Low-cost airline Ryanair will stop its flights between Charleroi and Podgorica from November 5, making it the fourth route interrupted by the airline from the Montenegrin capital during the upcoming winter season. It previously announced that services from Podgorica to Zagreb, Barcelona and Manchester would also be interrupted at the end of October. Ryanair previously said: “Due to Podgorica Airport’s decision to increase its fees, we are forced to interrupt some flights from Podgorica this winter. The increase in fares makes Podgorica Airport completely uncompetitive compared to other European airports which are reducing their fares to stimulate traffic recovery and growth. This will have a negative impact on Montenegro’s connectivity, tourism and economy.
Ryanair was Montenegro’s busiest low-cost airline, with 249,959 passengers on flights to and from Podgorica last year. This figure represents an increase of more than 200% compared to 2021 and 30.8% compared to 2019 before the pandemic. Its average annual cabin load factor in Podgorica last year was 82.3%. In 2022, the carrier welcomed 32,576 passengers on its Charleroi service, which was the first route launched to Montenegro in 2013. In addition, it welcomed 28,745 passengers on the Zagreb route, which started in 2021, as well as 12 626 passengers on the Zagreb line. Barcelona service, introduced in 2019.
This winter, Ryanair will maintain flights from Podgorica to only four destinations: Berlin, Gdansk, Krakow and London Stansted. It placed 79,108 seats on the market, down 32.5% compared to the previous winter. As a result, Wizz Air will overtake Ryanair as Montenegro’s largest low-cost carrier this winter, in terms of capacity, although it will suspend flights from Podgorica to Rome Fiumicino and Vienna during the winter period. However, Wizz said both routes would be reinstated during the 2024 summer season, which begins on March 31 next year. “As part of our constant analysis and search for new route options, Wizz Air has decided to temporarily suspend flights between Vienna and Podgorica, as well as between Rome and Podgorica. However, we are pleased to inform you that these routes will continue to be operated during the summer season. This strategic adjustment helps optimize operations while ensuring passengers can enjoy the convenience and availability of these routes during peak periods,” Wizz Air said in a statement.
Montenegro’s largest carriers in terms of seat capacity, winter 2023/24
