Dubrovnik underperforms as other airports grow

In the first month of 2012, the airports in Zagreb and Dubrovnik saw passenger numbers slide after a record breaking 2011. Other airports in Croatia managed to record passenger growth.

Croatia’s busiest airport Zagreb welcomed 131.068 passengers, a decrease in of 5.6% compared to the same month last year. Zagreb’s slow start was followed by a significant fall in the number of transit passengers passing through the airport. Dubrovnik, which was Croatia’s second busiest airport in 2011 and the fifth busiest in the former Yugoslavia, saw an even bigger decline than its counterpart in Zagreb. Dubrovnik handled 17.843 compared to 21.288 passengers in 2011, a decrease of almost 20%.

Other airports in Croatia had better luck with Split, Pula, Zadar and Osijek all recording a passenger growth. Split’s numbers were better than those of Dubrovnik as the airport welcomed 24.678 passengers through its doors. Pula Airport will be content with its January performance as it recorded a passenger increase of 24.2%. Both Rijeka and Brač airports saw triple digit growth but together handled only 47 passengers.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in January 2012. Overall, Croatian airports handled 176.929 passengers, a decrease of 5.6% compared to January 2011. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers JAN 2012	Passengers JAN 2011	Change (%)
Zagreb	131.068	138.370	▼ 5.6
Dubrovnik	17.843	21.288	▼ 19.3
Split	24.678	24.428	▲ 1.1
Zadar	2.216	1.848	▲ 16.6
Pula	995	754	▲ 24.2
Rijeka	31	11	▲ 64.5
Osijek	56	35	▲ 60.0
Brač	16	1	▲ 1500.0
Mali Lošinj	26	72	▼ 63.9

Croatia Airlines launches new seasonal and summer flights

Croatia Airlines will launch new seasonal flights from Rijeka to Barcelona and Zadar to Frankfurt. The flights from Rijeka to Barcelona will launch on June 5, becoming Croatia Airlines’ second destination from the city. It will accompany the existing seasonal service to London Heathrow Airport. Flights to Barcelona will operate once per week with an Airbus A319 until October 23. Details can be found here. Croatia Airlines will also inaugurate flights from Zadar to Frankfurt on April 27. However, the Croatian carrier will have to compete on the line with Ryanair, although the no frills airline offers flights to the distant Hahn Airport. Flights to Frankfurt will run until the end of the summer season twice per week. All flight information can be found here.

After intense criticism from the airline’s pilots union for suspending summer charters in the past few years, the airline’s management has decided to resume them in 2012. Croatia Airlines plans to operate summer charters from Split to both Kristiansand and Kristiansund in Norway and Erfurt in Germany. Furthermore, the airline will also inaugurate charters from Zagreb and Osijek to Antalya in Turkey.

In 2011, Croatia Airlines saw record passenger numbers and is hoping to maintain the growth in 2012. However, in December the airline saw a surprising slump in passenger numbers. The carrier welcomed 98.800 passengers onboard, down 4.3% on December 2010. January 2012 results are yet to be announced.

Passenger plunge at Dubrovnik Airport

Despite a record breaking year for most Croatian airports, growth somewhat slowed in November compared to the same month last year. The number of passengers using Croatia’s main airports decreased by half of a percent compared to the same month last year.

Zagreb Airport, which launched a new look website earlier this week, continued to report positive figures by handling 156.755 passengers, up 3.2%. Overall, growth this year has amounted to 8% with 2.083.366 passengers passing through its doors. In November, Zagreb was joined by Split, Rijeka and Mali Lošinj as the other airports also to record growth. In Rijeka it amounted to 753% with the airport handling 111 passengers (up from 13 last year), while growth at Mali Lošinj reached 304% with 97 passenger welcomed.

On the other hand, Dubrovnik saw disappointing results. The coastal airport handled 26.007 passengers, down 20.3% on last year. Numbers were also down in Pula which saw only 1.051 passengers.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in November 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 212.410 passengers, a decrease of 0.5% compared to November 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers NOV 2011	Passengers NOV 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	156.755	151.908	▲ 3.2
Dubrovnik	26.007	32.626	▼ 20.3
Pula	1.051	1.201	▼ 12.5
Split	26.666	25.905	▲ 2.9
Zadar	1.657	1.672	▼ 0.9
Osijek	66	130	▼ 49.2
Rijeka	111	13	▲ 753.9
Mali Lošinj	97	24	▲ 304.2

Rijeka Airport most improved in October

In October Zagreb Airport surpassed the two million passenger mark by handling 208.384 passengers, an increase of 11.3% compared to the same month last and thus handled 2.083.384 passengers in the first ten months of the year. Zagreb is on target to reach its best result in history since it opened its doors in 1962.

There was also good news for all of Croatia’s other major airports in October as well. Dubrovnik handled 107.546 passengers, an increase of 4.5% and has so far welcomed 1.287.991 passengers. Split also did well standing at 92.698 passenger, up 8.3% on October 2010. The most improved airport in the month of October compared to last was Rijeka, which saw passenger figures rise by 52%. Also worth mentioning is Pula, which with 15.415 passengers improved its result by 43.9%. The busiest airports in 2011 after Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split are Pula, Zadar and Rijeka.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in October 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 459.538 passengers, an increase of 9.7% compared to October 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers OCT 2011	Passengers OCT 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	208.384	187.286	▲ 11.3
Dubrovnik	107.546	102.963	▲ 4.5
Pula	15.415	10.714	▲ 43.9
Split	92.698	85.592	▲ 8.3
Zadar	26.587	25.590	▲ 3.9
Osijek	2.697	2.311	▲ 16.7
Rijeka	5.503	3.620	▲ 52.0
Mali Lošinj	230	217	▲ 6.0

New destinations and new airlines from Rijeka

Rijeka Airport, which last year struggled for passengers, has turned its fortunes around in 2011 and has announced that several new airlines will begin flights to the city in 2012. Rijeka Airport has so far this year handled 78.754 passengers, an increase of 28% compared to 2011, and is certain that next year it will see even greater growth.

Europe’s biggest low cost airline Ryanair has announced that it will begin flights from Oslo and either Frankfurt or Brussels to Rijeka next year which will accompany its existing seasonal flights from London Stansted and Stockholm. However, Ryan might have some competition on its hands as the airport’s management is in talks with British Airways to commence flights from London to the seaside city next summer. Condor has already announced its plans to inaugurate flights from Frankfurt to Rijeka. Meanwhile, the national carrier, Croatia Airlines, is finalising its plans for Rijeka for the upcoming summer season. During this year, the carrier operated flights to London Heathrow. New additions are expected in the coming year.

Additionally, the airport is in talks with SkyWork Airlines to commence flights from Bern while negotiations are also underway with the Spanish low cost airline Vueling to launch seasonal flights from either Madrid or Barcelona. During the week, talks were held in Belgrade between Rijeka Airport officials and local authorities from Niš for summer flights between the two cities to be launched in 2012.

Croatian airports record growth in September

Last week Zagreb surpassed the two million passengers mark, an impressive 48 days ahead of last year. The passenger was travelling from Zagreb to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight. In September, Zagreb saw 240.805 passengers, an increase of 12.6% compared to last year.

Elsewhere in Croatia, Dubrovnik and Split both recorded a passenger increase compared to September 2010. The two have handled a total of 2.307.811 passengers this year and during November managed to surpass the end of year result from last year. Pula also recorded a passenger increase with the airport seeing almost 8% more passengers this year compared to last. With 886 passengers at Mali Lošinj this September, the airport grew 82.3%.

On the other hand, Zadar is continuing to record a passenger slump. Numbers fell by 3.5%, although so far this year the airport has seen growth of some 3%. Osijek handled 2.475 passengers, which is down on last September. Osijek Airport won’t see any scheduled flights until the end of the year, meaning its figures will significantly decline from now until March 2012.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in September 2011. OveSeptember 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers SEP 2011	Passengers SEP 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	240.805	213.876	▲ 12.6
Dubrovnik	203.360	187.630	▲ 8.4
Pula	55.763	52.770	▲ 5.7
Split	182.459	171.066	▲ 6.7
Zadar	36.928	38.266	▼ 3.5
Osijek	2.475	2.821	▼ 12.8
Rijeka	13.557	9.870	▲ 37.4
Mali Lošinj	886	486	▲ 82.3

Rijeka Airport sees largest passenger growth in 2011

Most of Croatia’s airports maintained passenger growth throughout August. Rijeka continued its comeback, Zagreb saw solid growth while both Zadar and Osijek saw numbers slide.

In August, Zagreb handled 249.159 passengers, an increase of 7.8% compared to the same month last year. So far in 2011, Croatia’s busiest airport has handled 1.568.005 passengers, an impressive surge of 14.2%. However, growth in Dubrovnik slowed with numbers increasing only 1% despite an increase in the number of flight being operated to and from the airport. In the first eight months of the year Dubrovnik has welcomed 977.085 passengers while Split saw 944.907. With 18.282 passengers, Rijeka Airport enjoyed a 35% increase. So far this year, Rijeka has seen the biggest boost in passenger numbers out of all of Croatia’s airports by handling 59.694 passengers, improving its figures by 24.5% on last year's result. In 2010 due to sliding figures and finances there were suggestions to shut down the airport.

On the other hand, Zadar continued its downward slide. With 49.956 passengers, numbers fell by 11.8%, even though the number of flights operating this August increased. Meanwhile, Osijek handled only 4.124 passengers.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in August 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 932.045 passengers, an increase of 4.1% compared to August 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers AUG 2011	Passengers AUG 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	249.159	231.155	▲ 7.8
Dubrovnik	262.262	259.638	▲ 1.0
Pula	86.686	78.996	▲ 9.7
Split	257.031	246.221	▲ 4.4
Zadar	49.956	56.624	▼ 11.8
Osijek	4.124	5.041	▼ 18.2
Rijeka	18.282	13.544	▲ 35.0
Mali Lošinj	1.797	1.298	▲ 38.4

Split Airport busiest in Croatia in July

In July Croatian airports recorded steady passenger growth when compared to last year. The country’s main airport, Zagreb, once again recorded a formidable result while last year’s star performer Zadar saw its numbers slip.



Zagreb’s Pleso Airport handled 256.256 passengers in July, an increase of 9.5% compared to the same period last year. The number of flights operating to and from the airport increased nearly 2%. By the end of July, Zagreb has seen 1.318.846 passengers pass through its doors, an impressive increase of 15.5%. Both Dubrovnik and Split fared well in July with Split recording a 10% passenger increase while Dubrovnik did even better with a 13% increase. Split handled more passengers than Zagreb thus becoming the busiest airport in the country in July. Rijeka Airport’s positive run continued with it handling 21.210 passengers, 36.7% better than last year.



On the other hand, Zadar and Osijek saw their numbers decrease on last year. Zadar was directly impacted by a decrease in the number of flights operating to and from the airport. It saw 50.890 passengers use its facilities in July which is down 8.3% on last year. Osijek saw a second month of sliding passenger numbers.



Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in July 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 946.547 passengers, an increase of 9.4% compared to July 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers JUL 2011	Passengers JUL 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	256.256	234.071	▲ 9.5
Dubrovnik	252.869	223.800	▲ 13.0
Pula	86.357	81.877	▲ 5.5
Split	270.791	246.084	▲ 10.0
Zadar	50.890	55.466	▼ 8.3
Osijek	4.013	4.477	▼ 10.4
Rijeka	21.210	15.517	▲ 36.7
Mali Lošinj	934	1.224	▼ 23.7

Busy times for Zagreb

Airports across Croatia recorded a rise in passenger figures for the month of June as the tourist season kicked in. Zagreb continues to see impressive passenger growth in 2011.

The country’s busiest international airport, Zagreb, saw its figures jump by 14.5%, with the airport handling 229.551 passengers. During the month the airport welcomed its millionth passenger in 2011 and ended the first 6 months of the year with 1.062.590 passengers, up 16.9% on the same period last year. Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka and Zadar all saw their passenger numbers increase between 5 and 10%. Rijeka’s fortunes have finally turned for the better. The airport handled 14.056 passengers, an increase of 50.5%.

Osijek was the only major airport to see its numbers decline. It handled 3.335 passengers, which is 42 passengers less than in June 2010, thus representing a decrease of 1.2%.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in June 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 693.038 passengers, an increase of 10.7% compared to June 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers JUN 2011	Passengers JUN 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	229.551	200.515	▲ 14.5
Dubrovnik	179.950	167.931	▲ 7.2
Pula	56.208	53.159	▲ 5.7
Split	169.415	154.778	▲ 9.5
Zadar	37.065	33.838	▲ 9.5
Osijek	3.335	3.377	▼ 1.2
Rijeka	14.056	9.341	▲ 50.5
Mali Lošinj	942	938	▼ 0.4

Split slips as Zagreb continues record run

Zagreb Airport has recorded one of its best Mays on record. Meanwhile, Rijeka finally reports growth while Dubrovnik and Split surprise with slipping passenger numbers.

In May 2011, Zagreb Airport handled 218.066, an impressive 17.9% improvement on last year. The figure is accompanied by a significant 15% increase in traffic. So far this year Zagreb has handled 833.039 passengers, representing a 17.7% jump. The airport is certain to break through the 1 million passenger mark during this June. On the other hand, Rijeka continues its comeback this year after a disastrous 2010. The seaside airport welcomed 5.337 passengers, up 6%. A similar increase was recorded by Pula which handled 24.966 passengers. Ryanair’s recent service launch from Brussels to Pula is also set to impact on June’s figures.

Dubrovnik and Split surprised with their May figures as both airports reported a decrease in the number of passengers compared to the same month last year, although these slips were not too significant. In what is to be Croatia’s record tourist season, Dubrovnik handled 142.326 passengers, down 0.4% while Split recorded a greater decrease of 2.4%. This negative trend was driven by a fall in the number of flights offered during the month compared to last year. In June, Dubrovnik should expect big increases thanks in part to Croatia Airlines which has launched several new services from the city.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in May 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 536.017 passengers, an increase of 7.9% compared to May 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers MAY 2011	Passengers MAY 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	218.066	184.965	▲ 17.9
Dubrovnik	142.326	142.834	▼ 0.4
Pula	24.966	23.308	▲ 7.1
Split	111.253	113.925	▼ 2.4
Zadar	29.965	22.900	▲ 30.9
Osijek	2.670	2.327	▲ 14.7
Rijeka	5.337	5.031	▲ 6.1
Mali Lošinj	464	436	▲ 6.0

An April to remember at Osijek Airport

It’s not every day that an airport records a 4 digit passenger percentage increase but that is exactly what happened to Osijek in April. Airports across Croatia recorded substantial passenger growth when compared to April 2010. Granted, April of last year saw most airports across Europe close due to the volcano ash from Iceland but the airports also recorded respectable increases compared to April of 2009.

Croatia’s main airport, Zagreb, handled a total of 190.751 passengers, an impressive 35.2% increase. For the first four months of the year, Pleso is up by 17.6%. A similar increase in passenger numbers was recorded in Split where figures jumped by over 37%. Despite having only 10 flights more, Dubrovnik’s airport handled 77.046 passengers and recorded an increase of 22.2%. An impressive passenger boost was also seen at Pula Airport, which plans to end the year off with an increase of at least 10% compared to 2010. Rijeka is still waiting for flights to pick up this summer. It recorded an increase of “only” 17.7%. Finally, Osijek with 2.122 passengers sees its numbers grow by 3.286%.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in April 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 371.127 passengers, an increase of 36.5% compared to April 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers APR 2011	Passengers APR 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	191.751	141.053	▲ 35.2
Dubrovnik	77.046	63.033	▲ 22.2
Pula	11.538	6.915	▲ 66.9
Split	63.550	46.188	▲ 37.6
Zadar	23.013	12.305	▲ 87.0
Osijek	2.122	63	▲3.268
Rijeka	2.681	2.277	▲ 17.7
Mali Lošinj	312	131	▲ 138.2

MalI Lošinj handles more passengers than Rijeka in March

Croatian airport reported average growth in March compared to the same month last year. Dubrovnik, Pula and Rijeka saw their numbers decrease while Zagreb, Split and Zadar were on the other side of the scale. Osijek reported triple digit growth as the airport had double the amount of flights compared to last March.

Zagreb continued its solid run this year with another double digit increase. It handled 160.084 passengers, an increase of 11.1% compared to the same month last year. In the first quarter of 2011, the airport handled 424.222 (+ 11%). Split and Zadar both reported growth of just over 1%. With a total of 84 flight and 436 passengers, Osijek recorded an increase of 808.3%.

On the other hand, Rijeka will have to wait another month for its much publicised comeback. After suffering significant passenger loss last year, the trend is continuing so far this year as well. The airport welcomed just 45 passengers compared to last March’s 1.577 and thus recorded a decrease of 97.1%. Dubrovnik and Pula were both down on last year as well.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in March 2011. Overall, Croatian airports handled 218.268 passengers, an increase of 7% compared to March 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers MAR 2011	Passengers MAR 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	160.084	144.074	▲ 11.1
Dubrovnik	24.819	25.701	▼ 3.4
Pula	1.431	1.562	▼ 8.4
Split	28.105	27.779	▲ 1.2
Zadar	3.154	3.103	▲ 1.6
Osijek	436	48	▲808.3
Rijeka	45	1.577	▼ 97.1
Mali Lošinj	175	116	▲ 50.9

A look at Croatia Airlines' 2011 summer chages

The 2011 summer season starts tomorrow. Croatia Airlines has made some changes to its timetable, notably it has added more seasonal flights from secondary bases in Croatia. Croatia Airlines will introduce new scheduled flights from Zagreb to Istanbul. It will resume its summer services to Athens, although the flights will now operate via Dubrovnik, unlike last year. The airline will also operate 4 special charter flights to Damascus, the capital of Syria.

From Pula, Croatia Airlines will operate to Amsterdam (1X per week), Zadar (daily) and Zagreb (18X per week). From Osijek, the airline will fly to Split (1X per week) and Dubrovnik (1X per week). From Brač, Croatia Airlines will operate services to Ljubljana (1X per week) and Zagreb (1X per week).

From Zadar, the airline will operate to Pula (15X per week), Munich (2X per week), Zagreb (18X per week) and to Zurich (2X per week). Rijeka will see the Croatian national airline operate 1 weekly flight to London Heathrow.

The tables below display flights from Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split – Croatia Airlines’ 3 bases. The tables display the peak weekly frequencies for each destination during the summer (keep this in mind especially for domestic flights within Croatia as some services operate only for several weeks).

Departing Zagreb

Destination	Frequency S2011	Frequency S2010	Change	Notes
Amsterdam	8	7	▲ 1	-
Athens	3	3	-	resumes April 21 via Dubrovnik
Barcelona	3	3	-	-
Brussels	6	9	▼ 3	-
Brač	1	1	-	-
Copenhagen	7	4	▲ 3	-
Dubrovnik	29	30	▼ 1	-
Frankfurt	21	21	-	-
Istanbul	3	0	▲ 3	starts May 17
London Gatwick	4	4	-	-
London Heathrow	9	8	▲ 1	1 flight via Rijeka
Munich	14	14	-	-
Paris	7	7	-	-
Podgorica	3	3	-	-
Priština	7	7	-	-
Pula	18	17	▲ 1	15 flights via Zadar
Rijeka	1	0	▲ 1	-
Rome	11	10	▲ 1	6 flights via Split 2 flights via Dubrovnik
Sarajevo	14	14	-	-
Skopje	10	7	▲ 3	-
Split	33	31	▲ 2	-
Tel Aviv	1	1	-	-
Vienna	14	14	-	-
Zadar	18	14	▲ 4	1 flight via Pula
Zurich	15	14	▲ 1	-
Stockholm	6	4	▲ 2	-

Departing Dubrovnik

Destination	Frequency S2011	Frequency S2010	Change	Notes
Athens	3	0	▲ 3	starts April 21
Belgrade	2	0	▲ 2	starts June 20
Berlin	1	0	▲ 1	starts May 01
Frankfurt	7	7	-	-
Osijek	1	1	-	-
Dusseldorf	1	1	-	-
Paris	2	2	-	-
Rome	3	3	-	-
Split	2	2	-	-
Tel Aviv	2	1	▲ 1	-
Venice	2	0	▲ 2	starts June 16
Vienna	3	2	▲ 1	-
Zagreb	29	30	▼ 1	-
Zurich	3	3	-	-

Departing Split

Destination	Frequency S2011	Frequency S2010	Change	Notes
Amsterdam	1	2	▼ 1	-
Berlin	1	0	▲ 1	starts May 07
Dubrovnik	2	2	-	-
Hamburg	2	0	▲ 2	starts April 16
Dusseldorf	2	2	-	-
Frankfurt	7	7	-	-
London Gatwick	2	2	-	-
London Heathrow	1	1	-	-
Lyon	1	1	-	-
Paris	3	3	-	-
Munich	7	7	-	-
Rome	7	7	-	-
Vienna	4	4	-	-
Osijek	1	1	-	-
Zurich	4	4	-	-

Croatia Airlines

Bumper month for Dubrovnik Airport

For a second consecutive month, Zagreb Airport reported a strong passenger increase. In February the airport handled 125.871 passengers, an increase of 11.4%. Zagreb was not alone in reporting passenger growth. Similar statistics were recorded by Split and Pula. Dubrovnik did particularly well, seeing its numbers rise by 25.1%. It handled 17.157 passengers. Although the airports in Rijeka and Mali Lošinj saw their figures increase by over 100%, the small number of passengers the two handled should be taken into consideration.

Last year’s star performer, Zadar, saw its passenger numbers slip for a second month in a row. The airport also saw the number of flight operations drop by 8.2%. Osijek remained steady with 80 passengers.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in February 2011. Overall, it was a good month for Croatian airports with 167.112 passengers handled and a 11.5% increase compared to February 2010. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers FEB 2011	Passengers FEB 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	125.871	113.042	▲ 11.4
Dubrovnik	17.157	13.725	▲ 25.1
Pula	1.167	998	▲ 16.9
Split	21.442	20.387	▲ 5.2
Zadar	1.190	1.516	▼ 21.5
Osijek	80	80	-
Rijeka	73	26	▲ 180.7
Mali Lošinj	132	65	▲ 103.1

Strong interest to resume Belgrade – Rijeka flights

Jat Airways is interested in commencing flights between Belgrade and Rijeka this summer. Jat has also expressed interest to commence flights from Belgrade to Dubrovnik, as was reported a few days ago. However, the airline still hasn’t given the final approval for the flights as it puts the final touches to its 2011 summer season timetable. The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County’s vice mayor, Vidoje Vujić, held talks with Jat representatives this weekend at the Belgrade International Tourism Fair, where Croatia was the special guest country. “Rijeka and Belgrade used to be connected 14 times per week”, Vujić told the “Novi list” newspaper. So far, Croatia Airlines is the only airline to have confirmed flights between Croatia and Belgrade, with the 2 weekly Belgrade – Dubrovnik service commencing June 20. Despite an earlier promise from both Jat and Croatia Airlines that they will reveal their cooperation plans over the weekend, this did not occur. Below you can view the map with the planned services between Belgrade and Croatia set to commence this year. Whether they will become more than just promises remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Croatia Airlines has pushed back the launch of its Zagreb – Istanbul service, which was originally planned to commence on March 27. The flights are now set to be inaugurated on May 17. There have also been some time changes. You can view the flight details here.

More passengers using Zagreb

Croatia’s main airport, Zagreb, started the year off on a high. Zagreb Pleso Airport handled 138.267 passengers in January 2011 and thus reported sound growth of 10.9% compared to the same month last year. This good result is somewhat overshadowed by Rijeka Airport’s performance. The island airport handled a measly 10 passengers, seeing its figures collapse 98%. Zadar surprised in January as passenger numbers declined 31.9%. This is despite the fact that there were more flights to the city this January compared to last. Mali Lošinj handled 72 passengers and reported growth of 36%, ahead of the likes of Osijek and Pula which saw their numbers slide. Dubrovnik welcomed more passengers, reporting a 15% increase, while Split’s growth stood at 1%.

Below you can review the performance of Croatia’s airports in January 2011. Overall, passenger numbers at Croatian airports increased 8.8%. The statistics have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

Airport	Passengers JAN 2011	Passengers JAN 2010	Change (%)
Zagreb	138.267	124.676	▲ 10.9
Dubrovnik	20.656	17.957	▲ 15.0
Pula	752	1.239	▼ 39.3
Split	23.167	22.832	▲ 1.5
Zadar	1.204	1.769	▼ 31.9
Osijek	35	80	▼ 56.3
Rijeka	10	636	▼ 98.4
Mali Lošinj	72	52	▲ 38.5

Soon in Rijeka

The national carrier of Romania, TAROM, will commence charter flights from Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport to Rijeka on June 14. Flights are set to operate once per week, every Tuesday. This is welcome news for the Croatian airport which hopes to see the number of passengers using its facilities significantly increase following a disastrous 2010. However, early statistics for 2011 paint a bleak picture for Rijeka.

The national carrier of Romania will continue its seasonal summer charters to Dubrovnik, after 2 sucsesfull years of operations. Flights to Dubrovnik will begin on June 16. The service will operate twice per week, every Thursday and Saturday and will operate with the regional ATR72 aircraft.

On the other hand, ČSA Czech Airlines has discontinued its seasonal summer flights from Prague to Dubrovnik and Split but will be increasing its frequencies to Zagreb, which was the airline’s first international destination back in 1930. Yesterday, low cost easyJet began flights from London Gatwick to Zagreb.

Soon in Rijeka

In the past 2 years Rijeka Airport has seen sliding passenger numbers and income while its counterparts across the nation reported record growth. However, the airport’s fortunes are expected to change this summer. Last year, Rijeka Airport’s management rejected Ryanair’s terms to commence flights to the island airport, however, it did not wish to make the same mistake again. From April 15 Ryanair will operate flights from London Stansted Airport and Stockholm Skvasta Airport 2 time per week, every Monday and Friday until the end of the summer season, in October. Rijeka was forced to make many concessions to the world’s largest low cost airline. A total of 250.000 Euros was paid to promote Rijeka on Ryanair’s website and another 62.500 for the flights themselves. Tickets can be booked from Monday on Ryanair’s website.

Ryanair won’t be the only airline flying out of Rijeka this summer. Croatia Airlines will compete with the no frills carrier on the London service while others will operate flights to Gothenburg, Riga, Bucharest and Moscow. According to the airport’s management, talks are already underway for new flights to be initiated during the 2012 summer season.

As a result, Rijeka expects to see an influx of much needed tourists in the coming summer.

A year to remember ... Zadar Airport

Overall Croatian airports staged a respectable recovery in 2010. Most of the country’s hubs managed to see an increase in the number of handled passengers, despite a lacklustre start to the year. Airports on the Croatian coast, such as Dubrovnik and Split, had an exceptionally good year while the likes of Rijeka struggled both economically and passenger wise. Despite new low cost flights from Zagreb, Croatia Airlines’ slash in frequencies saw Zagreb post only a small increase.

In 2010, a total of 5.180.866 passengers were handled at airports across Croatia, an increase of 5.7% compared to 2009. According to analysts, 2011 is expected to be another year of growth.

The following are results Croatia’s main airports posted in 2010:

Airport	Passengers 2010	Passengers 2009	Change (%)
Zagreb	2.067.646	2.056.388	▲ 0.5
Dubrovnik	1.257.770	1.109.934	▲ 13.3
Pula	313.793	302.448	▲ 3.7
Split	1.187.921	1.080.121	▲ 9.4
Zadar	254.802	195.163	▲ 30.5
Osijek	20.824	20.503	▲ 1.5
Rijeka	61.478	110.208	▼ 44.2

All fugures have been provided by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

New flights from Pula this summer

The CEO of Pula Airport, Bruno Rugović, has confirmed that Jat Airways will resume flights between Belgrade and Pula this summer after a 2 year absence. Despite the fact that Croatia Airlines and Jat will talk routes at their upcoming meeting in Belgrade next week, the Pula flights, which will replace the services Jat operated to Portorož, in Slovenia, last summer season, are certain to commence. “In 2008 Jat’s Pula flights had a load factor of 95% and were extremely popular”, Rugović said.

The Jat flights are one of many that should secure a strong summer for the seaside airport. Croatia Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair and Germanwings have already confirmed their presence in Pula this summer. Furthermore, negotiations are underway for a direct service between Pula and Barcelona. In 2010, Pula Airport handled 313.793 passengers, up by 4% compared to 2009. Rugović is confident that in 2011 the airport will see even greater growth.

Another Croatian airport is set to announce many new flights. The embattled Rijeka Airport is poised for a comeback in 2011. More news regarding Rijeka’s new flights later in the week.