Ukraine's Windrose Airlines will commence scheduled services from Kiev to both Ljubljana and Zagreb this summer season. The flights will mark the resumption of operations between the Ukrainian and Slovenian capitals following an almost two-year hiatus and the first nonstop service between Kiev and Zagreb since the 1980s. Services to Ljubljana will launch on April 30 and run twice per week, each Tuesday and Sunday, while operations to the Croatian capital will be maintained three times per week, each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, starting June 2. Both are currently set to run on a seasonal summer basis, until the end October, but may be extended depending on performance. The fifty-seat Embraer E145 jet, operated by Dniproavia, which was absorbed by Windrose in 2017, will be used on both routes.
Previously, Croatia Airlines considered introducing services from Zagreb to Ukraine in 2009, however, ultimately decided against the move. In 2018, Ukraine International Airlines announced its intention to inaugurate flights from Kiev to the Croatian capital in 2020, but the airline has not scheduled the route. Based on traffic flow, unserved European destinations which have been identified by Zagreb Airport as having the potential to sustain direct flights include Kiev, Basel, Geneva, Riga and Sofia. Ukrainian carriers have so far maintained seasonal summer flights from Kiev to the Croatian coast. Aeroflot last flew nonstop between the two cities prior to the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Further flight details for the new Zagreb service can be found here.
Windrose Airlines had plans to serve Ljubljana in the past. Last winter it intended on introducing three weekly services to the Slovenian capital, but the flights never materialised. This was preceded by plans to inaugurate flights between the two cities in mid-December 2017, which also never came to fruition. The Ukrainian carrier had operated summer charters to Maribor in the past. Ljubljana and Kiev were last linked with a nonstop air service in October 2018 when Adria Airways discontinued the route after less than a year of operations, along with several others. Further flight details for Windrose’s new Ljubljana service can be found here.
Bravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteGood news that both airport see a new airline.
ReplyDeleteI don't see this working out, JP tried KBP and they failed miserably. Demand from ZAG is non-existed otherwise UIA would have operate the route long ago. Windrose doesn't offer any connections.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI enjoy your frustration!
DeleteWindrose actually do offer connections in collaboration with Ukraine International as they usually codeshare with them. They do this in both OTP and SOF flights.
DeleteWhy frustration? I presented facts, would be nice if you presented some of your own to counter my argument.
Delete@9.07 Maybe he simply asked because there have been no flights between Kiev and ZAG for over 30 years and none of the flights between Kiev and Ljubljana ever worked out.
DeleteJP didn't fail on this route, they were just short of pilots to sustain the route along with other routes.
DeleteIt would make more sense for OU to operate this route as they could offer transfers to the coast, Montenegro, Sarajevo, Tirana, Sofia, Bucharest and the rest of Europe.
DeleteGuys, the plane has 48 seats. I think they can make it work.
DeleteOK struggled to fill their own 48 seat plane and they were flying from Prague.
DeleteAgree with anon@11:15.
DeleteThis is going to be very tough for Windrose especially as they do not offer connecting flights from KBP as OK was doing from PRG
SkyUp already has seasonal flights to TIA
DeleteTIA is the only airport in Albanya so that's how tourists enter the country.
DeleteI think the fact that the plane only has 48 seats is the reason why it will not work. High cost per seat means they need high yields even if the flights are full. But I wish them the best of luck!
DeleteBoth markets are good for the airline. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteGreat news! Both need all the airlines it can get now.
ReplyDeleteIs there really that much demand for flights between Ljubljana/Zagreb and Kiev?
ReplyDeleteI guess we will see.
DeleteMaybe. There’s a lot of Ukrainians in Slovenia and numbers keep increasing so we’ll see.
DeleteDoes Windrose offer any transfer options? Where do they fly to?
ReplyDeleteNo they don't.
DeleteThat's stupid.
DeleteHow many LCCs you know that offer transfer options?
DeleteWindrose is not an LCC.
DeleteIn fact you get 23 kg of checked in luggage with the ticket. Also there return fares on these routes are 250 euros.
Delete*their
DeleteExactly the same price Dniproavia offered to Ljubljana in 2017. They eventually stopped ticket sales and never launched the route though.
DeleteI wonder why
DeleteReally, some folks on here must be very frustrated to spread fake news already several times in today's news article.
DeleteOf course Windrose (7W) offers connections via KBP, not only onto other 7W flights, but also onto Ukraine Intl. Airlines with which they are cooperating.
Just check in Amadeus or other GDS. You will be able to fly from ZAG conveniently to any other larger city in the Ukraine, or to the Caucasus capitals (GYD, EVN, ...), other mainly Eastern cities, and so on.
They are a full service network carrier, together with UIA. Really a nice and useful addition! for the market. And honestly, I don't think for a route without competition and a jet service non stop and direct, asking for 230 euros is ok, taking into account they didnt publish special offers so far.
If you go on www.windrose.aero and insert ZAG as departing airport the only possible destination you could buy the ticket for is KBP.
DeleteIf you go on any other search machines you will see that for destination like randomly chosen DNK (KBP-DNK leg operated by Ukraine Intl Air) you must pick up your luggage in KBP and check in again for the flight to DNK.
The very same situation is with GYD and EVN.
These are not connecting flights.
It's the other way round, dear.
DeletePeople book flights on Ukraine International website and there you can see flights operated by 7W. People can't book connecting flights on 7w website.
Nice try buddy.
DeleteI hope it will not be seasonal and that they turn it into year round.
ReplyDeleteHope the loads will be there to keep this route.
DeleteNice to see tickets already on sale.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the fares like?
DeleteReturn fare to Zagreb is 250 euros. For LJU the flights are loaded in the system but you still can't purchase a ticket.
DeleteIronically they are advertising Ljubljana on their home page but haven't even entered the fares. Way to go.
DeleteThe fare is relative to the competition. There is no one else offering anything much cheaper.
DeleteIt's not only about competition but about demand as well. If there were passengers OU would be the first to launch flights like they did with Milan, Helsinki, Prague...
DeleteUkraine is a country of 40 million getting closer and closer with the EU. The boom in travel is only logical.
ReplyDelete+1000
DeleteSimilar to Poland, it also has many other airports that are getting gradually connected to the rest of Europe. Not only Windrose but SkyUp, their new LCC is on the rise too.
Especially with Ukrainians no longer needing a visa to enter the EU.
DeleteUkraine is now closer to 35 milion while people rapidly leaving the "sinking ship" - no matter how "close" to the EU they are,because their living standard is very,very poor.The avarage salary is much lower than in any EX-YU country now.
DeleteGreat. Kiev is a good city break destination
ReplyDeleteLjubljana should first get linked with a number of EU markets before lines like Kiev.
ReplyDeleteLOL it should be linked with markets that can generate passengers. Ukraine seems to be one of them.
DeleteAnon 09:33 is right. Fraport should ban all non EU airlines unless it first has direct links with every EU capital.
DeleteSMFH
Windrose are actually operating to both OTP and SOF for years following Aerosvit's bankruptcy in 2012. Unlike Ukraine International mainly focus on east/south european destinations.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good aircraft for this type of service, especially in the beginning. Chances of success are much higher.
ReplyDeleteTrue. 48 seat capacity.
Delete+1
DeleteAnyone know (or remember) how many times per week did SU fly between Kiev and Zagreb? I had know idea they did :)
ReplyDeleteIt was once to twice per week.
DeleteWith Tu154.
DeleteCool. Thank you :)
DeleteActually the flights were Moscow (SVO) - Kiew - Zagreb v.v.
DeleteYAY! This will be a nice addition to ZAG. I believe the first new airline to announce flights for 2020 to the airport.
ReplyDeleteNope my friend, Tunisair was the first but not the last one for 2020. :)
DeleteAh yes forgot about them. Although they are charters since you can only get a ticket through tour operator.
DeletePleased for both.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a good market for OU.
ReplyDeleteAgree. The route could work because OU for example could get transfer passengers to Europe and could benefit from holiday traffic. Tere are seasonal flights from Ukraine to the Croatian coast ao it means tourists are coming and OU could easily connect them via Zagreb.
DeleteIs there code share between OU and Windrose?
DeleteIf not then it is very risky for anyone to purchase two separate tickets.
Probably no code share initially. But I'd say that if OU was anyway interested in that route, they could (read: should) approach Windrose and offer to work together and establish at least interlining or to sell Kiev also via OU website, do marketing together etc.
DeleteThe fare is a bit pricey at the moment but I wish them good luck.
ReplyDeleteWould be great if an LCC opened this route. Wizz or Ryanair.
DeleteThe more the merrier. Welcome :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic
ReplyDeleteVery good news. Hope the loads will be there to keep the route during the winter.
ReplyDeleteI was flying with this type of airplane quite often during the time when AZ had it and I really didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteSo narrow with so small hand luggage space capacity... If you spread your hands in the cabin the tips of your fingers will touch both of the walls.
Really? I loved flying with these smaller jets when flybmi was still around especially from/to Bristol and Rostock. Flown with them a dozen times and absolutely loved them!
DeleteI adore how quick boarding and deplaning goes as it is a small plane and thus very efficient.
Also seating was comfy, seats are 1 on the left of the aisle and 2 on the right if I remember correctly, perfect for both, if you travel alone or in couples. Found flying in these birds (E135 and E145) very relaxing. But yes, if you need 3 pieces of hand luggage incl. a suit case, then it will deffo get uncomfortable :)
Yes, really.
DeleteFor those who don't know this is how it looks like
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/aeml/pic23.jpg
And you do not need to have 3 pcs of hund luggage. Even one regular can't make it.
Fair enough. You are entitled to have your own opinion, of course.
DeleteInterestingly Slovenia and Ukraine have a few times bigger trade exchange than Croatia and Ukraine. That said I think both routes will work out, at least seasonally.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, despite that Croatia is pretty larger than Slovenia.
DeleteAs a matter of fact, Windrose has a strong code share with PS so their smaller planes act as feeders to PS extensive Ukrainian network.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteMore like UIA's shrinking network, look online at how many cuts they recently introduced :/
DeleteSchedule is good on both routes.
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I just advise them to do some advertising because most people have not heard of this airline before. If they do they will be successful.
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteVery expensive ticket for new route performed by almost unknown airline.
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't be more than max 150 EUR
Agree. Way too expensive.
DeleteThey have this fare because they can. Look at my post at 10.46.
DeleteNo, they can't.
DeleteConnecting flights from ZAG to KBP via MUC, FRA, VIE, CDG, AMS, WAW, IST etc are daily flights with much bigger birds than E145 and cost in average less than 3 weekly flights by Windrose.
Why would a direct flight cost the same as a connecting one?
DeleteDue to the follwing facts:
Delete- nobody heard for Windrose in Croatia
- they do not offer daily flights
- they are not the part of any alliance meaning it makes them less attractive for miles collecting
- hand luggage limitations due to small plane comparing to B737 / A320 family competition is using
- with 2-4-6 schedule it is not possible to go and spend just a weekend in Kiev as you need to take in any case 2 extra days off.
Windrose is the FEEDER of Ukraine International!
DeleteNobody heard of Nordic but it feeds LOT
Nobody heard of Air Nostrum but it feeds Iberia
Nobody heard of HOP! but if feeds AF/KL
Please, do some research before posting!
Aha and what connections will UIA offer via KBP then? How big of a market is from secondary Ukrainian cities to Zagreb? Or you expect them to transfer to western Europe via Kiev?
DeleteDon't forget that the Slovenian tourist board has selected Ukraine as one of several destinations that will get subsidies if an airline launches flights.
ReplyDeleteI did a little fare comparison on the flights from Zagreb to Kiev in June on days which Windrose will fly.
ReplyDeleteThe Windrose fare is 250 euros return. Interestingly it is one of the cheapst options. The only cheaper option is Austrian for 210 euros. While Turkish is a bit more expensive at 255 but with huge transfer time.
What is interesting is that no other airline offers connections from ZAG to Kiev. Only Austrian,
* Only Austrian and Turkish is what I wanted to say.
DeleteThanks. That's interesting
DeleteThe are also options with Air France, Lufthansa, LOT...
DeleteYes but can you tell me what is the fare and transfer time.
DeleteRandom dates in June. LOT - 200 EUR with transfer of 3 hours both ways. LH - 287 EUR with transfer of 1,5 hours both ways. Austrian seems to be the best option - 237 EUR with transfer of 2h45 and 0h35
DeleteI'm really routing for Ljubljana to return to growth earlier than September. Can they?
ReplyDeleteYou are very wrong.
ReplyDeleteLH offers this connection as well as LO and KL.
Tell me the fare and transfer time.
Delete"What is interesting is that no other airline offers connections from ZAG to Kiev"
DeleteThis is where you are wrong. No airline offers connection means there are no connections at all.
Now you speak about fare and transfer time
LH
ZAG -MUC (departure ZAG 17:20) LH1729
MUC-KBP (arrival KBP 22:35) LH2546
KBP-FRA (departure KBP 17:35) LH1495
FRA-ZAG (arrival ZAG 23:10) LH1404
price: 210 EUR
ZAG-AMS (departure ZAG 08:20) KL3080
AMS-KBP (arrival KBP 17:05) KL3096
KBP-CDG (departure KBP 05:50) AF1653
CDG-ZAG (arrival ZAG 12:00) AF1560
price 245 EUR
LO offers good connection times in onward flight with return flight being operated by LH
What about JU?
DeleteLove the livery :D shame they don't paint them on the ERJ145.
ReplyDeleteBeauty is in the eye of the beholder.
DeleteI find their livery vomit-inducing.
Aerosvit had the same idea, just different colours
Deletehttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48675965152_1347b06478_b.jpg
OK, but what an awful livery.
ReplyDeleteDalmacija je ljeti puna Ukrajianaca.Barem je tako bilo prosle godine.Dosta vise i Ukrajianaca i Rusa nego proteklih godina.
ReplyDeleteKakve to veze ima sa Zagrebom?
DeleteCongratulations for both Zagrab and Ljubljana!
ReplyDeleteRegional connections are vital and securing a big airport like KBP is fantastic news!!
The other missing airports will be LED and SVX.
Ljubljana has showed us all it can really survive without Adrija...
I would not be so excited about LJU without Adria. Yes, Slovenian leisure tourism will recover this summer and LJU will most likely repeat 2019. figures (by boosting summer/fall foreign ops and nullifying the mjnuses feom the first 5 months which will be -15% at least).
DeleteHowever, connections for business people will not recuperate unless LH adds more frequencies. Conference tourism will suffer. Also, the loss of a regional connectivity will limit LJU to only point to point destinations. When you lost transfer connectivity, it becomes mjch more difficult to develop new routes as you only rely on what a destination can offer...unlike with transfer airports that have greater power to attract and build even more options.