Croatia Airlines is set to make significant expansions at its Zagreb Airport hub in the summer of 2025 by introducing five new routes to cities they had previously served before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in passenger numbers. These new direct, nonstop flights from Zagreb will connect travelers to Prague, Bucharest, Madrid, Milan Malpensa, and Hamburg.

Pilotcenter.net News reports that flights to Milan and Prague are scheduled to begin on June 2, 2025, with three weekly flights for each route. The services to Hamburg, Bucharest, and Madrid will commence in July 2025, with Hamburg and Bucharest starting operations on July 1, followed by Madrid on July 3. These three routes will also operate three times a week, all utilizing Croatia Airlines' Airbus A220-300 aircraft accommodating 149 passengers in a single-class layout.

Previously served in 2019, routes to Milan, Prague, and Bucharest were all set for a resumption in 2020 before being delayed due to the pandemic. Croatia Airlines is set to compete on some routes with other carriers, such as Iberia on the Madrid to Zagreb route and indirectly with Ryanair on the Milan route.

The airline's strategy to grow operations aligns with the expansion of its fleet of Airbus A220 aircraft, with a total of 15 new A220 planes expected to be delivered in the coming years. Croatia Airlines introduced a new livery and logo in June 2024 to coincide with the introduction of the A220 fleet and to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The new branding was designed to increase visibility and recognition, emphasizing the airline's importance to Croatia's national identity.

Aside from the A220 fleet, Croatia Airlines operates other aircraft, including two A319s, two A320s, and five De Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q400s turboprops. The unveiling of the new branding was met with enthusiasm from Jasmin Bajić, President of the Management Board and CEO of Croatia Airlines, affirming the carrier's strong standing in the aviation industry.