- by croatiaweek
- October 28, 2025
-
in
News
As the number of flights and passengers continues to rise at Croatia’s airports, one profession quietly ensures that every take-off and landing happens safely, the air traffic controllers.
Despite the profession’s strong salaries and benefits, few are willing to take on the enormous responsibility and stress that come with managing Croatia’s increasingly crowded skies.
Air traffic controllers must remain constantly alert, ensuring aircraft pass safely through national airspace.
“Our shifts last eight hours, we work for two hours on the sector, then rest for one, and so it goes on. Essentially, we work six hours and rest for two,” Igor Bjelan, an air traffic controller, told HRT.
Every time a passenger boards an aircraft in Croatia, their safety both in the air and at the airport depends on the precision and focus of these professionals.
Too Few for a Growing Demand
Croatia currently has around 300 air traffic controllers, a figure many believe is too low given the increasing air traffic, particularly in the summer months.
“It’s not a large number. It should definitely be higher, but we hope that will improve with time. That would make our job easier and less stressful,” controller Krešimir Rakoci tells HRT.
According to the Croatian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, demand for controllers continues to grow as flight numbers surge each year.
“Last year, we had 14% more traffic than the previous year, and this year we’re already 8% higher again, with 75% fewer delays,” notes Željko Oreški. “In one shift, there can be over 30 controllers on duty, plus an equal number of support staff — it’s a busy operation.”
Veteran controller and instructor Ervin Mrkić-Pestić recalls how much the industry has changed: “In 1988, we had about 1,300 aircraft in one summer and we were stretched to the limit. Today, there are three times as many, but technology, both in control systems and within the aircraft, has advanced enormously. Without that, managing this level of traffic would be impossible.”
Zadar Airport
The job offers good pay and early retirement benefits, but it also demands round-the-clock availability. “You must be ready to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, there are no weekends or holidays,” Oreški adds. “And while the pay is good, there are other jobs where, if things line up, you can earn more.”
Without air traffic controllers, air travel would simply stop. In the first eight months of this year alone, Croatia recorded around 104,000 take-offs and landings, transporting more than 10 million passengers.
