Emirates has suspended plans to restore operations between Dubai and Zagreb this summer season. Although flights were initially planned to resume in late March, the coronavirus pandemic forced the carrier to push back the service until July and then again until September 1. The airline has now cancelled its seasonal operations to the Croatian capital for the rest of the year. The two cities are expected to be linked again by Flydubai at the start of the 2020/2021 winter season on October 25. Flights will run four times per week. By the start of next month, Emirates plans to serve 62 destinations across the world.

Emirates’ Dubai hub has reopened for leisure and business visitors with new air travel protocols that safeguard health and safety having been implemented. All passengers flying to the city undergo testing for the coronavirus upon arrival at the airport in Dubai. Passengers travelling with Emirates from certain countries require to undergo a covid test prior to their flight. Emirates’ partner, Flydubai, has resumed operations to several cities in the former Yugoslavia, including Belgrade and Sarajevo, with flights to Dubrovnik to be restored next week, while Tivat will see limited operations, with just three return services planned for the entire summer at this point.

Shifting market conditions might push the cooperation agreement between Emirates and Flydubai into “almost a merger”, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, said recently. The vastly different operational models of the two airlines, with Emirates being an all-widebody carrier, while Flydubai appeals to more price-sensitive customers, might complement each other well in the aftermath of Covid-19, Mr Kazim said. “Flydubai is an important supportive element for Emirates Airlines, and the aircraft available in its fleet today are part of our plans, and therefore we should make the most of the aircraft of the two carriers”, the Chief Commercial Officer noted.

Emirates is the latest wide-body operator in Zagreb to have suspended its operations to the city for the year, following Korean Air, Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat. So far, Air Transat has indicated it will resume operations to the Croatian capital next summer season, while Emirates has also put tickets on sale for the route from late March 2021. Changes at this early stage remain highly likely.