Airport development plan: Podgorica to get new gates, parking and technical apron, Tivat may get general and business aviation terminal

Plans for Podgorica Airport include an extension of the terminal with two new gates, the refurbishment of the arrivals area, the arrangement of the pre-boarding zone, the expansion of the parking lot, and the construction of a technical apron. Meanwhile, plans for Tivat Airport include the installation of canopies at both terminals and the conversion of a hangar into a terminal for general and business aviation. The Ministry of Transport is also set to analyze the potential use of Kapino Polje Airport in Niksic.

Specifically, Airports of Montenegro (Aerodromi Crne Gore) is planning a series of infrastructure upgrades at the Podgorica and Tivat airports, while the Ministry of Transport will assess the potential use of Kapino Polje Airport in Niksic. This is outlined in a report on priority activities for improving airport infrastructure and increasing the capacity of the Airports of Montenegro company, which the Government adopted in early September.

At Podgorica Airport, plans call for an extension of the existing terminal space on the northern side, in the departures zone, to provide two new gates. The project also includes the refurbishment of the arrivals area to improve terminal organization and ensure more efficient passenger flow.

Plans are also in place to develop and commission a passenger pre-boarding zone on the eastern side of the airport, which would provide additional space for managing passenger flows and handling passenger arrivals and departures.

Podgorica Airport is set to receive an expanded and reconfigured parking area, while a high-voltage cable approximately 850 meters long is planned to ensure a more reliable power supply. Implementing this project will also require resolving property-related legal issues.

There are also plans to expand the capacity of the main airport building by adding a steel structure on the western side. This would create additional functional space and allow for the reorganization of existing facilities without the need to build an entirely new terminal.

One of the projects involves constructing a technical apron intended for parking and maintaining aircraft that are not currently in active service. This apron would serve the needs of the national airline as well as Wizz Air aircraft based in Podgorica.

At the same time, the possibility of using part of the existing military airport infrastructure for Podgorica Airport’s needs will be analyzed, primarily to secure additional aircraft parking positions. The feasibility of using this infrastructure will be assessed from technical and operational perspectives, in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Acquiring or purchasing existing Vektra Airways facilities, including the hangar and associated infrastructure, is also being considered as an additional option for increasing capacity. That will depend on the course of the bankruptcy sale, after which their intended use and the model for potentially putting them into operation should be defined.



Plans are in place to renovate the existing canopy in the arrivals area of Terminal 1 at Tivat Airport. The technical documentation for this project has already been prepared.

A new canopy is planned for Terminal 2, aiming to improve the functionality of the space and the conditions for departing passengers.

One significant initiative involves the potential conversion of the existing hangar, specifically Gate 5, into a dedicated terminal for general and business aviation, including VIP passengers. Adequate parking facilities would also need to be provided.

As noted in the document, general and business aviation represents a significant segment of traffic at Tivat Airport. Therefore, designating a separate area for this type of traffic would allow for better management of different passenger categories and relieve pressure on existing terminal capacities.

There are also plans to address issues regarding the use and management of the parking area, a section of the roadway, and the land situated along the route of the old Tivat Boulevard. Before a decision is made, the legal and ownership status of the land must be determined, as there is currently ongoing litigation concerning this area.

Kapino Polje in focus as additional airport capacity

A specific initiative concerns Kapino Polje Airport in Niksic.

The Ministry of Transport is set to analyze the current state and potential utilization of this airport’s infrastructure. The goal is to assess the potential of the existing infrastructure and explore ways to use it more efficiently within the broader context of air transport development in Montenegro.

This would allow for an assessment, alongside Podgorica and Tivat, of the possibility of including Kapino Polje as additional available airport infrastructure in the sector’s future development.

Procurement of new equipment for Podgorica and Tivat

Plans are also in place to procure new airport equipment for Podgorica and Tivat, covering systems for aircraft and passenger handling, maintenance of operational areas and facilities, security screening, and other airport processes.

The need for investment is driven by the growth in air traffic. Between January 1 and July 31, 2026, Montenegro’s airports handled 2,017,608 passengers, an increase of 19.4% compared to the same period last year and 42.1% compared to the same period in 2019.

Podgorica Airport handled 1,234,723 passengers in the first seven months of the year, up 25.8% from the previous year, while Tivat handled 782,885 passengers, marking a 10.6% increase.

New master plan for Podgorica and Tivat

In addition to immediate interventions, a new development master plan for Podgorica and Tivat airports is planned, as existing development documents are based on earlier traffic projections. The new plan is expected to define future capacity requirements, spatial and infrastructure development, priority investments and their phasing, estimated investment needs, and potential financing models.

For Podgorica, the long-term outlook should address the development of terminal capacities, the reconstruction and expansion of apron areas, and the development of the runway and other infrastructure. For Tivat, the analysis will cover the further development of the terminal, aircraft stands, taxiways, the runway, and other infrastructure.

To coordinate all activities, the formation of an Inter-agency Coordination Body for the development and capacity expansion of Airports of Montenegro has also been proposed. This body would monitor project implementation and coordinate the work of state authorities, institutions, and the Airports of Montenegro company.

Aerodromi Crne Gore

Airports of Montenegro

Tivat Airport

Podgorica Airport

Government of Montenegro

Wizz Air

Vektra Airways

Kapino Polje Airport Nikšić

airport reconstruction

airport modernization

Master Plan of development of Airports of Montenegro