Lobbying

Rijeka Airport passenger terminal

After the Croatian Government announced its support of new air regulations, which are expected to be in force some time in the future (if the regulations, part of a wider law, are passed), lobbying by politicians, airports and other organisations has begun.

Rijeka airport’s CEO said to the “Novi List” newspapers that he is firmly against the new regulations which will see his airport unable to handle non-Schengen traffic. “As Croatia’s main port city, Rijeka is a place of business and thus needs an international airport”, he says. The county of Primorje-Gorski Kotar and the City of Rijeka, which hold a 50% stake in the airport (the other 50% belonging to the Croatian Government) also oppose the Government’s current proposal. Officials say that they will request for the regulations to be adjusted so as to include Rijeka with the other big 3 – Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split. The officials from the county say that Rijeka has a port, highways, rail and economic zones and needs an airport which can handle traffic coming from non Schengen countries.

Istria county prefect Ivan Jakovčić said to the “Glas Istre” newspapers that he believes that no airport in Croatia will loose its status as an international airport and that meetings are being held with the Ministry of sea, transport and infrastructure to work out the current difficulties.

According to the Croatian Ministry of sea, transport and infrastructure, Croatia has a total of 10 international airports. The largest are Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split. This year Zadar marks the greatest improvement in passenger numbers while Pula reports the greatest decline. The Ministry is yet to comment about the proposed regulations.