Croatian airports post record numbers

Croatian airports surpass seven million passenger mark

Croatia's nine commercial airports handled over seven million passengers last year, with Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik accounting for over a half of all travellers. Zagreb Airport saw its busiest year on record, welcoming 2.587.798 passengers through its doors. The figure represents growth of 6.5%. In addition, it registered 39.854 aircraft movements, up 3.9%, while 9.225 tons of cargo were handled, an increase of 4.1% on the year before. Growth was largely fuelled by foreign carriers, while Croatia Airlines could play a more significant role in the airport's development this year, with new routes planned for the summer. So far in 2016, LOT Polish Airlines resumed services to Zagreb following a six-month hiatus, with Czech Airlines and Air Transat to launch flights from Prague and Toronto respectively during the summer. Several other foreign carriers, including Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, will boost their operations to the Croatian capital with additional flights in the coming months. Croatia Airlines' role at Zagreb Airport will also be influenced by its privatisation process and the position the new Croatian government takes towards the carrier. Ivan Mišetić, a former Croatia Airlines CEO, is a strong contender to become the Minister for Transport in the Prime Minister-elect's new cabinet. Meanwhile, work on Zagreb Airport's new terminal (pictured) is expected to be completed by the end of the year and opened during the first quarter of 2017.

TOP FIVE BUSIEST YEARS AT ZAGREB AIRPORT

YearPAX
20152.587.798
20142.430.971
20122.342.309
20112.319.098
20132.300.231

Split Airport also registered its busiest year on record and is closing in on the two million passenger mark. The airport handled 1.955.400 travellers in 2015, an increase of 11.6% on the year before. Managing Director Lukša Novak expects for Split to hit the two million passenger mark in 2016. Aegean Airlines, Air Berlin, Volotea, Niki and Thomson Airways have already announced new routes to the coastal city for this summer. In spring, the construction of Split Airport's 59.3 million euro terminal is expected to begin. Currently, the airport is facing capacity issues during the peak summer months when the bulk of passengers pass through its doors. The new terminal will stretch over 34.500 square metres and increase the airport’s capacity to 3.5 million passengers per year.

TOP FIVE BUSIEST YEARS AT SPLIT AIRPORT

YearPAX
20151.955.400
20141.752.657
20131.581.734
20121.425.749
20111.300.381

Dubrovnik Airport positioned itself as the third busiest in Croatia, welcoming a record 1.693.934 travellers last year. It saw its passenger numbers increase 6.9% over the year before. London was the busiest route, while Croatia Airlines was the busiest airline operating out of the airport. A handful of carriers have already announced new services to the city this year, among which are Volotea, Air Berlin, Niki, easyJet and Transavia, while many airlines will boost frequencies on existing seasonal flights. Dubrovnik Airport estimates its passenger numbers will grow between 5% - 6% in 2016. The construction of a new passenger terminal, which began last year, is expected to be completed by the end of 2016 and be fully operational by the spring of 2017.

TOP FIVE BUSIEST YEARS AT DUBROVNIK AIRPORT

YearPAX
20151.693.934
20141.584.471
20131.522.629
20121.480.470
19871.460.354

Bucking the trend in 2015 was Zadar Airport, which saw 487.652 passengers use its services, down 1.8%. Managing Director Irena Ćosić says the decrease in numbers came as a result of the Nordic tour operator, Scandjet, relocating its operations from Zadar to Rijeka last year, as well as fewer services run by low cost carrier Ryanair and EuroLOT's bankruptcy, all of which have affected the airport's performance. Pula Airport also saw its numbers decline slightly but anticipates a boost in 2016 with new services to be operated by Thomson Airways, easyJet and Finnair. Croatia's remaining commercial airports - Rijeka, Osijek, Mali Lošinj and Brač all saw their numbers improve on the year before.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:04

    Congratulations. Thos are really great numbers. Split is definitely going over 2 million this year. Zagreb I think will have growth around 9%. Dubrovnik should also do well especially if Croatia Airlines starts winter flights to Frankfurt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:16

      Od zimskog reda letenja 2016./2017. Croatia počinje s letovima iz DBV za FRA.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:09

    I think Split's achievement stands out the most. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      It is coming close to Zagreb :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:50

      True, it's growth over the past few years is most impressive. The terminal itself, long lines, cramped facilities during the summer are an embarrassment though and they will have big problems if they delay the new terminal again.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:05

      Split has almost same grove in real number as Zagreb. So, it is not coming close. If those numbers would not change they would need 17 years to come near to Zagreb.

      It is same sentence as one would mention that ZAG comes near to BEG numbers because ZAG had 30.000 more new pax this year than BEG.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:14

    Anyone have any idea what will happen with Croatia Airlines if Misetic becomes minister? And what's happening with Kucko? Will he fly with the change in government?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:17

      They are talking about making a mega holding in which all state-owned companies would be. But I fail to see how this will help Croatia Airlines in any single way.

      Congratulations to the airports. This is a fantastic result.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:37

      How would they sell OU then?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:45

      http://www.jutarnji.hr/projekt-koji-ce-obiljeziti-oreskovicev-mandat-stvara-se-megatvrtka--prvi-na-redu-za-ulazak-su-hep--jadrolinija--janaf--plinacro--croatia-airlines-i-posta/1494929/

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:31

      Ha ha ha! :) Balkanska posla!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:41

      Oh wow... that will only make it a bigger mess!

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:42

      Sorry I still don't get how they would sell OU if it is part of a holding?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:49

      Who says that cro new government wants to sell ou? Why would they sell it if ou can be a prosperous company. As i understood the new prime minister, competent people will be on head of statal company. when you have people from the business, not politicians or their friends, things can move on

      Delete
    8. Anonymous11:52

      Kresimir Kucko was also labelled as an expert... I don't think Misetic will become the Minister for Transport. But I do think he will return to Croatia. I guess we will have to wait and see.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous11:52

      When is the new government expected to be formed?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous11:55

      I think the government realised that they wouldnt be able to sell OU so they are putting them in the same hate with the rest of the state owned companies.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous19:38

      this government wont last 1 year, there'll be elections early in 2017, at the latest, there are already calls for no confidence in new government and MOST the neo conservatives who lied their way in to power are seen for what they truly are, power grabbing megalomaniacs.

      New elections will be held most likely in late 2016. Croatian Airlines won't be privatized now.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous20:09

      Funny when people say Kucko is expert in what maybe in his pocket he has done nothing good for Croatia Airlines only for himself.
      Wonder what he will do when he gets fired .Back to his previous position.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:30

    Good for CRO! LP iz Slovenije.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:47

    Bravo komsije! Odlican posao u 2015!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:54

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:57

    Zadar should grow this year again with 35 charters from Finland, more flights from Ryanair and LOT flights from Warsaw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:45

      What about those flights to China? :P

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:49

      ... And Montenegro Airlines charters to Tivat?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:58

      There is a possibility that Air Serbia will start BEG-ZAD flights this summer.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:06

      The only way it could happen is if SPU or DBV loses the Atr and gets either Aviolet or an Airbus.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:14

      1 ATR will be leased and added to the fleet.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:16

      Let's hope so, they are in desperate need especially since the three older ones are becoming increasingly unreliable.
      I think that it will be mostly as a replacement rather than for growth.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:30

      Of course this new ATR is good move on top of that one that came in November/December. Opsss, it did not?!?!?!?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous15:46

      Was one supposed to arrive? I can't recall.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous16:21

      Sa onim je trebao doci jos jedan posle nekoliko meseci ali kao zamena posto ce ih ukupno biti samo 6.
      Bio bi to znatno manji problem da nabave jos 6 RJ ali izgleda nema nista od toga.
      Ali opet zamena postojeceih Atr je nesto .
      INN-NS

      Delete
    10. Anonymous16:28

      Ali zasto se nije nabavio Atr? Mada na kraju krajeva sa onakvim pateticnim redom letenja nije im ni trebao

      Delete
    11. Anonymous17:29

      Nije trebao taj da dodje iskljucivo za pojacanje nego je trebao doci i zbog zamene .
      Isto pitanje imam i ja sto nisu dosla 4 A319 koja su trebala doci mislim da je to prava steta.
      INN-NS

      Delete
    12. Sacuvaj me Boze...08:36

      Dakle trebao je doci A330 u martu a nije

      Trebao je doci ATR u novembru a nije

      Trebala su doci cetiri A319 a nisu

      Ili ti Cicko lupetas ili je neki ozbiljan problem u Air Serbiji! Sto je od toga Marko?

      Delete
    13. Anonymous08:55

      Niti jedan od tih aviona nije bio najavljen osim sto je ovde, po obicaju, INN-NS sirio lazi. Jedini najavljen avion je A330-200, a tacan datum njegovog dolaska takodje nije obajavljen, vec ce biti u upotrebi od juna.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous10:11

    Good achievement for 2015. Anyone willing to predict 2016? I think it will be a huge year for tourism.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:45

      @AnonymousJanuary 11, 2016 at 10:11 AM

      2016
      Zagreb - 2.8 million~
      Split - 2.15 million~
      Dubrovnik 1.8 million~
      Zadar - 500k~
      Pula - 400k~
      Rijeka - 200k~
      Osijek - 50k~
      Brac - 20k~
      Losinj - 15k~

      Total 8.0 million~

      2017
      Zagreb - 3.0 million~
      Split - 2.3 million~
      Dubrovnik 2.0 million~
      Zadar - 500k~
      Pula - 400k~
      Rijeka - 250k~
      Osijek - 100k~
      Brac - 20k~
      Losinj - 15k~

      Total 8.5 million~

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:52

      Tesko da će Split toliko rasti, pogotovo u 2017. kad nema Ultre a i novi terminal neće biti gotov.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous11:44

    Well done 7.1 million passengers in 2015!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:25

      Croatia has by far the largest aviation market in ex-Yu.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous11:59

    I think that Losinj hit 14000pax which is impressive if we mention its runway of 900m and a cottage which serves as terminal. ECA maintains double Split-Losinj-Pula flights but also a great push are private jets, Losinj is known for luxury tourism (it seems that hotel Jadranka will finance new terminal at Losinj and a longer runway).

    It seems that Brac had more flights, but less passengers this year. However, that will be improved this summer because OU will add additional flights which will be subsidied.

    Osijek will also improve because it gets new commuter flights to Zagreb, Rijeka, Pula, Dubrovnik and Split. Probably Brasilia, Trade Air.

    Rijeka could see decline. I think one flight from Cologne will be suspended, and it looks that Limitless cannot look for more in Rijeka as it opens new lines in Dubrovnik and Split. Rijeka will get only one more Rijeka-SPU-DBV-Rijeka commuter flight on Brasilia next summer.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Дечко Тзар12:22

    OT: Back after two weeks of personal travel. Out of six flights, most impressive experience: Alitalia A330-200 Magnifica business class. View from my seat, main course:

    http://s29.postimg.org/wbhc9p7mf/az_biz.jpg

    Almost identical seats as in Etihad A330 biz class with 1-2-1 fully flat config, superb service and food/beverage options. On-demand espresso/cappuccino and dining anytime seem to be all-around favorites in the cabin. Things will get even better once whole A330 fleet is equipped with new Wi-Fi/live TV and new interior colors.

    Since Etihad and Alitalia A330 members of the family have comparable biz cabin, I would love if Air Serbia A330 business class cabin also gets fitted with the same product and that’s a mouth-watering prospect. Overall I loved AZ experience and can’t wait to experience it aboard Air Serbia A330!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:26

      Sorry to disappoint you but JU won't have lie-flat beds on their A332. It will be an angled bed.

      Delete
    2. Дечко Тзар13:55

      Lie flat is becoming a norm, hope it's not too late for a change. Oh, and Premium Economy on Air Serbia A330 would be nice.

      Delete
    3. JU520 BEGLAX00:22

      What?? Lie flat in C class is an absolute must nowadays. And right I would even install Prem Eco seats

      Delete
    4. Anonymous07:52

      Sorry but neither one of it will be present. Anyway, it's not such a bad thing, their business class can be some sort of premium economy. For not-so-wealthy business passengers.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous08:33

      Didn't they say that business class will be the best of the best? And now it will not be even on level of other EU airlines?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous08:53

      Amazing how you believe what an anonymous writes.

      Delete
    7. Дечко Тзар13:20

      Anon at 7:52 was possibly a jab at me, I wrote last year about Air Canada Rouge 767 cabin configuration (no biz class, only eco and eco+ seats) as more appropriate for Air Serbia A330 potential markets, but I am now raving about AZ experience. Same biz class product would be great on Air Serbia A330 if it can be filled with paying passengers, but even Alitalia had a hard time filling less than half of biz cabin while eco and eco+ cabins where chock-full on the same flight. Emotions aside, Air Serbia has to do what will sell and that might eventually end up being similar to Air Canada Rouge config.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous12:47

    Bravo, Croatia!
    Congrats from Sofia!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous16:51

    Zagrab has done well! Well done Zaggy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous20:09

    Huh? Headline says "Croatian airports" but it almost only states the numbers and facts of the top 3. I would gladly read more about all other not unsuccessful 6 commercial airports - those are very often neglected in here generally - yet they cater for over 1 million passengers every year combined. It would be nice to read a similar article in the blog about them perhaps in a few days informing about their performances in detail.

    ReplyDelete

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