Turkish Airlines will temporarily suspend flights between Istanbul and Tivat from next month, which comes as a result of softer demand following the Montenegrin government’s decision to reintroduce visa requirements for Turkish nationals after a violent incident in Podgorica in October. The carrier will continue operating the route until January 4, with one additional rotation scheduled for January 11, after which services will be paused. Turkish Airlines plans to resume flights on March 1. The carrier had initially intended to operate three weekly services between the two cities throughout the first quarter of the year. Air Montenegro will continue to serve the Istanbul – Tivat route during the two-month suspension period.
Turkish Airlines will also reduce services to Podgorica in January, cutting frequencies from the initially planned eighteen weekly flights to fourteen. Several Turkish tour operators redirected tourists to alternative markets after Montenegro introduced visa requirements for Turkish nationals, which negatively impacted demand. However, this week Montenegro reinstated visa-free travel for Turkish citizens, while reducing the maximum permitted length of stay from ninety to thirty days. The Montenegrin government said cooperation with Turkish authorities has been strengthened, alongside enhanced security and migration checks, adding that Montenegro retains the option to reintroduce visa requirements should security risks arise.
The operator of Podgorica and Tivat airports, Airports of Montenegro, has confirmed it is in negotiations to introduce scheduled services to Antalya. Its CEO, Roko Tolić, said, “We are in talks with a major airline that could connect us with Antalya – a destination loved worldwide and recognised for its ‘all-inclusive’ offering. At the same time, we believe we have plenty to offer in return”.
Currently, Turkish Airlines, Air Montenegro and Pegasus Airlines operate scheduled services between Montenegro and Turkey. Following the introduction of visa requirements, Pegasus discontinued two of its three Podgorica routes, suspending flights from Ankara and Izmir.
