TRIP REPORT: Trade Air, Zagreb - Osijek

TRIP REPORT


The other month I flew from Zagreb to Osijek with Trade Air specifically to experience the rare early A-type SAAB 340, registration YL-RAL. At 37.6 years old and configured as a Quick Change passenger-cargo aircraft, it’s likely the last SAAB 340 of its kind still operating passenger flights in Europe.

The aircraft is operated for Trade Air under a wet lease agreement, with RAF Avia serving as the actual operating carrier. Like all domestic routes in Croatia, this Trade Air service is a Public Service Obligation (PSO) flight, subsidised by the government.

The ground experience at Zagreb Airport was smooth and hassle free. The airport wasn’t too busy at the time. After check-in and a quick pass through security, I was at the gate in no time. Only three passengers were on board this flight.




The SAAB 340 is configured with 33 economy class seats in a 1-2 layout. To my knowledge, the aircraft continues from Osijek to Pula, and then onward to Split.



The flight from Zagreb to Osijek lasted just 30 minutes. A crew member welcomed us on board, and the flight itself was uneventful. A cup of water was offered during the short journey.


The seating on board was noticeably cramped, which is expected on a small turboprop like the Saab 340. However, with only a handful of passengers and a flight time of just 30 minutes, it was perfectly manageable. The aircraft clearly showed signs of its age - most notably, the presence of ashtrays in the armrest.





Despite its age, the Saab 340 still delivered a reliable and smooth ride. The engine noise was prominent, as expected on a turboprop of this type, but it added to the experience and everything functioned as it should.



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Comments

  1. Anonymous09:00

    That last row is something else. Thought you can only find it on africa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:57

      You can also find it on all Widerøe Dash 8 100-300's.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:31

      The same goes for the two Dash-8-100 of olympic air , but thank go they primary used for the Rhodes-kastelorizo route , and that's because the kastelorizo runway is 800 meters long .

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:11

      On africa??

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:17

    Nice to see their livery on the prop

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:29

    The seats look like they are covered in plastic as some ethics like to do at home with their sofas and remote controls lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:23

      Lol!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:12

      Ethics?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous22:05

      He meant ethnicities probably...

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:34

    This plane would be ideal for the more frequent INI-BEG flights

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:38

      Not really. With ATR72 they have a higher flexibility of scheduling it on other flights. Having one type of aircraft just for one route is uneconomical.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:43

      I know, it was just a first thought when i saw the plane's interior. Maybe it could fly to TZL and OSI also, because those 3 destinations can't really fill Atr72

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:43

      And catch some transfer pax that way. TSR also maybe

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:12

      Ideal!? Far from it...

      Delete
    5. Anonymous23:56

      We can see how super ideal it is on ZAG-OSI where it garnered a grand total of 3 pax

      Delete
    6. Anonymous00:31

      This is too old, but maybe ATR42-600 could be used for OSI, TSR, TZL transfer pax. Also for more daily frequencies to SJJ, SKP, LJU, ZAG, BNX, SPU, DBV, SOF, OMO, TIA, BUD. It would be convenient because same crew may be used as AT72

      Delete
  5. JSG10:17

    What was the LF on this flight?
    If I remember correctly there was no bus connection to Osijek back in Sep2024. Is it still the case?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:46

      It says 3 passengers

      Delete
    2. JSG11:21

      Thanks. It is < 10% then.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:58

      You remember it very wrong. Croatia is small country. Osijek is not a remote island in Micronesia, so of course there are plenty of bus/train options every day

      Delete
    4. JSG19:41

      From the Osijek airport too?

      Delete
  6. Anonymous11:19

    Are these flights fully subsidied or just partly?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous15:05

    The Croatian taxpayer really gets mugged off when it comes to subsidizing domestic air travel.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous15:11

    Wow, would definitely love to be onboard this flight. Are these PSO flights connected with Croatia via ZAG?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:16

      Croatia Airlines? Yes, but the timings are so bad you cannot really get anywhere.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous06:34

      What on earth keeps OU from creating waves at ZAG? That would improve bookings, LF, transfers, profitability, basically everything immediately!

      Delete

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