Low cost carrier Ryanair will discontinue two routes from the region, impacting both Zagreb and Podgorica. The budget airline will end operations between the Croatian capital and Memmingen with the last flight on the three weekly service planned for March 30. In 2023, Ryanair handled 44.265 passengers on the route, with an average annual cabin load factor of 87.9%. Although the airline faced no direct competition, both Lufthansa and Croatia Airlines serve Munich, located some 115 kilometres east of Memmingen. The two Star Alliance members handled a combined total of 150.467 travellers on the route last year, which is one of Zagreb’s busiest.
Ryanair will not restore flights between Podgorica and Barcelona this summer, which were suspended in October last year, however, three other routes which were suspended at the same time, including Charleroi, Zagreb, and Manchester, will be resumed. Ryanair previously said the routes were halted over the winter due to a spat over fees. Last October, the carrier noted, “Due to Podgorica Airport’s decision to increase their fees, we are forced to discontinue some flights from Podgorica this winter. The fee hike makes Podgorica Airport completely uncompetitive compared to other European airports which reduce their fees to stimulate recovery and traffic growth. This will have a detrimental impact on Montenegro’s connectivity, tourism, and the economy”.
