Split: More departures this weekend, 52,000 passengers at the airport

Traffic congestion has intensified at Split Airport over the weekend, with more than 52,000 passengers expected to pass through during the period. The increase in air traffic coincides with a shift in passenger movement patterns, as more travelers depart the region compared to those arriving. This trend aligns with seasonal changes typical for this time of year, according to officials managing the airport’s operations. The heightened activity at Split Airport comes alongside increased movement along major highways leading into and out of the city. According to Croatian Motorway Company data, more than 33,000 vehicles passed through the Lucani toll station between midnight and 11 a.m. on Saturday. Traffic is expected to remain heavy throughout the afternoon and evening hours, particularly on routes heading toward the coast and inland areas. The Zagreb bypass also remained clear of major delays despite the volume of passing vehicles. At Split Airport, the balance of incoming and outgoing passengers is gradually shifting in favor of departures. On average, around 12,000 passengers arrive daily while approximately 13,700 depart, resulting in a departure-to-arrival ratio of roughly 55 percent. This marks a notable change from earlier in the summer, when arrivals outnumbered departures. According to Mate Melvan, head of the Passenger Handling Service at the airport, the current pattern reflects a growing number of travelers leaving the area, even though overall numbers remain high. As the start of the school year approaches, the composition of passengers is also changing. During July, younger tourists were more prevalent due to holiday activities such as Ultras football matches. However, recent weeks have seen an increasing presence of families traveling together. By September, the demographic is expected to shift again, with older individuals and those with greater flexibility for travel becoming more prominent among passengers. On Saturday alone, the airport welcomed approximately 26,000 passengers, with 14,000 departing and 12,000 arriving. These figures mirror those recorded at the beginning of July, although the structure of passenger flow was different back then, with more arrivals than departures. Melvan noted that the United Kingdom currently represents the largest market for the airport, with over ten flights operating daily. Germany, however, is anticipated to become the primary market later in the year. Meanwhile, the ferry terminal in Split is also experiencing increased traffic. Jelena Ivulić, head of the Jadrolinija office responsible for the Split maritime area, stated that the busiest points are in Supetar, where many passengers return from the islands. To accommodate this demand, two additional ferry services have been introduced, one at 9:15 a.m. and another at 11 a.m., both heading towards Supetar. All other ferry and catamaran routes are also seeing strong occupancy levels. The adjustments made to both air and sea transport reflect the dynamic nature of travel patterns during this transitional period. As the summer season winds down and the academic year begins, the movement of people continues to evolve, shaping the operational demands placed on transportation infrastructure in the region.