Wizz Airthe largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, will soon open a new air base in Podgorica, which will be a major event for Montenegro’s aviation and tourism sectors. The preliminary agreement between the carrier and the government was announced by Transport Minister Maja Vukićević, stressing that the agreement will be signed in the near future.
A New Era for Montenegro’s Aviation
“We have reached a preliminary agreement with Wizz Air and will soon sign a cooperation agreement. This will make Montenegro a base for one of Europe’s leading airlines. Dozens of new routes are expected to open, which will significantly improve the country’s connectivity and increase passenger traffic,” Vukićević said.
According to her, the opening of a Wizz Air base will be part of a broader strategy to improve air connectivity and develop year-round air routes, rather than just seasonal summer flights.
Two aircraft at a permanent base in Podgorica
As the director of Airports of Montenegro Roko Tolić said, under the agreement Wizz Air will station two aircraft on a permanent basis in Podgorica, with the possibility of adding a third aircraft in the future.
“This is a partnership project with mutual benefits: although the airport may receive lower fees per passenger, the overall economic effect for the state will be many times greater — through tourism growth, job creation, and the development of related industries,” Tolić emphasized.
At the moment, the airline operates regular flights to Podgorica from Budapest, Dortmund, Memmingen, and Milan (Malpensa Airport). In addition, seasonal routes are available to Katowice, London (Gatwick), Vienna, and Warsaw. Starting in June 2026, Wizz Air plans to launch a new summer route to Vilnius, expanding its presence in the Baltic market.
Up to 20 new destinations from Montenegro
Minister Vukićević confirmed that negotiations with Wizz Air are in the final stage, and a final agreement may be signed in the coming days. According to preliminary information, this concerns 20 new destinations that the airline will launch from Podgorica and Tivat.
“We are very close to signing the agreement. We are talking about twenty or more routes that Wizz Air will operate on its own. Everything will become clear very soon,” Vukićević said on the program Okvir on the TV channel TVCG.
The authorities expect that with the opening of the base, Podgorica will strengthen its status as a regional hub for low-cost air travel, and passengers will get more affordable ticket prices and more direct flight options across Europe.
Podgorica regains ground after a weak season
The decision to establish a base became especially relevant after the unsuccessful summer season of 2025, when, due to reduced flights by Ryanair, Podgorica Airport recorded a decline in passenger traffic in July and August.
It is expected that Wizz Air’s presence will not only help offset this decline, but also set a new record — three million passengers at Montenegro’s airports for the first time in history.
“Our airports are generally operating steadily, but we need to focus on infrastructure development. We are confident that with Wizz Air we will be able to achieve record results in the coming years,” Vukićević noted.
State support and new rules for airlines
At the same time, the Government of Montenegro is working on creating a list of routes of public interest (Public Service Obligation — PSO). These are flights that may be economically unprofitable, but are of strategic importance to the state.
“The Cabinet has adopted a regulation defining the conditions under which certain airline routes may be recognized as socially necessary and subsidized from the budget. We are in talks with the European Commission to ensure full compliance with EU rules,” the minister explained.
Among the routes that may receive support are Brussels and other major European centers, providing the country with diplomatic and economic links.
Concession for airports — by the end of the year
Vukićević also stated that by the end of 2025 the government must make a decision on the concession of Montenegro’s airports. The Tender Commission meeting on this issue is scheduled for the coming weeks.
“I am a member of the commission, and we are actively working on preparing the opinion. The decision on whether the airport will be granted in concession will be made by the government, while it is important to reach broad political consensus,” the minister said.
According to her, after the meeting the commission will submit the results to the Ministry of Transport, which will present the government with the final ranked evaluation of the proposals.