Osijek Airport management says existing and new lines could increase the number of passengers to 50 000 a year
As published by Glas Slavonije on January 23, 2016, budget airline Ryanair will upgrade its seasonal summer service between London Stansted Airport and Osijek to year-long operations, meaning that flights will operate during the 2016/ 2017 winter season as well. This will make Osijek the only Croatian destination served by Ryanair all year round while all other destinations in the country will remain seasonal.
In 2015, Osijek Airport had 30 000 passengers and 1900 aircraft operations which are their best result since 1985. “Compared to 2014, we have an increase of 7% in the number of passengers and a 25% increase in aircraft operations. We believe that in 2016, with existing and new lines, we will be able to increase the number of passengers to 50 000” says Domagoj Marinić, Osijek Airport director.
There are many reasons to be optimistic. Not only will the London – Osijek will be prolonged (first flight in 2016 is on March 28), but negotiations are currently underway for another direct flight Osijek – Dublin: “During winter, you will be able to fly to London on Fridays and Mondays, and flight times will also change, they will depart in the morning. We believe we will be able to introduce a new flight Osijek Dublin by the end of the year. This particular destination is very interesting for us considering how many people from this region have moved to Ireland” Marinić added.
With the completion of the public tender issued by the Ministry of transport and new incentives, Osijek will keep all the flights it had last year and introduce new ones: “ We have flights Osijek – Zagreb operated by Trade Air three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday). They won’t fly five times a week during summer because it is not feasible, instead, flights will double three times a week, they will have the so-called double rotation. Flight Osijek – Pula – Split – Pula – Osijek is also and we will have year round flights to Pula, Rijeka ad Split, operated by Croatia Airlines ” Marinić said.
Marinić also added that they are still waiting for Sea Air o confirm their flights and that he believes new flights will be available this summer connecting Osijek to several destinations in Germany, Frankfurt and Stuttgart to be more exact: “Our plan is to turn Osijek into a mini hub for international flights. This is what we want to develop with Ryanair since we are cooperating very well at the moment” Marinić concluded.
