Croatia to boast 483 routes by 57 airlines during peak season

Croatian airports are preparing for the upcoming peak travel season with the country to see an increase in the number of nonstop flights and airlines. A total of 483 routes to 130 cities in 38 countries operated by 57 airlines will be on offer to travellers. As a result, there will be a double digit increase in the number of available routes, while the number of carriers serving the country will grow from around fifty last summer. “Air transport is extremely important in connecting Croatia to the world, especially the far south of Croatia with inbound markets. The improved number of flights from destinations in Croatia compared to last year suggests the continued recovery of air travel and is great news ahead of the main summer tourist season. The large number of airlines planning to fly to the country this year confirms the popularity of Croatia on the world’s tourist map and is a continuation of Croatia’s positioning as an air destination that is well connected to foreign airports”, the head of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, said.

Split Airport will boast the most flights in the country this summer, accounting for 32% of all services. It will be followed by Zagreb with a 30% share and Dubrovnik with 22% of all flights. The largest market in terms of available capacity will be Germany, followed by the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Italy. Croatia’s entry into the Schengen Area earlier this year is expected to give a further boost to the number of travellers from European markets. Outside of the continent, this summer Croatia will offer nonstop flights to the United States (from Dubrovnik), Canada (from Zagreb), Israel (from Zagreb and Dubrovnik), Qatar (from Zagreb) and the United Arab Emirates (from Zagreb and Dubrovnik).

Despite its declining market share during the summer months, Croatia Airlines will still operate the largest number of flights out of the country. It will be followed by Ryanair, which has been significantly growing its share, then easyJet, Eurowings and Lufthansa. New carriers launching flights to the country, or those that have not flown to Croatia for several years, include Aeroitalia, Air Connect from Romania, Sweden’s Braathens Airlines and Sunclass Airlines, Enter Air from Poland, Denmark’s Jettime, as well as Peoples Viennaline from Austria. Some of the carriers that will be deploying wide-body aircraft on its services to Croatia this summer include United Airlines, Air Transat, Sunclass Airlines and TUI Airways.