A plane of Russia's national carrier Aeroflot, carrying 86 passengers, landed at Dubrovnik Airport on Tuesday evening, marking the reintroduction of daily direct flights between the south of Croatia and Moscow after seven years.

Dubrovnik Airport director Frano Luetic said he expected that the interest of Russians would bring even better flight occupancy.

“If the situation with the pandemic continues to improve, I expect July and August will be excellent,” Luetic said, adding that the British market, which accounted for 30 percent Dubrovnik Airport’s traffic, is yet to reopen.

A COVID antigen and PCR testing facility has opened at Dubrovnik Airport, available to all citizens. A business aviation terminal, the most modern in Croatia, is another novelty.

“Last year, we had very good connection in that segment, and this year we expect an even better one. Those are high-paying guests that spend their holidays on yachts on the Adriatic coast. The terminal is very modern, with passport control, customs control, catering and VIP lounges,” Luetic said.

Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Ana Hrnic said that Dubrovnik and Croatia were very interesting to Russian tourists.

“Last week, a popular tourist show was filmed here, so we expect further growth in interest,” said Hrnic, who expects tourism turnover will be significantly better after 15 June.

Also, as of 10 June, Russia will include Croatia on the list of epidemiologically safe countries.

This year, over 500 flights will be connecting Russia and Croatia from June to September, and Croatia joining the epidemiological “green zone” opens the possibility of charter flights.

In addition to Dubrovnik, Aeroflt will connect Moscow with Pula, Split and Zagreb during the season.

Croatia has renewed the issuance of tourists visas for Russian citizens, and there is currently great interest in holidays in Croatia on the Russian market.

According to data from the eVisitor system, this year visitors from Russia have generated about 30,000 overnight stays, or 48 percent more than in the same period last year.