Croatia's Zagreb Airport had extended its strong start to the year by registering a notable passenger increase in February. In the second month of the year Croatia’s busiest airport welcomed 126.727 passengers, an increase of 7.3% compared to last year’s 118.133 passengers. The passenger growth comes on the back of an increased number of flights being operated to Zagreb. A total of 1.315 departures and arrivals were registered, up 4.4% on the same month last year. So far in 2013, the airport has welcomed 266.124 passengers, representing an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period last year.

Zagreb Airport will hope that the strong run will continue into the summer. During the 2013 summer season the airport won’t be welcoming new airlines, though several will be increasing their frequencies. Furthermore, as has become tradition, the airport will welcome both JAL and Korean Air which will run several charters to the Croatian capital throughout the summer. On the other hand, SkyWork Airlines will be cutting down on its frequencies from Bern while Lufthansa has decided against its planned frequency increase on the Berlin - Zagreb service due to delays in the construction of Berlin’s new airport and the limited capacity at Tegel, from which the flights are being operated.

Meanwhile, the airport has secured a loan from the European Investment Bank for the construction of its brand new terminal. The 120 million euro loan is considered vital for the project to go ahead. Only last week it was reported that the bank was unwilling to grant the loan, putting the fate of the much delayed terminal in danger. The new airport operator is now waiting to be granted all necessary licenses in order for construction to begin. The terminal is expected to be operational by 2016 while construction should start by September this year. Source: Ex-YU Aviation News