Croatian ACMI specialist ETF Airways plans to open a maintenance base in Zadar and has confirmed the deliver of its first ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft next March. At a conference in Zadar, ETF unveiled two new independent companies – ETF Maintenance, focused on aircraft upkeep, which will be based at the airport, and ETF Travel, specialising in travel planning and logistics. The ceremony was attended by Croatia Airlines’ CEO Jasmin Bajić and the Croatian Minister for Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković.

ETF Airways plans to open a maintenance base in Zadar. Its CEO, Stjepan Bedić, said, “We have ambitions to develop heavy aircraft maintenance and other related services in Croatia. If countries in Eastern Europe can do it, so can we – we’re no less capable. Zadar Airport recognised our initiative and showed remarkable commitment, energy and shared goals. It’s rare to see such a high level of enthusiasm and cooperation”. Zadar Airport’s CEO, Josip Klišmanić, added, “We are beginning a broader cooperation between Zadar Airport and ETF Airways. ETF plans to launch aircraft maintenance operations right here in Zadar. We hope this partnership will also lead to further infrastructure development, which will contribute to the airport’s growth and the expansion of services offered here”.

ETF Airways’ eight-year lease of an ATR72 aircraft, is expected to arrive in Croatia in March. Commenting last month on the incoming ATR72, Mr Bedić, said, “We are so proud to reach a stage where we can add one more type to our fleet. We were curious about the ATR72 for a while and finally we decided to go ahead and give it a try. We plan to add “Galileo” in Q1 2026”. The aircraft in question is currently eight years old. Mr Bedić added, “We currently have strong demand for ACMI leases involving turboprop aircraft. We believe this is a good niche given current market trends, as competition for leasing Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft is quite strong. Our long-term plan is to add another aircraft of the same type by 2027”.