Zagreb Airport set for busy winter season


Zagreb Airport is preparing for a busy winter season, which will see it handle more flights than ever before, following on from what is set to be a record summer. A number of carriers have already committed to increasing both frequencies and capacity to the Croatian capital when compared to last year. Among airlines serving Zagreb for the first time this winter are Korean Air, Aegean Airlines, Iberia and ČSA Czech Airlines. Korean Air, which will commence three weekly flights from Seoul this September with an Airbus A330-200 jet, will initially deploy its Boeing 777-200ER on the route for the start of the 2018/19 winter season, which begins on October 28. However, the airline will then switch to the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner as of January 2, 2019. The two aircraft seat between 248 and 269 passengers. Korean Air will operate the return service from Zagreb to Seoul via Zurich over the winter months, however, the airline has not secured rights to sell tickets on the intra-European sector. "For the time being, it is impossible to purchase tickets from Zagreb to Zurich. However, we will consider ways to make it work in the future", Korean Air told EX-YU Aviation News.

Aegean Airlines has upgraded its seasonal summer service between Athens and Zagreb to year-round operations, with flights to run twice per week. Similarly, Spain's Iberia will extend its operations from Madrid to the Croatian capital past the summer months, with the airline to maintain two weekly flights with its Airbus A319 aircraft. "During the winter months there'll be two weekly flights between Madrid, Zagreb and Dubrovnik, with excellent connections from other airports in our network. These new additions to our programme will reinforce our presence in Croatia, not only for point-to-point flights but for long haul connections as well", Iberia said in a statement.

Korean Air to deploy B787-9 Dreamliner to Zagreb from January 2, 2019

ČSA Czech Airlines, which previously downgraded its Zagreb operations from Prague to seasonal summer flights, plans to retain the route during the upcoming winter season with three weekly services. Furthermore, Croatia Airlines will run flights to Mostar over the winter, while Emirates will add an additional two weekly flights from Dubai for a total of seven, boosting inbound tourism with over 15.000 additional seats during the slower months. Fernando Echegaray, the Director of International Operations at Zagreb Airport's concessionaire Aéroports de Paris, said, "We have a strong team at Zagreb Airport, which is very knowledgeable, and we are working hard to bring in even more passengers and airlines. In addition, Croatia, being a beautiful country that it is, has huge potential and growth in developing as a tourist destination, and that is what we base our expectations on, as well as the development of Zagreb as a tourist destination".

Zagreb Airport expects to see continued passenger growth in the year to come, with 3.5 million travellers projected to be handled in 2019. "Our trends are encouraging and I honestly hope that the coming years promise to bring us even more new carriers and passenger growth. The only issue that could hinder that is the rising price of fuel on the world market, which has a negative effect on airlines and acts as a deterrent in investing in new routes", Zagreb Airport's General Manager, Jacques Feron, said recently. He added, "Croatia is attracting more tourists than before and Zagreb is becoming an increasingly appealing destination. More passengers results in more new carriers, making Zagreb more interesting".


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    I wish OU was as successful as ZAG. I fear they won't be returning to Athens now that there is Aegean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:54

      They can always code-share since they are both Star Alliance partners.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:09

    BA will increase ZAG operations to daily this winter too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      Didn't someone say it will be double daily now that OU sold its slots?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:35

      Just rumors and rumors

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19:26

      @ 9.09. How many flights did they operate last winter?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:09

    wow impressive. Well done Zagreb

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:10

    Congratulations

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:12

    How is Emirates doing? Good to see flights up in winter from them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:21

      Very well. They have been sending their highest capacity B777 to ZAG lately.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:25

      They do well in summer, not so well outside of it. Seasonality is killing them.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:35

      Yes, ther are almost dead lol

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:45

      Nemjee posted their numbers here. In winter they had 170 passengers. Is that great for you?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:54

      Nemjee seems to be their network planner. Very weak winter performance and they increase flight by 30 %. Well done Emirates!

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:58

      So, EK doesn't know how to do their job? Seriously?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:03

      First year 170, second 200, third 230, what is the problem. That is only in 3-4 months per year. Other months are very good, summer is full, and some of the flight are overbooked. Annual LF is around 70% in FIRST YEAR of ops... that is great result for EK. Nobody expected 90%LF after one year.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:04

      EK obsession again on the fire. :D

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:11

      This is an aviation forum, what are we supposed to discuss? The weather?

      Delete
    10. Nemjee10:36

      Like I wrote the other day, based on their first year performance there is no need to increase ZAG to daily in winter. The reason why they are doing it is to try to limit the growth of QR and TK as they are competing with both for the same passengers. TK is back to growing once again in ZAG.

      That said, this year will be interesting to follow as they are building on their previous loads.

      Last year EK operated only six months in Zagreb and they carried a total of 98.301 passengers.

      Here are some other markets.

      PRG 502.669
      BUD 221.132
      LCA 179.275
      OTP 108.061 (flydubai)
      ZAG 98.301 (06.-12.2017)

      Delete
    11. Anonymous11:11

      I flew from Brisbane to Croatia this winter On the day I had to fly there was no flight to ZAG (5 weekly), so I flew to VCE instead. Giving this an example of connectivity which grows passengers numbers with more frequencies, not waiting the passengers to grow to increase the frequency, which such an expert as Nemjee should be aware of. Oh, sorry, It's about ZAG, not BEG pardon me, my mistake, than it's different story

      Delete
    12. Nemjee11:30

      What has BEG got to do with anything I wrote? I didn't mention it at all or are Serbs not allowed to comment on ZAG according to you as any comment we make has to be malicious?

      Delete
    13. Anonymous11:30

      ZAG numbers are not far from BUD, very good result. PRG 500k, how is it possible, maybe EK plus FZ?

      Delete
    14. Anonymous11:42

      Speaking of numbers, does anyone know ZAG's busiest route? Or airline after OU?

      Delete
    15. Nemjee11:43

      Top 3 destinations out of Croatia last year were:

      1. ZAG-FRA
      2. ZAG-DBV
      3. DBV-LGW

      Delete
    16. Anonymous12:00

      "They have been sending their highest capacity B777 to ZAG lately."
      It is good, but this shows that no demand for first class.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous12:07

      I bet it is better to fill 35 extra economy than 2 first class seats. They send 2 class A380 in PRG, so that is not a big deal. Business class is doing well.

      Delete
    18. Anonymous12:21

      I think next summer we will definitely see the two class A380 in ZAG.

      Delete
    19. Anonymous12:27

      DBV and LJU are probably the biggest ex-YU markets to London. I wouldn't be surprised if LJU is actually number one.

      Delete
    20. Anonymous13:12

      I think overall SPU is bigger than DBV to London.

      Delete
    21. Anonymous13:16

      Here are some other markets.

      PRG 502.669
      BUD 221.132
      LCA 179.275
      OTP 108.061 (flydubai)
      ZAG 98.301 (06.-12.2017)

      Pretty exceptional numbers for ZAG and EK here according to Namjees numbers. That is basically on par with BUD which has been a developed route for EK and that only for the first year of ops to ZAG. Great to see :)

      Delete
    22. Anonymous13:25

      EK flights to ZAG have hurt the feelings of many conserned neighbors...

      Delete
    23. Anonymous13:33

      Nemjee is a Serb so I don't see his feelings hurt.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:15

    Yay Korean will come with a B787 after all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:01

      :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:55

      B777 and B787. Nice combo.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:35

      So that will be 3 Croatian airports serving 787s on a regular basis.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:44

      Yes. Dubrovnik, Pula and Zagreb. But DBV and PUY only in summer.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:48

      Will the 789 continue to operate to Zagreb after the winter next year?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous13:12

      probably yes

      Delete
    7. Anonymous19:16

      The flights haven't been loaded for next summer yet. At least I can't see them on their website.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:25

    Great news ZAG. I think 3.4 million passengers will be achieved this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      Why not? Makes sense.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:31

    Very positive development :) I just wonder how they project 3,5 million Pax in 2019, when they are having a 12 % growth this year, which will result in 3,4 million Pax already in 2018? Will growth slow or are they just being conservative?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:32

      Just being very conservative.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:32

    Still no Wizz or Ryan. ZAG needs more LCCs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:32

      What happened to Volotea and Transavia which said they were considering ZAG?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:33

      There were also rumours about easyJet but nothing happened.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:38

    Nice to see. I think winter will be very strong.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:44

    Very good news, it seems that ZAG is on the right track. All it needs is a low cost airline to open a base.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:50

      That will result in the end for Croatia Airlines.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:57

      ZAG management won't make any moves that could hurt OU.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:00

      ... which is rationally speaking quite intelligent ;)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:01

      Are you sure. Under concession agreement, if Croatia Airlines go bust, French concessionaires will get more money from the state.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:33

      That is just a safeguard so it would not happen. No concessionaire would be happy to loose its busiest customer.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:59

      +1 last anon

      Delete
    7. Anonymous23:29

      Good reasoning. If French ZAG management won't make any moves that could hurt OU, we can conclude that future French BEG management won't make any moves that could hurt JU, as we concluded that no concessionaire would be happy to lose it's busiest customer. So why would some aviation authors claim Vinci would bring more LCCs to BEG? That's completely irrational and directly opposite of what we learned here about ZAG and LCCs.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:51

    excellent news coming in from Zagreb this year. Any more surprises/new airlines we might see this year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:01

      Someone said ANA, someone said United.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:03

      Yes, but not this year. And, talks are still in progress...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:33

      Fingers crossed.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:51

      I think China could be announced this year - Beijing and Shanghai.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:00

      More direct lines are needed to attract people from long distance destinations.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:50

    It's going to be quite a year in Zagreb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:38

      Great developments for Zagreb since the French came.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous10:51

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:54

      You are a bit late. I was worried.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous10:54

    Seeing ZAG with so many airlines and destinations "only" with 3.4 million passengers projected makes me think that SKP might go after ZAG if they expand their catchment area little bit and try to introduce transatlantic and Asia flights. With proper highways and travel connections SKP might be the center of some 6 million people from Macedonia, South Serbia and Kosovo, Albania and parts of Bulgaria and Greece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:11

      The Croatian diaspora mainly uses buses from e.g. Germany to Croatia, if Ryanair and/or Wizz start flying to ZAG, the numbers will significantly increase

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:30

      SKP transcontinental hub of the Balkans, LOL!

      Delete
  16. Anonymous11:00

    So, which planes are coming to ZAG today (Russia included)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:44

      Uzbekistan Airways 767-400, one Aeroflot A321 and A319 each. For now.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:45

      Uzbekistan is B763, they don't have B764.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:46

      Correct, sorry my mistake B767-300.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:58

      What about Turkish. Will they operate some charters like the last few days,

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:23

      The full list of World Cup charters today in the end was: Red Wings A321, Ural Airlines A319, Rossiya 777-300 and B737-800, Aeroflot A319, Croatia Airlines A319 (two flights), Turkish Airlines A340-300 and Adria Airways CRJ900.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous11:06

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous11:37

    After a strong summer comes a strong winter ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:39

    Will El Al again be extending their seasonal flights through to November like last year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:17

      Yes, flights end 20th November.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:19

      Thanks. I think they could fly 1 flight per week all winter.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous11:40

    Love the winter pic :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. @Nemjee and other smarta**es -EK is happy with pax loads at ZAG. What they are even more excited about is cargo. Big plans is what they have at ZAG in regards to cargo. And pax planes carry the cargo. So yes, there is logic to increasing frequency afterall. You simply lack the access to all the important information.
    So please double think next time you post.
    Pozdrav iz Zagreba

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nemjee12:52

      Why such tone? Are you really that bothered when someone writes an opinion that's different from yours? EK is happy with their loads? Maybe in summer but I am sure they were not too thrilled when they carried 6.000 passengers (return) in February.

      Cargo helps improve the finances of a certain route but it is not enough especially when the route is being operated with a heavy aircraft such as the B773. JU to JFK also carries a lot of cargo but they still struggle to make money on the route.

      Many Croats on here simply don't want to talk about Emirates or any other airline unless it is to praise them and to talk about their success in Croatia. The problem is that many on here have been insisting EK has been flying full which we can see now is not the case.

      As for cargo, here are the available numbers for EK in ZAG.

      06.2017 - 84t
      07.2017 - 428t
      08.2017- 384t

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:23

      Why would they not be happy with pax numbers in February? 6000Pax return on 16 flights *2 makes around 188 Pax per flight. In the FIRST year op operations and the slowest month of the year. That is great :) There are worse numbers than that- and now as the market matures this February they certainly will have 220 Pax per flight.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:37

      Nemjee knows the best, better than EK :)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:06

      188 passenger is rather bad for such a big plane.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous14:21

      I think Nemjee should stop sharing these numbers because most on here do not deserve them.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous14:24

      188 pax is great? Hmmm yes for sure. 70% of them are transfer pax. Lower ticket price.
      No money on this route during the winter.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous17:22

      Možda mi smeta jer nije više tako kritičan prema AS ali nebitno smatram da se Nemjee razume u avijaciju. S time te molim da ignorišeš određene ljude koji te prozivaju samo zato što si obelodanio neke stvari. Što se mene tiče samo napred.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous20:08

      Jedno je "obelodaniti" stvari u kontekstu a jedno van cijelog konteksta. Apsolutno je jasno da 180pax u 773 nije održiva računica, to nitko ne tvrdi. Ali je jasno da se radi o par mjeseci godišnje i to u prvoj godini prometovanja linije. Ukupni godišnji podaci su više nego dobri i na tragu su brojki jedne BUD koja već godinama uhodava EK.
      Dalje, Nemjee, "stručno" tvrdi kako ZAG ne treba imati daily EK zimi jer je to eto samo da se nabije konkurencija TK i QR? Po tome onda ni BUD ni WAW ni LCA nebi trebali biti daily u najslabije mjesece?!
      Pa najveći amateri u avijaciji ne rade takve zaključke i ne vade takve podatke van konteksta osim ako su zlonamjerni. Htjeli to prihvatiti ili ne. Živjeli.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous20:59

      Druze ajde pogledaj koliko putnika imaju lca , bud I waw a onds pogledaj koliko zag. Toliko o tome

      Delete
    10. Anonymous21:03

      EK operated 19 flights in February.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous21:43

      Nakon cijele 2018 svi će biti unutar max 15% razlike u broju paxa druže. I ti pogledaj podatke i zbroji 2 i 2.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous23:11

      Ja ti pricam da pogledas celokupne podatke. U BUD i WAW postoje drugi igraci mesto EK koji zapravo voze ozbiljne brojke. TK i QR su smesni u ZAG u poredjenju sa WAW, BUD, VIE, PRG...

      Delete
    13. Anonymous23:12

      Primera radi jedan TK preveze vise putnika u LJU tokom godine dok taj isti TK preveze tri puta vise putnika u BUD. A izgleda da EK nije imao preko 160 putnika po letu u februaru, dakle to je ok popunjenost za flydubai.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous06:55

      lol.. nikad prežaljeni EK

      Delete
    15. Anonymous07:40

      Како да не, као што ни ви нисте прежалили чињеницу да је Београд добио Пекинг или Њујорк пре вас. Овде сте писали данима и данима како Загреб има највише широкотрупних авиона на недељном нивоу док вас Београд и ту није одувао. Дакле и ви користите сваку прилику да бацате блато на нас. Немојте сада нешто као глумити.

      На крају крајева, има логике што за Београд не лете Емирати. За разлику од вас ми имамо знатно више опција када летимо ка истоку.

      Delete
    16. Beograd "oduvao" nekog? LOL.
      Tko je bacio blato na vas? Nije li Nemjee krenuo sa analizom kako Zagrebu ne treba daily let sa EK i da je to samo pokušaj guranja QR i TK u kut? I onda netko odgovori na to, pa se durimo?
      I taj 2pw Peking preko Praga stvarno nikad prežaliti nećeno. Evo, kljukam se tabletama danima.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous11:41

      oduvao lol

      Delete
  22. Anonymous12:41

    Hope CSA does not cancel it's winter flights last minute like last time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:47

      They are such an unreliable airline. You never know with them.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:06

      They just canned SKP so who knows.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:09

      Such a shame for an airline which used to be quite decent.

      Delete
  23. JU520 BEGLAX16:49

    Congratulations to Croatia for the Vice Worldcup Champion. U played so well even in the final , u played fair without teatralic and provocative Kindergarten. U played with engagement and you showed ambitiousness to win each of the games. I follow YU in football since 1982. Comparing how we played as one Yugoslavia in the past and how you played in Russia, there is a difference and def. a possive development.

    Even more happy made me, the fact that Nole and HR team exchanged support to each other and thats exactly in line with me. Politicians have changed borders but I dont care about them and even i am just half Ex YU I support all of u from LJU to PRN with my full heart.

    When HR made it to final I cried the 2nd time in my life out of happyness. The first time was 1991 in Bari

    HR success, Noles success or Slovenias success last year in Istanbul, or all our other successes at Olympics etc show how much capable our region is. And whats possible in Sport, is possible elsewhere. These successes will hopefully stimulate other areas as for example in economy.

    Re ZAG airport: the day KE will offer ZAGZRH tickets, I ll be on board

    Big hug to all if u and enjoy these beautiful moments whereever u are

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:36

      I love your words, bravo.

      Delete
    2. Thanks JU520 BEG LAX! Music for my ears! Sign every word of yours! Cheers!

      Delete
  24. Anonymous19:11

    I wish Croatia Airlines kept Dublin throughout the year. I hear it is a very good performer.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous19:12

    I think there are a few more European airlines that could start flights to Zagreb. Primarily SAS and Alitalia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:19

      I'm surprised at the relatively low level of flights from Scandinavia to Zagreb while there are dozens to the Croatian coast.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:27

      Since last year at least most of the Nordic countries are now linked with Zagreb thanks to OU - Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous20:43

      Not sure about Alitalia, but ZAG need direst FCO link, it is sure.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous21:13

    Dont expect OU to grow if you want to bring so many foreign carriers to ZAG. Those carriers will compete against OU and those carriers will carry passengers aboard their aircraft instead of OU ones.
    If you want OU to be strong dont invite to ZAG so many foreign airlines, because then OU will have more competitors and will not be able to faith against them and grow their hub here.
    OU to grow needs to further develop its hub and get a reliable partner(s) to build an offer for passengers flying to destinations OU will never serve on it's own.
    Having EK, UA, NH, SQ, KE at ZAG and bunch of others you mention in your posts will not help OU to develop itself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:52

      OT: LOT will operate DBV flights in winter, 4pw!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:03

      Wow, great news! Is LOT really interested in buying OU?

      Delete

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