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| Croatia Airlines marks 25th anniversary with challenging future ahead |
Croatia Airlines is celebrating its 25th birthday, marking two and a half decades since it launched operations as Zagreb Airlines (Zagal) in what was still Yugoslavia. Over its history, the airline has developed into one of the busiest in the former Yugoslavia. In 1990 it changed its name to Croatia Airlines and operated its first domestic flight on May 5 that same year between Zagreb and Split using an MD-82. On April 5, 1992, the newly established national carrier inaugurated its first international service, from Zagreb to Frankfurt. Over the past 25 years, Croatia Airlines has operated 469.000 flights and handled 29 million passengers.
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| Zagal Zagreb, first aircraft |
Commenting on the milestone, the CEO of Croatia Airlines, Krešimir Kučko, said, “25 years ago the founding assembly of the new Croatian airline company, Zagreb Airlines (Zagal), was held at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb. Zagal was the first joint stock company in the former state and on August 7, 1990 was entered in the register of the then District Commercial Court as Zagreb Airlines”. Mr Kučko added, “First we leased MD-82 aircraft, then we bought our Boeings and ATRs, and then we replaced them with the most modern Airbuses and Dashes. Today we connect Croatia with Europe and, together with our partners, with the rest of the world. Since we became a member of Star Alliance in 2004, European destinations have been closer to us”. In order to mark the occasion, last Thursday, several select passengers were given gifts on board flight OU416 from Zagreb to Frankfurt.
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| Arrival of Croatia Airlines' first A319 in 1998 at Zagreb Airport |
Croatia Airlines faces a challenging future ahead. The airline is expected to be put up for sale again this autumn following a failed attempt late last year. Furthermore, the recent restructuring of the carrier has taken its toll, with the airline decreasing its network size, fleet, passenger numbers and market share. However, the goal of returning to profitability was achieved in 2013. With the restructuring coming to an end later this year, the airline’s management has said Croatia Airlines will expand both its network and fleet in 2015. Over the past quarter of a century, Croatia Airlines has grown into a medium-sized airline, recognised and valued by its passengers. It is one of the staples of the Croatian economy and has given a significant contribution to the country’s tourism industry.
Comments
I was flying from BEG to TLV and back. On the flight there around 40 pax, and on the way back around 100 pax. Most of the pax where either transfer or Israeli citizens visiting Belgrade. Overall the experience on Air Serbia was good.
Rating:
Catering: 7 ( my seatmate on the flight back ordered a veg meal and what they gave him was small fruit plate and rice and carrots mixed together which is disgraceful since the flight lasted 3 hours. My meal was much better so thats why I will give a 7
Staff: 7 ( the Air Serbia staff was very kind and pleasant but the thing what I heard other pax comment was that the stewardesses put on too much make up and they did not look pretty but instead like lutkas which I fully agree on. Make up is good but not to that level.
Aircraft: 9 ( no complains here since i find the Airbus 319 an outstanding aircraft with just enough legroom.
Time performance: 10 ( both of the flights landed on time)
Overall: I would have to give an 8.
Air Serbia has started avoiding the Iraqi air space, in addition to avoiding the Ukrainian one.
I still can't understand the logic behind avoiding the western parts of the country but ok,
He destroyed a lot of the service!
Sorry for the OT
Ex-YU last night I came here and went in to read the article and saw that the comments section looked completely different. There were options like rating comments and stuff. I come today and it’s all gone …… it looked really good actually. Was I imagining things? :-)
12.50 Geneva // Swiss, A320
13.00 Abu Dhabi // Etihad, A319
13.05 Munich // Lufthansa, E195
13.10 Moscow // Aeroflot, A320
13.15 Split // Air Serbia, Atr-72
13.20 Sofia // Air Serbia, Atr-72
13.20 Athens // Air Serbia, A320
13.20 Thessaloniki // Air Serbia, A320
13.25 Enfidha // Tunisair, A319
13.25 Bucharest // Air Serbia A319
13.30 Dubrovnik // Air Serbia, A319
13.35 Santorini/Kos // Air Serbia, B737-300
13.35 Frankfurt // Lufthansa, A320
13.45 Skopje // Air Serbia, A319
13.45 Tivat // Air Serbia, B737-300
13.50 Warsaw // LOT, E175
13.50 Podgorica // Air Serbia, B737-300
13.55 Banja Luka // Air Serbia, Atr-72
14.00 Sarajevo // Air Serbia, Atr-72
I hope that soon enough we see Etihad sending its A320 to Belgrade, especially since their performance has been really good. Was it 95%?
*Sumarno iz pocetka godine - 667.267 патници +19.61 %
Does anyone know why JP operate charters to Sarajevo? According to Sarajevo airport web page there will be flights to Sarajevo on 12 th, 13th, 14th, 25th (two flights) and 26th of August. All accept 25th will be flown with A319.
Thanks ...
A lot of Air Serbia flights (Atr) are being parked there even if the airport is not supposed to do so.
Other airlines are likely to tell you to go you know where, so what you do is propose a new law that regulates slots at the airport. Over time, you get more gates at the same time for an airline that needs it for transfers (esp once longhaul flights start) and the others can still use the gates when things are not that busy.
I believe that airlines like Aeroflot is safe thanks to its code-share agreement with Air Serbia while LOT has an interline agreement.
As far as Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss go... well, what can we do.
Fog?!