Inside the special Croatia Airlines flight which returned 157 Croatians from the Middle East

Co-pilot Filip Rajman, Captain Stjepan Banić, Cabin crew leader Suzana Ujević,Cabin crew Filip Šokac and Damir Sladetić (Photo: Croatia Airlines)

ZAGREB, 6 March 2026 – Croatia’s national carrier has safely returned 157 Croatian citizens from Dubai on a special repatriation flight organised amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The flight, operated by Croatia Airlines, departed Dubai and landed in Zagreb early on Friday after making a technical stop in Heraklion, Greece.

Among those on board were 11 young children.

The passengers had been in the region following the recent US-Israeli military operation against Iran, which significantly heightened tensions across the Middle East.

Captain Stjepan Banić, who piloted the flight, said the mission carried a unique sense of responsibility.

“During my career I have transported thousands of passengers on regular routes, but flights like this bring a different kind of responsibility,” Banić said after landing in Zagreb.

“We were aware that for our fellow citizens this flight marked the end of a very stressful period, and we are pleased that we were able to bring them safely to Zagreb without difficulties.”

(Photo: Croatia Airlines)

Croatia Airlines CEO Jasmin Bajić emphasised that the airline stands ready to support the Croatian state during emergency situations.

“Participation in this repatriation mission once again confirms the role of the national airline in crisis situations, as well as our responsibility to Croatian citizens,” Bajić said.

He noted that the airline had performed similar operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, when numerous special flights were organised to return Croatian citizens home.

Bajić added that he was proud of the airline’s crews and staff who organised the operation in a very short time frame to ensure passengers’ safe return.

Croatia was the first European Union member state to receive approval to use its national aircraft to repatriate citizens from the United Arab Emirates.

The flight marks the first in a series of repatriation operations involving Croatia Airlines. The mission was organised in cooperation with the Croatian Government, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.

Cabin crew leader Suzana Ujević said the atmosphere on the flight differed significantly from regular services.

“Although our job is the same on every flight, the atmosphere was different,” she explained.

“We felt it most after landing, when we saw the relief on passengers’ faces. At that moment we realised that, alongside our regular duties, we had helped people return to their families.”

Cabin crew leader Suzana Ujević, Captain Stjepan Banić, Cabin crew Filip Šokac and Damir Sladetić and Co-pilot Filip Rajman (Photo: Croatia Airlines)

Croatian authorities are continuing evacuation efforts and have urged Croatian citizens currently in the United Arab Emirates who wish to return home to contact the relevant diplomatic and consular offices.

By registering their details, they can secure seats on upcoming organised repatriation flights.