"Air Montenegro has not increased ticket prices so far, and this policy will remain in effect for travel until the end of March. However, if high fuel prices persist or increase further, the company will be forced to react through its pricing policy," Stojanović said in an interview with Vijesti.
Jet fuel prices have jumped 90 percent due to the global energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East.
"There has been a significant increase in aviation fuel prices, which have almost doubled at some suppliers. Compared to February 20, the price at the priority supplier at Montenegrin airports has increased by around 654 euros per metric ton, or approximately 90 percent," Stojanović said.
Considering that the aircraft in the Air Montenegro fleet consume an average of two metric tons of fuel per hour of flight, the cost per flight hour has increased by about 1.3 thousand EUR. If, according to him, such a price level were to be maintained until the end of the year, the total additional, unplanned costs for the company could reach approximately seven million.
"It is important to emphasize that a significant increase in ticket prices carries the risk of reducing demand and cabin occupancy, which could have a negative effect on both the company's revenues and the tourism sector. This is precisely why decisions are made carefully, with a balance between market conditions and preserving the accessibility of the destination," explained Stojanović.
When it comes to the region and Europe, some companies have already adjusted prices, but at this point it is difficult to precisely quantify the extent of these increases, as the market is still in the adjustment phase.
"This situation comes at a very sensitive time, just before the start of the summer tourist season, when capacity sales have already begun. At the same time, fuel price movements are difficult to predict at this time, which further complicates planning," said Stojanović.
He added that Air Montenegro, as a state-owned company, does not view its operations solely through the prism of profitability, but also through the broader impact on the Montenegrin economy and tourism.
"For this reason, we do not see a significant reduction in traffic as an adequate measure, as the negative effects of such a decision would be far-reaching. The same applies to a significant increase in ticket prices, which could lead to a decrease in the number of trips and a decrease in the accessibility of the destination," said Stojanović.
The company, according to him, will continue to carefully balance operational sustainability with the need to maintain traffic volumes during a crucial period.
Stojanović announced that Air Montenegro currently does not have operational flights to the Middle East, and that there were certain plans to develop traffic to that region, including potential flights to Tel Aviv, but that such destinations are not part of the current flight schedule.
"In that sense, current developments will not have a direct operational impact on the flight network, but may possibly affect the dynamics of the implementation of plans in the future," Stojanović stated.
He believes that crises of this type traditionally have a strong impact on the airline industry, and that there is already an evident reduction in traffic from the affected regions, which is also reflected in overall passenger traffic.
"Depending on the development of the situation, route changes are also possible, similar to previous crises, including the war in Ukraine. A decrease in the number of passengers in certain markets can have a knock-on effect on large hubs, due to a drop in transfer traffic," explained Stojanović.
He said that the combination of rising fuel prices and decreasing demand poses a challenge for the entire industry, which is why we can expect a number of airlines to adjust their capacities and business models.
