Ulcinj Airport

The primary reason for its closure was military and political change. The airport was a military airbase for the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). With the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the JNA withdrew its assets, and the airbase lost its strategic purpose and was subsequently abandoned. It was not closed due to economic reasons in a commercial sense or because of an accident.

The airport is currently abandoned and in a state of severe disrepair. The single asphalt runway (approximately 1,300 meters long) and taxiways are still visible but are cracked, weathered, and significantly overgrown with grass and vegetation. The former military hangars and support buildings are derelict. The site is used informally by locals for activities such as driving practice, unsanctioned drag racing, and occasionally as a venue for local events like kite-surfing festivals and concerts.

Ulcinj Airport was constructed as a military airbase for the Yugoslav Air Force (Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo - JRV). Its strategic location near the Adriatic coast and the border with Albania made it a useful auxiliary and dispersal airfield during the Cold War era. Operations primarily consisted of training flights, reconnaissance, and serving as a forward base for light aircraft and helicopters. In addition to its military role, the airfield was also used for civilian purposes such as agricultural aviation (crop dusting) and sports/recreational flying, including gliding and parachuting. It never served as a commercial airport for passenger or cargo transport.

There are significant and long-standing prospects for reopening the airport. The Municipality of Ulcinj has consistently advocated for its revitalization to boost tourism and the local economy. The Government of Montenegro has included the airport in various strategic development plans and has explored offering it under a long-term lease or concession. Over the years, potential investors from Germany, Turkey, the United States, and other countries have expressed interest in developing it into a modern airport for general aviation, sports flying, and smaller commercial aircraft (air taxis or regional jets) to serve the popular tourist destination of Ulcinj. Despite numerous announcements and feasibility studies, no concrete project has commenced as of mid-2024. Obstacles include securing funding, resolving complex property ownership issues, and political indecision. However, the reactivation of Ulcinj Airport remains a recurring topic in national and local development discussions.