March 31, 2021 - The latest flight news to Croatia as 17 new Ryanair flights to Zadar this summer have been announced, for a total of 37 international lines flying to the new Ryanair Zadar base! 

Croatian Aviation reports that Ryanair held two press conferences yesterday, both virtual, for Zagreb and Zadar airports. 

At the press conference, Europe's largest airline announced the reopening of its base at Zadar Airport. With two base aircraft, on as many as 78 weekly flights, it will connect Zadar with 37 destinations, of which as many as 17 are new, giving passengers the opportunity to choose from a number of European destinations from July 2021.

Ryanair's new destinations from Zadar Airport announced for this summer season are:

Aarhus,

Bari,

Bologna,

Bremen,

Bucharest,

Budapest,

Edinburgh,

Gdańsk,

Liverpool,

Maastricht,

Naples,

Newcastle,

Paris,

Rome,

Vaxjo,

Warsaw,

Wroclaw.

In addition to the 17 new lines, Ryanair will operate from Zadar on 20 more previously introduced lines, bringing a total of 37 international destinations to Zadar!

Given the number of announced routes, Ryanair will open a base at Zadar Airport this summer and base 2 of its aircraft there. In total, on a weekly basis, the Irish carrier will have as many as 78 return flights to 15 European countries.

According to Croatian Aviation, there will also be 12 Ryanair flights to Zagreb from eight countries. Thus, the Croatian metropolis will be connected with Paris, Brussels, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Memmingen, Milan, Rome, Podgorica, Oslo, Gothenburg, and London.

Already this autumn, Ryanair will perform as many as 36 weekly flights from Zagreb Airport to the following destinations:

Brussels Charleroi, from June 2, 3 times a week,

Dortmund, from September 3, 2 times a week,

Frankfurt-Hahn, from September 3, 3 times a week,

Gothenburg, from September 3, 3 times a week,

Karlsruhe, from September 2, 2 times a week,

London, from September 1, daily,

Memmingen, from September 3, 2 times a week,

Milan, from July 1, 4 times a week,

Paris, from September 2, 2 times a week,

Podgorica, from September 4, 2 times a week,

Rome, from September 3, 3 times a week,

Torp Sandefjord, from September 1, 2 times a week.

For the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia, CLICK HERE.

March the 31st, 2021 - The Zagreb Ryanair arrival confirmation which was confirmed very recently from the popular Irish air company is set to not only end reliance on often extremely expensive Croatia Airlines flights to large European capitals like London (given British Airways' current absence), but also transform the city's tourist picture and create much needed jobs.

As Ana Blaskovic/Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the much talked about Zagreb Ryanair arrival was finally confirmed recently following months of speculation, but the Irish company's arrival in the Croatian capital is also going to take matters a step further because Zagreb is set to become one of the airline's bases. The investment is worth a massive 200 million dollars, but the company didn't want to talk about such details, including whether or not this "deal" includes possible subsidies.

The outlines of the initial plan imply that two aircraft will be stationed in Zagreb, which will fly on twelve new routes on up to 36 flights a week. As such, sixty new local jobs in Zagreb will be created.

For now, the only plan is to connect with other international airports, but not domestic flights, although Ryanair isn't explicitly ruling out this possibility.

The state-owned national airline, Croatia Airlines, which has been suffering since long before the pandemic struck and is frequently accused of charging far, far too much for very basic economy flights, can still breathe a sigh of relief for now. This is because the arrival of such low-cost competition, whose flights from Zagreb will be significantly cheaper for European destinations, will not, at least for the time being, erode domestic revenues.

"With our arrival, the number of passengers is going to increase, and for Zagreb that means more new tourists and new niche tourism as a ''weekend break'' destination or a door to other cities. This opens the way for small enterprises to other markets as well, and I believe that this will transform Zagreb,'' said the President of the Management Board of Ryanair DAC, Eddie Wilson, at a virtual press conference.

"We're delighted to have launched a new Croatian base. This development will create more than sixty jobs directly and we're going to be able to offer our Croatian customers routes to many attractive European destinations this summer, including popular destinations such as Rome, Milan, Paris and London,'' said Wilson.

The Zagreb Ryanair arrival will create an impressive twelve new routes

The twelve new routes opening from Zagreb will be to various European destinations, including Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Brussels, Frankfurt Han, then Memmimgem (115 kilometres east of Munich), Karlsruhe, Dortmund, Gothenburg, Oslo Torp and Podgorica. Ryanair's planes will fly from the new terminal of Zagreb Airport, confirmed the President of the Management Board of Zagreb International Airport, Huseyin Bahadir Bedir.

Along with Zadar, Zagreb is now set to become Ryanair's second Croatian base, and the total investment here in Croatia reaches about 400 million dollars. In total, Ryanair will have four planes stationed in Croatia, covering Zagreb, Pula, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.

The Irish airline flies to 240 airports, covers 40 countries on more than 2,000 routes, and by 2026, it expects 200 million passengers and its fleet growth to reach about 600 aircraft.

Back in December last year, 75 new Boeing 737-8200 aircraft were ordered, and the delivery of the first is expected soon. These are the aircraft that Ryanair calls "gamechangers": with 4 percent more seats, 16 percent less fuel consumption and 40 percent less noise when flying.

Flexibility because of the pandemic

The Zagreb Ryanair arrival and the opening of the Irish company's new base follows the marketing campaign of the promotional sale of seats at a price of just 151 kuna for travel until the end of March 2022, for which reservations are open until Thursday, April the 1st, 2021, at midnight.

Given the great uncertainty surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Ryanair has left the option of a free flight change in the event of a change of plans until October 2021.

“Keeping in mind that restrictions due to coronavirus change regularly, customers can now book flights for their well-deserved breaks, knowing that if they need to postpone or change their travel date, they can do so twice if they need to with a free flight change until the end of October 2021,'' confirmed Wilson.

For all current coronavirus information specific to Croatia, including travel and border rules, as well as testing centres across the country, make sure to bookmark this page.

November 17, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Ryanair pulls 15 lines to Croatia in the 2021 summer flight schedule. 

Croatian Aviation reports that Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has pulled 15 international routes to Croatia for the summer of 2021. These are lines to Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, and Split.

Namely, Ryanair has revised its flight schedule for the 2021 summer season and has stopped sales on numerous international routes, including as many as 15 to and from Croatian airports - Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, and Split.

Only one line less to Pula and Split

Until the beginning of November, Ryanair had Berlin-Pula and Vienna-Split routes on sale, but they have been withdrawn from sale, and it is currently not possible to buy tickets on this airline for next summer. In the 2021 summer flight schedule, Ryanair will operate on some lines to Pula and one to Split (from Dublin).

Two long-standing lines to Rijeka are no longer for sale

The airline currently offers only one line to Rijeka Airport for the summer of 2021. This is the Frankfurt Hahn-Rijeka line, which also operated this summer season. In 2019, Ryanair operated from Frankfurt's main airport to Rijeka, a far better option for passengers than Hahn, 115 kilometers away.

There are currently no lines from London and Brussels to Rijeka on sale for the next summer season, while the long-standing Stockholm-Rijeka line was canceled earlier. According to the currently available flight schedule, only the Frankfurt Hahn to Rijeka route will be in traffic.

As many as 11 lines to Zadar were withdrawn from sale

Zadar Airport had big announcements from Ryanair and partner company Laudamotion for the 2020 summer season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, most of the previously announced routes were not launched. The company offered all lines for the next summer season, thus leaving space for aircraft bases in Zadar and great expansion in the Croatian market.

At the beginning of November, Ryanair withdrew 11 lines from Zadar for next year. The following lines are no longer on sale:

Aarhus - Zadar,

Hamburg - Zadar,

Maastricht - Zadar,

Bremen - Zadar,

Toulouse - Zadar,

Riga - Zadar,

Kaunas - Zadar,

Liverpool - Zadar,

Cork - Zadar,

Dublin - Zadar,

London - Zadar.

Most of these lines were supposed to start operating in the summer flight schedule this year, but this did not happen for obvious reasons. Ryanair obviously has no plans to base aircraft in Zadar next year. It is even more surprising that there are no flights from Dublin and London to Zadar, which did not operate this summer either. This airline had an excellent occupancy on these lines in previous years, and ticket prices were often high, especially in the peak season.

The flight schedule is available on the Ryanair website and is still subject to change. This has been confirmed to Croatian Aviation from the airline's headquarters, and we will have to wait until January when the final 2021 summer flight schedule for Croatia is announced to see if there will be any further changes. 

This will certainly depend on the epidemiological situation and the demand itself.

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October 12, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Ryanair will soon conclude regular operations to Croatia for this year.

Croatian Aviation reports that Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair will soon complete regular operations at Croatian airports. The company had big plans for this year, but they did not materialize due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Ryanair planned to base three A320 aircraft at Zadar Airport and fly from Zadar to 33 international destinations across Europe. Ryanair's partner airline, Lauda, chose Zadar, ahead of the airport in Palma de Mallorca.

Due to the lockdown caused by the global pandemic and the large drop in demand, Ryanair and Luda abandoned this plan, and Ryanair returned to Croatia only at the beginning of July, with fewer lines than in the summer season of 2019. This well-known low-cost company operated this summer to five Croatian airports: Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.

As in previous years, Ryanair will conclude its operations with Croatia on the last day of the summer flight schedule (October 24). In the winter flight schedule, this company does not operate to Croatian airports.

This year, the company did not operate on several routes to Croatia (some were excluded from this year's summer flight schedule even before the pandemic). At the same time, on most lines, there was a reduction in weekly frequencies.

The following lines will be in traffic until the end of October:

Pula - Berlin, once a week (until 24.10),

Pula - Brussels, twice a week (until 23.10.),

Pula - London, twice a week (until 22.10.),

Rijeka - Hahn, once a week (until 24.10),

Dubrovnik - Dublin, twice a week (until 21.10.),

Split - Dublin, twice a week (until 24.10.),

Zadar - Brussels, twice a week (until 24.10),

Zadar - Cologne, once a week (until 18.10.),

Zadar - Düsseldorf, twice a week (until 24.10),

Zadar - Karlsruhe, twice a week (until 24.10.).

Given the pandemic's impact on air traffic, we can be satisfied that this low-cost carrier was on the Croatian market this summer season at all. The question remains whether Ryanair will realize the plan from this year in the next year (to base three aircraft in Zadar). Such a decision will primarily depend on how we will welcome the next summer season.

Ryanair has so far announced one new line for next summer season, between Vienna and Pula. In the winter flight schedule, the company will fly to airports in the region, such as Banja Luka, Vienna, Budapest, and Trieste.

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September 29, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Ryanair operates 10 lines to Croatia in October.

Croatian Aviation reports that in October, Ryanair will operate on 10 international routes to five Croatian airports: Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. 

In September, Ryanair operated on 16 routes to Croatia, but in October there will be 10. In the last month of the summer flight schedule, the company will operate to all five destinations in Croatia, from Istria to Dalmatia. The flight schedule for October can be found below.

Pula Airport will have three active lines by the Irish low-cost carrier in October:

Pula - Brussels will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, until October 23,

Pula - Berlin will operate once a week, on Saturdays, until October 24,

Pula - London line will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, until October 22.

Rijeka Airport had two routes in September, but as of October it no longer has a direct connection with London. Only the line to Frankfurt remains in traffic. The Rijeka - Frankfurt Hahn line will operate once a week, on Saturdays, until October 24.

Dubrovnik and Split airports will have one Ryanair line each, both airports will be connected to Dublin:

Dubrovnik - Dublin will operate 2 times a week, Wednesdays and Sundays, until October 21,

Split - Dublin will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, until October 24.

Zadar Airport will usually have the largest number of routes of this airline:

Zadar - Brussels will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, until October 24,

Zadar - Cologne will operate once a week, until October 18,

Zadar - Dusseldorf will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, until October 24,

Zadar - Karlsruhe will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, until October 24.

As we mentioned earlier, the lines Rijeka - London, Split - Stuttgart, Zadar - Prague, Zadar - Stuttgart, Zadar - Berlin and Zadar - Poznan are no longer in traffic.

From the end of October, Ryanair will no longer have direct flights to Croatia and will conclude traffic to Croatian airports for this year.

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September 2, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia with updates for Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Rijeka and Pula as Ryanair continues to five Croatian destinations this September.

Croatian Aviation reports that Irish low-cost airline Ryanair continues to five Croatian destinations in September: Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. We bring you the current flight schedule.

Ryanair will continue to be present at Croatian airports in September, operating on as many as 16 scheduled flights. This is a slightly smaller number of lines compared to July and August, given that certain lines have stopped operating.  

Lines from Pula

Pula - Brussels Charleroi: runs twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays,

Pula - Berlin: continues to operate once a week, on Saturdays,

Pula - London Stansted: runs twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays.

Lines from Rijeka

Rijeka - Frankfurt Hahn: runs once a week, on Saturdays,

Rijeka - London Stansted: runs twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, until 28 September.

Lines from Zadar

Zadar - Brussels Charleroi: runs twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays,

Zadar - Prague: runs once a week, on Saturdays,

Zadar - Berlin: runs once a week, on Thursdays, until September 24,

Zadar - Cologne: runs once a week, on Sundays,

Zadar - Dusseldorf Weeze: runs twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays,

Zadar - Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden: runs twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays,

Zadar - Stuttgart: runs once a week, on Sundays, until September 27,

Zadar - Poznan: runs once a week, on Sundays.

Lines from Split

Split - Stuttgart: runs once a week, on Sundays, until September 27,

Split - Dublin: runs twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Line from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik - Dublin: runs twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

All of these lines have been announced for October, with the exception of certain lines for which we have given the date of the last available flight in September. Earlier than planned, the company stopped traffic on two lines, from Zadar to Vienna and Milan, and the number of departures on a larger number of lines was reduced due to weak demand. Through September, Ryanair will offer as many as 16 routes to five Croatian airports.

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August 19, 2020 - What is it like flying with Ryanair from Dublin to Split in the corona ear? TCN's Lidija Ivanek SiLa returns to her homeland and shares her experiences. 

After the first half of a very weary and odd year where we were stuck in the circle of 2km initially on the island of Ireland during the lockdown, grateful for our jobs and ability to work from home, to be able to think about traveling at the end of May was a light at the end of the tunnel.

At the beginning of the madness called COVID19, my thoughts were with my elderly parents and fear what will happen with them. Ireland closed the borders, stopped nonessential flights, and a phased roadmap was introduced. Chilling awareness that you are on an island in the middle of Atlantic and there is no easy way to get to Croatia at this point crept up and the first panic attack came with the thought – What if… what if something happens to them and I am not there to help them?

When Phase 2 and 3 of the relaxing of measures became valid, a lot of Croatians took the option to drive all the way, some 2500km with either overnight ferry to France, or 4 hours to the UK and then drive. We waited for the first possible flights. With the closing down the Ryanair base in Zadar and with the announcement that Aer Lingus will close their bases in Cork, we decided to book a flight with Ryanair from Dublin to Split. So, when the day of the journey came, everything was packed and ready, even the sky was occasionally blue and the drive from Cork to Dublin was a breeze. After leaving our car at the airport carpark, we put our face masks on with the intention not to take them off until we arrived in Split.

The airport bus was half empty, with every second seat marked with a yellow warning sign “The seat is unavailable – maintain social distance”. Yellow continued to be the main colour at the airport. Yellow warning signs and yellow hand sanitizer containers. If we add to this a half-empty usually packed airport, this was an eerie sight.

From the tannoy, a recorded message was played every 5 minutes about COVID and the special situation that we are in and how important is to keep face masks and social distancing. While this new reality was slowly sinking in, I felt strangely safe at the airport. It was a sad sight to see only Ryanair and Aer Lingus planes parked outside the window. I couldn’t spot any other company present, though on the Departures board there were some, like Finnair or AirBaltic. The terminal for Croatia is at the end of everything. After walking what felt like 5 km with our baggage, faces sweating under masks, finally, we arrived. A few people were already sitting on every second chair. After a few minutes of recuperating and recovering, I started to observe people around me closely, curious to see who are the passengers on this flight. Mainly the Croatian language was heard, as well as some English, Polish that I could recognise.

The plane was half full, I was actually expecting lower numbers. Boarding was coordinated with the crew and like good school children, we marched in one by one for our passport and boarding pass control. It went quickly and efficiently. We were seated with empty seats next to us.

Human nature is a funny thing. The minute one of the crew members announced that we have to remain seated the whole flight, with a seatbelt on and in case of bathroom emergencies, we should press the overhead buzzer for a crew member to assist so there will be no queuing, well, should I say that suddenly few passengers felt the urge to jump out of their seats, and rushed to the toilets causing a true traffic jam. It was the same as with face masks, the minute you put them on, you feel the itch and inevitable you must, just must, immediately scratch it, sticking fingers under it joggling to keep the mask on and still satisfy that excruciating desire to scratch.

While fluffy white clouds were passing beneath the plane, the crew inside was going with their regular duties, first a “safety-dance” with soon after time for “eat and drink and be merry”. Airlines are in deep problems because of the coronavirus pandemic and it is hard to find a good balance. I guess I am a bit cynical as I do find that eating and drinking with face masks on and then off and on again, a bit ridiculous. Ventilation on board was working full blast and I do hope that filters were able to stop the virus, but still why risk it at all. Keep that mask on your nose, it’s not that hard, for a 3-hour flight! Every penny counts for the airlines, every penny counts for the tourism too. After drinks were served, a jolly group of Irish youngsters, some ten of them started to show symptoms of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. The crew was trying to keep them in their seats, with masks on, giving over tannoy advice, urging to keep everyone safe on board, but it became really difficult. They started to walk on the toilets every 5 minutes, masks off, even singing like normal holidaymakers. The trouble is, it is not a normal holiday, is it? I don’t know how and why or even when it happened that Croatia became famous as a party destination. There is that balance again on how to have income from tourism, how to survive a pandemic, but still even now what type of tourism Croatia really wants?

Sitting in my chair, flying on clouds in the sunset, writing this article on my Mac in my lap, my hubby is just showing me that we are over Germany, I finally started to relax. Not a bad day for flying as we just avoided first serious seasonal storm that is due tomorrow. We landed in Split, Divulje airport. Air-filled with scents of wild plants. It was warm with essential oils of lavender and rosemary mixed with pine trees and salt from the Adriatic.

But the journey was not over yet. A land crew lady was pointing with her hand that we all need to approach the entrance door. We were not the only plane landing at the same time, at least passengers from one or two more were there, French, Czech language was heard. The amount of people that was one next to each other was far, far away of safe social distance. Unorganised, unprepared.

I was utterly disappointed with what we experienced there. Queueing for the passport control went on for at least half an hour. We were staying behind, waiting for as long as we can to be the last one. Yes, all passengers and staff did have masks, and there were few signs printed on plain inkjet paper warning everyone to keep the distance at least 1,5 meters, but there was none to actually coordinate mass of people. All in all, for a country that has tourism going for two centuries, it was a huge disappointment. Finishing my article today on a lovely terrace next to the sea, with blue sky above me and a cold drink in my hand, while the air temperature rises quickly to peak 32C, I feel that all the ordeal from yesterday is long gone and I am in the mood of forgiving them all. Everything fades on the Adriatic, disappears in the cricket song, like a mighty meditation mantra.

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August 17, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates for Pula.

Croatian Aviation reports that among the numerous cancellations and reductions of weekly flights to destinations in Croatia, there was some positive news. Ryanair has announced a new line to Pula for next spring.

Namely, the Irish low-cost airline plans to launch a new route between Pula and Vienna in the spring of 2021.

The Pula-Vienna route is currently planned from the first day of the summer flight schedule next year (March 28, 2021), twice a week, every Wednesday and Sunday, until autumn - specifically until the end of October (October 27, 2021).

The A320 aircraft of the partner company Lauda (pictured), which has its base at Vienna Airport, has been announced on the route. The capacity of the aircraft is 180 seats.

There have been no direct commercial flights between Vienna and Pula so far, but Austrian Airlines has previously operated charter flights from several destinations in Austria to Pula Airport.

This is the first announcement of a new line to Pula Airport for next year, but traffic will certainly depend on epidemiological measures in the next summer season.

This summer season, Ryanair connects Pula Airport with three international destinations: London, Berlin and Brussels.

In the first seven months of this year, Pula Airport had a turnover of 23,621 passengers, which is a decrease compared to last year of over 94%.

Recall, last week, TCN reported that British Airways would reduce the number of weekly flights to Zagreb in September this year.

British Airways currently operates daily between London (Heathrow Airport) and Zagreb, on A319 and A320 aircraft. Given the occupancy of the passenger cabin and reduced demand, the company decided to reduce the number of weekly flights on the said route in September this year.

From September 1 on the London - Zagreb route, British Airways aircraft will operate six times a week, every day except Wednesday, while from September 7, there will be five flights per week on the route. Namely, the flight will be additionally canceled on Tuesdays.

Changes are certainly still possible, but unfortunately not in the direction of increasing weekly flights, especially with the fact that the number of patients with COVID-19 in the Republic of Croatia is growing significantly.

Other British Airways routes in Croatia (to Dubrovnik, Split and Pula) have no operational changes so far.

Croatia Airlines currently offers three flights a week on the route Zagreb - London Heathrow throughout September (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), but the flight schedule for next month has not yet been finalized.

Furthermore, Aeroflot has completely canceled the Moscow - Split route, to which it planned to return in August, and there are no announced flights to Dubrovnik or Zagreb.

Before the pandemic, Russian Aeroflot operated daily on the Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport) - Zagreb route, both in summer and winter.

The line was suspended at the time of the pandemic and has not resumed until now. However, according to the announcements from the airline, there will be no direct flights between the two capitals this year. The company plans to make a significant restructuring after the crisis, and according to current announcements, we can expect a direct air connection between Moscow and Zagreb only in April 2021.

Aeroflot even announced the launch of its seasonal route Moscow - Split in August this year, airline tickets were already on sale, but given the regulations at the state borders, it was to be expected that flights would be canceled, which eventually happened.

The third Aeroflot line in Croatia, the one to Dubrovnik, was withdrawn from sale in March, so Croatia will not have a direct connection with the capital of Russia this year.

In the summer flight schedule, the Croatian national carrier operates on the Zagreb - St. Petersburg line, but that line was also canceled for this year.

Aeroflot's last visit to Croatia was on May 2 this year, when a B777 aircraft landed at Zagreb Airport for the first time, transporting medical equipment from China via Moscow to the Croatian capital.

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May 18, 2020 - Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has made additional changes to its summer flight schedule and significantly reduced the number of departures to destinations in Croatia.

Namely, Croatian Aviation reports that as of July 1, the airline will fly again with only 40% of planned flights.

The schedule is as follows:

Pula Airport

Pula - Brussels: from July 6, once a week, from August 3, twice a week (previously planned from May 8),
Pula - London: from July 2, twice a week (previously planned from May 10, three times a week),
Pula - Berlin: from July 4, once a week (previously planned from May 9).

Lines from Pula to Frankfurt and Stuttgart are no longer on sale.

Rijeka Airport

Rijeka - Hahn: from August 1, once a week (previously planned from May 9),
Rijeka - London: from July 6, once a week, from August 3, twice a week (previously planned from June 1).

The line from Rijeka to Brussels is no longer on sale.

Split Airport

Split - Stuttgart: from July 5, once a week (previously planned from May 10, three times a week),
Split - Dublin: from July 4, twice a week (previously planned from May 10, three times a week).

Dubrovnik Airport

Dubrovnik - Vienna: from July 2, four times a week (previously planned from May 10),
Dubrovnik - Dublin: from July 1, twice a week (previously planned from June 1, four times a week).

Zadar Airport
Zadar - Vienna: from July 1, three times a week (previously planned from May 8),
Zadar - Brussels: from July 2, once a week, from August 2, twice a week (previously planned from May 9),
Zadar - Prague: from July 4, once a week (previously planned from May 9, twice a week),
Zadar - Poznan: from July 5, once a week (previously planned from May 10, twice a week),
Zadar - Berlin: from July 2, once a week (previously planned from June 4),
Zadar - Cologne: from July 5, once a week (previously planned from May 10),
Zadar - Düsseldorf: from July 4, twice a week (previously planned from May 9),
Zadar - Karlsruhe: from July 4, twice a week (previously planned from June 3, three times a week),
Zadar - Stuttgart: from July 5, once a week (previously planned from June 3, three times a week),
Zadar - Bergamo: from July 3, twice a week (previously planned from June 1).

You can see the planned network of Ryanair destinations from Zadar for this year, before the outbreak of the pandemic.

Lines from Zadar to Aarhus, Marseille, Paris, Toulouse, Bremen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Memmingen, Nuremberg, Budapest, Cork, Dublin, Riga, Kaunas, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Gdansk, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Liverpool, London and Manchester are not for sale.

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May 13, 2020 - Bad news for those depending on the Ryanair Zadar connection from the UK and Ireland, explains CEO Eddie Wilson in a podcast interview.

It was the route which started budget airline travel back in 2007, with the Ryanair Zadar to London Stansted route. The Ryanair Zadar love affair continued for over a decade, and at one point the Irish airline opened its 54th base in the Dalmatian coastal destination. 

And then something happened, and perhaps the story will come out at some point. 

I have lost count of the number of emails I have received from tourists asking about Ryanair Zadar flights from the UK and Ireland. When the flight ban came in initially, all flights from the UK and Ireland for 2020 disappeared, apart from flights around the Hideout Festival. 

And as we reported yesterday, when Ryanair announced yesterday that it planned to resume 40% of its schedule, that included services to all its Croatian partner airports. 

Except in the case of Zadar, the only reinstated connections were to mainland European cities such as Milan and Berlin. Nothing at all from the UK and Ireland. 

A regular TCN reader sent me a link to a podcast from Ireland, which interviewed Eddie Wilson. The 12-minute interview, which you can listen to here is a wide-ranging and open overview of Ryanair's plans to fly again. At the end, among the questions, was this:

Alan from Wicklow - What about flights to Zadar? They seem to have completely vanished for 2020 and 2021. Is the Ryanair Zadar connection finished? We now have to fly to Split instead.

I think what happened was the Zadar flights were operated by another airline in the Ryanair group, Lauda Air. My understanding is that that base is not going ahead.

We will bring you more news on this story as we get it after contacting Zadar Airport. 

For the latest information about flights to Croatia, check out the dedicated TCN section.