Croatia hopes to establish nonstop connectivity to China as the number of visitors from the country continues to grow. The Head of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, held talks with both Air China and Hainan Airlines in Beijing this week over the potential introduction of flights to Croatia. “Discussions centred on the considerable potential of the Chinese market, the growing interest of Chinese tourists in Croatia, and the importance of establishing direct air links to further boost travel between the two countries”, the Tourist Board said. It comes ahead of the Routes World summit in Hong Kong, the largest annual gathering of airlines and airports to negotiate new services, where Zagreb Airport will be represented by its CEO, Route Development Manager and Ground Operations Manager.
Shanghai is Zagreb’s busiest unserved destination in China, followed by Beijing. In 2017, Beijing Capital Airlines, a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, intended on introducing services between the Chinese and Croatian capitals, however, the planned operations were later shelved. Initially, the carrier filed for a permit for a two weekly service with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Prior to the pandemic, Croatia’s Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, noted, "We are attempting to reach an agreement over nonstop flights between Zagreb, Beijing and Shanghai. Croatia has been recognised by Chinese tourists as an interesting new destination in Europe". Despite growing demand, Croatia Airlines currently has no codeshare agreement in place with any Chinese carrier, nor does it have a codeshare partnership with other airlines on flights to China.
In 2024, 250.475 Chinese tourists visited Croatia, representing a strong increase of 41.3% on the previous year, or an additional 73.042 people. Chinese visitors surpassed those from South Korea, with which Zagreb boasts seasonal summer flights through T’Way Air. The number of arrivals from China is still below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, which amounted to 492.381 visitors. Last year, the largest portion of Chinese tourists in Croatia visited Dubrovnik. It was followed by Split, Zadar and then Zagreb. So far this year, between January and August, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Croatia declined slightly, by 1.8%, however, the number of overnight stays increased by 1.6%.
I hope something materializes out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm baffled no Chinese airline flies to Croatia at least seasonally. Chinese arlines are flying to much smaller markets like Luxembourg.
ReplyDeleteNow compare the GDP or Luxembourg to that of Croatia.
DeleteIf we exclude Luxembourg then ZAG would become the smallest airport they fly to Europe. EK did the same and we know how that ended.
I don't see them launching ZAG at least not until they launch OTP. The biggest unserved market in the region.
If the route is meant to b for Chinese tourists, then destination country’s GDP is not that important, is it?
DeleteThe reason there are flights to Luxembourg is because there is a surprisingly big Chinese diaspora in Luxembourg. The flights are once per week though. If flights to Croatia launch it will be for Chinese tourists as well. Same way T'Way Air's passengers to Zagreb are 98% Korean tourists.
DeleteTourists that go to Croatia do it as part of a larger tour which starts in Prague, Budapest or Vienna. Croatia would have to lobby for groups to start in Zagreb, beating other regional cities. Can Zagreb do that? Hm
DeleteLong overdue. Not just because of tourists. There are also many business travelers. Yesterday 4 people I know flew from Zagreb to Brussels and then with Hainan to Shenzhen.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAbout time
ReplyDeleteNow they just need to launch
Delete"Despite growing demand, Croatia Airlines currently has no codeshare agreement in place with any Chinese carrier, nor does it have a codeshare partnership with other airlines on flights to China."
ReplyDeleteWhy is this so unsurprising
OU being OU.
DeleteIt’s surprising Croatia Airlines hasn’t developed any codeshares with Chinese carriers. They’re missing an opportunity to strengthen their network and attract more transfer passengers through Zagreb.
DeleteI am not defending OU but the Chinese market is perfectly covered through Star Alliance hubs. Lufthansa and others are doing a fine job.
DeleteIt would make more sense for OU to launch IST from ZAG and cooperate with TK. We saw how successful their SPU-IST flights are.
Everything can be perfectly covered through Star Alliance hubs. What is the point of Croatia Airlines' existence then?
DeleteTo offer a lifeline and to avoid the same situation as with LJU after JP.
DeleteA nonstop connection could reduce travel times by 4–6 hours compared to current one-stop options via Frankfurt or Istanbul. That’s a major advantage for tourists who want convenience.
DeleteThere is a strong case for these fights to launch.
ReplyDeleteImagine if we had a national airline that could launch them and capitalise on its domestic connections, let alone further afield.
DeleteAir China would be great as it is a Star member, so it could offer connections on Croatia Airlines and it does not fly anywhere in the region.
ReplyDeleteThey fly to Budapest
DeleteThey also fly to Athens and Vienna. There are rumors they will launch SOF next.
DeleteRemember when Hainan wanted to fly to Zadar?
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. That fizzled.
DeleteIt fizzled because Zadar Airport was misleading the public (and maybe the airline?) as it could not properly handle a widebody. There would also be restrictions for the plane on take off.
DeleteIt didn't stop that woman in charge of the airport getting a jolly to China out of these silly dreams.
DeleteDoubt it can happen. Politically hostile standing toward PRC may significantly influence decision on flight launch. PRC does care on such a things, since there are no "higher" interest to axhieve there...
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about?
DeleteDozens of countries have direct flights to China without strong relations.
Chinese companies performing several huge infrastructural projects in Croatia. What politically hostile standing against PRC are you talking about?
DeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think it is quite a failure not to have flights to China if the country had in 2019 close to half a million Chinese tourists. What have the airports and tourist board been doing till now?
ReplyDeleteIf the government is serious about diversifying Croatia’s tourism base and extending the season, direct flights from China should be at the top of the agenda.
DeleteIm suprised no one in government thought to solve these issues through the national carrier which has potential but the geniuses in Buzin are too busy with rocket science to think of something Like this
ReplyDeleteGovernment is deliberately placing incompetent aparatchiks in Buzin because government is part of Mafia, whose part is Ivan Mišetić too, who surrendered croatian market to foreigners, for his personal benefits
DeleteAnd geniuses from Buzin are just obeying government orders, precisely to remain feeder for LHG. Absolutely nothing surprising about it.
DeleteThe growth of Chinese visitors in 2024 is impressive but Croatia still has a lot of catching up to do compared to 2019 levels. Direct flights could help close that gap quickly.
ReplyDeleteChinese tourism in Europe in general is still way down compared with the pre pandemic period.
DeleteWith Chinese carriers expanding aggressively in Europe, Croatia needs to act fast or risk losing out to competitors like Hungary or Austria.
DeleteJasmineee, jel'se olad'la kahva? Dje smo za vikend? Kace pemzija?
ReplyDeleteA nonstop Zagreb–Beijing or Zagreb–Shanghai link would also help business ties, not just tourism. China is a major trade partner, so the benefits would extend well beyond leisure travel.
ReplyDeleteThis has been discussed for nearly a decade now, and still no flights. Unless concrete agreements come out of Routes World, I’ll remain skeptical.
ReplyDeleteIf Chinese tourists already make Dubrovnik their top destination, maybe Dubrovnik Airport should also be considered for direct flights, not only Zagreb.
ReplyDeleteI doubt we’ll see a launch before 2027.
ReplyDeleteWe've been hearing for years how ZAG flights to USA would happen. People need to realise this is Croatia and nothing happens quickly. OU can't even fly to FCO non stop from ZAG.
ReplyDeleteJust stepping out of the Air China A350-900 flying from Beijing to Vienna codeshared with Austrian and I do not recommend anyone flying with them. I have flown long haul as well as short haul extensively and this must be one of the worst flights I ever had. Horrible food, packed plane, poor ground staff as well as flight attendants service. They don't even speak English!!! lol
ReplyDeleteOnly good for Chinese workers in Europe to get home...
What a complete opposite from my outbound flight to Shanghai with Austrian...
Everything you wrote goes for OS as well
DeleteThe only difference is their cabin crew have better english knowledge, more precise pronunciation. Coming from the guy who flown both several times.
I didn't say Austrian is on par with Emirates, Qatar or Singapore. I'm just saying that in comparison with Air China, they are light years ahead (ground staff assistance, on board service and quality of f&b, online acccess to booking/modifications, special meals availability, seat choice etc). At least this was my exp.
ReplyDelete