Air Montenegro has abandoned plans to resume its seasonal service between Tivat and Ljubljana this year as competition on the Montenegro - Slovenia market intensifies. The airline had initially planned to restart flights in June and operate them through late October. It later revised the schedule, reducing operations to a one-month period in September. However, those flights, which remained on sale until recently, have now also been cancelled. Last year, the seasonal service resumed on May 31 and operated until October 25.
The Montenegrin carrier is facing growing competition in the Slovenian market. Last year, Slovenian tour operators sold holiday packages to Tivat using Air Montenegro's services. However, this year they have opted to partner with charter operator Trade Air instead. On the other hand, Air Montenegro continues to operate scheduled flights between Podgorica and Ljubljana, however, it now also faces competition from Wizz Air on the route. The low cost carrier launched services between the two capitals last month using its 239-seat Airbus A321neo aircraft. Asked by EX-YU Aviation News how it plans to compete on the route, Air Montenegro said, "We intend to differentiate ourselves because we are not offering the same product. We have no plans to engage in a price war. As a smaller carrier, that is not a battle we could win. Instead, we will compete on service quality, on-time performance and the overall customer experience we provide. At this stage, we believe that is the right approach".
Wizz Air itself has not ruled out launching operations from Tivat in the future, although it has stressed that its primary focus remains Podgorica. The low cost carrier told EX-YU Aviation News, "We predominantly operate Airbus A321neo aircraft, while Tivat is a very special airport to serve, being both highly constrained and subject to specific operational procedures. This is why, for now, Podgorica is the preferred platform for us. We would never rule out looking at Tivat as well, but at this stage, Podgorica was the logical choice".
Air Montenegro should focus on routes where it has less direct competition. Fighting both Wizz Air and charter operators at the same time is a losing battle
ReplyDeleteThe biggest blow isn't Wizz Air, it's losing the Slovenian tour operators. Those guaranteed a large portion of the seats last year and pure profit.
DeleteMinimal profit.
DeletePodgorica-Ljubljana will be next.
ReplyDeleteMost likely
DeleteWith only a handful of aircraft Air Montenegro cannot afford to keep marginal routes operating. Fleet utilization has to come first.
Delete^ Exactly! In September they will need the aircraft so they can fly the state funded PSO routes to Frankfurt and Brussels.
DeleteThey will switch to ZAG.
DeleteWhat to expect from an airline that on 26 July still has no tickets on sale past 25 October.
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteOnly way is for them to be affordable and to offer free luggage, free drinks etc.
ReplyDeletePeople will switch to them in that case and Wizz will be pushed out. In the end I don't think they will make it.
The last thing Tivat needs is Wizz Air. Yesterday, no flight departed on time because of chaos.
ReplyDeleteThe airport should be heavily restricted in operation and flights encouraged to use Podgorica. The bay area is already essentially ruined so lets not make it worse.
DeleteThe entire company running the airports is a mess full of political appointees.
DeleteJU flight to TIV was delayed by 2.5 hours because there were no parking positions. Only airport that is worse is AYT. Yesterday's INI-AYT flight diverted to Bodrum because they were 31st in line for landing and they didn't have enough fuel to wait that long in the air.
DeleteRyanair is right to attack the EU for failing to better manage the situation especially ATC restrictions. Airports like TIV and AYT needs to be investigated by authorities to see who allowed all those flights when they can't cope.
Why don't thdy fly to Alanya?
DeleteWell JU flies charters where tour operators want them to go. It's not up to JU at the end of the day... they just pay the price in the end.
DeleteTivat airport is a DISASTER to put it mildly
DeleteToday it's as bad. Iberia from MAD couldn't land so they had to divert to Bari. Maybe birds again?
DeleteYou mean yesterday? Today it is operating ok.
DeleteThe reason for yesterday’s delays at TIV was that 2 EasyJet A320s had a bird strike the previous day. You also have 2 AirMNE aircraft staying overnight, and that leaves only 3 parking positions — which is the permitted, and planned limit.(operational reason 3 flts per hour)
DeleteIf just one flight is delayed, even by 10–15 minutes, you have a problem. If, by chance, one of the aircraft on the apron breaks down and they have to wait for MEC because they do not have a contract with JatTehnika, then situations like yesterday happen.
Videos from the airport are all over my Instagram. Are there any plans to expand? Complete disaster.
DeleteHow is any of the above related to Air Montenegro cancelling Tivat-Ljubljana?
DeleteHow is Tivat Airport related to an article about a route out of Tivat Airport?
DeleteLoosing out to a charter operator. That's a first.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a combination of both Trade Air and Wizz Air on the Podgorica route which for sure took away some passengers.
DeleteTrade Air replacing Air Montenegro for Slovenian holiday packages says a lot about where tour operators believe they get the best value.
DeleteIt's just a matter of time before their TGD-LJU route has the same fate.
ReplyDeleteThe only question is how Air Montenegro will survive.....
ReplyDeleteToo small to face competition from all sides, too small to be of interest for a big alliance, too expensive to keep....
Probably during winter they go bankrupt even with all helps that the government may throw to save them.
They are about to get money for PSO routes.
Deletenot sure if the PSO routes would be enough to save them
DeleteAir Montegro will survive as long as there are: 1) money for PSO routes and 2) bilateral restrictions on Serbia-Montenegro traffic.
ReplyDeleteFirst the season was shortened to September only and now it's gone altogether. Bookings were far below expectations
ReplyDeleteInteresting that Wizz Air says it isn't ruling out Tivat either. If that happens Air Montenegro in toast.
ReplyDeleteThey are already toast and they will survive only thanks to the government until the government can fund it. It is Montenegro Airlines 2.0.
DeleteTheir claim about offering a better product than Wizz Air is hilarious. Especially for a short flight to Ljubljana. Is the fig cookie going to make anyone want to fly Air Montenegro?
ReplyDeleteI love figs
DeleteThis is probably the right commercial decision
ReplyDeleteAre trips not required all year round? Because it's a PSO line
ReplyDeleteWhat about the €2,000 fine for a canceled flight?
The rules are obviously different for each company.
This is not a PSO route. Ehat are you talking about.
DeleteWhen new Airports of Montenegro manager joined, everyone thought things would get better. Now reports are coming put about failed airport concession, long lines and chaos at Tivat airport, and flag carrier being pushed out by a lowcoster. Doesn't sound like great success.
ReplyDeleteHaving just flown out of TIV airport I would urge anyone of sound mind to avoid the place like the plague. Small, cramped, poorly organised, rude staff. TGD is not much better. DBV on the other hand, world class in comparison
ReplyDelete