Nantes Gets a Summer Gateway to the Croatian Coast

Croatia Airlines has confirmed it will launch a new direct route between Nantes and Split for the summer 2026 season. Flights will run twice a week from 5 May to 9 October, scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays. The move follows rising French demand for access to Croatia’s Adriatic coast, particularly the Dalmatia region, which has gained popularity for beach holidays, cultural trips and its mix of historic port cities.

The new Nantes–Split service adds another non-stop option to Croatia for western France, reducing the need for connections through Paris or hubs in Italy and Germany. Split is one of the country’s major entry points during the summer season, serving both the city itself and onward ferries to Dalmatian islands. The launch aligns with Croatia Airlines’ wider commercial strategy for 2026, which includes adding seaside destinations to match seasonal tourism flows.

Croatia Airlines is also progressing with a long-term fleet renewal programme running from 2024 to 2027. The airline is bringing in Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft to replace older jets, with the new type using less fuel and producing less cabin noise. The change goes hand in hand with new uniforms and visual updates to the brand, while keeping recognisable Croatian elements. It marks the company’s biggest fleet shift in more than a decade and is designed to support both domestic and international growth.

Fleet updates at a glance

• Fuel use and CO₂ emissions down by around 25%
• Noticeably quieter take-off and landing performance
• Wider single-aisle seats and larger bag bins
• USB-A/USB-C power at every seat and high-speed Wi-Fi
• HEPA-filtered air circulated every few minutes

For travellers in western France, the direct link opens easier access to central Dalmatia, Roman-era coastal towns and island destinations reachable by short ferry rides from Split. Highlights include Trogir’s UNESCO-listed old town, the Diocletian heritage sites in Split, the beaches of Brač and the vineyards of Hvar. The route also suits weekend breaks thanks to its Tuesday–Friday pattern and proximity of Split Airport to the city centre.

The Nantes–Split link reflects a broader summer trend: airlines are adding point-to-point holiday routes that connect regional airports directly with coastal regions. This reduces connection time and makes lesser-known Adriatic destinations more practical to reach. Summer timetables in the Mediterranean already show a high number of planned flights. The new Nantes–Split link gives people in western France a direct option for reaching the Adriatic without changing planes.