Podgorica, October 25, 2010 - In the presence of many guests from the cultural, public and social life, Montenegro Airlines properly celebrated its 16^th anniversary with a press cocktail party.

On this occasion Zoran Djurisic, President of the Board of Directors, Andrija Lompar, the Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications, and Predrag Nenezic, the Minister of Tourism, addressed the guests.

The President of the Board of Directors of Montenegro Airlines, Zoran Djurisic, addressing the guests, stated that Montenegro Airlines is of great significance for Montenegro.

"At the time when Montenegro Airlines was founded, Montenegro was in a very challenging period and due to that it took a lot of courage and will to create this national project. We have assured EVERYONE – the entire domestic and international public- that this project is of great national interest.

Sixteen years after Montenegro Airlines was founded, we have transported almost 4.5 million passengers. We also have a powerful fleet of 8 airplanes. We have logged almost 100.000 flight hours. By the end of 2010, we expect to have transported over 600.000 passengers, which is a figure equal to the number of citizens of Montenegro, and this is a unique statistic in the world. There is no smaller town in Europe than Podgorica that is connected with more international destinations, or more precisely, with 16 direct lines", noted Djurisic.

"Montenegro Airlines responded to crisis by conquering new markets. Recently we have opened 5 new destinations. There aren't many companies which in these conditions have an outlook to expand and buy new aircrafts. As you know, recently we have bought the third new Embraer and entered into the process of buying the fourth one", stated Djurisic, with reference to the consequences of the economic crisis which is affecting civil aviation.

"I would like to announce that we are in the final stage of opening two major destinations. We will have flights to the center of the European Union administrative center, Brussels, and to the strategic destination, Milan. So, we may conclude that Montenegro Airlines celebrates its 16^th anniversary with a stable market position and network of 16 direct lines, and in that manner we continue to provide stimulus to the development of Montenegrin industry and tourism", said the President of Montenegro Airlines at the end of his address.

The Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications, Andrija Lompar, hopes that the company will be able to buy a new airplane next year as well.

"The question is posed whether Montenegro may be imagined without Montenegro Airlines after 16 years of operation. That is very difficult to conceive and that is the best answer to the ones who are skeptical regarding that idea", said Lompar.

The Minister of Tourism, Predrag Nenezic, said that in this year of crisis Montenegro Airlines has been making double digit increases in the number of flights and passengers transported.

"The national airline has succeeded in connecting Montenegro with the world, which is of national interest. Year after year these connections have been better, and in the future developments we must not overllok the fact that Montenegro Airlines has preserved the best interests of the country", said Nenezic. "These results are impressive."