Croatia Airlines expects for its passenger numbers to decline 60% in 2020 compared to last year’s record of 2.179 million, due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, it will likely handle under one million travellers for the first time since 1999. The carrier noted its largest drop in passenger numbers was registered in April amounting to 95% due to lockdowns across the world and it maintaining a single scheduled service. Figures were down 94% in May and 81% in June. The airline said it had minimal income during these three months. At this point, booking numbers are down 65% in August, 64% in September and 56% in October.

Croatia Airlines said it is too early to estimate the financial loss resulting from the crisis, as the pandemic is still ongoing and hindering traffic. The carrier has cancelled plans to launch new services to Podgorica and Sofia this year and has discontinued operations to Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tel Aviv. It recorded a 14.6 million euro loss during the first quarter, up from its loss of 13.3 million in Q1 2019. Croatia Airlines said, “Revenue from tourism makes up a significant share of Croatia’s GDP, while the tourism and transport sectors have been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. The pre-season was lost, and the main tourist season has been impacted as well. European countries, most notably Germany, Slovenia, Italy and Austria, as the main markets for Croatian tourism, have had their economies severely affected”. The carrier added, “The company’s performance in 2020 will greatly depend on external factors, as well as the decisions and recommendations made by the Croatian Civil Protection Authority, which directly impacts on the likelihood of domestic and international travel”.

In a bid to attract more travellers and incoming tourists, Croatia Airlines has teamed up with shipping company Jadrolinija to develop a platform through which passengers will be offered a joint ferry package to one of the country’s islands upon booking their ticket. “The challenging environment in which we operate and everything that has affected the Croatian and global economy in recent months needs to be readily and strategically addressed in order for us to create competitive advantages in the future”, Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, said. He added, “This is why we decided to join forces with Jadrolinija, whose ships complement our fleet perfectly. Croatia Airlines connects the world through the skies, and Jadronlinija by sea, and together we can create additional benefits for passengers”.