Croatia Airlines expanded its route network at Stuttgart Airport on May 26, 2026, and officially launched its first direct connection to Dubrovnik.
The new route will operate throughout the summer season until the end of October. Two weekly flights are planned, running on Mondays and Fridays. With this move, the airline is further expanding its presence in southern Germany and responding to the continued high demand for city breaks and holidays in the Adriatic region.
For Stuttgart Airport, the new connection strengthens its Eastern European portfolio. Dubrovnik, often called the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is one of Croatia's most important tourist centers and is particularly known for its perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. In addition to its cultural significance, the city in the south of the country also serves as a major economic hub for regional shipping and trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. The flight time between the capital of Baden-Württemberg and the Croatian coastal city is approximately one hour and 40 minutes.
Additional market analysis shows that Croatia Airlines is primarily targeting individual travelers and short-break tourists on this route. By choosing Mondays and Fridays as flight days, the airline is specifically appealing to weekend tourists. Modern aircraft such as the Airbus A319 or the De Havilland DHC-8-400 will be used on the route, depending on booking volume. This expansion is part of a comprehensive fleet modernization program by the airline, which will gradually replace older models with more efficient short- and medium-haul aircraft in the coming years to keep operating costs stable on its European routes.
Croatia has developed into one of the most stable growth markets in European air travel in recent years. Particularly since joining the Schengen Area and adopting the euro, interest in straightforward direct connections from Germany has increased dramatically. In addition to Dubrovnik, Croatia Airlines already serves other destinations from Stuttgart, such as Split and the capital, Zagreb. Industry experts interpret the increased frequency as a sign of the intense competition in the Balkan market, where the national airline must hold its own against growing pressure from low-cost carriers.