Podgorica - Montenegro Airlines held a press conference to present business operations results of 2010 and plans for the forthcoming summer season.
The President of the Board of Directors of Montenegro Airlines, PhD Zoran Djurisic, said that, analyzing last year results, the Board of Directors, at its session, concluded that the Company responded to the challenge. According to given conditions and circumstances in 2010, business results are satisfying. The procedure includes write-off of the domestic flight control debt. When the procedure is carried out, as it was the case with JAT, business results will significantly improve, i.e. they will amount about 2 million of the debt, which is a satisfying result for the Company.
PhD Zoran Djurisic reminded that 630 000 passengers traveled with Montenegro Airlines during last year. That is 20% more than in a year before. Turnover of 76 million euros was achieved. It may be concluded that both indicators improved compared with those in 2009.
Unfortunately, the first three months of this year have decimated business results of the Company. During these three months fuel has risen in price for 80%. This means that fuel participates with 50% in flight expenses, instead with 25% as it was the case before. The Company is helpless in these circumstances and the final results of any business move are hard to predict.
Summer flight schedule has just been publicized. Flights to 15 (fifteen) destinations have been planned. Earlier announced flights to Brussels and Milan are still uncertain. Regardless of the campaign carried out, due to poor booking, the management has decided to reconsider the flights to Brussels and Milan. Passengers are not interested enough for these two destinations. It would be irrational to additionally aggravate financial position of Montenegro Airlines taking into consideration such a small number of passengers being interested, stated Djurisic.
As for the booking on other destinations, the results are encouraging. Djurisic added: "We will do everything to use the season in the best possible manner. This especially regards flights to Moscow and Paris, where from we will have 5 flights a day. In addition to mentioned destinations, we will do everything to give our contribution to other destinations as well, so that the forthcoming tourist season would give the best possible results". This year, as well as in past years, Montenegro Airlines will be the main generator of tourist season.
Montenegro Airlines entered the process of restructuring. The fleet optimization has commenced, having in mind the remaining resources which Fokkers have. Also, the optimization of job positions and earnings reduction has been carried out. Earnings are 20% lower in last five months. The Company plans to have 6 Embraers and around 300 employees by 2014.
|