Airline Chronological History
The airline was established on 20 August 1989, trading with the name Zagal (formally, Zagreb Airlines), and started operations using a single Cessna 402 aircraft on cargo services for UPS. After the first democratic elections held in Croatia, Zagal changed its name to Croatia Airlines on 23 July 1990.
Croatia Airlines started as "Zagal Airlines" operating postal services in 1989 with the Cessna 402. (Photo:achtungskyhawk.com) For one year, 1990-1991, Croatia Airlines signed an agreement with Adria Airways which allowed it to lease a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 to commence domestic jet services between Zagreb and Split. Due to the Croatian War of Independence and the closure of the airspace over Croatia, the airline was soon forced to suspend operations and the jets returned to their owner.
From 1991, Croatia Airlines started jet operations with leased MD-82. (Photo:airliners.net) As soon as flights restarted, Croatia Airlines acquired three Boeing 737s from Lufthansa and became a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As the flag carrier of newly-independent Croatia, the airline launched its first international service on April 5, 1992, from Zagreb to Frankfurt.
In 1993, two new ATR 42s and two more 737s joined the fleet and representative offices were opened in several European cities and the company bought the travel agency Obzor to organize travel packages for groups and individuals.
In 1992, it re-started services with Boeing 737-200. (Photo:flickriver.com) 
For domestic and thinner routes it operated the ATR-42-300 from 1993. (Photo:jetphotos.com) In 1995, another ATR 42 was welcomed. In 1996, Croatia Airlines became the first airline to fly to Sarajevo after the Bosnian War. In 1997 the airline's first Airbus A320 arrived and was named Rijeka. In 1998, another first plane of a new type arrived when the airline's first Airbus A319 joined the fleet. By 1999, two more Airbus jets had arrived and Croatia Airlines started selling the Boeing part of their fleet.
In 1997, the biggest plane to date for Croatia Airlines was the A320. (Photo:alineport.com) In 2000 two more Airbus planes arrived and an automated ticketing system was inaugurated. On 18 November 2004, Croatia Airlines joined Star Alliance. By March 2009, the airline retired its fleet of three ATR 42 short-haul aircraft, after operating the type since 1993, and replaced it with a fleet of six Bombardier Dash 8 Q400s, the first of which was delivered in May 2008.
The Dash 8 Q400 joined in 2008, to replace the ATR-42. (Photo:Airplane-Pictures.net) Airbus and Croatia Airlines announced on 22 October 2008 the order of four additional 132-seat A319 aircraft, to be delivered from 2013. In June 2009, Croatia Airlines reinstated flights to Barcelona and Gothenburg. Losses were made for several years; in November 2012 the government announced that it would provide HRK 800m for Croatia Airline to become cost-effective from 2013 on. The government sought to restructure the airline, which included plans to cut its workforce by ten percent within two years.
In 2013 the airline starting receiving it’s additional A319, and the fleet was standardised around this aircraft for international flights.
In 2013, the Airbus A319 started to be deployed on Croatia Airlines, it was standardised for international flights at the time. (Photo: Airline-pictures.net) In 2015, the third Croatia Airlines’ hangar at the company’s technical centre at the Zagreb International Airport was put in operation in February. Code share cooperation in passenger transport with Singapore Airlines was started in May, and in late October, also with Air Canada.
In 2015 the airline fleet consisted primarily of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft for medium-haul routes and Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 turboprops for regional services. The airline focused on optimizing its European network, strengthening connectivity between Zagreb and major Star Alliance hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich.
Between 2016 and 2018 Croatia Airlines gradually expanded seasonal operations from coastal airports including Split and Dubrovnik. New and resumed routes were introduced to Western and Northern Europe to capture growing inbound leisure demand as Croatia’s tourism sector reached record levels. The airline added destinations such as Lisbon, Milan, Bucharest, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, and various seasonal services from Split and Dubrovnik to cities in Germany, Scandinavia, France, and the United Kingdom. During these years, the carrier refined its dual-hub strategy, with Zagreb functioning as the year-round operational base and Split increasingly serving as a significant seasonal focus city.
Airbus A320 were common in many European airports as Croatia Airlines maintained and expanded during 2015. (Photo: planespotters.net) In 2017 the airline marked the opening of the new Franjo Tuđman Airport terminal in Zagreb, a major national infrastructure project that improved passenger experience and capacity. In 2018 Croatia Airlines announced its first new destination to Ireland, launching Zagreb–Dublin service, reflecting a growing Croatian diaspora and tourism flow. The carrier also expanded its Mediterranean and Central European network.
The year 2019 represented both growth and underlying fragility. Discussions about long-term fleet replacement intensified, as the Airbus A319/A320 fleet and Dash 8-Q400 turboprops were aging and would require replacement in the coming decade.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused the most severe crisis in the airline’s history. Travel restrictions led to a dramatic collapse in passenger traffic. Croatia Airlines drastically reduced operations, temporarily suspended numerous routes, and relied on state financial assistance to maintain liquidity and essential connectivity. Throughout 2020 and 2021 the airline maintained a skeletal network focused on domestic routes linking Zagreb with Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Pula, as well as essential international connections to key hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, and Brussels.
In 2021 gradual recovery began as vaccination campaigns and the reopening of European travel corridors restored partial demand, particularly during the summer tourism season. Croatia Airlines rebuilt portions of its seasonal network and reinstated several suspended routes.
A decisive strategic milestone occurred in 2022 when Croatia Airlines selected the Airbus A220 as its future fleet platform. The airline announced plans to replace its entire existing fleet of Airbus A319, A320, and Dash 8-Q400 aircraft with 15 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, through a combination of direct purchases and leasing agreements. This marked the largest fleet investment decision in the company’s history and aimed to simplify operations to a single aircraft family.
During 2023 preparations for the A220 transition intensified. Training programs for pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel were initiated. At the same time, Croatia Airlines continued rebuilding its network as European travel demand returned strongly. Passenger numbers showed strong year-on-year growth compared with the pandemic period.
In 2024 Croatia Airlines received its first Airbus A220-300, formally inaugurating the fleet renewal phase. Deliveries were scheduled progressively, with the complete transition expected by the latter part of the decade.
On 30 July 2024, the first A220-100 airplane named Zagreb, landed on Zagreb Airport. (Photo: planespotters.net) By 2025 and into 2026, the ongoing A220 deliveries represent the defining development in the airline’s contemporary history. As older Airbus A319/A320 aircraft and Dash 8-Q400 turboprops were phased out, Croatia Airlines is now transitioning towards a standardized, fuel-efficient fleet intended to secure long-term competitiveness.
Airline Factual Information
Its main base is located at Zagreb Airport. However it also has major presence at Dubrovnik and Zadar where it operates scheduled and charter flights in the busy Summer seasons. Croatia Airlines currently flies to about 30 destinations, mostly all in Europe.
Croatia Airlines flies to the following destinations*:
Updated February 2026
The fleet of Croatia Airlines is formed of 15 aircraft at present which are operating short and regional flights mainly throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The airline is in the process in replacing most of its fleet and will transition to an only one type of aircraft from 2027, the Airbus A220.
The fleet* consists of the following aircraft:
Updated February 2026
Reviews and comments ⭐
What Stands Out 😀👍 | Needs Improvement 🫤👎 |
✅ Professional In-Flight Crew: Many passengers praise the cabin crew for being polite, efficient, and maintaining a professional demeanor during short-haul flights. | 👎 Unresponsive Customer Service: A recurring complaint involves the "ground" side of the business, where passengers find it nearly impossible to get help with refunds or issues. |
✅ Modern Fleet Additions: Recent reviews highlight the introduction of the new Airbus A220 aircraft, which offer a much more modern and comfortable cabin environment. | 👎 Outdated Regional Aircraft: Significant negative feedback is directed at the older Dash 8-Q400 propeller planes, often described as loud, cramped, and showing their age. |
✅ Complimentary Snacks: Unlike many European "legacy" carriers that have moved to a full buy-on-board model, Croatia Airlines still provides small complimentary snacks and water. | 👎 Frequent Delays & Cancellations: Travelers frequently report punctuality issues, with some noting that communication during flight disruptions is often poor or non-existent. |
✅ Efficient Boarding: For smaller regional routes, many passengers find the boarding process at Croatian airports to be quick and straightforward. | 👎 Baggage Mishandling: There are numerous reports of lost or delayed luggage, compounded by a lack of coordination between the airline and airport lost-and-found departments. |
✅ Clean Cabin Environment: Across both older and newer aircraft, passengers generally agree that the cabins are kept clean and well-maintained. | 👎 Poor Digital Experience: The mobile app and website are frequently criticized for being "clunky," with users reporting issues managing bookings or checking in online. |
*Reviews are collected from independent sites and compelled by the most representative reviews and comments. Planet Airlines Ltd remains impartial to any airlines.