During the winter flight season, Croatia remains well-connected with European and global air hubs. According to data collected by the Croatian National Tourist Board, Croatian airports will this winter offer direct flights to 69 international cities across 25 countries, including long-haul destinations such as Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The largest number of routes connects Croatia with Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, confirming the importance of Central European markets for Croatian tourism. However, the most frequent destinations include Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Istanbul – cities that serve not only as endpoints but primarily as major transit hubs for global carriers. Frankfurt and Munich are Lufthansa’s main hubs, Vienna is the base of Austrian Airlines, Amsterdam connects passengers through the Air France–KLM network, while Istanbul remains the key gateway of Turkish Airlines for connections to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
This structure of air traffic clearly shows that Croatia’s winter connectivity largely relies on transfer passengers who continue their journeys through European hubs to other continents. At the same time, the high frequency of flights to major transit airports also highlights the fact that Croatia’s network of direct services to larger markets remains relatively limited, particularly outside the summer season. Consequently, in the colder part of the year, Croatia’s air links serve a primarily strategic rather than purely touristic purpose – maintaining the country’s accessibility within the global flight network rather than relying on high seasonal demand.
A total of 151 unique air routes are planned for this winter schedule. The largest number of operations is expected at Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport, which continues to serve as the country’s main international gateway, followed by Split and Dubrovnik.
Thirty-two different airlines will operate flights to and from Croatia, with Croatia Airlines, Ryanair, Trade Air, and Lufthansa planning the highest number of operations. “Air transport plays an important role in the development of Croatian tourism, especially during periods outside the main summer months when good connectivity with source markets is crucial for achieving positive results. During this winter season, Croatia is directly connected with 69 international cities, making Croatian destinations even more attractive to travellers from all over the world. Efficient air connectivity directly supports year-round and sustainable tourism development by encouraging travel throughout the year, contributing to a more balanced distribution of tourist activity beyond the peak season, and making our destinations more accessible to the international market,” said Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.
These figures confirm the importance of major European hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Istanbul, which maintain Croatia’s connectivity within the global flight network during the winter months and ensure the country remains accessible to travellers from across the world.
