For the employees of Montenegro Airlines, December 24, 2020 was probably not a really nice day, because the government announced the closure of the state airline. A new company is to be the successor, but this will not be ready until 2022 at the earliest.

In early December 2020, the Montenegrin government removed the management of Montenegro Airlines and sent financial experts to review the books. Already at this point in time it was officially communicated that the closure of the existing carrier and the subsequent establishment of a new one is a likely option. The cat was let out of the bag on December 24, 2020: Montenegro Airlines will be closed and liquidated.

For a few months now, the recently deposed management warned that if the state does not help, bankruptcy and the cessation of flight operations are threatened. The financial resources were no longer sufficient to pay wages and salaries in full or even on time. The government is indirectly looking to Brussels for the mess, because according to official information the EU Commission has declared that any form of state aid for Montenegro Airlines would be classified as “illegal”. However, Montenegro is not a member of the European Union and would therefore not be bound by the Commission's assessment. However, since one wants to join, disregarding the classification could prove to be a hindrance.

Finance Minister Mladen Bojanic said during a press conference that Montenegro Airlines' debt mountain was so high that there was no alternative. In his view, this would have caused previous governments and former managers of the airline. One would have presented each other with a picture of the financial situation of the carrier, which is said to have deviated enormously from reality.

It was initially unclear when flight operations would finally end. Management assumes that you can only stay in the air for a few days, maybe a few weeks. You can hardly meet the demands of suppliers and employees. As long as they still “play along” you will be able to fly. Incidentally, the government set aside 50 million euros for the employees. These are to be paid out if Montenegro Airlines can no longer meet the claims that may arise due to the imminent termination of employment. Flight operations ceased on December 26, 2020. Resumption is not an option.

A new state carrier is now to be launched. However, there will be no seamless transition, because the government's plans provide that the new foundation will be established at the end of 2021 and take off from summer 2022. No information has yet been given about the fleet or the possible destinations.