Montenegro’s Minister of Transport, Maja Vukićević, has stated that she is open to discussing the decision to grant a concession for Montenegro’s airports with the parliament, emphasizing the importance of obtaining broad support for this decision.
She expressed her readiness to engage in an open discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of the concession, and to work with the parliament to reach a decision that aligns with the country’s needs. The deadline for submitting offers is May 9, after which there will be thirty days for evaluating the bids and presenting a report to the government for further proceedings.
Three companies have applied for the concession tender for the airports in Tivat and Podgorica for a period of 30 years: a French-Turkish consortium, an Indian-South Korean consortium, and a company from Luxembourg.
Minister Vukićević stated that the decision depends on the quality of the offers, and whether they meet Montenegro’s needs. She added that it is the task of the tender commission to evaluate the offers based on what the country requires.
She clarified that the concession agreement stipulates that the concessionaire must pay an advance fee of at least 100 million euros, which she believes is the minimum amount. While she thinks this fee is insufficient for both Montenegrin airports, the offers must be evaluated as a whole, and a discussion must take place to determine if the proposal truly meets Montenegro’s needs.
Regarding the concession fee, Vukićević noted that it is intended to primarily benefit the municipalities of Zeta and Tivat, but the Ministry of Finance has proposed an alternative model, which has yet to be accepted and remains controversial for the two municipalities. She also pointed out that if the airports are concessioned, the state will have obligations concerning land expropriation in Tivat.
The expected investment in the first year is at least 80 million euros, with a total of 200 million euros over the entire duration of the concession.
When asked about the type of offer the government would not reject, Vukićević emphasized that it should be one that guarantees rapid development of Montenegro’s airports, including adequate infrastructure, a broader range of destinations, and the presence of reputable airlines, which would significantly impact tourism and the economy. A strong financial offer is also desirable to ensure the airports’ proper development.
She highlighted the importance of completing the concession process to decide whether the airports will be concessioned or simply undergo infrastructure investments. As profitable assets, airports also have the option to secure loans, which is another option worth considering.
Vukićević concluded that any decision she would personally support must be credible, serious, and clear, demonstrating that the concessionaire intends to seriously develop Montenegro’s airports. If no suitable offers are received, she believes it may be better for the airports to remain under state ownership.
