Croatia Airlines evacuates 150 people from Saudi Arabia to Zagreb in second repatriation flight

Croatia Airlines crew with captain Andre Šarinić

ZAGREB, 8 March 2026 – A special repatriation flight operated by Croatia Airlines has brought 150 people back to Croatia from Saudi Arabia as part of ongoing evacuation efforts following escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The flight from Riyadh landed at Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb on Saturday evening at around 20:30.

Among those on board were 123 Croatian citizens and 27 foreign nationals, mostly citizens of European Union countries. The group also included 27 children.

The evacuation comes after many travellers and residents from the region found themselves stranded following a military operation carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Second evacuation flight in two days

This was the second repatriation flight operated by Croatia’s national airline in recent days.

Earlier, in the early hours of 6 March, another aircraft operated by Croatia Airlines landed in Zagreb from Dubai carrying 157 Croatian citizens, including 11 babies.

The most vulnerable groups were prioritised for both flights, particularly Croatian citizens located in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Carefully planned mission

The Riyadh–Zagreb flight departed shortly after 15:00 local time on Saturday.

Captain Andre Šarinić said that although every flight is carefully planned, operations such as these carry additional significance.

“Safety is always our top priority. However, in missions like this, our passengers often arrive from very uncertain circumstances and the flight represents their return home and a sense of security,” he said.

“That dimension gives the operation additional weight and responsibility. For the entire crew it is a great satisfaction to have helped our fellow citizens return home safely.”

Croatia Airlines among first to receive approval

Croatia Airlines was the first national airline in the European Union to receive approval to carry out repatriation flights from the United Arab Emirates during the current situation.

The latest evacuation flight from Saudi Arabia was organised in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia and the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of Croatia.

The airline said participation in repatriation missions once again highlights the important role of the national carrier during crisis situations.

Croatia Airlines also thanked its crews and employees who organised the operation in a very short time frame, enabling the safe return of Croatian citizens to their homeland.