Visit-Montenegro.com : Djurisic: Tickets Will not be More Expensive

Podgorica – Montenegrin national carrier, “Montenegro Airlines” has transported more than 400,000 passengers during the last nine months, which is by one fifth more than it has been the case during the same period last year”, representative of this company, Zoran Djurisic said at a press conference yesterday. Event has also been attended by Montenegrin Minister of Tourism and Environmental Protection, Predrag Nenezic.

Djurisic stated that he expected that the report, which should be ready in several days’ time, would show that company has achieved positive business results during these nine months.

“Number of passengers at international flights has increased by 78 percent. Airline had 11 regular lines and serviced 20 charter destinations”, he added.

In Djurisic’s words, 39 percent of the total number of passengers transferred were tourists.

Nenezic clarified that this company and the government have introduced a new modus of cooperation at the beginning of the year.

“Montenegro Airlines’ is the company which has a vision for its’ development. And, I am most satisfied with the fact that it is looking ahead. It did not start with the policy of destruction, despite the most recent developments at the airlines’ markets”, Nenezic said, reminding of the modernization of the fleet of Montenegrin national carrier.

Djurisic informed the journalists that “Montenegro Airlines” encountered serious problems which had to do with the huge prices of fuel. For instance, fuel costs for this airline increased from planned Euro 7,5 Million to Euro 12,8 Million.

“Montenegro Airlines’ will not change price of its’ tickets in the upcoming period, despite the developments at global financial markets”, Djurisic claims.

He reminded that two new flights have been introduced during the last four months – to London and Milan.

“Several days ago, we have also introduced the third flight to London. This line has proven profitable and, up until now, we have transported around 5,000 passengers. Use of capacities on these flights had been 70 percent”, Djurisic said.

Flight to Milan is somewhat weaker in terms of results. In Djurisic’s words, airline’s management will attempt to increase the use of capacity at this flight to 65 percent, from the current 32 percent.

Djurisic also stated that flights to Copenhagen and Berlin would be introduced soon.

Low Cost Flights Soon

Djurisic announced that “Montenegro Airlines” will introduce low-cost scheme at its’ flights, so that 15 seats at certain flights would be offered at lower prices at the beginning of the summer.

“At the beginning, this model will be introduced for two or three destinations. Later, when we get three “Embrearers” in our fleet, we plan to increase the number of cheap seats, as well as the number of flights which will provide that type of offer”, he announced.

In his answer to a journalists’ question, Minister Nenezic also explained that Montenegrin government has not received a concrete offer for the introduction of low-cost flights to Montenegro.

“Low cost companies will introduce flights to Montenegro at the moment when they estimate it is in their interest and at the moment when the government concludes that their offers were acceptable”, he stated.

As Minister of Tourism explained, Montenegro insists that these flights should be available throughout the year, also demanding a non-discriminatory relationship with domestic companies, quality and use of capacities of these aircrafts.

He rejected claims that the Ministry has cut down the budget of the National Tourist organization from Euro 13 to Euro 4 Million for next year, were not accurate.

“Budget of the NTO is smaller by two million Euro, while this year it will be higher by several percent”, Nenezic claims.

(9 October 2008)

By: J.M.