# 2026 Adriatic travel connectivity boost > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/central-europe-adds-new-routes-to-croatia > Updated: 2026-07-31T02:12:56.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 8. Air Serbia surpassed two million passengers in the first half of 2026, operating more than 23,000 flights and adding routes to Brač, Santorini, Baku, Munich, Toronto and Alicante while launching the Elevate loyalty programme. In July, the carrier set a daily record of 22,098 passengers on 20 July, underscoring strong summer demand across regional hubs (Tivat, Podgorica) and long‑haul Belgrade–New York service. Air Montenegro’s Banja Luka–Tivat service kept load factors above 85 % this summer, prompting talks of a third weekly flight for 2027. The airline confirmed it will not restore the seasonal Tivat–Ljubljana line for the current year, citing intense competition and choosing to focus on its regular Podgorica–Ljubljana service. The cancellation sparked a political dispute after a claim that a state secretary received a free ticket; the airline’s director produced the purchase invoice (€114.94) and demanded an apology, while the tourism association labelled the situation a “terrorist act against Montenegrin tourism.” Swiss carrier Chair Airlines continued its twice‑weekly Tuzla–Zurich service, targeting the Bosnian diaspora. Tuzla International Airport recorded a monthly best of 73,010 passengers in July 2026, with a peak day of 2,955 travelers on 21 July; new services to Istanbul (Pegasus) and Zurich (Chair) contributed to the surge. Montenegro’s airport authority opened a direct Madrid–Tivat link with Iberia in July, carrying 180 passengers on the inaugural flight and aiming to boost the 22 % rise in Spanish visitors. The government refined its public‑service‑obligation tender, confirming a €5.8 million package to guarantee at least three return flights per week on five Podgorica routes (Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Zagreb, Bari), with the Brussels leg receiving the highest subsidy (€1.49 million). Contracts run for one year and service must begin within 90 days of signing. ## Claims - DPS spokesperson Sonja Popović claimed that state secretary Pavle Tripković received a free Air Montenegro ticket. (disputed by 3 sources) - Tihomir Dragaš presented evidence that Tripković purchased a ticket for €114.94, not a free ticket. (disputed) - Air Montenegro cancelled the seasonal Tivat–Ljubljana route for 2026. (single source) - Air Montenegro will focus on its regular Podgorica–Ljubljana service. (single source) - Wizz Air operates regular flights between Podgorica and Ljubljana using Airbus A321neo aircraft. (single source) - Žarko Radulović described conditions at Tivat Airport as a “terrorist act against Montenegrin tourism”. (single source) - Air Montenegro said it will not enter a price war, preferring to compete on service quality and punctuality. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Balkan airlines and airports set record passenger volumes in July 2026 Air Serbia and Bosnia’s Tuzla Airport each posted record passenger numbers in July 2026, highlighting strong summer travel demand across the Balkans. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/balkan-airlines-and-airports-set-record-passenger-volumes-in-july-2026 ### 2026-07-25: Air Montenegro cancels Tivat‑Ljubljana line amid competition and controversy over alleged free ticket Air Montenegro scrapped the Tivat‑Ljubljana seasonal route amid rising competition, while facing political fallout after a DPS MP alleged a free ticket to a state secretary, which the airline refuted. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-montenegro-ends-free-ticket-practice-amid-political-scrutiny ### 2026-07-23: Montenegro Allocates €5.8 million to Subsidize Five International Air Routes Montenegro’s transport ministry is tendering €5.8 million in subsidies for five PSO air routes to Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Zagreb and Bari, guaranteeing at least three weekly flights and opening the bids to 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-launches-pso-airline-routes-to-major-european-cities ### 2026-07-18: Montenegro launches direct Madrid‑Tivat flight Montenegro opened a direct Madrid‑Tivat flight with Iberia, operating twice weekly, as officials cite rising Spanish tourism and broader economic ties. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-launches-direct-madridtivat-flight ### 2026-07-10: New Banjaluka‑Tivat and Tuzla‑Zurich flights expand Bosnia’s connectivity Air Montenegro may boost Banjaluka‑Tivat flights to three weekly after strong summer demand, while Chair Airlines starts twice‑weekly Tuzla‑Zurich service, enhancing Bosnia’s air links. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-banjalukativat-and-tuzlazurich-flights-expand-bosnias-connectivity ### 2026-07-03: Er Srbija carries over 2 million passengers in first half of 2026 Er Srbija flew over 2 million passengers in H1 2026, added new routes and launched the Elevate loyalty programme, marking a 57 000‑passenger increase year‑on‑year. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-serbia-carries-over-2-million-passengers-in-first-half-of-2026 ### 2026-06-20: Air Serbia launches twice‑weekly Belgrade‑Brač flights Air Serbia began twice‑weekly direct flights between Belgrade and Brač, a seasonal route aimed at boosting tourism and offering connections to major European cities. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/er-serbia-launches-twiceweekly-belgradebra-flights ### 2026-06-02: RegioJet adds new Croatia bus line while Bratislava Airport launches dozens of summer routes RegioJet adds a new low‑price bus service to Croatia, and Bratislava Airport launches over 80 direct summer flights to destinations across Europe. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/regiojet-adds-new-croatia-bus-line-while-bratislava-airport-launches-dozens-of-summer-routes --- Cite as: 2026 Adriatic travel connectivity boost. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/central-europe-adds-new-routes-to-croatia