According to the latest edition of the Croatian AIP (AIP SUP 008/2025), Zagreb’s Franjo Tuđman Airport has announced upcoming maintenance works on the main runway and taxiway A, scheduled to begin in May 2026 and last approximately 45 days. The works will cover the threshold area of runway 04 and the intersection of taxiways A and B, with the aim of ensuring long-term safety and reliability of the airport’s operational surfaces used for aircraft takeoffs and landings.
During the construction period, operational procedures will be temporarily adjusted. Runway 04/22 will be shortened from 3,252 to 2,512 meters, and the threshold of runway 04 will be displaced, affecting the available takeoff and landing distances. Taxiways A and B will be closed to traffic, while low visibility procedures (LVP) will be suspended. Only visual and non-precision approaches will be permitted during this period.
Due to the reduced operational capacity, increased runway occupancy times are expected, as well as occasional use of backtrack maneuvers for both takeoffs and landings, with the available runway width remaining 45 metres. Aircraft movements on the manoeuvring area will follow air traffic control instructions.
Franjo Tuđman Airport noted that detailed information and the exact start date of the works will be published later through official NOTAMs and AIP supplements. A duty airport coordinator will be available 24 hours a day for all operational inquiries.
Although the runway will be shortened by more than 700 metres during the works, this is not expected to completely prevent operations of wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A330, operated to Zagreb by Air Transat and t’way Air during that period. Landings should proceed without difficulty, but departures may require certain limitations on maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), especially on longer routes and during high temperatures. The A330-200 model, which has slightly better takeoff performance, can safely operate at an MTOW from a 2,500-meter runway, while the larger A330-300 generally requires at least 2,700 to 3,000 metres when fully loaded.
Therefore, departures to long-haul destinations such as Toronto or Seoul are expected to be operated with optimised takeoff weight — for example by reducing fuel, cargo, or passenger load — or potentially by planning a technical refuelling stop at another airport. Despite the temporary limitation, both airlines operating wide-body services to Zagreb during the 2025 summer season are expected to maintain their flights, with minimal disruption to the published schedule.
