Air Montenegro moves to add fourth Embraer E195 to fleet

Air Montenegro is in advanced negotiations to lease a fourth Embraer E195, according to Ex-Yu Aviation.

The airline aims to have the additional aircraft in regular service by the start of the peak summer season at the latest. Executives said talks are close to completion, despite tight availability in the used-aircraft leasing market.

The additional capacity is intended to support operations from Podgorica and Tivat, where demand rises sharply during the summer travel period.

Air Montenegro currently operates three Embraer E195 aircraft, each configured with 116 seats in a single-class layout. Previously, the carrier operated a single Airbus A320 in 2023.

The carrier is Montenegro’s national airline, operating under the Air Montenegro brand since early 2021. The company was established by the government of Montenegro following the shutdown of Montenegro Airlines, which ceased operations at the end of 2020.

Although Air Montenegro is a relatively young airline, its current E195 fleet consists of aircraft that have been in service for 16 to 17 years. The jets are used intensively on high-frequency routes, accelerating wear and driving discussions about both short-term capacity additions and longer-term fleet renewal.

The airline has previously indicated that it is studying a future transition to next-generation aircraft, with the Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 under consideration, alongside the Airbus A220. Any fleet renewal would likely occur later in the decade, with deliveries from around 2027, depending on financing and aircraft availability.

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