Air Montenegro, the new national airline of Montenegro, received an ICAO code and a call sign this week. The airline also recently revealed its livery that was selected by the Government of Montenegro in an international tender. It will operate its first scheduled commercial flight tomorrow morning, 10th June 2021.

Air Montenegro reveals its livery

In a press conference in Podgorica, the Government of Montenegro has revealed the livery and the corporate branding of the new national airline and flag carrier of the country, Air Montenegro.

Air Montenegro, formally registered as ToMontenegro, is the successor airline to Montenegro Airlines, which the Montenegrin government shut down in December over excessive debts that financially overwhelmed the airline.

The Air Montenegro livery was selected in an international tender. The author is a Russian designer, Maksim Arbuzov. The livery and the logo are based on the livery of Montenegro Airlines but with added stylistic elements like the color fade and an additional hue. Over 100 submissions were received for the new logo.

The livery has kept what was the centerpiece of the logo of Montenegro Airlines since 1995: the eagle.

Air Montenegro logo
The corporate branding of Air Montenegro. Photo: Air Montenegro

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ICAO recognition for Air Montenegro

The airline has also been recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation which has just awarded it an ICAO code, MNE, and a call sign, MOUNT EAGLE.

Air Montenegro is also awaiting further recognition from IATA, though sources indicate that the airline is not counting on receiving this for another few months.

Montenegro Airlines
Air Montenegro will operate aircraft formerly belonging to Montenegro Airlines. Photo: Montenegro Airlines

A route network is slowly emerging

Air Montenegro currently has a route network numbering five routes, based on its ticket sales. The frequencies and the number of routes match the aircraft utilisation of a single aircraft only, even though Air Montenegro actually has two Embraer aircraft in its fleet. Both of these came from Montenegro Airlines.

Two routes are launching tomorrow, Thursday 10th June 2021:

  • MNE100 from Podgorica (TGD) to Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG) in Serbia, operating six times weekly
  • MNE150/MNE152 from Tivat (TIV) in Montenegro to Belgrade, operating 12 times weekly

The flight codes on the way back are MNE101 from Belgrade to Podgorica and MNE151/MNE152 from Belgrade to Tivat.

Air Montenegro will launch another two routes on 27th June 2021:

  • MNE200 from Tivat to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) in Slovenia, operating three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
  • MNE170 from Tivat to Banja Luka (BNX) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, operating two times weekly on Fridays and Sundays

The flight codes are MNE200 on the way back to Tivat from Ljubljana and MNE171 on the way back from Banja Luka.

And, then, on 13th July, Air Montenegro will launch its fifth route:

  • MNE300 from Podgorica (TGD) to Frankfurt (FRA), operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays and carrying the code MNE301 on the return flight

What do you think of Air Montenegro's new livery? Let us know what you think of this story in the comments below.