Low-cost giant Ryanair is set to strengthen its presence in Croatia, confirming a significant increase in capacity for the upcoming 2025/26 winter season. While no new routes have yet been announced, the airline has scheduled 690,282 seats across the Croatian market, marking a 9.4 percent jump compared with last winter — an additional 59,070 seats. The growth will come mainly from higher frequencies on existing services.
In recent weeks, Ryanair officials have visited Zagreb and Dubrovnik, following earlier meetings in Rijeka, underscoring the airline’s growing focus on Croatia as it reallocates capacity from Spain, reports EX- YU Aviation.
The expansion also ties in with Ryanair’s operations at Zagreb Airport, where it is entering the fifth and final year of the Growth Incentive Model. Under this scheme, the carrier must add at least 75,000 departing passengers annually to retain its benefits, with the possibility of greater discounts if it surpasses 150,000 additional passengers. The arrangement gives Ryanair a strong motivation to expand traffic from the Croatian capital.
With Croatia continuing to climb the charts as one of Europe’s most in-demand destinations, Ryanair’s shift in focus signals a further boost for both Zagreb and the country’s wider air connectivity.