Air Transat suspends Zagreb service for 2020


Air Transat has confirmed it is suspending operations to Zagreb for the 2020 summer season. The Canadian leisure carrier, which is restarting its flights and tour operator activities on July 23, will only maintain fourteen routes in Europe this summer, while 25 others have been suspended. "This is a first step towards getting healthy operations back on track, from both a business and financial perspective", Air Transat’s CEO, Jean-Marc Eustache, said. As a result, Zagreb will not be linked with Canada’s largest city this year for the first time in five years. Last month, Air Canada Rouge also announced it was suspending its Zagreb operations for the year.

Air Transat planned to resume flights to the Croatian capital on June 2. The route was to run twice per week during the first two weeks, increasing to three weekly from the week starting June 15 until September 14, when services were again to be reduced to two weekly. Flights were to be reduced to one weekly from October 13 until the end of the 2020 summer season, on October 31. Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat carried 65.486 passengers between Zagreb and Toronto last year, representing an increase of 14.6% on 2018. "The market conditions of the global industry have been completely transformed”, Air Transat said in a statement.

The development comes as the process of Transat being taken over by Air Canada continues at a glacial pace. Last summer, Transat's shareholders approved a takeover offer that would see the company bought out by Air Canada for 720 million Canadian dollars. However, the deal still needs the approval of regulatory authorities in Canada and Europe, who need to be assured the transaction wouldn’t reduce competition. Zagreb is one of the routes on which Air Canada and Air Transat overlap. The deal between the two companies was struck before the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, which has changed the outlook for the industry. "While the corporation remains firmly committed to completing the transaction with Air Canada, certain factors beyond its control and related to the Covid-19 pandemic could influence the outcome of the proposed arrangement", Air Transat said yesterday.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    This sucks :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    It amazing how successful the Canada-Croatia flights have been. Both for Transat and Rouge. They will be back in 2021.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      It really is considering two airlines can sustain traffic during the summer.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:17

      In high season, there is enough pax for both. In year-round case, winter could work maybe 2-3pw ACA Rouge.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:18

      This route is HIGHLY seasonal, like all flights to North America though Canada even more. There is no demand for these flights in winter and diaspora can't sustain the flights alone, except around Christmas.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:19

      Air Transat rarely flies any European route year-round. Much bigger cities than Zagreb are served only seasonally in their network.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:25

      The only way this route will fly year round is if Air Canada replaces Rouge.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:29

      And that will never happen because Air Canada is not flying on leisure routes. Next year we will probably see 6 weakly or daily flights by Air Transat after Air Canada Rouge retires all its widebody aircrafts.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:32

      There was obviously always demand for this route. Remember Skyservice resumed flights between YYZ and ZAG some 12 years ago, then came Sky Greece, then Air Transat and now Air Canada Rouge. The next step is Air Canada coming too.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous09:39

      Just take a look on Air Canadas long haul route network and you will understand everything. I dont say that its imposible to see Air Canada in ZAG but when you see that AC mostly flies to megahubs like FRA, VIE, MUC, CDG and ZRH i dont think that they would start flying to mostly leisure routes like ATH, BUD, ZAG, OTP and BCN any time soon.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:26

      It also doesn't help that they are retiring their B767 which was perfect for this route. Knowing how AC functions they will be happy to shuttle everyone and everything via MUC, FRA and VIE.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous14:07

      @Anon 9:39 - VIE isn't exactly a megahub. I understand that it's bigger and has more pax than ZAG but it is not like FRA or LHR. VIE is served daily in the summer and five times weekly in the winter (IIRC) from YYZ, so ZAG could be served maybe 5x weekly in the summer and 3x weekly in the winter?

      Delete
    11. Anonymous12:36

      AC is already flying to ATH, same as they anounced ZAG.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:03

    It's a lost year for the international aviation, that's for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:23

      They will be back in 2021 although the coming years are going to be very hard for the whole industry. Such a shame.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:04


    I wonder if their flights to Zagreb are more filled with tourists or diaspora.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      Tourists

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:07

      My guess is Rouge gets more diaspora traffic and Transat gets leisure. Transat is a travel company. They sell holiday packages to Croatia.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:09

      Its all about tourists.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:06

    Does the potential buyout of Air Transat by Air Canada and them pleasing competition regulators means one of them will have to vacate this route to another airline?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      Yes, one would probably have to give up on the route.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:18

      Probably Air Canada Rouge. Their 767 are quite old and they are going to retire them soon.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:19

      Or Rouge could be replace by Air Canada.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:25

      This route is leisure so i dont think that we will see Air Canada in ZAG any time soon.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:30

      I hope the AC Rouge flights will eventually be taken over by Air Canada.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:33

      These flights will be overtaken by Air Transat.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:07

    Now Emirates.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:07

    Really unfortunate but long haul flights that depend mostly on tourists are the one most affected by this crisis. That why Air Canada Rouge and Korean have also suspended ZAG this year.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:11

    What a disappointment

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:14

    Expected considering the situation.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:14

    Nooo :/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:16

    This is why OU should have operated these flights like JU operates JFK. Like that they are stuck with those widebody planes and they have to keep on flying and find a way to make it work. Like this even the little Canadian tourism that would come to Croatia is gone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's too early. They've been around for 30 years only

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:18

    The government should offer them subsidies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:46

      So much money already given to them, Koran Air, Emirates, American etc.

      Delete
  13. They'll be back within the next 5 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:21

      5 years??? You don't expect them back in 2021?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:24

      They will be back in 2021 but probably at a reduced frequency- The coming years are going to be hell for the whole industry- unfortunately :(

      Delete
    3. TS and AC deal is under EU investigation regarding sale conditions of Airtransat to AirCanada . Definitely many indications is showing that deal is done under the table with huge assistance from Canadian government in favor to help AC in controlling prices and certian markets. Canada is one of very few countries in the World to completley control aviation industry by not allowing almost non low budget airlines to operate in the country . They have the most expensive airfares and Toronto airport has the highest landing fees in the World . Route for YYZ-ZAG has been subsidized by Cro tourism office with a special conditions with AirTransat at the start of this route, however AC Rouge was not ready to let TS eat that cake alone . AC was smart and used YYZ as a cnx base for ZAG for USA diaspora, which turned out to be a huge success as those passengers payed up to 40% less then passenger originated in Canada. As of now Rouge is almost gone and probably never coming back to service as well AC is doing everything possible to pull back from taking over AirTransat .

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:22

      It's surprising that a country like Canada has regulated its aviation market so much. I know many airlines from Gulf have major issues being given permits to fly to Canada. More so then anywhere else.

      Delete
    5. I think all this talk of a quick recovery is based on a lot of hope. We could see domestic and local travel open up soon but unfortunately think it could be years for international travel to start again or be close to anything we have seen before.

      Will be extremely happy to be wrong.



      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:22

    EU confirmed border closures and therefore quarantine measures from Non EU countries till 31 Aug 2020. Makes no sense for them to operate the route this summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:24

      That's not true at all actually. In fact the European commission has issued a recommendation for the opening of EU borders from 1st of July to Western Balkan countries and for a list of non-European countries to be made for which the borders can be opened. Canada will most likely be on the list.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:27

      First Serbian tourists are going to Greece in 3 days (group) so there is definitely no quarantine for non-EU citizens.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:03

      Well, it was announced nevertheless. But bilateral exception agreements are possible such as the one between Greece and Serbia.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:37

    Good luck to Zagreb. I hope they can secure them back for next year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:38

    This year is completely lost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      Let's just hope it doesn't spill into 2021.

      Delete
  17. Not exactly. Toronto-Zagreb is very unlikely this year, but Air Transat did not announce it will not operate route this summer, just that 13 European routes will start on 23rd July in which Zagreb is not on list.

    In same announcement Air Transat said they will open new routes and frequencies after that date. Of course it would not be wise to open route just for one or two months, so, as I said, it us very unlike that it will be reopened this year, but for now route is not officially canceled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:44

      Purger don't embarass yourself. Check their site.
      https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/book/resumption-of-our-operations?ici=homepage&icn=showbox_reprise#%2Fsuspension

      Temporary suspension of certain routes
      Unfortunately, COVID-19 and its impact on the tourism industry are forcing us to extend the suspension of some of our flights, significantly reduce capacity and completely cancel certain routes for the 2020 summer season.

      Belgium
      Montreal - Brussels
      Croatia
      Toronto - Zagreb
      Czech Republic
      Montreal - Prague
      Denmark
      Montreal - Copenhagen
      England
      Montreal - London
      Vancouver - London
      Vancouver - Manchester
      France
      Montreal - Nice
      Quebec - Paris
      Toronto - Paris
      Ireland
      Toronto - Dublin
      Italy
      Montreal - Rome
      Toronto - Venice
      Montreal - Venice
      Toronto - Lamezia
      Netherlands
      Vancouver - Amsterdam
      Toronto - Amsterdam
      Portugal
      Toronto - Faro
      Toronto - Lisbon
      Montreal - Porto
      Spain
      Montreal - Barcelona
      Toronto - Barcelona
      Montreal – Madrid
      Montreal - Malaga
      Switzerland
      Montreal - Basel-Mulhouse

      Here is the list of cancelled routes for the 2020 summer season:

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:45

      It literally says on their site this route is suspended for summer 2020.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:47

      Purger, what do you think what will happen after AC Rouge retires all of its widebody aircrafts (767). Will be this route totally overtaken by Air Transat or?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:53

      Flights for summer 2020

      Here is an overview of the destinations offered this summer with Air Transat to and from Canada: MONTREAL - ATHENSJuly 27MONTREAL - BORDEAUXAugust 2MONTREAL - LISBONJuly 24MONTREAL - LYONJuly 28MONTREAL - MARSEILLEJuly 29MONTREAL - NANTESJuly 31MONTREAL - PARISJuly 23MONTREAL - TOULOUSEJuly 23TORONTO - ATHENSJuly 26TORONTO - GLASGOWJuly 25TORONTO - LONDONJuly 23TORONTO - MANCHESTERJuly 25TORONTO - PORTOJuly 26TORONTO - ROMEJuly 27

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:03

      I don't know what you read Purger but their website lists all routes cancelled for this year and Zagreb is on the list.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:52

      I really don't know either where he read that especially since it is clearly written on their website and flights have been removed from the system.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:18

      Purger where did you read that?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous17:09

      It is confusing to be honest because in the headline on their website it clearly says: Temporary suspension of certain routes

      Delete
    9. Anonymous17:13

      It is not confusing at all. They have a list of all cancelled routes for the entire summer. They couldn't be clearer. It's called temporary because they plan to fly it next year. And besides all flights have been removed from the system. Very clear to be honest.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous17:31

      Wishful thinking by Purger.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10:05

    I hope this is it as far as cancellations for this year go at ZAG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:16

      What have been the cancellations so far?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:23

      Korean Air, Air Transat and Air Canada Rouge. Windrose Airlines cancelled new Kiev flights. Croatia Airlines cancelled planned flights to Sofia and Podgorica and will also cancel around 4-5 routes.

      That's it as far as I'm aware.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:28

      Unfortunately I think Emirates will too. It's currently suspended until September but I don't see much point in flying this route for a month and a half.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:17

    This is bad news for us Slovenians in Canada too. Back to LH this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:24

      Did a lot of Slovenes really use Air Transat?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:28

      Not really but I did last year. To escape the uncertainty of flying an Air Canada + Adria combination since Adria was already cancelling so many flights.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:32

      I expect this too, but it is possible that Fly Dubai takes over.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:35

      Very likely. Let's wait and see.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous10:23

    This comes as no surprise. Long haul routes are being most affected by the crisis.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:23

    The question is will they be back in 2021.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:27

      Hope so

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:36

      It will also depend a lot on how the deal between Air Canada and Air Transat pans out.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:00

      Toronto flights will definitely be back. It's just a matter of which airline.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:23

      Is there any other Canadian airline operating long haul flights? Other than Transat and Air Canada?

      Delete
  22. Anonymous12:00

    Well now we can put off the US flights to Zagreb for a couple of more years.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous12:16

    This is bad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:22

      It was pretty much expected from the start. No surprise.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous12:26

    Bio jednom jedan JAT i leteo 3x nedeljno za Montreal-Toronto...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous12:29

    imagine JU could fly triangle flight BEG-ZAG-YUL or YYZ?

    ReplyDelete
  26. As a Canadian i will give you more precise information,
    First Air Canada Rouge has retired it*s wide body fleet as they felt the Transat deal was done!!
    Shit happens as we say, and Covid 19 was a shock to all and delayed the deal !!
    Air Canada is seeking $ 2 Billion CAD is aid, which they will probably get with a few ifs, a main
    one being Government of Canada aid money can not be used to buy the Transat shares!!!
    Finaly Transat itself has now requested Canadian government aid, so as the saying goes..
    never count your chickens before they hatch!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:16

      Thx for the insight. One should really grab some popcorn and watch what happens.

      Who is AC/TS really competing with on the Canadian market? Gosh, there really should be a couple of independent LCCs. I can only think of Westjet also operating some domestic routes and Porter with some Dash planes.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous22:19

    Good news for Croatia Airlines and Lifthansa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry but why is that good news?? You obviously have no clue that last year with 3 full flights a week from Canada, 750 passengers were arriving weekly!! The largest proportion about 75% were tourists arriving on either private or organized tours. I know as I am a tour operator,
      and guided for Canadian groups in Croatia. Say 40 in a group, 10 groups a week departing on
      various 14 day guided bus tours, that*s 400 people per night staying in hotels, 400 people
      per day eating 3 meals a day, 400 people per day visiting and paying to enter sights, museums,
      national parks, shopping, stores, boutiques, bars, cafees, etc..and let*s not forget , 10 local
      tour bus companies, and 10 local guides being used daily. So I will ask again please,
      why is this good news??

      Delete

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