Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair, is expected to return to Osijek next summer season, which would mark the third time the airline has attempted to maintain operations to the airport. The Croatian Minister for Tourism, Gari Cappelli, and the head of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, met with representatives from the low cost airline in London this week. Ryanair is considering introducing two to three weekly flights to Osijek on a seasonal summer basis between June and September. It is estimated the airline could carry some 5.000 passengers each season. The no frills carrier handled around 310.000 travellers to and from Croatia this year and plans to bring the figure up to 400.000 in 2020.

Ryanair abruptly suspended operations between London Stansted and Osijek in January 2017 after the Croatian airport refused to provide subsidies in the form of advertising concessions to the airline. The route was Ryanair’s only year-round service to Croatia. It was initially maintained seasonally from 2013 until 2016 before being extended into the winter months. The carrier had previously served the Croatian city from Hahn for five months in 2009. The route was cancelled as it only achieved an average cabin load factor of 70%. “We will work with Ryanair to promote our country and their flights. However, we told them the government’s aim is to develop continental Croatia. We insist on flights to Osijek at least four months per year”, Mr Cappelli said following the talks.

Osijek Airport has seen its passenger numbers slide following Wizz Air’s termination of its Basel service earlier this year. Currently, Eurowings and Croatia Airlines maintain operations to the city on a seasonal basis, while Trade Air runs year-round domestic Public Service Obligation flights. Recently, Chinese investors have expressed interest in transforming the airport into a cargo hub and there have been suggestions it could be put up for concession as it continues to struggle financially. It recorded a net loss of 337.000 euros in 2018, up from a 36.000 euro loss the year before. Osijek Airport handled 42.271 passengers during the first three quarters, representing a decline of 22.7%.