Croatia Airlines to base two planes in Split, expand coastal operations


Croatia Airlines is putting a greater focus on its operations out of Split this summer, with the carrier to station two aircraft in the city, shift several routes previously operated out of Zagreb and increase frequencies on a number of services from the country’s second largest city. The Croatian carrier will maintain 21 destinations out of Split this summer, which is more than from its main hub in Zagreb. As previously reported, it will shift services formerly operated out of the capital, including Bucharest, Milan and Stockholm, while Dublin, which is still being maintained from Zagreb, will be temporarily suspended over a three-and-a-half-month period and moved to Split instead. Amsterdam will complete the line-up of new routes from Croatia’s second largest city this summer. The airline has previously served some of these destinations from Split. Amsterdam was last operated in October 2013, Dublin in October 1996 and Milan in September 2000.

Croatia Airlines plans to have two aircraft stationed in Split this summer - an Airbus A319 and a Dash 8 turboprop. By doing so, the carrier plans to increase frequencies on a number of routes it has traditionally served from the city, outstripping pre-pandemic levels. These include flights to Copenhagen, which will run three times per week from June 13 until September 26 instead of one weekly in the summer of 2019, Dusseldorf, which will operate twice per week from June 16 until September 22 instead of once per week, Frankfurt, which will be maintained nine times per week from June 15 until September 26 instead of seven weekly, Munich, which will increase from eight to twelve weekly between June 10 and September 26, as well as Vienna, which will run on a daily basis from June 12 to September 25, instead of four weekly during the pre-pandemic 2019.

Commenting on the carrier’s summer operations, Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, recently said, “We have tried to tailor our flight network to our passengers’ needs. In support of Croatia’s tourism, we are expanding our flight network from Dalmatia’s biggest city - Split. I believe that many of our passengers will fly to Split and find an attractive holiday destination on the Adriatic to spend the warmer part of the year in”. Apart from Zagreb and Split, Croatia Airlines will operate six international destinations from Dubrovnik, as well as one each from Rijeka and Osijek.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:02

    Smart

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:03

    Great to see them increasing frequencies on a lot of flights from Split. But they will have to deal with Zagreb and make a strategy what to do there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought BCG found solution for ZAG some time ago 😃

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:54

      Perhaps BCG's strategy was for OU to shift focus to Split :)

      Delete
    3. Anonymous00:20

      Pozdrav - it's pretty obvious what BCG's strategy for ZAG was .... just give up !

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:04

    Will Split manage to stay the second busiest airport in Croatia this year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      Sorry, I meant busiest airport in Croatia

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:40

      It depends how the Ryanair cancellations in Zagreb unfold. If they continue in July and August then it might happen that Split will keep its no. 1 position, but even so it will be tough.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:51

      Even with the FR cancellations, I don't think Split will end the year ahead of Zagreb this time around.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous23:55

      How many passengers does Split have so far this year?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous00:02

      JAN - MAR 72523

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:04

    Does OU usually have aircraft stationed in Split during the summer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:15

      Only as a nighstop

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:55

      So this is the first time they will actually have based aircraft and crew in SPU?

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:05

    So what is the long term strategy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They need to check dictionary under the "strategy"

      Delete
    2. Anonymous00:22

      Their strategy is very clear and precise - whichever way the wind blows

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:05

    I'm dumbfounded by their logic to pull out of Zagreb-Dublin route during height of summer. I doubt this route will come back next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      They probably can't compete with FR here. It's a relatively long flight so costs are not that low.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:56

      More money can be made in those three months from Split than from Dubrovnik. Simple as that.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:05

    Jel planiraju za Beg iz Splita mozda?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:08

      Ne

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:57

      They cancelled SPU-BEG back in 2019. They said themselves it wasn't making money for them. I assume JU flying quite a few weekly frequencies didn't help them.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:06

    So the biggest loser from all this will be ZAG which chased OU away and is facing cuts by FR.

    I guess this should teach them a lesson not to disrespect those who are keeping them in the business.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:09

      I don't think OU would have done much from Zagreb this summer, with or without Ryanair.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:15

      I really wouldn't blame either FR or ZAG. It is their own doing.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:21

      I'm not sure how "loser" ZAG is, as it is very close to full recovery after the painful divorce last year. And obviously it won't be in LJU's position once OU goes bankrupt, as it has secured another base carrier.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:10

      It's close because of FR and because of OU which is still operating some flights from ZAG. June numbers will be interesting to follow.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:10

    Interesting to see that many of these new routes used to be served from Split decades ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:58

      No surprise as OU retreated from many routes and let the competition flourish. Same thing in Dubrovnik too (and even Zagreb)

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:16

    I wish they would keep the planes in Split over winter and look into keeping some of these route for the entire year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:33

      What sort of demand can you expect to Split in winter time?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:59

      I assume there is some. It is Croatia's second largest city.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous23:58

      The catchment area is large

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:16

    Good luck OU!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous09:17

    This is all well and good. Meanwhile, the new PSO contracts are supposed to start next week and the Croatian government still hasn't made a selection of the carriers and which routes they will operate. Not to mention that these contracts were supposed to be awarded 2 years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:59

      The entire process has been a joke.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:11

      It's a joke every year with the selection process.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19:49

      Why though? What's going on?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous23:58

      @10.11 selection process isn't every year but every 4 years.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:19

    It's interesting to see that Munich has so many frequencies from all Croatian cities (Split being increased to 12). Even from Rijeka and Osijek OU's only international destination is Munich. I always though Frankfurt was LH's main hub.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, but from RJK both Lufthansa and Condor operate to Frankfurt. Even Ryanair did.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:20

    OU needs to grow - routes and fleet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:59

      Indeed. What happened with that plan for them to completely renew their fleet?

      Delete
    2. Even if start now, 20 years are lost

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:22

    OU's hub should be in Split.

    That will allow them to better compete against YM.

    Amongst other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:26

      YM?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:27

      OU doesn't have much chance again YM on long term. Perhaps it can compete with 6W with this strategy.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:34

      YM-Montenegro Airlines, 6W-Saratov Airlines. Both airlines went bankrupt. What in the world are you talking about?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:38

      Air Montenegro is still YM.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:39

      *MNE

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:41

      Air Montenegro is not YM. But even so, how on earth are they competition to Croatia Airlines in any respect?

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:43

      So according to you how will OU (with "hub" in SPU) better compete with YM (base in TGD and TIV)? And how will they compete with Saratov Airlines even tho they don't even exsist anymore?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous10:33

      Do you hear the irony in this Anon 09.22 comment?!

      Delete
    9. Anonymous18:28

      Pay attention to the news.

      MNE just announced an increase to LJU.

      I don't see any irony.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous18:32

      It is two extra flights during the month of May for a route that used to have more than double the frequencies 3 years ago than today. So how is Air Montenegro competition to Croatia Airlines, especially on a route they dont even compete on in any way shape or form?

      Delete
    11. Anonymous00:25

      Just wait 'til Kucko becomes CEO and then you will see why they will be a competitor to OU. Nothing better than seeing a guy with a point to prove - especially against his former employer

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:26

    At the end of the day, a network like this will bring them money. What is the point of flying loss making routes from ZAG?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:49

      Well it is still a gamble whether they will make money. Remember, there is huge competition in Split and the coast.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous23:59

      But in Split there is enough demand for everyone.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous09:32

    Finally putting a greater focus on the coat. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous09:34

    It makes sense to increase frequencies from Split above pre pandemic levels as expectations are there will be more demand than ever. I think this is a good move.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous09:49

    I would have thought that the best way to counter Ryanair in Zagreb would be to grow your network significantly in the region and the west and offer great connections via Zagreb.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:50

    OU is stagnating big time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:58

      How are they stagnating when they increased a lot of frequencies from Split?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:00

      By shifting them from Zagreb...

      Delete
  21. Anonymous09:51

    So they are increasing frequencies above pre-pandemic levels from Split while their frequencies from Zagreb are still way below pre Covid. Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous09:53

    What about Dubrovnik? Why not launch some new routes from there too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:59

      They gave up on DBV long ago. They operate the same routes from there for years.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:12

      Not enough demand for them and yields are probably trash with so many LCCs they would have to compete against.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:49

      Hopefully they expand Dubrovnik next year.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous09:58

    Good news. I think it's the only option left for them - to focus on the coast because Ryanair is too strong in Zagreb now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:23

      And other LCCs are not strong on the coast?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:56

      Po svemu sudeci Ryan ima velike probleme u Zag..otkazuje linije..sve moze zavrsiti i njihovim odlaskom iz Zag

      Delete
    3. Sto se babi tilo to joj se i snilo

      Delete
  24. Anonymous10:00

    It's a shame all these new routes and extra frequnecies will only be operational for 3 months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:10

      That is when the money is made.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous10:00

    They won’t fly ZAG-DUB while they are flying SPU-DUB. Where is the logic in that?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:10

      Makes no sense for me either.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous10:11

    Well at least something new from OU

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:42

      Groundbreaking

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:42

      Bajic's five year term starts on 1st May. Prepare for more of the same.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous10:11

    So basically all the new routes they introduced from ZAG in the last couple of years are being moved to Split?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11:19

    Great news!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:41

      It would be if this expansion didn't come at the expense of their Zagreb network.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous11:41

    It will be interesting to see what their financial results will be like this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:48

      This Split adventure won't help.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:11

      Q1 results will be out soon.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous13:52

    Ovo je najrevolucionarniji komercijalni potez u hrvatskom zrakoplovstvu unatrag 30 godina. Svi su izgledi da će polučiti dobre rezultate. Novac se bere ljeti, a ljeto i obala idu zajedno.
    Bravo OU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Novac se ne bere. Novac se zaradjuje. Ocito da i Vi i Croatia Airlines s time imate problema

      Delete
  31. Anonymous14:05

    Not bad at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:48

      It's more than I could have hoped for from Croatia Airlines to be honest.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous14:06

    Why no new routes from Zagreb? :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:39

      They probably think they can't turn a profit on any new route they introduce.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous00:00

      * That is a disaster.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous15:40

    Happy for Split

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:48

      This will help them even more to recover quickly from Covid.

      Delete
  34. MarioST15:57

    Good that Croatia decided to focus more on Split, but I think it is coming late... Furthermore, their brand awareness on demand generating markets is low... and their prices are not competitive! Just for illustration: Croatia decided to introduce AMS - SPU route, but with only 1 flight per week (on Tuesdays) and only for 3 months (from mid Jun to mid Sep). This same route is serviced by EasyJet (7 flights per week), KLM (7 flights per week), and Transavia (3 flights per week), almost all of them throughout entire summer timetable and at significantly lower or sometimes similar prices as Croatia! To me this does not make any sense, especially because Croatia's "strategy" is similar to most other routes... It is kind of suicidal... or "daj što daš"... or "možda su u šumi"...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous17:49

    Wishing them good luck

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous00:00

    Let's see if this Split adventure will work this summer. For their sake I hope it does and I hope they haven't made a major strategic mistake by retreating from Zagreb.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous00:02

    The biggest winner out of all this is Split Airport.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous00:03

    This will last for only three months. What do they do after that in Zagreb after they have lots even more market share?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Just to remind of last year : peak season. 3 flights that day to Vienna from Split. Austrian 120 passengers. Wizz 170 passengers. Croatia Airlines 16 passengers. That much about the most brilliant and most revolutionary commercial move in croatian aviation during the last 30 years

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous11:03

    They are also serving Berlin this summer as well.

    ReplyDelete

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