- by croatiaweek
- July 24, 2026
-
in
News
(Photo: Grad Zadar)
ZADAR, 24 July 2026 – A new passenger terminal has officially opened at Zadar Airport, doubling the airport’s existing space and creating capacity to handle up to three million passengers a year.
The new terminal is part of an investment cycle worth around €35 million, which includes funding from the EU backed National Recovery and Resilience Plan as well as financing secured by the airport itself.
The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, senior government officials, representatives of Zadar County and the City of Zadar, airport management and representatives of Croatia’s aviation sector.
Plenković said the development of Zadar Airport, from its beginnings in the late 1960s, through its destruction during the Homeland War and post war reconstruction, to its current period of strong growth, represented a major development step for the region.
He said the new investment would benefit not only the airport but also Zadar, Zadar County, tourism and the wider economy.
(Photo: Grad Zadar)
Zadar Airport currently connects the region with more than 60 European destinations through over 15 airlines. Last year, it handled around 1.6 million passengers, while passenger numbers have increased approximately three and a half times over the past decade, Grad Zadar said.
The new terminal is designed to support further growth, the opening of new routes, access to new markets and stronger year round connectivity.
(Photo: Grad Zadar)
Zadar County Prefect Josip Bilaver said the terminal marked the completion of the largest investment in the airport since its post war reconstruction. He also announced plans to extend the runway by a further 700 metres, in a project estimated at around €95 million.
(Photo: Grad Zadar)
The county is also working on plans to connect the airport with central Zadar by rail. Following the issuing of a location permit for a railway tunnel to relocate the existing line from Bibinje, preparations are under way for the continuation of the railway towards the airport terminal.
If realised, the project would make Zadar the first Croatian city directly connected by rail with its airport, according to Bilaver.
Further investments planned at the airport include expanded rental car parking, a new entrance and a new car park with around 1,000 spaces.
The airport also plans to extend and strengthen the runway and upgrade taxiways, increasing its future traffic capacity.
(Photo: Grad Zadar)
Another long term project involves the development of aircraft maintenance hangars. Airport director Josip Klišmanić said Zadar’s climate and weather conditions made it suitable for a major aircraft maintenance centre, potentially creating highly skilled jobs and supporting the development of aviation related education.
Zadar Airport has also been described as Croatia’s first green airport, with investments in electrification and environmental improvements forming part of its wider development strategy.
(Photo: Grad Zadar)
The opening of the new terminal marks a significant new stage in the airport’s expansion as Zadar seeks to strengthen its role as a major transport and tourism hub in Croatia and the wider region.
