✈️ Split Overtakes Dubrovnik, Shifting the Business Aviation Traffic Landscape in Croatia
According to Avi-Go data, from May 1 to 26, 2026, Split Airport (LDSP) recorded 168 business aviation movements, representing a year-on-year increase of 22.6% (137 movements in the same period of 2025) and a month-on-month increase of 82.6% (only 92 movements in April 2026). During the same period, Dubrovnik Airport (LDDU) recorded only 109 movements, a year-on-year decline of 23.2% (142 movements in the same period of 2025). The gap of 59 movements between the two airports marks the first time Split has surpassed Dubrovnik during the pre-peak season, making it Croatia's busiest business aviation airport. The two airports differ by 46 percentage points in year-on-year performance. Split's strong growth is closely tied to the launch of the Dalmatian Coast yacht season and a concentrated release of high-end leisure demand, while Dubrovnik's decline may be related to airport capacity constraints or route adjustments by operators.
Impact: For FBOs and handling service providers with ground operations in Croatia, the center of traffic has substantively shifted toward Split. Organizations that have relied on Dubrovnik's historical traffic figures to plan summer resource allocation now face a misalignment risk. For brokers and operators, the demand window at Split is opening rapidly, and securing slots and parking positions in advance will directly affect service capacity during the peak season.
Recommendation: Ground handlers should complete staffing and resource reinforcement at the Split station before early June 2026 to avoid service bottlenecks during the peak season. Operators and brokers are advised to immediately assess the parking reservation structure for Croatia routes in summer 2026, designate Split as a priority node, and simultaneously monitor whether Dubrovnik traffic shows a seasonal rebound in June.