Split Seaplane City

The seaplane base was not closed independently but ceased operations due to the grounding of its sole operator, European Coastal Airlines (ECA). In August 2016, the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA) suspended ECA's Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and grounded its entire fleet due to significant safety concerns. Inspections revealed serious maintenance deficiencies, including corrosion and cracks on the aircraft, as well as falsified maintenance records. Despite initial hopes of resuming flights, ECA was unable to rectify the issues to the satisfaction of the authorities and subsequently filed for bankruptcy, leading to the permanent closure of all its bases, including the one in Split.

The site at Matejuška pier in the Split harbor is no longer used as a seaplane base. The dedicated floating pontoon, terminal building, and all specific infrastructure associated with European Coastal Airlines have been removed. The area has reverted to general use as part of the public waterfront and port. The pier is now used for mooring private boats, small tour vessels, and as a public promenade. There is no physical evidence of the former seaplane operation remaining at the location.

The Split Seaplane City base was the central and busiest hub of European Coastal Airlines, which operated the first modern scheduled seaplane service in Europe. Launched in 2014, the service was revolutionary for Croatian transport and tourism. It connected the city center of Split directly with popular islands such as Hvar, Korčula, Lastovo, and Vis, as well as other coastal cities like Pula and Rijeka, and even international destinations like Ancona, Italy. The operations were primarily handled by De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter amphibious aircraft. The service drastically cut travel times to the islands (e.g., Split to Hvar in ~15 minutes vs. a 2-hour ferry ride), offering a premium and scenic travel alternative. The base itself consisted of a floating dock and a small passenger terminal located conveniently in the main Split harbor (Gradska luka), providing seamless city-center-to-island-center transport.

There have been multiple announcements and expressions of interest to revive seaplane services in Croatia since ECA's collapse. Several companies have explored the possibility of launching new operations, recognizing the high demand and proven potential of such a network. However, as of late 2023, these plans have not materialized into a concrete, operational service from the former Split City location. Challenges include securing investment, navigating a strict regulatory environment post-ECA, and establishing the necessary infrastructure. While the prospect of seaplanes returning to Split remains a topic of discussion among local authorities and private investors, there are no definitive, active plans for the immediate reopening of the HR-0021 site.