The new Rules of the Air Ordinance, published in Croatia’s Official Gazette on 24 August, enters into force on 1 September 2026. It further aligns Croatian rules of the air with European regulations, particularly Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, known as SERA, while also clarifying a number of procedures relevant to pilots, aircraft operators and other airspace users.

The Ordinance establishes the conditions, rules and procedures for aircraft operations to ensure the safe conduct of air traffic. It also applies to Croatian and foreign state aircraft when operating under general air traffic rules within Croatian airspace and the Zagreb Flight Information Region. Military aircraft operations conducted under operational air traffic rules remain governed by separate legislation.

One of the clarifications concerns the designation of the pilot-in-command during flight training and proficiency checks. A flight instructor is considered the pilot-in-command even when not occupying the designated pilot-in-command seat, provided that the instructor is seated at a position from which the necessary equipment, instruments and flight controls are accessible and is conducting training or supervising a student or pilot. The same rule applies to examiners conducting flights for the issue, extension or renewal of pilot licences and ratings.

Rules governing glider operations have also been further defined. When two or more gliders are circling in the same thermal, the direction of the turn is determined by the glider that began circling first. When two or more gliders are soaring along the same slope, the glider with the slope on its right has right of way. When overtaking, the glider being overtaken retains right of way.

The Ordinance also introduces more detailed rules for flying through areas subject to flight restrictions. Transit through a prohibited area is not permitted, while entry into a restricted area or a temporary reserved area requires prior clearance from the appropriate air traffic control unit. Transit through a temporary segregated area is prohibited. IFR flights are not permitted to enter an active danger area, while VFR pilots are expected to avoid it. Any VFR entry is made at the pilot’s own risk and requires prior notification to air traffic control.

Specific provisions have been introduced in connection with the integration of unmanned aircraft into the airspace. Manned aircraft are not permitted to enter a UAS Temporary Reserved Area, or UTR, reserved exclusively for unmanned aircraft operations. Manned aircraft may transit published U-space outside its notified operating hours or when the appropriate part of the airspace has been temporarily reserved for manned aircraft through dynamic airspace reconfiguration.

Procedures at uncontrolled aerodromes have been defined in considerably greater detail. Pilots must comply with the information, charts, conditions and procedures published for the relevant aerodrome in the VFR Manual. A pilot intending to land must make a blind transmission on the published frequency five minutes before entering the aerodrome traffic zone, stating the name of the aerodrome, aircraft registration and type, current position and altitude, and intentions. The pilot must remain on the frequency while flying within the ATZ and report the prescribed positions in the traffic circuit. Pilots not intending to land are required to avoid the ATZ.

Before departing from an uncontrolled aerodrome, pilots must broadcast information concerning the aircraft, intended taxiing, planned runway and destination. At aerodromes where an aerodrome flight information service is available, the arrival must be reported to AFIS at least five minutes before entering the aerodrome traffic zone.

The pilot-in-command must adapt the operation to the actual condition of the uncontrolled aerodrome or registered surface, including the possible presence of objects, animals, people or vehicles. Approaches, departures and obstacle-clearance procedures must be conducted without endangering the aircraft, people or property on the ground.

For VFR flights in Class G airspace, the Ordinance establishes a minimum permitted flight visibility of 1,500 metres under the specified conditions. This minimum may be applied to flights operating at an indicated airspeed of no more than 140 knots, allowing sufficient time to observe and avoid other traffic or obstacles, as well as in areas where the probability of encountering other traffic is low. For helicopters, visibility may be below 1,500 metres but must not be lower than 800 metres, provided they operate at a speed that allows other traffic and obstacles to be detected in sufficient time.

Before entering an area in which radio communication equipment or a transponder is mandatory, the pilot-in-command must confirm that the required equipment is installed and serviceable. If the equipment is missing or unserviceable, the flight may still be conducted under certain conditions, but the operator must first obtain clearance from the appropriate air traffic control unit to enter controlled airspace or consent from the operator of an uncontrolled aerodrome to enter its ATZ for landing.

The new provisions also define more precisely the activities that may endanger air traffic near aerodromes. The release of sky lanterns, toy balloons, tethered balloons and kites, the launching of rockets and pyrotechnic objects, and the use of searchlights are prohibited within specified areas. A separate area in which the use of lasers is prohibited has also been established, covering a radius of 3.7 kilometres from the aerodrome reference point and the extended runway centreline up to 9.3 kilometres beyond each runway threshold.

Certain activities in controlled airspace, including flying kites, using tethered balloons with lines longer than 30 metres, launching pyrotechnic objects that reach more than 50 metres above ground level, or releasing balloons and sky lanterns in groups or large numbers, require prior approval from air traffic control.

When the new Ordinance enters into force, the previous Rules of the Air Ordinance from 2018, together with its 2021 amendments, will cease to apply. Pilots and other airspace users should therefore familiarise themselves with the new provisions and continue checking current aeronautical information, airspace activity and published procedures before conducting their next operations.

The complete text of the Ordinance was published in Croatia’s Official Gazette, No. 93/2026.