Ryanair in talks over Zagreb and Split flights
Europe's busiest airline, Ryanair, has held talks with the Croatian Minister for Tourism, Gari Cappelli, over the potential introduction of flights to Zagreb and Split. Furthermore, the budget carrier has confirmed the closure of its seasonal base in Zadar. In a statement to EX-YU Aviation News, the airline said, "Ryanair has held positive discussions with the Minister regarding longer term traffic growth and route development at its existing Croatian airports as well as potential new airports like Zagreb and Split". The development comes just weeks following reports that Zagreb Airport's operator requested for the Croatian government to lower its annual concession fee. The operator argues that as a result of the concession fee, it was forced to increase its charges, which has in turn deterred low cost airlines from flying to Zagreb. This winter season, only one low cost carrier, Eurowings, will maintain services to the Croatian capital.
On the other hand, Split Airport's general Manager, Lukša Novak, said last year, "In Croatia, they [Ryanair] still operate exclusively from airports which provide support for their flights. We have held meetings with them and established contacts, however, for now, they will not come to Split as we have not changed our policy. Neither Split, nor Dubrovnik, need to stimulate carriers during the season as traffic continues to grow. That would only create a mess on the market. We are always open for talks, but we do not intend on changing our business policy".
As previously reported, Ryanair will continue growing its operations to Zadar next year with the introduction of up to eight new routes. Four have already been announced. However, the airline will no longer have an aircraft stationed in the city. "Ryanair is currently in discussions with the Minister and the Croatian National Tourist Board to deliver traffic growth of c. 50% and introduce up to eight new routes to Zadar in summer 2019. These routes will operate from other Ryanair bases as its seasonal Zadar base will not reopen in summer 2019", the company said. It added, "Ryanair has already announced four of these routes (to Cologne, Hamburg, Nuremburg and Prague) and looks forward to announcing the remaining new routes once successful negotiations with the Minister and the Tourism board have been completed".
Ryanair is Croatia's fifth biggest carrier based on the number of weekly departing seats. So far, it has operated services to the country exclusively during the summer.
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