Rijeka Airport 2026: multi-million investments and new destinations for Krk
The island of Krk is known as a “car destination”, but Rijeka Airport (RJK) in Omišalj is now finally set to realise its full potential. Transport minister Oleg Butković has called on local authorities to act and has promised state support for a comprehensive modernisation. What does this mean for your next holiday on Krk?
Rijeka Airport had a mixed start to 2026. While January saw a slight decline, the figures for February 2026 showed a clear upward trend with over 1,400 passengers (an increase of almost 100% on the previous year). Nevertheless, the challenge remains great: compared with Zadar or Trieste, the airport still lags behind in passenger numbers.
State aid for modern infrastructure
Transport minister Oleg Butković recently stressed that the state, as majority owner (55%), stands ready to support the airport financially. The condition: Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the city of Rijeka must present a clear development plan.
The planned modernisation measures include:
- Terminal expansion: To handle more passengers at the same time and more comfortably.
- Runway renovation: For long-term safety and to handle larger aircraft types.
- Apron expansion: More space for parked aircraft to increase capacity in the high season.
New flight connections as a source of hope
Despite the infrastructure debates, there is already first-class news for travellers in 2026. As we already reported in our [article on the 2026 flight schedules], the renowned airline SWISS will operate the Zurich–Krk route from June 2026. Low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air have massively stepped up their commitment with new routes from Poland (Gdańsk, Katowice, Lublin).
Why the airport is so important for Krk holidaymakers
Even though many guests prefer to arrive over the Krk Bridge in their own car, the airport is the backbone of international tourism. Better air links take pressure off the roads and make the island attractive for short trips from all over Europe.
It’s now up to local politicians to wake the airport from its “Sleeping Beauty slumber” and secure the millions promised by Butković for the island.
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