Croatia Airlines eyes Southeast Europe network expansion


Croatia Airlines is exploring opportunities at expanding its footprint in Southeastern Europe and linking destinations in the region to the West, as the carrier looks into ways of becoming more competitive on the market. “We will redefine new market opportunities for connecting European destinations with the region of Southeast Europe, maximise future revenue potential and increase aircraft productivity”, the airline noted. Regionally, Croatia Airlines maintains year-round flights from Zagreb to Skopje and Sarajevo, as well as seasonal operations to Athens and Bucharest, the latter having been suspended since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The carrier has also suspended several other seasonal regional routes including Zagreb - Mostar, Split - Belgrade and Split - Athens.

The busiest unserved regional destination from Zagreb Airport in the pre-pandemic 2019 was Sofia, followed by Tirana, Pristina, Podgorica and Thessaloniki. Croatia Airlines scheduled seasonal services to the Bulgarian and Montenegrin capitals in 2020, however, it was forced to cancel its plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ryanair, which will open a base in Zagreb in late August, will launch operations to both cities. Furthermore, the Croatian carrier considered introducing services to Tirana in 2020 as well, however, the city didn’t make the final cut for its summer network, which was ultimately upended by the pandemic.

In late 2019 Croatia Airlines said it was looking to establish a greater presence in the region following the collapse of Adria Airways, which had a developed regional network, shuttling passengers through Ljubljana to Star Alliance hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Zurich. However, even though the Croatian airline said it would be “good to expand” as a result of Adria’s demise, it noted it was too early to react at that point in time. Further back, in 2016, Croatia Airlines outlined plans to open bases in Sarajevo, Pristina and Skopje, however, these never materialised. At the time the carrier said, "Market research data has shown that there is a potential for the successful opening of additional bases in the Southeastern European region and Croatia Airlines, as a European Union community carrier, has recognised its business interest in this”.


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    Isn't it too early?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:42

      I don't want to be negative and I support OU opening new routes. The issue is that they should first restore the massive chunk of routes they have discontinued in western Europe. Just 14 international being served out of ZAG by them this summer.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:01

    Makes sense with Air Canada and United arriving. Ou can serve as feeder for the region.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:02

      Both fly for 4 months per year. You have to be competitive year round.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      In it´s first year of operations....

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:05

    It's sad that OU had a better regional network 10 years ago than today. They used to fly to Tirana, Pristina, Podgorica...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:16

      Has OU ever flown to Sofia?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:19

      I don't think so.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:32

      Interesting they used to fly to TIA. Anyone remember what were the frequencies back then?

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:05

    Too little too late.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:06

    Would be nice if they responded in any wake to FR and wake up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      We have to take into account all the circumstances. Croatia Airlines warned last year that it had liquidity issues until it was bailed out by the government and warned in their last financial report (it was reported here) that they might need another bail out later on. So, launching new routes and expanding probably isn't a top priority and could further impact their bottom line.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:41

      *way

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:09

    Should have done it years ago! Now it will be much more difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:09

    Step in the right direction.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:56

      Let's just hope that they realize that if they want to attract transfer passengers they can't have schedules like they had to OMO.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:09

    Empty talk, no actual plan was presented. Given that air travel is coming back and I expect a real boom this summer, OU should have started the expansion now because it is a perfect timing, many airlines still have not recovered

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:10

    So many routes missing in Croatia Airlines' network east of Zagreb. It took Ryanair 1 months to realise that. It took 30 years for OU to realise it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:10

    Surprised Thessaloniki is one of the top unserved in the region. Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:57

      There are only so any cities in the region :D

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:11

    In TGD they have no chance against JU.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:14

    I think it could work well for them.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous09:15

    Good move but long overdue.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous09:15

    Well I guess this is more than what we could have hoped for :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:57

      Agree. Not too much to get excited about from OU at the moment.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:18

    These routes could do well but only if there is solid P2P demand BUT that's why we can write off Podgorica and Sofia since Ryanair will take all the point to point passengers now. There isn't enough demand for these routes to survive on transfers only.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous09:19

    What about Ohrid?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:22

    What I find interesting is the almost absolute identical Ryanair schedule to both TGD and SOF. Every Saturday and Tuesday evening meaning that it is possibly destined more to leisure travellers.
    OU originally had a morning departure schedule on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the possibility of quite convenient transfer to the coast on both ways.
    Also, it is interesting to see a big plane such as the 738 being deployed on such regional routes. 2 missed opportunities for OU sadly.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:23

    I think they could be competitive on some regional routes where there are no major Star Alliance airlines flying.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous09:23

    So they want to become the new Adria?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:25

    I still don't get their strategy here to bring in expensive consultants who don't specialize in this industry, when at the heart of their problem is their network, their offering and their costs. Costs are driven by the government as they want jobs there. I don't get it, can someone help me understand?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The biggest issue with OU is crime, corruption and nepotism. Misetic daughter is the person who is actually in charge in OU. They pay double lease for Q400 to mediator company tied to her father. They sponsor sport teams although they don't have liquid operations. They suck public money and spend it for illegal or barely legal or unnecessary expenses in a way that part of the money stays in private pockets. And I even wouldn't mind it if the result would be decent company. Expensive consultants are just part of that story. It is pure scam which will bring nothing that is already not known

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:27

    Will be interesting to see what happens but at this point I lost all hope. These are all cosmetic changes. At the end of the day until they have serious departure waves they will not improve the situation at the airline.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous09:28

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous09:29

    It is never too late. The lessors may be now more willing to accept a risk of leasing the equipment to financially weak airlines like OU.

    The key would be to strenghten domestic or regional routes that could be used by tourists to hop to different resorts like DBV or SPU or ZAG or TIA or TIV or SKG + niche markets from Northern and Western Europe to the coast.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous09:29

    They should bring back SVO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:30

      Can they compete against SU?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:31

      They used to fly to Moscow once upon a time.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:42

      They could try at least seasonal, offering connections to the Croatian coast.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous09:31

    All of these routes should have been introduced years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous09:32

    They should have had this plan in 2019 when Adria went bust and launched them ASAP. They could have launched them during the winter of 2019.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous09:33

    Tirana seemed to have worked really well for Adria and seems to be doing good for Air Serbia too. Could work for Croatia Airlines too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:37

      Too bad OU's Italian network is really poor. This is the main market (and transfer market) from Tirana.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:38

      True. I doubt many will opt for TIA-ZAG-SPU-FCO flights, all on Q400s.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:46

      There are still some destinations which Tirana has no direct flights to and can be served by OU such as: Split, Dubrovnik, Dublin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona. So, there is still room for them to gain some market in Tirana.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:47

      Anon 09:37 Italy is definitely not the main transfer market for TIA. Never has been, it was always well covered with direct flights to every Italian village.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous09:37

    Hope it works.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      Launching regional routes only makes sense if you have a strong hub

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:39

      They could have a strong hub...

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:07

      could, would, should... The story of OU. lol

      Delete
  29. Anonymous09:42

    Good news!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:11

      What exactly? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm honestly asking.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:16

      The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem :D

      Delete
  30. Anonymous09:42

    Guys don't forget that they are evaluating all these, they are not planning on launching any. Their European network is pathetic and shrinking. They couldn't even launch some key destinations like Berlin. What will they offer? Vienna, Munich and Frankfurt which are all offered with OS and LH?

    Now that FR is here they are done, too little too late.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:48

      Why is Berlin a key destination?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:26

      Lot's of gastos there both from Croatia and beyond. Plus almost every bigger city in ex Yu is linked with it

      Delete
  31. Anonymous10:12

    My suggestion for new services: ZAG-KVO & DBV-TIV

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous10:15

    OU used to fly many of these routes and it didn't work. Why would it work this time round?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because those routes were not stopped because they didn't work but because they deliberately discontinued them in order to make space for Mutti or feed Mutti or because they simply didn't take any proactive approach to maintain and develop them, or to some new ones

      Delete
  33. Anonymous10:20

    Yesterday I saw Croatia Airlines A320 inflight
    PRN-ZAG! I’m glad they’re are back :) keep going forward.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:22

      It was a charter.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:42

      They just operated some PRN mafia agency flights for Trade Air lol. At least they're not letting the plane sit on the ground for nothing.

      Delete
  34. Anonymous10:36

    The pandemic is a good opportunity for OU to reset its network. Launch smart routes that will bring you money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:39

      Easier said than done.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:13

      They have had many opportunities that they never used. I have given up my hope for OU. So bring on Ryanair and everyone else as far as I'm concerned.

      Delete
  35. Anonymous10:40

    Good move for Croatia Airlines.
    Much better move then transatlantic flights!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:41

      *than transatlantic flights

      Delete
    2. Yes I agree, now they can use the fleet of their A330 and A350 to Ohrid!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:46

      Out of all the ex-YU airlines, OU should be the one with widebodies.

      Delete
    4. I've been saying that for years. I left OU looong time ago because I saw it's never gonna happen. Numbers speak in my (and yours) favour, foreign companies operating to Croatia from distant market speak in our favour, yet there are people whose World ends in Graz and who bitterly advocate OU feeder position

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:14

      For carrier like OU, it is better to have a strategy like Aegean or Air Baltic then take another aircraft type and launch long haul on a market which doesnt even have 250.000 passengers in January. OU should simply cooporate with airlines which launch long haul to ZAG and make ZAG important ex yu hub for long haul flights while cut flights from the coast to LH hubs during to winter and force them to transfer in ZAG on other airlines.

      Delete
    6. "For carrier like OU", I fully agree long haul is impossible. The issue is that OU had potential to be completely different, bigger and better carrier and to have long haul. Greek market is saturated with carriers from distant markets, Croatian hasn't been for decades. In addition to that, flights to North America from Athens are 2 hours longer than from ZAG and is impossible to rotate the plane again in 24 hours. From ZAG it is possible. Maybe that was one of the reasons why Aegean was interested in OU. Also, please compare number of tourists from distant markets to Baltic countries and Croatia. Plus, entire ex-yu market, plus Albania, Bulgaria and Romania, even Greece and Hungary are potential transfer markets for potential OU long haul, which is much bigger transfer market than either Greece or Baltic countries have. I also hope you are not serious listing peak corona crisis numbers for any relevant comparation. So once again, OU like it is will NEVER have long haul, it will never do any serious Southeast Europe expansion. But not because there is no market but because of lack of any development strategy, crime and corruption, which makes them Missed Opportunities World Champion.









      Delete
    7. Anonymous12:50

      Anon 12:14 Wait do you mean OU should not have daily A380 Delhi and Bangkok flights? Uhljeb na aparatima!!!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous12:59

      Pozdrav iz rijeke
      "Greek market is saturated with carriers from distant markets, Croatian hasn't been for decades."
      Not actually true. Greek market is like 6 times bigger, in 2019. there were like only 4 routes to the US. Aegean is not interested in it because it knows they do not have resources like USB3 and EUB3 to launch long haul so it is just a useless risk for them. Also another aircraft type is going to increase their operation costs so it is better to not enter on that market.
      "In addition to that, flights to North America from Athens are 2 hours longer than from ZAG and is impossible to rotate the plane again in 24 hours. From ZAG it is possible. Maybe that was one of the reasons why Aegean was interested in OU. "
      Flights are not 2 hours longer, they are usually only 1:30, and Aegean said they are not interested in long haul because of reason i mentioned above. Thats why i think for OU its better to not enter long haul.
      "I also hope you are not serious listing peak corona crisis numbers for any relevant comparation."
      In 2019.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous13:12

      "Plus, entire ex-yu market, plus Albania, Bulgaria and Romania, even Greece and Hungary are potential transfer markets for potential OU long haul, which is much bigger transfer market than either Greece or Baltic countries have"
      Totally not true. Greek market itself is equaly large as exyu one +Albania, Bulgaria and Romania. And do not forget that Greece has Cyprus and Israel, large natural markets from Greece.

      Delete
    10. @An.12.50
      A person REALLY, but really must be VERY BAD PERSON to constantly lie and deliberately accuse someone for something that person NEVER EVER said

      Delete
    11. Anonymous15:20

      Pozdrav when you run out of arguments you start with ''bad person''. Classic

      Delete
    12. Run out of arguments. I don't think so. 10 years ago, when there were no long haul services to Croatia I insisted there should be. And they happened. When Toronto service was discussed, I said AC will switch to mainline in ZAG. And it happened. I was speaking about lack of inter-Croatian connections, with exception of ZAG, and TDR started it as PSO. I was constantly saying that LCC 's are missing big time in ZAG, that the best option would be Ryanair, and there is potential for their big base in ZAG. And it is just happening. I was boring repeating as a parrot OU should grow their network, and mostly to the east and south. And that is today's topic. After 30 years spent in aviation, and at least 10 years more of my interest for aviation before becoming part of it, I have experience, I have knowledge and expertise and I have information. The result is I predicted everything that happened in croatian aviation in last ten years. Those are my arguments. Which are yours? You are correct because you say so, right? Today, for example, you say Aegean is not interested in long-haul because they have no resources like USB3. Why should anyone believe you about that? What is your source for that information? What do you know about Aegean? You know nothing. Once again you invent things, once again you manipulate, once again you lie, like you did at least dozen times. And just with me. Several other people here, Anonymouses and with nicks and names, share my opinion about OU which should have started long haul long ago. But you don't argue with them. You don't insult them. You don't oppose them. Why? Because I am the only one who "read" you and who calls you what you are - uhljeb. And that hurts so much. As truth which does not suit you always does.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous23:31

      I have nothing with anon 15:20

      If you worked in aviation, good for you. Still, that doesnt mean you are right about everything what you said here.
      You predicted long haul to Croatia? Ok, cool. Still, that doesnt mean long haul is the best thing for OU and that it definitly should go for it. There are literally no corelations between your predictions for US, Canada - Croatia markets and whats the best thing for OU. That isnt an argument that OU should go for it at all.
      My arguments? I showed them. I lie about Aegean? No, literally you can find different texts on internet where Aegean says they are not intersted in long haul or even taking another aircraft model like a220.

      I simply do not understand why are you insulting me at all when i never insulted you. Or why are you calling me uhljeb if i just dont share your oppinion.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous23:36

      Here is text about Aegean: Conversation with the CEO: An In-Depth Look at Aegean Airlines

      So when thinking about flying long-haul, management at Aegean Airlines is in no rush to take on the extremely risky challenge.

      “The airline business is notorious for its profitability. It’s very difficult to achieve even low profit-margins and it’s very easy to lose lots of money. Look at the recent bankruptcies in Europe (FlyBMI, Primera, Small Planet, Cobalt, Germania, Air Berlin, etc.) You need to focus on what you’re doing well. If you decide to change your model, you’d better be sure that you can do it well. The airline business is not a business that you can experiment a lot with models and long-haul is a completely different business model. We’re not going to think about it before we feel that there is a real opportunity for Aegean and for our capabilities. We know what we’re good at, and we know what we’re probably not good at…”

      Think before you call someone a liar...

      Delete
    15. Anonymous23:48

      Just to add, this was said by Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of Aegean Airlines. And yes, i know you probably are not going to reply, or reply only with insults like "uljeb" or "uhljeb na apartima" (despite i never worked there, i dont even want to see that airline existing in goverments hands and knowing that their current model is terrible) and with very few arguments which would be totally pointless.

      Delete
    16. I will answer. You are manipulating once again. Once you present yourself like moderate and decent guy who is critical about OU, then you say I am not Anon that and that, then sometimes you can't help praising your dearest OU, then you insult me again, and if you want it to stop - it is very very simple - take a nick here so I know I am not talking to just one of your at least dual personalities, same as you know you talk to me. It will of course not happen because then you will not have advantage you have now. And until that happens, for me, you are just manipulative uhljeb and Party aparatchik, here on duty 24/7 to advocate crime and corruption in OU and all their missed opportunities, long haul included

      Delete
    17. And btw, it's not I worked in aviation, I WORK in aviation

      Delete
    18. Anonymous00:21

      As i said just more insults to me, you didint even answer or apologise because you called me a liar about Aegean and i post you everything about it. And i simply dont know where did you saw that im praising OU.

      Delete
    19. Happy now? Please now make legitimate arguments about long haul nad Aegean Airlines and why is for OU better not to imply similar model to A3 but rather like OS.

      Delete
    20. You have pattern. You write several posts like several posters in intervals of 5 to 20 minutes. You think you will confuse me pretending you are several people. But your style is similar. In first post you provoke, light a fire, then you come like cool guy and "expert". Seen several times. You are read. Btw. which one of you you want me to apologize? And for what? For destroying Croatia, both country and airline?

      Delete
    21. Just reply with normal answer.

      Delete
    22. I dont really know what are you thinking about me writing several posters, today i just had an argument with you here. If you want to show you are right, you are going to give me legitimate arguments. And i really dont care if you are going for like one hundert time call me uhljeb, if you dont have an argument you are simply wrong.

      Apologise? Well you literally bashed me that i am manipulating and lying about Aegean, what was not true and i showed you why.

      Delete
    23. Pozdrav iz Graza, selection of your nick is very indicative. Also, what you ask me now to explain, I wrote and explained about 20 times. But in the future, if you keep your nick, I will gladly discuss with you. But somehow I doubt you will use it again. Good night now!

      Delete
    24. Anonymous07:49

      With EW launching ZAG-PRG we have another market OU will not be returning to. The list of destinations is getting shorter and shorter guys.

      Delete
    25. Anonymous17:37

      @Rijeke
      OU did not miss any opportunity to go long-haul, because there never were opportunities. The Croatian market is much smaller than the Greek market, and on average, the people are poorer. Athens itself is 4 times bigger than Zagreb. The Croatian market has never been ready for wide-body aircraft to be based there. As you can see in another article, Pragusa.One also fails to start. It is just impossible currently and it was never possible before. Croatians have to become much richer and/or the population has to grow by a lot. Otherwise Croatia cannot sustain based wide-body aircraft. Wide-body aircraft also come with much higher costs and that was a major reason for WOW Air to go bankrupt and for PLAY to not follow that path again.

      Delete
  36. Anonymous10:53

    They have a lot of things that they should work on. How are they going to compete against Ryanair in Zagreb, how to reduce seasonality in their operations and make certain routes work in winter, expand regionally, start looking at replacing old Airbuses now that the neos won't be coming...

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous10:54

    Why has Mostar been cancelled? Wasn't this a subsidized route?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:55

      The subsidies probably stopped when corona hit.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:12

      The route never performed well.

      Delete
  38. Anonymous11:43

    Are they still flying around almost exclusively on the Q400?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:11

      No, A319s are also used.

      Delete
  39. Anonymous11:48

    Does it mean, they did their homework? I doubt..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:11

      Well it was a no brainer after Adria went bankrupt but they had no plans. Despite corona they did not plan to serve the region properly.

      Delete
  40. Vlad12:20

    These expansion announcements (when the core network is obviously struggling) are uncannily like those made by a certain regional airline in the months leading up to its demise.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Too late the hero. Barring huge government subsidies or an eventual buyout from another airline, Croatia Airlines will most likely go the way of Adria and Montenegro Airlines. Bravo Croatia. Bravo Balkan mentality!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous17:40

    It may be a step in the right direction, but OU will never grow into a network carrier as long as they are part of Star Alliance. Too many alternatives via LH, LX, OS, LO, TK, SK , TP and A3. They need to switch to OneWorld AND expand their network. Then it will work.

    ReplyDelete

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