Croatia Airlines Expands Zagreb Hub With 5 New Routes

Croatia Airlines is set to boost its operations at Zagreb Airport (ZAG) this northern summer 2025 by launching five exciting new routes. This expansion marks a strategic return to key European destinations that the carrier had served before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant drop in passenger numbers.

The new routes will offer direct, nonstop flights from Zagreb to Prague (PRG), Bucharest (OTP), Madrid (MAD), Milan Malpensa (MXP), and Hamburg (HAM). According to EX-YU Aviation News, flights to Milan and Prague will commence on June 2, 2025, operating three times a week. Meanwhile, services to Hamburg, Bucharest, and Madrid are scheduled to begin in July 2025. Flights to Hamburg and Bucharest will launch on July 1, followed by Madrid on July 3, with all routes maintaining a three-times-weekly frequency.

These services will be operated using Croatia Airlines’ modern Airbus A220-300 aircraft, configured with a single-class layout that accommodates 149 passengers. This move underscores the carrier’s commitment to providing a comfortable and efficient travel experience while connecting Zagreb to major European cities.

Before the pandemic, Croatia Airlines served Milan, Prague, and Bucharest from Zagreb until 2019. Although plans to resume these routes were initially set for 2020, the global health crisis forced the carrier to put those plans on hold. Notably, the airline last operated flights to Hamburg in 2012, leaving a gap that competitors such as Eurowings had partially filled. With these new routes, Croatia Airlines is ready to reclaim its position in these important markets.

The new network expansion will place Croatia Airlines in direct competition on some routes. On the Madrid corridor, the carrier will go head-to-head with Iberia, an established operator on the Zagreb-Madrid route. Meanwhile, on the Milan route, Croatia Airlines will face indirect competition from Ryanair, which currently operates five weekly flights from Zagreb to Bergamo Airport (BGO) during the peak summer season. Although the carrier had hoped to launch a route to Lisbon (LIS) in 2025, scheduling conflicts and a lack of available slots at the Portuguese airport led to those plans being shelved.

This network growth aligns with Croatia Airlines’ broader strategy to modernize and expand its fleet. The carrier is rapidly building its Airbus A220 family, currently operating two A220-300s, with 11 more on order along with two smaller A220-100s. Once all deliveries are completed, Croatia Airlines’ fleet will include 15 new A220 aircraft. The six jets scheduled for delivery in 2025—comprising five additional A220-300s and one A220-100—will join a fleet that already includes two A319s, two A320s, and five De Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q400 turboprops.

In June 2024, Croatia Airlines celebrated its 35th anniversary with a major rebranding initiative. The new livery and company logo, inspired by the iconic tail design of the former carrier, underscored the airline’s commitment to Croatia’s national identity and enhanced its global visibility. CEO Jasmin Bajić emphasized that this rebranding would reinforce Croatia Airlines’ reputation as one of the best brands in world aviation.

Overall, the launch of these five new routes represents a pivotal moment for Croatia Airlines as it reconnects with historic destinations and paves the way for future growth. With renewed network ambitions and a modernized fleet, the carrier is poised to strengthen its competitive position across Europe and enhance connectivity for travelers departing from Zagreb Airport.

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