Ryanair, the low-cost carrier, has strongly criticized Zagreb Airport for its recent decision to raise airline fees, deeming the development as "ridiculous." Dara Brady, Ryanair's Director for Marketing, Communications, and Digital, expressed in a press release that efficient operations and competitive airport charges are essential for Ryanair to achieve long-term traffic growth and enhanced connectivity. Following a record-breaking April, Ryanair urges Zagreb Airport to reconsider its decision to implement a staggering 12.4% increase in airport charges since April 2023. According to Ryanair, these fee hikes unfairly burden passengers and will have detrimental effects on Zagreb, Croatia's connectivity, tourism, traffic, job market, and overall post-Covid recovery, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

Zagreb Airport recently raised its passengers' service fees for airlines, requiring carriers to allocate additional funds per passenger carried. The fees for departing international passengers have risen from 17.50 euros to 19.67 euros, while the charges for departing domestic passengers have increased from 7.50 euros to 8.43 euros. Additionally, the fee for transfer passengers has grown by fifty eurocents, from four euros to 4.50 euros. These increased charges will ultimately be passed on to passengers through higher ticket prices. The airport has justified the 12.4% fee hike as a reflection of inflation growth. Ryanair estimates handling 1.2 million passengers on its Zagreb flights this year.