Montenegro blocks Pegasus Airlines’ Istanbul service

The Montenegrin government has revoked Pegasus Airlines’ permission to run flights between Istanbul Sabiha Gocken Airport and Podgorica and has prevented the budget carrier from introducing services from Turkey’s largest city to Tivat. The decision comes as a response to the effects Pegasus Airlines’ presence on the route has had on Air Montenegro’s performance. Pegasus Airlines, which commenced operations between Istanbul and Podgorica last July, will be forced to discontinue operations on the route as of next week. The last flight is scheduled for Monday, April 15. Both Air Montenegro and Turkish Airlines maintain services between Istanbul’s main airport and Podgorica. Pegasus also runs flights from Ankara and Izmir to Montenegro’s capital, which will remain unaffected. It maintained daily flights between Istanbul and Podgorica with a mix of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Pegasus Airlines was able to commence operations to Montenegro last summer after the Montenegrin government relaxed the stringent bilateral air service agreement between the two countries, which had previously only enabled the flag carrier of each nation to operate flights.<br/>