Dubrovnik Airport: The Biggest Corruption Scandal Involving EU Cash?

October the 28th, 2026 – The mayor of Dubrovnik has referred to the situation with Dubrovnik Airport being “the biggest corruption scandal involving EU cash in Croatia”. Dubrovnik’s Ruđer Bošković Airport had to return a total of €22 million in European Union funds due to irregularities in public procurement procedures during a major airport modernisation project. Index reports that in addition to all kinds of financial problems, it was also revealed that part of the expensive infrastructure was never put into operation. Among such projects is the aircraft fuel supply system, in which pipes of the type used for sewage systems were allegedly installed. These are irregularities in the modernisation project for Dubrovnik Airport that was carried out from 2013 to 2017. Around €200 million was secured from EU funds for the renovation, but due to disputed public procurement procedures, part of that money had to be returned. The latest obligation of three million euros recently became due. Dubrovnik Airport director Viktor Šober explained how the irregularities financially burdened the airport’s operations. “In one part we returned it, in one case it was automatically deducted from us, so we had to take out loans ourselves or use our own funds to make up for that shortfall which occurred primarily because of problematic public procurement procedures,” Šober said. dubrovnik’s mayor calls out the airport’s director Dubrovnik’s HDZ mayor Mato Franković recently spoke about the problems at Dubrovnik Airport and, at a session of the parliamentary Transport Committee, called out the former airport director Roko Tolić. “When you take the overall damage that occurred at Dubrovnik Airport, we can say that this is the biggest corruption affair involving European money in the Republic of Croatia that no one is talking about,” Franković said. Tolić ran Dubrovnik Airport for a long period, more specifically from 2009 to 2018, when he was dismissed due to irregularities in public procurement. Since 2024 he has held the position of executive director of Aerodromi Crne Gore, the company that manages the airports in Podgorica and Tivat. Tolić was previously politically active in the HSS. From 2000 to 2001 he was deputy mayor of Dubrovnik under Vito Bogdanović as a representative of that party. In the 2021 local elections he ran for Dubrovnik-Neretva County prefect as an independent candidate with the support of the SDP and HNS, but did not make it to the second round. the alleged installation of sewage-type piping In addition to returning an enormous sum of EU money, Dubrovnik Airport is also facing problems due to the unfinished aircraft fuel supply system. Although the system was paid for, it has not been used for years because serious mistakes were made during design and construction. “The problem here is incorrect design and incorrect execution of the works. Plastic and glass pipes were installed that are essentially not used for the flow of fuel. Later, when studying the technical specifications, we realised that pipes used for sewage systems were installed there,” said Marina Bukvić from Ruđer Bošković Airport. The airport management hired a German company to check whether the system could be repaired and put into operation. However, the experts concluded that additional investments of several million euros would be needed to make it functional. This means that the airport has already paid for infrastructure it cannot use, and repairing it would require new large expenditures. “we bought something we can’t use” Šober warns that a way to solve the problem will have to be found, and he does not rule out legal steps either. “If this is not resolved, of course that part will be problematic for us as an airport. We paid for something we cannot use. In that case we will have to look for some solutions. Whether of a legal nature or some kind of agreements, but difficult talks certainly await us on this,” Šober said. Former director Roko Tolić did not wish to comment on the accusations against him. Dnevnik.hr also contacted the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to check whether an investigation has been launched against those responsible for the irregularities in public procurement. They have not yet received a response. The post Dubrovnik Airport: The Biggest Corruption Scandal Involving EU Cash? appeared first on Total Croatia .