Zagreb Airport has shrugged off reports it is lagging behind its competitors, as well as concerns over a number of airlines terminating their services to the Croatian capital recently. “Since the beginning of the concession in 2013, Zagreb Airport has recorded excellent operational and financial results. We have registered passenger growth of around 46%. While Zagreb Airport handled 2.300.231 travellers in 2013, we welcomed 3.336.310 passengers five years later. This year we are also seeing an increase in our numbers. In 2013 the number of airlines serving the Croatian capital stood at 20, while today it amounts to 33. The number of destinations on offer has also grown from 34 to 52”, Zagreb Airport said. The Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, has said his Minister for Sea Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, will hold talks with Zagreb Airport’s concessionaire concerning its operations.
In the past month, Eurowings announced it would suspend two of its routes to Zagreb, from Berlin and Dusseldorf, while Swiss International Air Lines and Czech Airlines have said they would not resume their seasonal services, from Zurich and Prague respectively, to the Croatian capital. Furthermore, Korean Air recently downgraded its year-round operations from Seoul to Zagreb to seasonal summer flights. “We expect successful operations and passenger growth to continue in the future. We also believe that travellers will recognise our efforts and reward us for our high quality of service”, Zagreb Airport added. During the January - October period, Zagreb Airport handled 2.957.109 travellers, up 2.4%, which is just under the European average so far this year. No growth was recorded in January, while figures decreased in July. Overall, it added an extra 69.739 passengers compared to 2018.
Several airlines have complained of Zagreb Airport’s high fees, although these protests have come mostly from low cost airlines. Eurowings previously noted Zagreb Airport's charges are "significantly higher than most major European airports, making it less appealing for low cost carriers". Wizz Air, which has considered resuming operations to the Croatian capital, said, “It [Zagreb] is a high-priced airport environment with fluctuating demand. Should the costs come down, we think they would attract us”. Croatia's busiest airport hiked its fees following the opening of its new passenger terminal in 2017 by two euros per each international passenger for a total of seventeen euros. Similarly, it increased its fees by half a euro per every domestic passenger to seven and a half euros.
If the minister is going to hold talks with them, it means the government isn't too happy with the performance.
ReplyDeleteYes Zagreb should at least have 7 million passnegers per year. I mean 3,5 is really low considering it is one of 9 international airports in Croatia, a country of 4 million - irony off.
DeleteMost of the people have really lost pace with reality. A phenomenon widely spead here unfortunately.
Last anon: +1
DeleteTourists want to go to the seaside not to Zagreb. Don't get me wrong, Zagreb as such is not a bad city, but in Europe you have hundreds if not thousends of cities like that. And here everybody tends to think that his city is exceptional and people from around the globe should only flock to see it. This is not only about citizens of Zagreb.
The other point is gastarbeiters. Many lcc (especially Wizz) do mainly gastarbeiter routes. Apparently there are more gastarbeiters in other ex-Yu countries than in Zagreb. So less interest from lcc, especially that apparently they cannot count on many discounts or other subsidies from the airport or government or the city.
Thousands cities of one million people?
DeleteHow big is the city doesn't matter for tourists. They look at other things and those they can also find elsewhere, ie in hundreds or thousends of other similar places in Europe.
DeleteAnd that is why Zagreb is No 1 by number of tourist. Even 10% more tourists than no. 2, Dubrovnik.
DeleteThey had growth in October only thanks to JP.
ReplyDeleteNumbers will keep growing because EU presidency is coming.
DeleteAs long as OU is the sheriff in town such results will not change.
DeleteWith Wizzair at the airport they would have growth only thanks to Wizzair. What a senseless comment.
DeleteWhat rate of growth could we expect because of the EU presidency?
DeleteNothing significant.
DeleteAre the prices really that high or the concessionaires doesn't want to attract anymore airlines because they will have to start expanding the terminal.
ReplyDeleteWell we were all surprised when they said they expect to handle 5 million passengers in 2024. So that's obviously their plan because then they have to start expanding the terminal. That's why they slowed their activities.
DeleteSorry meant 2025 not 2024.
DeleteThis is true. It's not in their interest to begin before that. On top of that it seems to me like the scope of work in the second phase will be reduced since they are redrafting the master plan.
DeleteLet's wait and see shall we ;)
DeleteUntil OU starts expanding or an LCC bases a plane things won't change much at ZAG.
ReplyDeleteNice line-up on the photo :D
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to see the most beautiful airport in Ex-YU :)
DeleteI like it from the outside. The structure is impressive. From the inside not so much. But that's subjective.
DeleteThey should start getting concerned rather than posting 5 years of results.
ReplyDeleteWhat can they do? They should have reacted before LJU, TZL, BNX, RJK, ZAD ...lowered their fares. I mean do you think it's normal INI, LJU, BNX... can sustain Berlin flights but not Zagrab?
DeleteThey care about profits and that's what they are getting even without major passenger growth.
ReplyDeleteTwo airlines withdrawing and one cutting operations in half isn't something that should be shrugged off. The government is right in holding talks with them.
ReplyDeleteApparently one more airline will suspend ZAG.
ReplyDeleteYou said that the last time and OK cut flights a few days later. Any hints?
DeleteSomebody made that up. It's not true.
DeleteI mean about Aeroflot.
DeleteSU did downgrade ZAG to SSJ while LJU went double daily on the A320. We can see where the money is for them.
DeleteYes; Slovenia is very rich.
DeleteDoes anyone know when will they start building the building for rent a car?? They announced it a year ago. Having containers for rent a car offices is really not normal.
ReplyDeleteuntil when does the concession run?
ReplyDelete2042
DeleteThanks.
DeleteSo it's a 30 year concession if I'm not mistaken?
DeleteYes
DeleteAnother 23 yrs to go.
DeleteFrom nothing comes nothing, thats also valid for an airport. U cant have a brand new terminal and not pay any contributions to it. People nowadays behalf like little kids, 1000 wishes but pay for them is a different story. Signs of a overspoiled society. Zagreb has improved since 2013 and it is clear that due to economical downturns in larger markets such as Germany, aviation is suffering and that one or the other route is getting cancelled.
ReplyDeleteThen how come other markets in ex YU got more flights to Germany but ZAG lost them? It has nothing to do with economy but with the airport.
DeleteWhich airports, what routes? Are they subsidized flights? ZAG has 5 daily FRA flights, 4 daily MUC flights, 3 weekly STR flights, 3 weekly TXL flights, 3 weekly DUS flights, 4 weekly CGN.
DeleteThats basically 11 flights a day to Germany. Seems not bad to me
Well in Ex-yu everything is "katastofa". ZAG not having 20 daily flights to anywhere is katastrofa.
DeleteSTR CGN disappearing. Still 10 daily Germany flights. Not bad I would say. Sad to see STR leaving as Koeln is easy reachable over DUS
DeleteSTR and CGN are going nowhere. TXL is leaving as the flight to ZAG was operated in between flights to LHR and NUE. With EW closing down Berlin, no wonder. Demand was good and others will step in.
DeleteI'm talking about other ex YU markets to Germany, look at the growth. Also most of those flights from ZAG to Germany are on regional jets.
DeleteThe picture over the article is actually best promo for ZAG airport. 6 different carriers and 2 even from outside of Europe
ReplyDeleteWhat about the old terminal? Still looks in good shape. It's sad they are not using it at all. This could be offered to LCCs for use.
ReplyDeleteThey should use the old terminal for LCC. It's perfect for it and would need minimal investment, no need for air bridges... It would really boost numbers and most importantly offer passengers affordable travel.
DeleteIt is also expensive to have two terminals operating.
DeleteIt was already reported that they wanted to do this, that they had interest from Eurowings and Laudamotion but that Croatia Airlines asked the government to intervene and put a stop to it.
DeleteAs far as I can seen, Zagreb operator prefers lower scale but more profitable operations...
DeleteInvesting in the old terminal would be insane.
DeleteThere is almost nothing to invest. Old terminal was thoroughly refurbished only couple of years before the new one was opened. And they could give it to sub-concession, if they don't want to run it. And there are definitely investment banks that are interested in LCC terminal which brings tons of passengers who spend there, and chances to repay such a small loan (basically for terminal equipment only) within couple of years, even sooner, are 99%.And there are EU funds for connectivity improvements which could be used. And there is market for LCC'S, much bigger than in smaller ex-yu airports which already have LCC base or much more LCC operations compared to ZAG. The only reason why old terminal is empty and not in function, why the taxes are so high, and why ZAG is lagging behind airports and cities of similar size and importance, is illegal and tragicomical protection of Croatia Airlines by people (read politicians) who live in parallel Universe from reality.
Deletefire the management
ReplyDeleteNo new airlines or routes, passenger numbers have started to stall, TAV is practically managing the airport, even though that was not part of the concession deal, promised infrastructure upgrades have not happened.
DeletePassenger numbers decreased only in July. Hardly a reason to panic.
DeleteThere was no growth in January either.
Delete@9.42 You can't have new routes every single season.
DeleteLast Anon say that to BEG, SKP, BNX, TGD, PRN, TIA, SOF, SKG...
DeletePrestige comes at a highly cost...it was always like this.
ReplyDeleteEven OK and EW can no longer afford ZAG.
Too bad many prestige airlines have reduced their operations to seasonal at ZAG...
DeleteAnyone know how November is performing at ZAG?
ReplyDeleteI expect the EPP congress in Zagreb gave it a nice boost
DeleteShould be around +6%, despite the doom and gloom scenarios
DeleteNot bad
DeleteOverall a new approach is needed at the airport.
ReplyDeleteWould be interesting to know which if they are negotiating with any airlines.
ReplyDeleteNo new routes announced for this winter or next summer, LX and OK suspending flights, A3 still not flying year round, EK/FZ winter downgrade, negative growth in January (-0,04%) and July (-3,4%), no announced China and US flights, dwindling low cost coverage... They shouldn't be "shrugging it off".
ReplyDeleteAnd KE going seasonal.
DeleteSad seing KE going seasonal after 12 years of year round services.
Delete12 years of year round service? What??
DeleteKorean started scheduled flights to ZAG in September 2018 and lasted a year before they made it seasonal.
DeleteToday is the last flight of the season I believe.
DeleteAh ok I thought the flew longer- so no big deal - they only had one winter season?
DeleteI am surprised that even after concession Zagreb is refusing to accept LCC? Why are they protecting national airline? Is there some internal agreement between the airport operator and the Government?
ReplyDeleteZAG needs to do more to attract LCCs.
DeleteLCCs in ZAG would kill OU.
DeleteLCCs coexist with national airlines at other airports in ex-yu too. Don't see why it wouldn't be possible in Zagreb.
DeleteTraffic would boom if they got an LCC to base a plane.
DeleteThey would probably be able to add around 200,000 passengers per year if an LCC based one plane.
Deletehigher passenger numbers don't always result in higher profit for the airport. as I once already linked a study from germany where they concluded that in general (on average) the loss of revenue by reducing your fees to attract LCCs is not covered by fees and acillary spending of the more passengers. And the major reasons are that LCC passengers are cheap as*es and don't leave their car at the airport for one week, they don't eat lunc at the airport and they don't buy duty free as much. And other legacy carriers then also deman discounts from the airport.
DeleteThat's why if there is no other incentive from other players, airports from major hubs with legacy carriers don't see too high a benefit with much LCC presence, because it can be counter productive to the balance sheet.
I wouldn't agree with the abovementioned description of the LCC passengers. Actually it's quite opposite - the money saved on the flight fare is spent on other services, including the airports. There is also something called "mentality", and in this case despite being poorer, or not having such big living standards as Germans, people from Balkan, Croatia included, spend as passengers much much more than those "rich" Germans. And not to mention that all types of studies could be ordered and payed for in order for certain goal to achieve. So in my opinion, ZAG should urgently reopen its old terminal for LCC traffic and lower the prices for old terminal by 70%,and lower prices on the new terminal by 20%, simultaneously working on getting back airlines who left the airport lately, and attracting new ones. Which is possible, but will not happen as long as Croatia as a country is led by criminal organization and people whose mindset is concerned about their personal benefits only.
DeleteI fly to croatia about 10 times a year, with eurowings, easyjet, ryanair. German and other foreign tourists buy snacks and drinks at the airport and in the plane. I almost never see that on croats. for many, 3 euros are too much for a coffee
DeleteHahahaha, and they have all labels with nationality on their forehead, right?
DeleteI look around and understand the language and usually recognize a face from the Balkans ;-) But of course I can be wrong and we underestimate the economic power in ex yu countries and the Gastarbeiter in 1-3 generation.
DeleteAll my Croatian friends and family, people I know would never buy anything in the plane and travel only with carry-on luggage. but maybe others have very different experiences. would interest me
Well, I have completely different experience. Not flying 10 times per year, but per month. Working in aviation, and have insight information. And with full responsibility once again claim that Ex-yu passengers flying LCC'S generally spend more money in plane and at the airport than German passengers. And I already said, and we all know that Germany is richer than ex-yu countries, so there is really no need to be sarcastic with "underestimating our economic power". On the other hand, saying 3 euros is too much for coffee for (many) Croats, shows that you have no clue what you talk about, or deliberately twisting the facts. If so often in Croatia, you should know that prices are not that much cheaper than in Germany, and that our coffee shops, compared to Germany, are at least double more (per head, not in total, of course), and they are almost always full, again not like in Germany. And that is one of the reasons why our economic power is lower. And that precisely is the reason why we spend more when travelling unlike you. So sorry if you don't want to hear it, but that's it.
Deletethis is a discussion and not a fight, so come on down and chill. I love to read your comments, but if someone disagrees with you, you often write like a bitter old man. no matter, thanks for your participation here and the information you let us know
DeleteSorry, I was not clear when writing. i meant the Croatian guest workers, not the croats in general. the german croats often have more money than the locals and spend a lot in croatia (also for coffee) but from my experience you are stingy when traveling.
Deleteamazing how many people drive with bus from Düsseldorf, Hamburg or Berlin to croatia instead of flying
@An.16.51
DeleteOld equals bitter, further explaining your posts equals fight, those two I thoroughly disagree. Looking from the other angle, you could say that trying to convince someone who disagrees, can be called being passionate, not bitter. And being passionate is usually characteristics of the young people, not old. And I assure you that I don't get upset or bitter if someone disagrees with me, even if it looks like,and I really don't need to chill and calm down. Just trying to further explain and defend my attitudes, words and information. However, I would like to thank you for the other part of your post. It's always nice to hear someone like reading your posts and can use information you provide :)
iii
ReplyDeleteWhat I find unfortunate is that several major LCCs used to fly to Zagreb but not anymore. Hope they come back.
ReplyDeleteThe government should first offload Croatia Airlines.
DeleteAnd what if they don't manage to offload Croatia Airlines?
DeleteZAG has considerably small LCC presence comparing the other European capitals. Hope this gets sorted out.
Delete+1 @anon 10.35
DeleteWhen privatisation of OU will be over and OU will be sold.. LCC will come in ZAG.
DeleteI don't see how the situation would change. Would Zagreb suddenly lower it prices because OU got sold? Makes no sense.
DeleteGood news for Croatia Airlines.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Split will overtake Zagreb next year, which is fine but considering Zagreb has notable year-round traffic they really should be doing better.
ReplyDeleteSelo gori, baba se češlja.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI traveled on Sunday 24th of November from ZAG to AMS at 17:30 pm to catch my connecting flight to ATH at 20:55 pm. It's a pity such a beautiful airport and felt lonely. Management has got to do something to get more airlines.
ReplyDeleteShowing just how bad connectivity from ZAG is : To have go to AMS in order to reach ATH ( or any other combination where one loses hours and hours and miles and miles going opposite way to pass that way once again returning), for an acceptable price, or convenient timing, is something which should not be happening, not even on much smaller airports
DeleteFlying from Zagreb to Athens via Amsterdam? Crazy!
DeletePlenty of options through MUC, VIE or FRA
DeleteWhy it was crazy?!! Very good price 154.48 euros return ticket and in convinient connecting times for holidays in Zagreb. Departed from Athens on Wednesday 20th of November at 06:00 am with KLM-Croatia airlines and arrived at 13:15 pm in Zagreb. Left from Zagreb the way I described above. Oh I forgot the price was with hand luggage and a carry on bag total 12 kilos permitted. Had a wonderful holiday there and we will hopefully come again!
Delete@An.14.39, you conveniently forgot to mention that "plenty of options" via VIE, MUC and FRA for service like this are 400, 500, or more euros return. And going through FRA or AMS is actually not big difference. My point was that it is sad that an airport like ZAG does not have at least daily Agean to Athens year-round, does not have at least 3-4 daily connections to BEG and BUH which would make connectivity (to ATH in this particular case) better, does not have flag carrier operating ATH nonstop from its main base (should be hub), does not have single LCC serving the route (and why not even 2 - for example Ryanair and Volotea), does not have service to any other Greek city, Thessaloniki for example, where from one could connect further to ATH, and so on and so on. That would make flying from and to ZAG faster and cheaper for both our people, and foreigners, both tourists and businessmen. But you obviously think that licking LH a.s is the way to go
DeleteI travelled around Europe but Zagreb Airport is the worst of them all. I don't know where to start but toilets are awful and super small. Gates are so terrible and organized so bad. Delayed flights are routine. Smoking lounge is super small and out of order. The monitors arrivals and departures is the smallest and you have to get in front of it to read it. Billboards are so outdated with the usb charging units all in one place. Staff is not skilled and totally unfriendly, not willing to help.
ReplyDeleteSuche a big building with lots of space and so badly used.
Didn't they planned they will have rent a car??
Why they have this containers on a parking lot??
Taxi, uber, public transportation!!
I can't say who is more expensive, unfriendly or slowest.
In one word it is DISASTER.
And we can thanks that to our beloved major.
I rest my case
Agree. Several times there and confirm everything. Starting with toilets literally full of sh.t. Old terminal was small but warm and clean. Actually talking to very experienced LH colleague, who has been to hundreds of airports, she said for the old terminal :"ZAG was the cleanest and the nicest small airport I've ever been to. " Unfortunately it's not the case anymore. But it's not only the major - he is just one part of the criminal organization which is instead of running, ruining the country day by day. ZAG is just one of their "results"
DeleteZagreb is simply not attractive tourist destination.
ReplyDelete