Dubrovnik Airport sets sights on long-haul routes

Dubrovnik Airport is preparing for a new phase of development, with a clear focus on attracting premium airlines and expanding long-haul connectivity, following a record-breaking year for passenger traffic.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Dubrovnik Airport General Manager Viktor Šober said the airport is now prioritising quality over sheer volume, exyuaviation.com reported.

While securing new European services remains important, the main goal is to establish more intercontinental routes.

“We are working continuously to bring long-haul flights to Dubrovnik,” Šober said. “We believe the airport has reached a point where success is no longer measured purely by passenger numbers. Our aim is to attract premium carriers, which is something a destination like Dubrovnik deserves. These decisions are complex for airlines, but Dubrovnik continues to be a highly attractive market.”

As part of these efforts, Dubrovnik Airport has recently held discussions with American Airlines regarding potential future services to the city.

Several new routes have already been confirmed for the upcoming seasons.

Aegean Airlines will introduce a seasonal service from Thessaloniki next summer, while Ryanair is set to launch a new route from Gdansk. Croatia Airlines will add flights to Stuttgart, and KLM will significantly expand its presence by increasing services between Amsterdam and Dubrovnik to twice daily.

At the same time, some carriers will be scaling back. airBaltic will cease operations to Dubrovnik, Eurowings will end flights from Hamburg, and Aer Lingus will discontinue its Cork service.

Despite these changes, the airport says its strategy remains focused on strengthening traffic during the shoulder months and improving winter connectivity. Planning is already underway to introduce new airlines and destinations from 2026 onwards.

The year 2025 is set to be the most successful in the airport’s history. For the first time, Dubrovnik Airport has surpassed three million passengers in a single year.

Between January and November, the airport handled 3,058,402 travellers, representing a 4.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Šober described the milestone as a major achievement, highlighting the introduction of daily flights to New York, the return of several airlines, and sustained growth across almost the entire year.

“We are extremely pleased with these results,” he said. “Reaching three million passengers, alongside strong growth over ten months of the year, reflects the dedication of our staff, the confidence of our passengers and our ongoing investment in service quality and cooperation with the local community.”