Zadar Airport officially opens €17 million terminal to support future growth

Zadar Airport has officially inaugurated its new €17 million departing passenger terminal, doubling terminal capacity and increasing the airport’s annual handling capability to three million passengers. Although the opening ceremony took place on 24 July, the new facility has already been in use for more than a month.

The terminal is the largest investment made at the airport since its post-war reconstruction and forms part of a wider €35 million development programme aimed at supporting traffic growth, attracting new routes and expanding year-round connectivity. In 2025, Zadar Airport handled around 1.6 million passengers, close to the capacity of its previous terminal.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi? described the project as a major boost for the region’s tourism and economy, highlighting that Zadar has become Croatia’s first “green airport” thanks to investments in electrification and environmental initiatives. The airport currently offers connections to more than 60 European destinations served by over 15 airlines.

Airport officials also outlined ambitious future expansion plans, including a €95 million runway extension to accommodate larger aircraft, a direct rail connection between Zadar city centre and the airport, expanded parking facilities, a new air traffic control centre and the development of aircraft maintenance hangars. The latter is expected to create skilled jobs and establish Zadar as a regional maintenance hub, further strengthening the airport’s long-term role in Croatia’s aviation sector.