Croatia Airlines
Croatia · CROATIA · Active
Airline Identity
History
Croatia Airlines was founded on 7 August 1989 as Zagal (Zagreb Airlines) and began flying with a single Cessna 402 the following month, before being renamed Croatia Airlines in June 1990 amid the country's move toward independence. It launched its first international route, Zagreb–Frankfurt, in April 1992 during the Croatian War of Independence, and grew into the country's flag carrier, joining Star Alliance on 18 November 2004 as its network expanded across Europe. The airline is majority owned by the Republic of Croatia.
Current Operations
Croatia Airlines operates a fleet centered on new Airbus A220 aircraft, delivered from mid-2024 to replace its long-serving Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops, which still handle a portion of regional routes. Flights radiate from its main hub at Zagreb Airport, with focus operations at Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar supporting Croatia's strong seasonal tourism demand, and the airline remains a Star Alliance member connecting Croatia to destinations across Europe and, via partners, worldwide. It continues to be majority state-owned and is in the midst of what it has described as its largest fleet-investment cycle to date.
Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.