History

Split Airport, located in Kaštela and Trogir, is one of the most important airports in Croatia and a key transportation hub for Dalmatia and the Split-Dalmatia County. Its history dates back to the mid-20th century, and its development has closely followed the growth of tourism and the economy in the region.

Split Airport was officially opened on November 25, 1966. Initially, the infrastructure had limited capacity and could handle only a small number of aircraft, but it quickly became a key point of connectivity between the central Dalmatian region, the rest of Croatia, and international destinations.

During the 1970s and 1980s, as the number of tourists visiting the Adriatic coast increased, so did the need for expansion and modernization of the airport. In 1979, a new passenger terminal was completed, and by 1987, the airport had surpassed one million passengers for the first time.

During the Homeland War, Split Airport was affected by military operations and severely limited traffic. From September 1991 to April 1992, the airport was closed to all traffic due to the war and ongoing conflict. After April 1992, civilian passenger and aircraft traffic remained minimal, while military flights, personnel, and cargo operations steadily increased.

Thousands of tons of humanitarian aid and military equipment were transported, along with thousands of soldiers and personnel involved in peacekeeping missions.

Following the end of the war, significant efforts were made to restore infrastructure and reestablish regular flights, which enabled the continued development of tourism and the regional economy. In the post-war period, annual passenger traffic reached around 500,000.

Since the 2000s, Split Airport has undergone significant changes. Due to a continuous increase in traffic demand, numerous infrastructure expansion and modernization projects have been carried out. In 2004, the existing passenger terminal was expanded and completely renovated, substantially increasing operational capacity and service quality.

A major milestone occurred in 2011 with the expansion of the aircraft apron, which improved both capacity and operational efficiency.
A particularly important boost to passenger numbers came with Croatia’s accession to the European Union in 2013. Over the following five years, traffic doubled, reaching three million passengers annually.

The expansion of the passenger terminal in 2019 marked the completion of one of the airport’s largest infrastructure projects. It significantly increased the terminal’s available space while incorporating state-of-the-art technological solutions and applying the highest operational and quality standards. That same year, the airport recorded its highest-ever annual passenger traffic of 3.3 million.

In 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger numbers dropped sharply, by as much as 70% compared to the previous year. Despite these challenges, the airport continued operating successfully, adapting to new safety and operational requirements. The recovery process began the very next year, and by 2023, passenger traffic had returned to the record levels of 2019.
Growth has continued, and in 2024, Split Airport recorded 3.6 million

Today, Split Airport is one of the busiest in the region, especially during the summer tourist season when it serves hundreds of thousands of passengers each month. Numerous airlines offer regular seasonal flights, connecting the central Dalmatian region with major European destinations.

Future plans include expanding capacity in line with growing traffic demand, further enhancing service quality for passengers, and implementing environmentally sustainable projects to minimize the airport’s ecological impact.

Split Airport is not only a transportation hub but also one of the key drivers of tourism and economic development in Dalmatia and the Split-Dalmatia County. Its positive story continues to unfold.