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Low cost carrier Wizz Air is considering establishing a base at Podgorica Airport in early 2026. According to the CEO of operator Airports of Montenegro, Roko Tolić, Wizz Air plans to initially station two aircraft in Podgorica, with the potential addition of a third jet later on. This development follows extensive discussions, which also involved the Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and the Minister for Transport Maja Vukićević. Further discussions between the airport operator and Wizz Air are scheduled for the end of April to finalise the details of the proposed base. “This is an opportunity not to be missed”, Mr Tolić said.
The establishment of a base would enable Wizz Air to introduce new routes from Podgorica, including destinations not previously served from Montenegro. Mr Tolić emphasised the mutual benefits of this partnership, noting that while the airport operator may accept lower per-passenger fees, the broader economic impact, such as increased tourism and job creation, would be substantial. The base opening will require Podgorica Airport to expand its infrastructure. This includes extending terminal capacity to accommodate Wizz Air aircraft in the morning peak when the airport is already serving Air Montenegro, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines and Turkish Airlines, constructing additional aircraft parking positions, and extending existing operational hours, with staff shifts beginning as early as 03:45 in the morning to manage the increased flight schedule.
Wizz Air currently serves Podgorica from Budapest, Dortmund, Memmingen and Milan Malpensa on a year-round basis, as well as Katowice, London Gatwick, Vienna and Warsaw seasonally. According to Mr Tolić, the budget carrier will add a new route out of the Montenegrin capital this winter. Over the previous winter season, Ryanair, which traditionally had more passengers than Wizz Air in Montenegro, turned all but one of its Podgorica routes seasonal, which has impacted the airport’s passenger figures so far this year. Wizz Air currently boasts two bases in the former Yugoslavia – in Skopje and Belgrade. It previously closed its bases in Tuzla and Sarajevo. Following over a year of stagnation, Wizz Air is preparing to expand its operation in the region as it takes delivery of new aircraft, alleviating fleet shortages caused by engine inspections on Airbus neo aircraft.
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