Croatia Airlines is planning to adjust its network, with two routes to be discontinued this summer. Operations will end from Zagreb to Milan Malpensa and Bucharest, which will bring the number of discontinued services down to five this summer.
Competitive Expansion in Italy and Eastern Europe
Italy was one of its second largest cities that was introduced to Croatia Airlines. One of Croatia’s Airline competitors, Ryanair, serves routes towards Bergamo Airport (BGY), whilst remaining the sole operator of Bucharest service. Croatia Airlines has indirect competition due to both airlines operating in the same catchment area (geographic region from which an airport draws its passengers). The route to Bucharest are to resume on May 11 and June 2, respectively.
Croatia Airlines will extend its frequencies on its Zagreb services to both Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) and Skopje International Airport (SKP), entering into summer 2026. On the Sarajevo route, the airline will operate on an average of 10 weekly flights in April. Frequencies for flights are to be restored to 13 per week from July, with the Zagreb-Skopje route. Frequencies will then decrease to an average of six weekly in April and seven in May.
Last year, Croatia Airlines was met with a loss of €20.9 million net loss amid a fleet overhaul of its new Airbuses. The transitional period for Croatia Airlines to an all Airbus A220 fleet has called for network adjustments to be made.
Croatia Aiming to Compete its Presence in Italy
The reduced services are expected to return to nine weekly from June. Due to the latest network decision, Croatia Airlines will withdraw from the Romanian market. The airline has also recently announced that its seasonal split will be terminated, this being the Skopje service, as well as its Amsterdam route. The seasonal split flights were a service that increased flight frequencies on direct international routes operating primarily during the summer tourist season from Split Airport (SPU).
The airline aims to continue its presence in Italy with its services from Split and Dubrovnik Airport (DBV).
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