New Office in August
Successful Promotion of Montenegro at London’s Conference: “After the introduction of the regular flight connecting Tivat and London, it is expected that Montenegro would become a rather attractive destination for British tourists, as well as for businessmen who have not been present at our market up until now”, it has been noted by the representatives of “Montenegro Airlines”, following this airline’s press cocktail in London. The event took place prestigious Dorchester Hotel.
London – “After the introduction of the regular flight connecting Tivat and London, it is expected that Montenegro would become a rather attractive destination for British tourists, as well as for businessmen who have not been present at our market up until now”, it has been noted by the representatives of “Montenegro Airlines”, following this airline’s press cocktail in London. The event took place prestigious Dorchester Hotel.
“Montenegro Airlines”’ president, Dr Zoran Djurisic, maintained that the opening of the flight connection between Montenegro and London had been the long-term goal of the company, which had finally been achieved.
“As a part of the preparations for this move, ‘Montenegro Airlines’ had acquired another plane, Embrearer 195, which has a far better flight range than other planes in company’s fleet. Apart from these two flights from Tivat, we also plan on introducing the third flight from Podgorica as of September”, he said during the press conference.
The event had been attended by numerous tour-operators from Great Britain, journalists, Montenegrin Minister for Transport and Maritime Affairs, Andrija Lompar, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Rifat Rastoder, Montenegrin Ambassador to the UK, Dragisa Burzan and head of National Tourist Organization (NTO), Sasa Radovic.
Minister Lompar emphasized that Montenegrin government realized the importance of the introduction of these two flights, adding that it had also found a model to assist the national carrier over the next couple of months.
“We shall support ‘Montenegro Airlines’ till the moment when this line acquires regular number of passengers. We expect that this line would become profitable over the next six months”, he said, adding that Montenegrin government was negotiating loosening of visa regime with United Kingdom.
Director of NTO, Sasa Radovic announced that, following the introduction of direct line Tivat-London, Montenegrin Tourist Office would be opened in London this August.
“This will have significant impact to British tourist visits to Montenegro. Last year, we had 15,000 tourists. We expect this figure to increase by 20 to 30 percent this year”, he announced.
Radovic has emphasized that “Montenegro Airlines” has received landing clearance for London’s second largest airport, Gatwick, while it expected the one from “Hethrow” to be obtained soon.
Commenting on the prices of the airfares, Djurisic emphasized that they were comparable to those of low-cost airlines.
“Tariffs are, as follows: Euro 138, 199 and 245. As of October, we would, most probably, introduce ‘low cost’ system for some 30 seats on each flight to London”, he concluded.
Two More Planes After the Privatization
Djurisic has told Vijesti that the airline would soon be subjected to the privatization through process of additional capitalization.
“An Assembly of our Shareholders is scheduled to take place on 22 July. At this session, Montenegro Airlines would change its’ structure and become a share-holding company. After this, we shall offer 30 percent of shares for sale, while the majority package would remain under the control of the government”, he explained.
As he said, funds obtained through selling of these shares would be used for the purchase of two additional “Embrearer” planes, apart from the two that are already part of Montenegro Airlines’ fleet.
One “Embrearer” has recently arrived to Podgorica, while the arrival of the second one is expected in May next year.
By: J.MUMINOVIĆ