August 23, 2020 - Podgorica and Tivat airports will soon be refurbished and modernized to provide greater comfort for passengers, stated the Executive Director of Airports of Montenegro, Danilo Orlandić, adding that close to one million euros will be invested in the business.
The goal of modernizing airports is also to provide more funds from non-aviation revenues over time.
"Our priority was always the safety of passengers and aircraft. So our investments were focused on the modernization of equipment and technology. Now is the time to improve passenger comfort. The airports provide the first impression for every passenger who comes to Montenegro, and the fight for every guest has already begun," said Orlandić.
He recalled that no investments had been mae in the business lounges of either airport for a long time and that these must meet the expectations of the upmarket clientele for which they are intended.
Therefore, as announced by the company, approximately 400 thousand euros will be invested in the renovation of the VIP lounge at Podgorica Airport.
"According to the preliminary design, the business lounge is designed to use the height of the building itself, so it will take up space on the roof of the existing service block located in the central part of the departures area in the Terminal. The lounge will occupy a space of 135 square meters with about 50 seats," Orlandić explained.
Last year, the Airport's non-aviation revenues, including tax-free shops, restaurants, business premises, and advertising space, accounted for 8% of total revenue, or 4.7m euros out of of 35 million euros.
"Certain prerequisites are necessary to increase non-aviation revenues. The first is the size of the airports themselves. We cannot build a restaurant when there is no space in the passenger terminal, so we are pleased with the existing solution that will place it above the service bars," said Orlandić.
In time, as he announced, space will be made for some further additions to increase the diversity of what is offered to passengers.
The business lounge space will be accessed by staircase and elevator, and it will also be accessible for people with disabilities. The existing business lounge area will be turned into an additional useful space for the departures area of the Terminal.
At the Airport in Tivat, the refurbishment concerns the VIP lounge, the modernization of Terminal 1, the arrivals and departures hall, and the complete rebuilding of all toilets.
"Montenegro's focus on higher calibre tourists means comfort, convenience, and exclusivity. We cannot compete with the most modern European airports, but we can create a pleasant space with a decent range in terms of what products, advertisements, and interior space we offer passengers. Our customer service has followed European trends," said Orlandić.
He announced that the start of works could start in October this year.
The investment at Tivat Airport amounts to around 600 thousand euros. Reconstruction in Tivat includes the complete renovation of the VIP lounge and its expansion by 40 percent to make the seating area capacity 50.
The interior of Terminal 1 will be changed - electrical installations, 12 counter positions, lighting, air conditioning system, ceramics and retiling.
The ceilings, air conditioning, floors, passport control desks, and passenger waiting areas will be changed in the departure hall.
A complete reconstruction of all toilets at Tivat Airport is planned.
Orlandić recalled that the second terminal built in Tivat, being the most significant investment in the last 15 years, relieved the Airport of huge crowds in the summer months, and paid off half of the money invested in just a few months of operation.
He said that the night landing project in Tivat would be completed soon.
"Our advantage is that this company was among the best-performing in the country in terms of income until the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Some of that money will be "eaten up" by the biggest crisis in the history of aviation. Still, we certainly want to invest in the further development of the Airport and be ready to welcome the years of prosperity that will be ahead of us again," concluded Orlandić.
Source: MINA business
