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The new departure passenger terminal was officially presented at Zadar Airport. This is one of the most important infrastructure projects for the further development of air traffic, tourism, and the economy of Zadar County, valued at €17 million.
The new terminal doubles Zadar Airport's previous spatial capacity and enables it to handle up to three million passengers annually. This creates the prerequisites for further growth in passenger numbers, the introduction of new airline routes, expansion into new markets, and the development of year-round connectivity.
The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, along with Deputy Prime Ministers Tomo Medved, Ivan Anušić, Tomislav Ćorić, and Oleg Butković, as well as Minister Alen Ružić.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković pointed out that the development of Zadar Airport, from its beginnings in the late 1960s, through the destruction and devastation during the Homeland War, to today's systematic investments and strong growth in passenger traffic, represents a major development leap forward. "This is a big step forward, not only for Zadar Airport but also for Zadar, Zadar County, its tourism, and its economy. This investment, funded by a loan taken out by the Airport itself, is part of a broader investment cycle worth around €35 million, which also utilised funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan," said Plenković.
He also emphasized that Zadar Airport is the first green airport in Croatia and that the electrification and greening projects have brought a new quality and dimension to its operations. "Connectivity with more than 60 European destinations through more than 15 air carriers shows how important Zadar Airport is for the growth of Croatian tourism. Traffic growth in this tourist season as well confirms how crucial the arrival of tourists to Croatia by air is," Plenković stated.
"Zadar County is pulsating, as seen by the number of employed people, the low number of unemployed, and exceptionally high-quality transport connectivity. Road, motorway, rail, and air traffic create all the infrastructural preconditions for the further strong development of Zadar and Zadar County," the Prime Minister concluded.
County Prefect Josip Bilaver noted that the opening of the new terminal marks the completion of the largest investment in Zadar Airport since its post-war reconstruction, as well as the continuation of a broader development cycle that encompassed modernisation, greening, and the construction of a new apron. "The new passenger terminal will be able to handle up to three million passengers and gives us room for further growth. However, this is not the end of the investments. The next major project is the extension of the runway by an additional 700 metres, worth around €95 million, which will give Zadar Airport a completely new strategic and traffic dimension," said Bilaver, who also announced a plan to connect the Airport by railway line to the centre of Zadar. Following the issuance of the location permit for the construction of the railway tunnel that will relocate the line from Bibinje, preparations are underway to extend the railway towards the terminal itself.
"Our goal is for Zadar to become the first Croatian city directly connected by rail to its airport. In addition, the construction of a new air traffic control centre will start soon, which will create new jobs and further increase air traffic safety," the Prefect highlighted.
Mayor Šime Erlić assessed that the new terminal is a modern development step forward for the Airport, the City of Zadar, and the entire Zadar County. "In the last ten years, Zadar Airport has increased its passenger numbers approximately three and a half times, and last year it had around 1.6 million passengers. The previous terminal reached its maximum capacity, whilst the new space enables continued growth towards three million passengers," Erlić said.
He emphasized that the Airport is the first point of contact for many guests with Zadar and Zadar County, forming an important part of their overall impression of the destination. "From the Homeland War to the present day, Zadar Airport has been one of the most important strategic development potentials of this region and a powerful driver of tourist and economic development. The new terminal puts us alongside modern European airports of this rank and opens up space for further investments, new routes, and new markets," Erlić stated.
Managing Director of Zadar Airport, Josip Klišmanić, announced the continuation of a strong investment cycle that includes the expansion of parking facilities for car rental vehicles, the construction of a new entrance to the Airport, and a new car park with a thousand spaces and a vehicle wash facility. "In this way, we will further improve operating conditions for car rental companies, for which Zadar has already become an exceptionally important hub," Klišmanić said.
This will be followed by the preparation of Zadar Airport's largest capital investment – the reconstruction and extension of the runway. "The plan includes extending the runway, increasing its load-bearing capacity, and upgrading taxiways, which will significantly increase traffic capacity," Klišmanić noted.
Further development of the Airport will also be based on the diversification of activities, including the development of service hangars for base maintenance of aircraft. The project has already been presented to the relevant ministry, and support is also expected during the planning of the European Union's multiannual financial framework for the period from 2028 to 2034. "Our goal is to occupy a sought-after and deficient niche in the global market. Due to its climate and meteorological conditions, Zadar has ideal prerequisites for the development of such a service centre. Industry interest already exists, and initial contacts have been established with the secondary school that educates aeronautical technicians," Klišmanić said.
He added that the development of a service centre would bring new, high-quality, and well-paid jobs, as well as create scope for developing new degree programmes and expanding the activities of the University of Zadar in the aviation field. "The new terminal is not just a building made of glass, steel, and concrete. It is a symbol of our vision, ambition, and readiness to keep pace with the highest standards. With these new capacities, we are raising service quality, safety, and passenger comfort, while opening the doors wide to new routes, markets, and year-round connectivity," Klišmanić concluded.
The ceremony was attended by numerous guests, members of parliament, representatives of cultural and public life, the Croatian Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, the aviation sector, and many employees of Zadar Airport.
