Tivat Airport has reported a significant rise in passenger traffic as Montenegro enters the peak of its tourism season, with July 2026 witnessing an increase of 10.9% year-on-year, totaling 292,868 passengers. Aircraft movements also rose by 7.7%, reaching 2,831 take-offs and landings. From January to July, the airport processed 782,888 passengers through 8,209 aircraft operations, marking a 10.6% growth compared to the same period in 2025.
By August 9, Tivat Airport had welcomed over 875,000 passengers since the start of the year, reflecting an increase of approximately 11% over the same timeframe in 2025 and exceeding pre-pandemic levels by more than 9%. Combined traffic at Montenegro’s two international airports, Tivat and Podgorica, surpassed 2.2 million passengers by early August, indicating a growth of around 20% compared to the record numbers from the previous year and a substantial 42% increase from 2019.
While these figures typically signal a thriving tourism sector, Tivat Airport is facing operational challenges as it approaches its capacity limits. The current terminal complex and aircraft apron were designed for a much smaller market and are now struggling to accommodate the rising demand for air travel to the Bay of Kotor and surrounding regions.
During peak season, Tivat handles approximately 245 flights per week—15 more than in the same period last year. Sundays are particularly busy, with up to 40 aircraft arriving within a limited operational window of less than 14 hours. Despite this high volume, Tivat operates primarily during daylight hours, which intensifies congestion when delays occur elsewhere in Europe’s aviation network.
The airport’s apron features only seven parking positions suitable for larger commercial aircraft. This limitation can lead to significant ground congestion when multiple aircraft are delayed or diverted simultaneously. Furthermore, the passenger terminal was originally designed to accommodate around 650 departing passengers during peak hours but often processes more than double that number during busy times.
Overcrowding became evident in late July when flight disruptions exacerbated congestion at Tivat Airport. On certain days, airport management reported processing up to 11,500 passengers without major disruptions; however, this highlights the increasing reliance on staff organization and favorable conditions to manage operational strains.
Terminal 2 has been utilized for seasonal operations but remains limited in capacity and functionality. Currently serving only departing passengers, it can facilitate operations for about eight aircraft daily. Additional infrastructure improvements have been made outside Terminal 1 to enhance passenger comfort but do not significantly increase overall capacity.
The competitive airline network further compounds these challenges. Air Serbia operates around 47 weekly flights from Tivat to various destinations in Serbia, while Air Montenegro offers approximately 41 weekly services to multiple regional locations. EasyJet contributes with around 24 weekly departures to markets in the UK and Europe.
Belgrade remains the strongest market for Tivat Airport, with combined services from Air Serbia and Air Montenegro providing around 68 weekly departures between Tivat and Serbia’s capital. This high frequency reflects Tivat’s diverse demand profile encompassing leisure tourism alongside business travelers and second-home owners.
The increasing traffic levels have positive implications for Montenegro’s economy as they support revenue from aeronautical activities and contribute to sectors such as hospitality and real estate along the coast. However, long wait times and operational disruptions at Tivat could adversely affect visitors’ experiences at premium hotels and residences.
Tourism indicators confirm robust demand as well; registered guests in Tivat reached about 10,323 in late July—an increase of approximately 11% year-on-year—while hotel occupancy rose by around 33%. Earlier reports indicated that hotel guest numbers were about 25% higher than in 2025 during peak periods.
Montenegro’s aviation market overall saw a passenger traffic increase of roughly 17% during the first half of 2026. Podgorica has experienced rapid growth following Wizz Air’s establishment of a base there while Tivat remains crucial for coastal tourism access.
Aerodromi Crne Gore plans to serve approximately 3.63 million passengers across both airports in 2026—a target reflecting an annual growth rate of about 18%. The operator anticipates revenues of around €47.3 million with net profits projected at €13.37 million.
The company has earmarked about €21.3 million for investments in equipment and infrastructure improvements throughout the year; however, this amount is significantly lower than what is needed for comprehensive airport redesigns capable of handling future traffic growth.
In April, Montenegro’s government proposed granting a long-term concession for airport management which included an investment plan approximating €300 million. However, this plan fell through when Incheon International Airport Corporation withdrew from negotiations earlier this month.
The timing of these developments poses challenges as Montenegro reaches critical traffic volumes that necessitate immediate infrastructure upgrades to maintain service quality amidst growing demand. With Tivat Airport seeing stronger-than-expected passenger numbers already surpassing earlier conservative estimates for the year, addressing these infrastructural needs becomes increasingly urgent.
