Aviation History
Montenegro Airlines was founded in 1994, while Montenegro was still a republic within Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro, and began commercial flights in 1997. It became the flag carrier of a sovereign Montenegro after the 2006 independence referendum, growing to serve around 18 European destinations, but accumulated heavy losses and was liquidated by the government in December 2020, with successor Air Montenegro launching in February 2021.
The airline was established on 24 October 1994 by the republican government, years before Montenegro's independence.
Montenegro Airlines began commercial service on 7 May 1997, flying from Podgorica to Bari, Italy, using a Fokker 28.
Following Montenegro's independence, the airline took on the role of national flag carrier of the newly sovereign state.
New leased Embraer 195 aircraft arrived starting June 2008, enabling expansion to routes such as London-Gatwick and Milan-Malpensa.
After years of losses (over €47 million from 2015-2019) and frozen accounts over unpaid debts, the government liquidated the airline, with operations ceasing on 26 December 2020.
Air Montenegro began operating in February 2021 as the new national flag carrier, initially using former Montenegro Airlines Embraer 195 aircraft.
Montenegro Airlines (defunct 2020) · Air Montenegro
Wikipedia, EX-YU Aviation News, aviation trade press