[9] A new, larger terminal building designed by architect Branko Gruica (Projektant, Mostar) was constructed and opened in 1979 to accommodate traffic for the 8th Mediterranean Games held in Split in September of that year.

[9] In 2005, the terminal got a major facelift by architect Ivan Vulić (VV-Projekt, Split) adding one more gate, the glass façade, as well as the award-winning Airport entrance structure consisting of steel/fabric "trees" illuminated by multi-colour LEDs.

[14] The lower level houses warehouses, workshops, offices and other objects that will support the new 34,500 m2, HRK 455 million terminal building that is being built next to it.

[citation needed] The airport's busiest time are the months of June, July and August due to a large influx of tourists for the European summer holiday period.

The decision not to include any jet bridges in the new expansion has been justified because of limited apron space as well as the fact that majority of the airlines at the airport are low-cost carriers.

A catamaran service between the airport and Split harbour is available every 90 minutes in the peak tourist season (15 July – 30 September) and with lower frequency through October.

[92][93] Another line connecting the airport two additional times daily with Split harbour and Bol on Brač island is available from June to mid-September.