Croatia Airlines recorded a historic first quarter in terms of passenger numbers, driven by strong capacity growth, but has also introduced crisis management measures amid the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The Croatian carrier handled just over 405.000 passengers between January and March, representing a 22% increase on 2025 figures, or an additional 74.000 travellers. Although the airline did not disclose its average cabin load factor for the period, it is estimated to have hovered around 60% based on available capacity. During the first quarter, Croatia Airlines expanded its capacity levels by 17.7% as it continues its transition to an all-Airbus A220 fleet, while the number of operated flights grew by a more modest 1.4%. During the ongoing second quarter of the year, Croatia Airlines has an 8.3% increase in capacity, complemented by a 5.8% increase in scheduled flights.
The airline has warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East will impact its bottom line. During the first quarter of last year, the carrier registered a 15.9 million euro loss. Its financial performance for Q1 2026 will be made public at the end of the month. However, Croatia Airlines said, “Fuel remains one of the largest operating costs in the aviation industry, and recent market disruptions have led to a significant increase in prices. Volatility in energy markets is directly impacting the operations of all airlines, including Croatia Airlines, and the current situation is expected to affect business performance in the period ahead, as is the case across the global aviation industry, which is highly dependent on energy prices as well as the stability and security of the international environment”.
In order to mitigate the impacts of rising costs, Croatia Airlines has introduced crisis management mechanisms, including optimising operations, managing costs and revenues and maintaining network stability and overall business continuity. The airline is discontinuing five routes this summer and has reduced frequencies on select services. Geopolitical developments and energy market instability are also affecting the availability and pricing of aircraft spare parts, with increasing demand from the defence sector further exacerbating the situation. “For decades, Croatia Airlines has ensured the country’s connectivity with Europe and the wider world, reaffirming its key role in the mobility of citizens and the development of Croatia’s tourism and economy. This is particularly evident in challenging and unpredictable circumstances, when the airline places its full capacity in service of the public interest, further underlining the importance of the national carrier - a role Croatia Airlines has fulfilled successfully and with pride since the country’s independence”, the company said.
Bravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Bravo, reaching 60 % LF, combined with 40 million loss only, is an achievment worth Nobel prize. Minimum.
DeleteDon’t be so negative about highly positive Croatia Airlines results, 60% load factor, 22% increase of passenger numbers and new efficient aircraft type. Bravo Jasmine, uz vas smo!
DeleteHere in Balkans everything is opposite of what it seems; in case of OU passengers traveled the more you have them the bigger the loss! So staying with low numbers keeps your money in pocket!
Delete@11.10 and when they record a 40 million loss for Q1 it is still bravo?
DeleteEach time there is an OU article I come here for PIR comments. You go PIR!!!!! It never gets old.
DeleteA 22% increase in passengers from just a 1.4% increase in operated flights doesn't sound right to me.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure it's correct?
I'm sure it is correct. What is interesting is that for each A220 flight that replaced an A319ceo flight they probably spent at least 25% less fuel!
Deletewith 60% LF even 25% less fuel does not make a big difference,
DeleteYes but it shows that on some markets they managed to fight off FR. Obviously 22% more people booked flights with them this year.
Delete^ Sounds right. Just a small increase in the number of operated flights but a whole lot more people choose to fly with them.
DeleteIs there some change in their commercial strategy?
I don't live in Croatia and I don't use them so I am not aware of how they are promoting their fares.
They are constanrly offering flash sales. Even for the height of summer. Probably not good for finances.
DeletePa nije ni loš LF obzirom na veće avione. Prošli tjedan iz Pariza je bio skoro pun do zadnjeg mjesta.
DeleteYes, you switch Dash to A220, double the size, and increase pax number by 22%. Doesn't look right.
DeleteThe figures are correct.
Delete@9.17 you did realise that they had almost the same level of more seats?
DeleteMa naravno ako izbace pozitivne rezultate ne valjaju, kad prikažu negativne rezultate opet ne valjulju. Ma bravo za Vas koji nikad niste ušli u avion a najveći ste stručnjaci.....
DeleteAnd people still claim that they are not the main engine of growth at ZAG!
ReplyDeleteOf course they are. Jasmin is great, leader, magician, managing to make growth in such harsh enviroment. He can restrict one or two more lines to cut losses.
DeleteAdmin have they made public which of their routes showed the biggest increase in pax numbers?
ReplyDeleteImpressive growth on paper, but a 60% load factor is still quite weak. Expanding capacity that fast without filling seats doesn’t look sustainable long term
ReplyDeleteWell the number of passengers increased at a higher rate than the number of available seats.
DeleteSo load factors improved vs Q1 2025.
They also increased their share of ZAG traffic.
DeleteIt is 60% for the weekest period of the year: so over the year it will certainly increase to 75% which is ok.
DeleteIt used to be 58% so they jumped to 60%, bravo OU!
DeleteAll cro pax are mostly seasional. Country with barely more than 3 million people. Country dead in winter
DeleteEvery airline is blaming the Middle East situation now. Fuel prices are a factor but Croatia Airlines has been loss-making long before this.
ReplyDeleteRight now a barrel of oil is priced at 140$
DeleteThat is HUGE. Winter is coming for every airline that is not heavily fuel hedged.
+1
DeleteNot sure where are you getting info from but as of 04.04.2026 price is between 100-112$ per barrel…
DeleteJasmin will handle that. Dont worry
Delete405k passengers in Q1 is solid a good result.
ReplyDeleteJasmin magic
DeleteThe defence sector affecting spare parts availability is something we don’t hear often. Interesting point and probably a bigger issue than many realise.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat, almost all aerospace equipment manufacturers have a defense division too.
DeleteAnd when government customers tell them to produce something faster they redirect resources from their civilian divisions.
Bravo OU!
ReplyDeleteYou are joking, right?
Delete40 million loss. 60 % LF. Shameful feeder with no hub, no waves, no developed network. Crime and corruption. Incompetence and inertness. And so on and so on. Many many many reasons to cry. Not a single one to hail Bravo. Especially not for such achievment which made possible reaching amazing 60 % LF. It's disaster, definitely not Bravo. And I am not crying. I am stating facts. You are crying for another unsuccesful attempt to present everything is wonderful in your precious OU
Delete@pir i think that you exatirrated! Jasmin do the best he can in winter time. It is easiest to say mafia, corruption etc. But in reality, it is strong struggle to survive. He is magician.
DeleteOthers should be respactful. Beg and Zag are not comparable. And nwvervwere.
Record growth that will be followed up by record breaking loss in Q1.
ReplyDeleteI don’t get the people that always complain when OU is in question, sure they really aren’t in the greatest position but can’t people accept positive news for once.OU is far away from being a great company but this is actually a pretty decent result and I can’t quite believe that people can get so triggered from it.
ReplyDeleteHow can it be decent when their loss will be bigger than last year and they just got state aid and a loan write off?
Delete12.56
DeleteI don't get the people who advocate national shame which barely manages to have 13 % market share and instead proudly displaying national flag around the World while making profits, shamefully feeds LHG at Minken and Vrankvurt for 40 million annual loss, which is likely even to become bigger, as a result of highly corruptive BCG single type deal
Btw the day they start making profits, increase market share to 25 % and manage to have minimum 70 % LF, I will admit I was wrong and publicly apologize. Till then, I will continue to criticize, hoping my criticism, among other factors, contributed to the small improvement which is today's topic
DeleteJasmin hear wishing all my friends, followers and fellow aviation professionals Happy Easter. It's been a lot of work recently, not much time to drink coffee here in Buzin. We have had to make some tough decisions and cut routes, but we are well placed for a great summer. Nantes is the biggie this year, I found it on the map myself, with a little help from Volotea.
ReplyDeleteBest
Jasmin B