National flag carrier Croatia Airlines said on Monday it expected a 5 percent increase in passengers aboard its planes in 2019. During the 2019 summer tourist season, it will operate flights serving 30 foreign and 8 destinations in Croatia, the company said in a press release.

In order to meet the expected surge in demand during the peak season, from April to October, the company announced plans for a temporary lease of two Bombardier CRJ1000 planes with 100 seats each.

A member of Star Alliance, Croatia Airlines operates a fleet of six Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, four Airbus A319 and two Airbus A320 aircraft.

In 2018, Croatia Airlines carried some 2.17 million passengers, a record high in the company’s 30-year history, and a 2 percent year-on-year increase.

In 2017 the company’s net profit was 27 milion kuna (€3.6 million), up from 6.6 million kuna (€900,000) in 2016. Year-end figures for 2018 will be released around March 1.

The government has been looking for a buyer to acquire a stake in the state-owned airliner, which employs nearly 1,000, for some time now.

Most recently, Transport Minister Oleg Butkovic announced in early February that a government committee would soon be formed to find a strategic partner for the company. He refused to name interested companies, but confirmed that there were several potential partners interested in buying a stake in the national flag carrier.

(€1 = 7.42 kuna)

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