Zagreb Airport is hoping for Croatia Airlines to expand its operations from the city in the future and would also like to see Wizz Air restore services to the Croatian capital, securing a second major low cost carrier alongside Ryanair, which boasts a base in the city. The airport’s recent Connecting Capital Cities Incentive Model, which motivates airlines to introduce flights from Zagreb to up to sixteen European capital cities have been geared towards the pair, however, so far, neither has applied, nor has any other carrier to date. In order for an airline to utilise the incentives on offer from the abovementioned program, they must launch at least two weekly year-round flights to at least three of the sixteen pre-selected destinations. They include Prague, Tallinn, Berlin, Budapest, Riga, Vilnius, Luxembourg, Stockholm (Arlanda or Skavsta airports), Tirana, Pristina, Reykjavik, Tbilisi, Kiev (upon the reopening of Ukrainian airspace), Chisinau and Yerevan.
Zagreb Airport noted the Connecting Capital Cities Incentive Model may still be utilised by any carrier, with the scheme valid until May 2026. “Zagreb Airport has several different models in use as part of its incentive program, which are designed to encourage the expansion of the destination network and increase in traffic through financial support. The incentive model for connecting capital cities, which came into force in June 2023 and will run until May 2026, provides greater financial support for the simultaneous introduction of a number of destinations, compared to support for the opening of just a single route”. It added, “Airport fees and incentives are just on of the many elements, not usually known to the public, that have an influence on a carriers’ decision to introduce flights”.
Croatia Airlines has been increasingly expanding its network from the country’s coast since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and is yet to restore a number of routes out of Zagreb which were discontinued as a result of the global health emergency. On the other hand, Wizz Air used to maintain services to the Croatian capital from Dortmund and London but terminated its operations to the city in 2011. Wizz Air’s CEO, Jozsef Varadi, previously said Zagreb Airport was too expensive for the airline. “Zagreb is a high-priced airport environment with fluctuating demand. If Zagreb Airport becomes more reasonable, we will certainly consider that airport as an opportunity for expanding our network", Mr Varadi said at the time. Ryanair said last month it would expand operations out of its Zagreb base next year with plans to serve over thirty destinations during the 2024 summer season, up from 27 this year.
More wishful thinking. ZAG risks losing frequencies to CPH now that SK is leaving Star Alliance.
ReplyDeleteSK does not fly to Zagreb.
DeleteDuuh but OU relies on their feed to keep ZAG-CPH operational.
DeleteDoes OU have code share with SK?
DeleteYes. They have codeshare on many SK routes
DeleteIn total they have codes on 20 SAS routes.
DeleteI assume those will be terminated once SAS joins Skyteam? Will be interesting to see what happens.
DeleteI doubt this will be cancelled. For example KLM has still codeshare with OU
DeleteThere is some sort of a limit as to how many non Star partners they can have as far as I'm aware.
DeleteIt won't be such a major loss. ITA will become a Star member and they will probably conclude codeshare with Croatia Airlines.
DeleteYes FCO via SPU is fantastic for connecting
Deletevia DBV is also not bad, maybe even better 😃
DeleteBest Zagreb could do is forget about Croatia and do introduce WIZZ flights. This is what some small airports in Europe did and was succes! Make low cost airport is only way to atract budget passengers to Zagreb! Because Zagreb proved there is no space for any other type of development! Croatia of LX is always bad decision!
DeleteHas it ever crossed your mind that maybe they are not chasing W6 because of FR? Just look at what's going on in SKP, I am sure that MZLZ can't just freely bring W6 without suffering cuts from FR.
DeleteFor ZAG until OU starts growing there won't be real growth. This was the case in BEG with JU, in WAW with LO, in ATH with A3, in VIE with OS etc.
What's going on in SKP?
DeleteOne LCC dominates the North Macedonian market just like one LCC dominates in ZAG.
DeleteIt is too late for other LC’s to join Skopje, unless they introduce flights to cities that WizzAir hasn’t covered yet.
DeletePerhaps if they gave the same conditions to OU and W6 as they did to Ryanair, they would expand or come.
ReplyDeleteThat is not sustainable business charging low taxes to most of their clients.
DeleteSame conditions were given to all airlines, once the Growth Incentive Model became effective in 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Only Ryanair took the risk and launched flights, others have ignored. Above mentioned carriers wanted to have the same conditions later but it was a one time opportunity.
DeleteConvenient.
DeleteThe conditions are the same for everyone.
DeleteThere is not enough space left at ZAG for W6 . FR has already taken huge portion of p2p profitable traffic so new routes without hefty subsidies won't work.
DeleteSeveral of the routes listed in the subsidy scheme could work very well.
DeleteThe routes they put in the incentives model look like they suit Wizz.
ReplyDeleteYes especially the routes like Yerevan and Tbilisi.
Delete^ btw I didn't mean the above comment to sound sarcastically. I genuinely think they would be well suited for those routes.
DeleteWizz flies to Kutaisi not Tbilisi, not to mention that the potential of any of these routes out of ZAG is dubious at best.
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised if ZAG management though Wizz flies from Tbilisi simply because they don't know about Kutaisi
DeleteI think they know since Zagreb and Tbilisi are run by the same company - TAV ;)
DeleteWizz may come after they resolve their fleet and crew issues.
ReplyDeleteIf they had wanted to come, they would have arrived to ZAG long before they had fleet problems.
DeleteWell you can see why they didn't. Their ceo said.
DeleteI agree this is nothing but wishful thinking.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Ryanair will pick 3 routes from those 16 to launch next summer. My money is on Stockholm, Budapest and one of the Baltic states.
ReplyDeleteBudapest is way too close, especially for B738.
DeleteNo way.
They operated Podgorica...
DeleteWhat about Berlin?
DeleteExactly. OperatED. Past tense - they cancelled TGD even though there is more than 8 hours of driving between these two airports and now they will introduce the flight to BUD that is only 3,5 hours by car.
DeleteGet real.
Alright, no need to be rude.
DeleteI agree that Berlin could be a likely destination for them.
DeleteIf Wizz Air does eventually come, Croatia Airlines is dead. I don't think they would survive it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't see how they are going to stimulate Croatia Airlines by threatening them with the possibility of Wizz.
DeleteOU can move to LJU
DeleteWell, it should work. If Croatia Airlines was a normal company, they would re-structure to respond to their loss of monopoly power. But they do not do that.
DeleteDon't worry, they will 'restructure'. Next year they are again able to get EU funds for restructuring. It will be a 'success' like the 2013 restructuring.
Deletecroatia airlines is dead for few years now.
DeleteThis might be the final nail in the coffin... if it happens.
DeleteGreat news for Zagreb residents :)
ReplyDeleteBut nothing has happened. They just hope these two airlines will do something but so far, no one is biting.
DeleteWishing All the best to ZAG, but LJU please wake up, I really don't want to drive to nearby airports whenever I want to fly.
ReplyDeleteExactly, i rather pay little more just not to drive 2 hours to nearby airports..
DeleteCouldn't agree more.
Deletelet's see what happens. FR has hurt a lot of airlines in ZAG more than creating new market.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat.
DeleteIf Ljubljana don’t react and “allow” Zagreb to get Wizz, they should consider closing the aiport and they can use that lovely space and around fields to organise a nice organic farm. The same they can start in Maribor as well.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSure. Ljubljana will have 1,2 - 1,3 MIO pax this year and u think they will close just because of Wizz in Zagreb?
Delete@09:31 very stupid comment. Yes LJU is stuggling but the things u said are more realistic to happen for Maribor not Ljubljana.
DeleteLJU has had a few wins lately over Zagreb (small but still wins). Luxair and Air Baltic both chose LJU over Zagreb.
DeleteThe biggest win is the flights from Skopje which are full.
DeleteIn my oppinion, for Wizz, it would make more sense if they launched more flights in LJU and in that way compete against Ryanair in Zagreb.
ReplyDeleteIt would make sense but I don't think Wizz believes it is a market worth fighting over. Their presence in Croatia is at a bare minimum.
DeleteLiterally all the destinations in the model are perfect for Wizz.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the incentives model airlines are obliged to pay the full airport fees and only after the 12 month period they will be reimbursed by the airport. This might be the reason why absolutory no one is interested, not even Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines' expansion on the cost even during this winter season is a good indication of how they are not interested in growing in Zagreb.
ReplyDelete*coast, sorry
DeleteI have read this blog for years and now I have to take part. Each time I read news about Croatia Airlines I am brought to tears. Sad ones, not happy ones. Management is crazy! As if they are afraid of potential. Who is calling these shots? Their network has looked like a German regional airline for many years now. Further destination east is SKP or sometimes TLV? Sad, embarrassing state of affairs. Sorry to offend other readers if you don’t agree. My question - why acquire those A220s for this garbage system? Maybe they are waiting for those to arrive before doing anything better than woeful. This is not a company being run by heroes or people with any imagination.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteTheir motivation is simple. Make loses, get money (tens of millions of euors) from the government. Pocket enough as to not cause suspicion..... and repeat.
DeleteTheir motivation is non existent. They are being infantile by ignoring ZAG and its good incentive scheme while expanding out of the airports which over winter have 30k passengers per month.
DeleteInsanity.
Would be great if Wizz comes to ZAG but I don't see it happening soon...
ReplyDeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteHighly doubt there will be both Wizz and Ryanair in Zagreb. Market is not big enough. Perhaps they do launch some of the routes from the inventive model but definitely not a base.
ReplyDeleteNo one mentioned a base
DeleteI think OU might actually make use of these incentives next summer. They will have to show how with the new planes they are expanding.
ReplyDeleteOr they will simply expand from Split as they have done over the past 2 years.
DeleteThey are not expanding. They will change same or similar number of older types units to same or similar number of newer type units. It's not expansion, it's stagnation. Plus they will lose more money for operating leased expensive instead of owned cheap aircraft. Plus they will continue focusing on feeding LH because it's political command. So I think OU will not take advantage of these incentives next summer totally the same as they haven't taken advantage of incentives used by Ryanair, or not taken advantage of market conditions when Malev and Adria ceased operations and Jat Airways was close to such scenario. So expecting anything serious, business-wise from OU, is pure science fiction
DeleteI would not trust Wizzair at the moment, they are currently doing massive cuts. They also seemed to have failed miserably in Riyadh and will be removing Bucharest, Larnaca and Sofia. Milan will be cut in winter as well. Budapest seems to be working well (for the time being). They cut more routes in Debrecen and as we know recently in Sarajevo. And not to mention the now HUGE, increased baggage fees. This airline is doing really downhill. They used to be a great airline, even if they are ULCC. Very chaotic. I mean, yes Ryanair has problems with Boeing with the deliveries hence cutting routes, but at least they explained it to the public. So, Zagreb, do not trust Wizzair that much.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Wizz Air has a habit of packing up and leaving after a year.
DeleteTheir backside was kicked by Ryanair in Tirana as well, they cut multiple routes even before they started. I don't think they want to replicate it in ZAG.
DeleteDidn't they just reinstate a lot of the cancelled routes from TIA? I think they had a press conference yesterday.
Deletehttps://wizzair.com/en-gb/information-and-services/about-us/news/2023/10/04/wizz-air-adds-two-aircraft-to-its-base-in-tirana-in-summer-2024
DeleteYes
DeleteThese routes are for next June while the cancelled ones were planned for this autumn. Those were announced with the same big press conference only to be cancelled quietly Wizz style. You can't replace actual cancelled flights with announcements for the future... Besides there's no guarantee whatsoever that the newly announced flights will ever happen.
DeleteThey also closed their entire base in Suceava, NE Romania!!
Deletehttps://rhn.ro/en/wizz-air-closes-the-Suceava-base-but-will-continue-to-operate-external-flights/#:~:text=Wizz%20Air%20has%20announced%20that,and%20Memmingen%2C%20from%20Suceava%20airport.
Anon 13:52 What routes are you talking about that would start this autumn?
DeleteI doubt the one or the other will happen.
ReplyDeleteHow long did Wizz fly to previously in Zagreb?
ReplyDeleteI believe from 2008 or 2009 until 2011.
DeleteHope they reach a deal
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines should be Zagreb Airport's number 1 priority at the moment.
ReplyDeletelol why?
DeleteAre you really asking why?
DeleteThey are Zagreb's biggest and most important customer.
DeleteThey will be overtaken by Ryanair by 2025.
DeleteCroatia Airlines should be state and government of Croatia number 1 priority at the moment. Instead, it's tool for politicians to get personal benefits, sanctuary for Party uhljebs, and source of serious additional income for selected individuals tied to highest politics as a result of corruptive deals and actions. ZAG is helpless about it
DeleteOU should not governments priority. No government should run an airline, the two do not mix.
DeleteYou are aware that croatian state/government is owner of 98 % shares of Croatia Airlines? And I fully agree they shouldn't run it, despite being owners. But unfortunately they do run it. Very wrongly and very badly. By appointing incompetent, obedient, spineless aparatchiks, to sign for their goals and interests. And instead leaving managing to competent professionals, which should be their 1st priority, they continue suffocating and ruining OU. And they do mix, which is precisely what I want them to stop doing. Don't know how difficult is to understand that.
DeleteCro Airlines isn’t picking up what ZAG is putting down
ReplyDeleteToo Early!!
DeleteWhy not easyjet? Seems like they are completely disinterested in launching new routes from this region.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Other than the Croatian coast during the summer, they barely fly anywhere else in ex-Yu.
DeleteWe want Wizz!
ReplyDeleteYep, you need them if you like a big press conference. Flying... a different matter.
DeleteI think Wizz would be welcome for adding some routes to Eastern Europe which OU does not want to touch and Ryanair does not fly to
DeleteFor good reasons
DeleteI still don't understand that an EU capital city needs a special incentive scheme for the launch of flights to other primary EU cities, one of which is a major hub.
ReplyDeleteThe demand for flights comes from friends&family, tourism, and business, not from political alliance. I really can't recall any consumer good in the free-market economy that depends on political alliance.
DeleteWizz will not miss this opportunity in my opinion. Next year I can see them start a couple of routes. Good news for ZAG but bad news for Croatia Airlines.
ReplyDeleteAs already said, Zagreb is too small for so much competition!
ReplyDeleteEven Belgrade IMO is not big of a market enough to get Ryanair.
Maybe in some years but definitely not at the moment.
Ljubljana would make most sense as base for Wizzair.
Wizz in Ljubljana against Ryanair in Zagreb would probably serve that part of the world best.
I don't think Wizz needs your analysis to determine if Tuzla, Nis or in this case Zagreb are 'too small' for them. Trying too hard to deflect Wizz away from ZAG just like earlier opinion that ZAG didn't need Ryan.
DeleteFür Gastro ZAG-DTM 🤩🤩
ReplyDeleteWizzair in Zagreb is not gonna happen, Ryanair is adding fourth aircraft from summer timetable.
ReplyDeleteWizz Air is cutting routes, frequencies and bases all around because of bad financial reports and engine issues. You really think they are going to come to ZAG and fight with FR? Just imagine how much money they will lose in TIA this winter. Wizz needs money, they can't afford to lose more of it.
ReplyDelete