Published: Thu 02 May 2024 at 15:30
On 2nd May 2009, the first Jet2.com flight landed in Dubrovnik from Belfast International Airport, shortly followed by its inaugural flight to Split from Newcastle International Airport. A decade and a half later, the leading leisure airline is celebrating 15 years of operating award-winning flights to Croatia.
Since 2009, when Jet2.com operated just two routes to Croatia, the company has enjoyed tremendous growth, both through Jet2.com and the UK’s largest tour operator Jet2holidays, with millions of customers having travelled to the destination.
Today, the companies operate 13 routes to Croatia (Dubrovnik and Split) from eight of their UK airports – Belfast International, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle International. During peak periods this Summer 24, up to 36 weekly flights will depart to Dubrovnik and Split, with five routes exclusive to Jet2.com (Belfast International to Dubrovnik as well as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, and London Stansted to Split)
In response to the strong demand for flights and holidays to Croatia, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays announced the addition of Pula to its portfolio last year, offering customers the chance to access the Istrian Coast from Summer 25. The destination will be served by Birmingham, Manchester and London Stansted Airports, providing holidaymakers and independent travel agents with unrivalled choice and flexibility when it comes to enjoying a holiday in Croatia.
As well as booking and travelling on award-winning flights and ATOL protected package holidays, customers can experience and enjoy the company’s VIP customer service which has seen Jet2.com and Jet2holidays win high-profile accolades, such as Which? Recommended Provider.
Customers travelling to Croatia can choose from a flight-only option with Jet2.com including friendly low fares, great flight times and a generous 22kg baggage (plus 10kg hand baggage) allowance or an ATOL protected package holiday with Jet2holidays. Holidaymakers booking through the UK’s largest tour operator, Jet2holidays, receive that very same VIP customer service and flights through Jet2.com, as well as in-resort Customer Helpers, a 24/7 customer helpline, transfers, Free Child Place holidays and ATOL protection, all for a low £60 per person booking deposit.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “This year marks 15 years since we started operating to Croatia, when we had just two routes on sale. Today, we operate a popular programme of flights and holidays to Croatia from the UK and have flown millions of customers to this magnificent destination. Such growth and success over the last decade and a half would not be possible without the fantastic partnerships we have in Croatia, and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to hoteliers, airports, tourist boards and all our partners. As we continue to grow and take more customers to Croatia on our award-winning flights and holidays, we will continue to put that partnership approach at the very heart of everything we do and bring even more happy holidaymakers to the destination.”
Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB), said: “For the last 15 years, Croatia and Great Britain have been successfully connected by Jet2.com, the leading British leisure airline. CNTB's long-term strategic partnership with this prestigious airline significantly encourages the growth of the number of arrivals of British tourists to Croatia, which continuously favors positive tourism trends from this important market for Croatian tourism. At the same time, the stable cooperation between the CNTB and Jet2.com strongly impacts the positioning of Croatia as a safe, accessible and attractive tourist destination, as evidenced by the announced increase in the number of airlines to the most popular destinations of southern Croatia, such as Split and Dubrovnik.”
