Croatia Airlines CEO Bajić Steps Down As Losses Soar

Croatia Airlines is undergoing a leadership transition as chief executive Jasmin Bajić has submitted his resignation for health reasons, with his stepping down expected to take effect on December 5. This development comes as the carrier continues its fleet renewal program, moving toward an all-Airbus A220 lineup and away from a mixed fleet, in an effort described by outlets as part of broader modernization and restructuring efforts.

The resignation mark follows nine years of Bajić at the helm, according to EX-YU Aviation News, and is framed within the context of Croatia Airlines nearing the conclusion of its fleet renewal involving the Airbus A220 aircraft. Aviation.Direct and AeroTime corroborate the leadership change and tie it to the ongoing transition toward a single-type fleet as part of financial and operational pressures faced by the airline toward the end of 2026, with no interim leadership details provided in the materials.

In parallel with the leadership change, EX-YU Aviation News reports that Croatia Airlines issued a warning about ongoing pressures on its operations during the winter quarter of 2026. The carrier indicated that demand typically softens during this period, a factor it expects could compound existing operational challenges. The material does not include quantified figures or route-specific impacts, but frames the note as part of near-term performance and capacity planning communications.

EX-YU Aviation News also highlights a digital modernization effort, noting that Croatia Airlines is preparing to introduce a new online booking platform designed to simplify ticket purchases and improve the passenger experience. The available material does not specify features, rollout timing, deployment dates, or geographic scope for the platform launch, but characterizes it as part of the broader modernization push accompanying the leadership transition.

Aviation.Direct corroborates the leadership change and reiterates that the airline is navigating a difficult transition as it moves toward an all-Airbus A220 fleet, away from a mixed fleet. The reporting describes the shift as part of the broader renewal program and notes the absence of interim leadership details in the supplied material, aligning with the overall emphasis on the strategic fleet renewal amid financial and operating pressures.

Aviation Week’s report emphasizes that the leadership change occurred as Croatia Airlines faces accumulating losses tied to its fleet renewal program and ongoing operating pressures. It notes the financial strain connected with the costly renewal of the Airbus A220 fleet, and situates the executive departure within a broader context of elevated operating pressures contributing to the downturn in financial performance. The available material does not provide exact timing for interim arrangements or an identified successor.

AeroTime’s coverage echoes the core Croatia Airlines details reported by EX-YU Aviation News, focusing on Bajić’s resignation for health reasons with a December 5 departure date, the winter operational warning, and the online booking platform initiative. The material does not introduce new specifics beyond what EX-YU Aviation News has documented, reinforcing the central narrative of a strategic renewal and leadership transition without additional timeline or interim-appointment details.