

    jkk

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous11:15

    Why don't they use the same logo but in nice red. The legal name could change but they could operate as "Montenegro" on the fuselage. Sell AOC from one state company to another and all is well. Alitalia has been doing the same for ages.

    (presipanje iz šupljeg u prazno sasvim okej funkcioniše na našim prostorima)

    It's not like they need to rebrand seriously. Never had a loss of life or anything similar.

    Regards, Eight.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous12:19

    I don't wanna sound negative, but firstly the airline name is quite peculiar. There are definitely way many other options. Secondly, exposing a generic email publicly and asking for feedback and ideas is surreal. This shows that the new company is lacking qualified people to run it. But hey, in the Balkana everything is possible.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous12:38

    Slovenia and Montenegro saga continues ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:04

      No, Montenegro saga goes as it should go with real decisions and actions. Unfortunately our politicians still did not do anything regarding Air Slovenia.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:28

      What do you mean nothing? They already have money for it, 76 mio €. They said they will have CRJs. Only EU has to approve it, but becouse they still didnt send recovery plan, they cant.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:34

      real decision? a country of 620.000 people doesnt need a national company and its also debatable if Slovenia needs one too

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:48

      So what is the line in terms of population who needs national carrier and who does not? As name itself (national) tells you, it is something which covers national interests and nobody will do that except national carrier itself. Size of country does not mean anything when it comes to connectivity. If JU is willing to base 5 aircrafts to LJU for 5 millions per year then I agree that we don't need national carriers as well.

      Delete
  36. What a disastrous decision. They simple can not have a sustainable airline...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:02

      What do you mean with sustainable? To be profitable?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:11

      They are not any different than others. They just want to have own airline, even if that means a bit of losses to cover each year. Nothing too extraordinary I would say.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19:15

      Bold statement by the minister to promise that the new airline will be profitable. Very bold. It strikes me as an impossible task for an airline as small as four aircraft (supposing that the new airline will be the same size as YM).

      Delete
  37. Anonymous12:57

    Does TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings) legislation exist in Montenegro? This is essentially 'closing the doors of the factory and re-opening across the street', and if there is some (any) kind of TUPE law in the country, they would be forced to hire back all their former employers on the same Terms & Conditions - which somewhat defeats the purpose....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:04

      Of course there isn't

      Delete
  38. Didn't even know they went bankrupt.
    No offense, but forcing national carriers in ex yu countries, only due to "national pride" is typical balkans nonsense that eventually ends up being subsidized by the citizens who could use their tax money being spent in numerous smarter ways than to constantly be saving these carriers from the brink of bankruptcy.
    That goes for all of them .
    As usual, Slovenia is the smartest player.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:36

      everything is correct in your comment except the last sentence

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:04

      Not only incorrect but quite ironic

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:11

      Slovenia the smartest in aviation... the biggest joke of the 2021

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:44

      Michael, I don't know where you live but nobody is forcing national carriers but if our country does not have good connections to other airports then something has to happen. If foreign carriers don't want to fly then we need to do something on our own. Just look Slovenia, even before Covid connections out/to LJU were very weak. So in that case we are the biggest losers in Ex-yu area! But hey, we spend 5 mio per year now, does not matter if we lose 100 mio because of weak connectivity, who cares..

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:20

      "Just look Slovenia, even before Covid connections out/to LJU were very weak."

      I don't know if you are aware, but the dominant airline in Slovenia went bankrupt shortly before Covid. How quickly would you expect that capacity to be replaced?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:22

      1) everyone knew that JP is going to bankrupt in this year, two months later or sooner but there was no chance for them surviving 2020. So actually carriers could be prepared if they had any interest in LJU.
      2) we already have schedule for summer season 2020 before any covid situation and again it would be disaster compared to 2019. So more than 6 months is not enough to prepare your schedule? Let's admit to ourselfs that foreign carriers does not have intentions to fly to LJU or they fly with really small amount of flights.

      Situation as we had in past with JP will never happen again without national carrier.

      Delete
  39. Anonymous16:03

    ToMontenegro is one direction only.

    If they plan on return flights name should be To&FromMontenegro.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:50

      haha good one

      Delete
    2. Lol, you made my day :) :) :)

      Delete
  40. Anonymous18:50

    Like someone suggested Montair sounds the best to me.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous19:40

    Watch and learn? No, thank you. I’m sure airports and suppliers across Europe are just dying to work with another Montenegrin carrier now that they won’t get to see a dime owed to them by YM. Watch and learn? Sure, what not to do.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous21:11

    Might as well burn the $30M cash and at least provide some heat for your citizens. SMH

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anonymous21:16

    It can be stylised 2 Montenegro

    ReplyDelete
  44. great news, what do you think, which connections shoulf LJU/Slovenia have?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      What destinations LJU should have? Is this even a question? We dont even have normal flights to LH hubs, iberian peninsula, Italy, Middle East, Scandinavia. Almost whole Europe

      Delete
  45. Anonymous07:35

    They are not serious and €30 million is best proof of that. In the end MNE will not get a new carrier especially not one that will take off just at the beginning of the winter season when everything calms down until spring.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous09:27

    We are doing exactly that what we should not. So actually we are not learning from our own mistakes. Airports and suppliers will be more than happy to cooperate with any airlines, the times they were deciding who to accept or reject are over. So actually yes, they should learn a lot from what Montenegro's government is doing.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Valja zaposliti silnu rodbinu novih vlasti...

    ReplyDelete

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