(CROATIA) Croatia is moving to add more direct links to the United States as American visits climb. For summer 2025, United Airlines boosts Newark–Dubrovnik to daily service, while other nonstop flight ideas are still under discussion.
Officials say the push is urgent. More than 260,000 Americans visited in the first half of 2025, up 16% from last year. Tourism leaders want easier access now and a longer travel season later.
What’s confirmed right now
- Only one direct US–Croatia route is operating in 2025: United Airlines from Newark (EWR) to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV).
- Summer 2025 upgrade: United started the route three weeks earlier, on May 2, 2025, and increased frequency from four weekly to daily, more than doubling seats.
- No other Croatian airport has a nonstop US flight this season. Past seasonal links included Delta (JFK–Dubrovnik, 2021) and American Airlines (Philadelphia–Dubrovnik, 2019).
Efforts to add more flights
- Diplomatic outreach: Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman met partners in Florida to discuss new direct links, stressing how long-haul routes support growth.
- Financial support: The Croatian National Tourist Board and the Croatian Aviation Agency set aside over €3 million in 2025 for airline partnerships to improve air connectivity, with a clear focus on the US market.
- Operational realities: Dubrovnik Airport CEO Viktor Šober said demand is strong but global aircraft shortages and delayed jet deliveries limit how fast airlines can add routes. He expects room for more direct US service within one to two years as more planes arrive.
The demand story in numbers
- 2.2 million passengers used Croatian airports in July 2025, up 11% year-over-year.
- Split Airport: 770,502 passengers in July 2025 — a national record.
- Dubrovnik Airport: 522,488 passengers in July 2025.
- Zagreb Airport: 439,008 passengers in August 2025, up 14% from last year.
- Summer 2025 included direct links to 122 international cities in 42 countries, with about 485 routes and 54 operating airlines.
These figures explain the push: the United States is among Croatia’s fastest-growing markets, ranking in the top five for arrivals and overnight stays. Better direct access would help southern regions and extend the season beyond peak summer months.
The main challenge: aircraft shortages
Airlines see the demand but face tight fleets. Industry leaders point to aircraft supply chain delays that slow new jet deliveries, keeping carriers cautious even when the business case looks strong.
- PLAY Airlines will fly five days a week to Pula in summer 2025, but those trips connect via Iceland and are not nonstop from the US.
- VisaVerge.com reports carriers are weighing strong demand against aircraft constraints and scheduling limits, which can push new route launches to a later season despite clear interest.
Key takeaway: Aircraft availability, not demand, is the primary barrier to more direct US–Croatia routes right now.
What this means for American travelers
- The daily Newark–Dubrovnik service reduces total travel time and removes the need for European connections.
- The earlier season start (May) gives more options for spring trips to the Adriatic.
- With only one direct route, best prices and preferred dates may sell out fast.
Practical traveler points:
– Families visiting Dubrovnik, island-hopping, or exploring the Dalmatian Coast will benefit most.
– Travelers bound for Split, Hvar, or Korčula can use Dubrovnik as a convenient gateway, then continue by domestic flight, ferry, or car.
What this means for Croatian communities and businesses
- More American visitors typically bring higher spend per visitor, benefiting hotels, restaurants, guides, and transport firms.
- Daily United service supports efforts to stretch the season into May and late October.
- Local officials in Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb are calling for more direct options to ease pressure on connecting hubs and spread demand.
Tourism boards and airports are preparing marketing plans tied to flight schedules so communities can staff up and set realistic targets.
How new routes get approved
Launching a new direct US–Croatia route usually requires:
1. Government approvals for international service.
2. Confirmed airport slots and ground handling.
3. Aircraft availability and crew planning.
4. Commercial agreements and marketing support.
Croatia’s government and tourism board are offering financial incentives and strategic deals to attract carriers. For official regulatory updates, see the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency at https://www.ccaa.hr.
Planning tips for travelers
- Book early for peak summer dates — daily seats help, but demand is high.
- If you live far from Newark, look for same-day domestic connections and pad in extra time for potential delays.
- Consider shoulder-season dates in May and late September when crowds thin and hotel rates may be lower.
- For destinations outside Dubrovnik, compare flying into DBV then continuing by domestic flight, ferry, or coach. Consider time of day, baggage constraints, and ferry schedules.
- If connecting in Europe, place the longer leg first (US → Europe) and a short hop into Croatia later to reduce missed-connection risk.
Guidance for Croatian airports and tourism partners
- Align staffing and service hours with the daily United schedule, including early arrivals and late departures.
- Coordinate with local transport providers to match flight banks and ease transfers to coastal towns and islands.
- Promote shoulder-season itineraries tied to the earlier May start and late-season travel.
- Keep clear, English-language updates on airport and tourism websites about ground transport, ferry links, and peak wait times.
Short-term and medium-term outlook
- Short-term (2025): United’s daily Newark–Dubrovnik is the only confirmed direct US–Croatia route. Stakeholders remain in talks for more.
- Medium-term (2026 and beyond): As aircraft availability improves, Croatian officials and airport leaders expect additional announcements, with a special focus on North American links.
Airlines will expand when they secure planes, slots, and a strong revenue plan. The market case is improving, driven by rising US demand and record airport traffic.
A traveler case study
Maya and David, a couple from Boston, plan a September visit. They choose the United daily flight to Dubrovnik for a simple trip with no European connection. They land in the afternoon, take a pre-booked shuttle to the Old Town, then hop a ferry to Korčula two days later. On the return, they avoid a tight transfer by flying back from Dubrovnik instead of connecting through another city. For them, the daily nonstop means less stress and more time on the coast.
The bottom line
- Only one direct route is operating in 2025: United Airlines, Newark–Dubrovnik Airport, daily.
- Demand is strong, with US visitors up 16% in early 2025.
- Aircraft shortages are the main barrier to additional routes, but leaders expect progress within one to two years.
Actionable takeaways:
– Book early and consider shoulder months for better choice.
– Use Dubrovnik as a hub for southern coastal trips.
– Watch for official updates from United, Dubrovnik Airport, and Croatian authorities as negotiations continue.
This Article in a Nutshell
Croatia is racing to expand direct US links as United’s daily Newark–Dubrovnik service began May 2, 2025. Demand surged—over 260,000 American visitors in early 2025—while aircraft shortages delay new nonstop routes despite €3 million funding and diplomatic outreach to secure carriers quickly.
