Croatia targets more nonstop US flights by 2026

United Airlines

Croatia is making fresh moves to expand its nonstop connectivity with the United States, with officials highlighting the importance of long-haul routes for tourism growth.

Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman recently discussed the potential launch of new nonstop flights between Croatian and American airports during meetings with local leaders in Florida, exyuaviation.com writes.

The Croatian National Tourist Board emphasised that the US remains a key market, noting that more direct connections are essential to improving accessibility.

The interest comes amid strong demand from American travellers. In the first half of this year alone, over 260,000 visitors from the US arrived in Croatia, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Dubrovnik at the forefront

Currently, Dubrovnik is the only Croatian airport with nonstop flights to the United States, served by United Airlines’ daily service from Newark during the summer months.

The city has previously enjoyed seasonal connections with Delta Air Lines from New York’s JFK in 2021 and American Airlines from Philadelphia in 2019.

“We are the only airport in Croatia with a nonstop service to the US. While we are currently connected to New York, one route is proving insufficient. We need another one, similar to what we had a few years ago,” Dubrovnik Airport CEO Viktor Šober said late last year.

However, Šober pointed out that the primary obstacle remains a shortage of available aircraft, with delivery delays caused by manufacturing and supply chain issues. “It’s a complex situation, making it difficult to secure these flights. However, I am confident that within the next year or two, we will have something concrete,” he added.

Airline announcements ahead

US carriers are expected to confirm their 2026 summer schedules in the coming weeks. American Airlines has already unveiled new seasonal routes from Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague, alongside a Dallas–Athens service, all to be operated daily by Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Delta Air Lines will launch new flights from Los Angeles to Barcelona and Rome next year, with more network expansion plans to be revealed in September. United Airlines typically announces its growth strategy in early October.