Croatia Airlines to deploy turboprops on most routes in winter


Croatia Airlines will be utilising its Dash 8 Q400 turboprops on the majority of its international flights during the upcoming 2020/2021 winter season, which begins on October 25, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to crush demand for air travel. Based on preliminary plans, the Croatian carrier will deploy the 76-seat aircraft on flights from Zagreb to Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Munich, Rome, Sarajevo and Zurich. The airline will continue to operate its jet-engine Airbus A320 family fleet on services to London, Skopje and Paris, although flights to the French capital will on occasion see the Q400 based on current schedules. From Split, the carrier will utilise the turboprops on services to Munich and Rome, while flights to Frankfurt will continue to see the deployment of the Airbus fleet. 

Croatia Airlines has six Q400s in its fleet, which have come as a useful asset during the ongoing period of reduced demand. Speaking at this week’s Aviation Arena Seminar, Croatia Airlines’ Chief Pilot, Davor Mišić, said, “As we continue to reduce costs, we have decreased capacity on many routes by deploying our Dash fleet. This winter, we will utilise the Dash aircraft much more than in previous years compared to the Airbuses”. He added, “The existing capacity we have is far too much under the current circumstances. Even during the first half of next year we expect to be using the Dashes more than before”. 

The Croatian Chamber of Economy now estimates Croatia Airlines will register a 52.5 million euro net loss this year, while it predicts losses during the first half of 2021 will amount to 25 million euros. “As soon as the new restrictive measures were imposed across Europe in recent weeks, we saw a significant decline in demand. Compared to last year, we plan to operate around 50% of our flights this winter, which is around twenty to thirty flights per day, including both domestic and international services. Revenue from these flights will be insufficient for our future operations. The national carrier, along with all airports in the country, anticipates a financial injection from the state. We hope to be able to find a satisfactory model for it”, Mr Mišić noted.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    52 million is an utter disaster. So much money for uhljebi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:18

      And you really think other airlines will do better financially....

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:27

      Some will do better, some will do worse. Depends on how efficient they are.

      Delete
    3. Marko13:05

      Why with the a320 to Skopje?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:49

      No. flights has been reduced. This way they can pick up more passengers without flying several times per week.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17:55

      The no. was supposed to be an abbreviation for number.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    How long will the flight to Brussels and Amsterdam take on the Q400?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:09

      Around 02.45

      Delete
    2. BRU 2.20 AMS around 2.30

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:06

    Interesting that Skopje will be on the A319/A320.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      I think it's the destination where they get most transfers from.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:14

      Yes, but how many weekly flights will there be?

      Delete
  4. Did they cancel Vienna for the winter 2020 /2021 season?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      No, that was Austrian Airlines

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:13

      OU has currently suspended Vienna, but it resumes in 2 weeks

      "Austrian Airlines will discontinue flights between Vienna and Zagreb from mid-October, as a result of reduced demand. The airline will operate its last service between the two cities on October 16. Croatia Airlines, which has temporarily suspended its flights to the Austrian capital, will then take over the route when it resumes operations on October 22."

      https://www.exyuaviation.com/2020/10/austrian-airlines-to-suspend-zagreb.html

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:27

      So basically they are taking over an unprofitable market from LH Group.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:57

      If it's unprofitable for OS does not mean it's unprofitable for OU.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:28

      OU has lower production costs. you cant compare two airlines just like that

      Delete
    6. Anonymous21:34

      +1 last anon

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:29

      Only difference is that OS is profitable OU isn't. If OS is cutting it means there is no money to be made.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:17

    What happens with TGD and SOF next year? They still don't seem to be appearing for bookings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:19

      No one knows what next summer is going to look like so it makes sense that planned new routes are not put in the system.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:19

      Nothing, they won't launch. The question is what of the existing routes will survive until next summer. For example, I think we can safe say that Mostar will not come back.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:24

      OMO faces zero competition and worth resuming flights. TGD needs a bit of competition with YM and SOF will be connected to the Croatian Riviera.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:43

      O&D to TGD is tiny and they can't compete with JU-YM for transfers.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous21:32

      Doubt we will see any new routes being launched by OU. It's a matter of seeing which suspended routes will come back and which not.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous21:34

      @9.24 OMO is not resuming because OMO no longer has the money to pay OU for the flights. Even subsidised there were barely any passengers on this route, especially since the management didn't bother to schedule the flights so they would connect to key routes.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:17

    wow this is depressing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:45

      LOL, every day same comment, waiting for 'ouch' guy

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:32

      Well it is. All of the news recently.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:17

    It makes sense. Fewer seats, fewer costs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:06

      Exactly. Besides it's the perfect turboprop for the job! :)

      Delete
    2. Generally I am very critical about OU and there are some 100 or more reasons where they deserve criticism completely, but this time, in this situation, I must admit this is smart and justified decision and I fully agree with previous posters

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:39

      Agree with comments above. Sensible move.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:22

    Any idea will they continue to operate daily Amsterdam?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:26

      In the first week of winter it is only 4 weekly. They don't seem to have updates their schedule for the rest of winter season.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:27

      ^ They will update their winter schedule on a month by month basis. November will be updated in a week or so but expect the same schedule and equipment as in the first week of the winter season.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:24

    It's interesting, it seems OU has only filed changes for the first week of the winter season but I assume they will be extended throughout the winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      Like I wrote above, they will update their winter schedule on a month by month basis. November will be updated in a week or so but expect the same schedule and equipment as in the first week of the winter season.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:28

      ...or further cut

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:30

    Smart move in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:33

    Airlines are looking at all way to cut costs. Unfortunately, the decline in demand justifies them operating Q400s on most international flights.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:33

    Perhaps they could think of leasing more Q400s in the future over Airbuses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:42

      OS is getting rid of them no?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:58

      Yes in a few years. But with corona, who knows.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:07

      They were supposed to. But who knows now...

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:34

    100 seater jets that they have been talking about acquiring for 10 years now would have come in handy in this situation.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:36

    We can say...winter is coming

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:42

      and we can also say...Ouch

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      I love those innovative "winter is coming" and "ouch" comments... zzzzzz

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:38

    Smart decision

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:42

    thats why the pax nr of ZAG is a bit low for the amount of flights offered. i was wondering
    OU should keep their dashes dont be fooled with what OS did (or planned to do)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:49

      OU is definitely keeping their Dashes. Only 2 years ago they extended the financial lease and probably eventually it will be owned by OU.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:49

    They should have gone ahead with the lease of the Austrian Q400s as they planned for this summer. Much more valuable than the A319 they leased.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:52

      They only got the A319 because they could not terminate the lease. It was too late.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:54

    Good ol' turboprops.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:05

      Not so old... they are younger than most of OU's Airbus fleet ;)

      Delete
    2. Not only "most of", they are younger than all of A'buses

      Delete
  19. Anonymous09:55

    It is good that they will have the freedom to switch around planes based on demand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:58

      There is nothing " good" about this situation.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:04

      I meant in the current circumstances.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous10:02

    What is the most cost effective turboprop? Is the Q400 a better performer than the ATR?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:11

      They each perform best for their respective missions. However, Q400 is more versatile and can do more tasks... Low visibility in the fall /winter is a huge bonus... Remember JUs ATRs last winter..... Not just their, any ATR operator had same issues..

      Delete
    2. Don't forget the mucht higher speed of Q comparing to ATR

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:18

      Of course.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:55

      It is difficult to compare. Each plane has its own advanages and disadvanatages.

      For example ATR is much more economical than Q400...

      Delete
    5. Anonymous14:27

      Yes, that's what I said each is best suited for its mission. However, Q400 can achieve multiple roles where ATR falls behind.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous10:04

    The white (new) OU livery looks much better on the Q400.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:05

      It looks better on the Airbuses too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:00

      +1

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:08

    I've got to say I think it is a smart decision to do.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:09

    Remember that most of OU's Airbuses are contracted on power bu the hour agreements, meaning the lease is not paid if they are on the ground.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:06

      True. But you still have to pay for maintaining them while they are on the ground.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous10:09

    The projected loss is immense although the situation is the same at all airlines.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10:20

    A bit offtopic, does anyone know did they reduce salaries to pilots and cabin crew?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:25

      Yes, they have

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:05

      I think 30% cut for crew. Not sure for pilots.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13:26

      It was 15%

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:20

    I have a feeling many airlines won't recover from Corona. Lufthansa is getting ready to ask for another bailout even though they got €9 billion.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10:32

    Interesting approach.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:05

      What else could they do?

      Delete
  28. Anonymous10:55

    They could think of combining some routes together as a triangle maybe? If there is not enough demand for individual routes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:13

      Combining routes is the worst. Hope it does not happen.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:35

      It's the easiest way to kill of any remaining demand for your flights.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous11:13

    It is a real shame that Bajić is running this company, waiting for money from state to arrive and literally doing nothing. His only decision in last few years is to make no decision at all. His incompetence is during Corona visible more then ever, only decision he made was to fire staff that don't have full time contract (saving less then 500 000 kuna) and to leave them without any income while pilots are receiving 20+ thousands for sitting at home and laughing out of company CEO.
    It is a time for upper and middle management change in all parts of company.
    Plenković, it is time for a change...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The change you talk about should have happened 25 years ago. Bajic is just continuation of Katicic, Misetic and Kucko incompetence, nepotism and corruption on all levels. And asking Plenkovic to get rid of their uhljebi, I can only say LOL

      Delete
  30. Anonymous11:25

    With 540 new cases yesterday in Croatia I don't see restrictions being eased anytime soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:05

      No one said they would...

      Delete
  31. Makes sense. Not the most comfortable ride, but will get you where you need to be.
    I just flew BEG-VIE on Q400. It is significantly noisier than jets, but we need to adjust the expectations with times. There just is no demand for big jets, LHR-FRA had 40 people on A320 the other day. 50 people on VIE-LHR A319 leg.

    Not sure about their jet fleet, I wonder if they can re-negotiate the lease. Is it fixed based on time, or variable based on number of flights/hours ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:03

      What about your flight from BEG? How many passengers?

      Delete
    2. i couldn't count as I sat in the front, but glanced and it looked like ~75%

      Delete
  32. Anonymous16:30

    Rational

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous16:31

    It's unfortunate to see that some key routes will be operated by turboprops :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:50

      It may be unfortunate but it's better than flying empty planes.

      Delete
  34. Anonymous17:49

    In November just 12 international routes from Zagreb by OU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:26

      They don't operate much more during winter in normal times either.

      Delete
  35. Anonymous17:50

    Their avarage load factor should improve.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hmm, maybe lower prices can "repair" damage caused by pandemic?

    ReplyDelete

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