Instead of "Jat", "Montenegro Airlines" flies to Europe - travel from Belgrade via Podgorica at 30% lower price

National air transportation company "Jat Airways" may come into danger of losing its market share starting from September 20th. Starting that day, the passengers who fly from Belgrade to European Union will be offered the flights from the programme of Montenegrin airliner "Montenegro Airlines", which will make it possible for them to fly from Belgrade, via Podgorica, to European destinations for 180 EUR (all taxes included). During summer season, "Jat" already significantly cut the number of flights to Montenegro, and it is now facing additional competition when it comes to flights to EU.

- It seems that some kind of experiment was made with the market of Montenegro. We let that market to "Montenegro Airlines", and it is not clear why since, judging by the great interest of passengers, we could have almost organized regular tram line to Podgorica - the Director General of "Jat", Srđan Radosavljević, told "Ekonomist" magazine.

People in "Montenegro Airlines" do not want to talk about how many passengers they have taken from "Jat" so far, but we heard two words in informal talks: "very much". As the Commercial Director of "Montenegro Airlines", Čedomir Đurišić, announced yesterday (September 10, 2009) at the press conference, the passengers can buy the return ticket for flights from Belgrade, via Podgorica (with a short stay in that city), to Frankfurt, Rome, Paris, London, Dusseldorf, Zurich, and Vienna, for as low as 180 EUR (all taxes included). Prices are the same for all flights.

As he explained, the number of airplane seats that will be sold at promotional price will be limited in the first phase, but the capacities may be enlarged in case of great interest. The promo campaign will last until the end of winter season (March). Đurišić added that "Montenegro Airlines" expected between 100 and 120 passengers from Serbia to use the services of Montenegrin airliner on daily basis.

He pointed out that the promotional price was, most certainly, 30 to 40% lower than the price offered by any other airliner. Outside the promotional period, the prices of the tickets for flights to aforementioned European destinations range between 240 and 280 EUR, while the ticket to London costs up to 380 EUR. As far as negotiations with Airport "Nikola Tesla" are concerned, Đurišić reminded that "Montenegro" had the status of foreign air transportation company.

- We are satisfied with technical service, and some progress has been made in the talks about commercial conditions, and I hope that both sides will be satisfied - said Đurišić.

The Country Manager of "Montenegro Airlines" for Serbia, Žarko Đurović, said that that company would be flying to Podgorica minimum three times a day, and to Tivat two times a day.

(Note: complete text is taken over from newspaper "Danas" of September 11, 2009)