Zagreb Airport expects for its passenger numbers to grow 5% in 2019 in what it describes as being a consolidatory year compared to the previous two. During the first half of 2019, it welcomed 1.534.105 travellers through its doors, up 4.2%. It added an extra 62.477 passengers on 2018. "Since the start of the concession, at the end of 2013, until today, Zagreb Airport has recorded a 45% increase in passenger numbers. Growth is continuing this year as well in line with our plans and expectations", the airport said. It added that July's figures should be flat compared to last year, when the airport saw a significant number of charter flights due to the FIFA World Cup in Russia, where Croatia was runner up.

More robust passenger growth is anticipated during the first half of 2020 as Croatia assumes the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union in January of next year. "Currently, some thirty airlines maintain scheduled flights to Zagreb, connecting the city to fifty destinations in Croatia, Europe and the world. Zagreb Airport is in constant contact with a number of carriers concerning the launch of new routes. Zagreb Airport can expect to handle five million passengers per year by 2026", the airport said. Zagreb continues to be dominated by full service carriers, which account for over 90% of all seats, whereas low cost airlines have a share of just over 8%.

Several airlines have outlined plans to boost either frequencies or capacity to the Croatian capital this coming winter season, which begins on October 27. Greece's Aegean will add an extra weekly flight on its service from Athens to Zagreb for a total of three. The new rotation will operate on and off throughout the winter. Overall, the route will be maintained until January 15, before it goes on a month-long hiatus, and resumes on February 24. British Airways will add an extra two weekly flights between London Heathrow and the Croatian capital for a total of nine for the majority of the winter. However, during certain periods, frequencies will vary between seven and nine weekly. This includes November, January and February. Spain's Iberia will introduce an extra weekly rotations from Madrid for a total of three per week, while Korean Air will boost capacity for part of the winter season by replacing its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, which operated last year until December 31, with the slightly larger B787-9 jet. On the other hand, Flydubai will reduce its operations to Zagreb from seven to four per week, with exception to the peak winter travel period between mid-December and mid-January.