Government-owned flag carrier Montenegro Airlines is to be privatised by year-end, writes Igor Salinger in Podgorica.

The government, which controls 99.5% of the company, plans the sale to finance the airline's development. It is likely that it will retain a controlling share.

Montenegro Airlines recently put its fifth Fokker 100 into service to cope with the increased demand projected for the summer season. It has begun a weekly Podgorica-Paris flight, with Tivat-Paris also being introduced.

Rajko Uskokovic, Montenegro Airlines head of planning, says the Paris route was opened due to high demand from French tour operators.

Source: Flight International