Croatia anticipates establishing flights to China as the number of visitors from the country continues to grow. Recently, Croatia’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, held talks with executives from Hainan Airlines and Air China in Beijing, as well as China Eastern Airlines and Juneyao Airlines in Shanghai. “The Chinese airlines that met with Croatian officials all expressed strong interest in opening direct flights, and both sides agreed to continue in-depth communication and discussions on this matter. Chinese airlines welcomed the invitation from the Croatian National Tourist Board to visit Croatia for further discussions”, the Ministry said.
The Croatian Ambassador to China, Dario Mihelin, said Croatia is increasingly becoming an ideal destination for Chinese tourists, as evidenced by the continuous increase in the number of visas issued by the embassy. He emphasised that even the launch of seasonal flights would greatly improve the exchange of people and goods between the two states. “Chinese tourists often fly to neighbouring capitals, such as Budapest, and then spend the majority of their European trip in Croatia. So, it’s like the chicken and egg problem. The launch of direct flights will inevitably bring more tourists”.
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. China Eastern Airlines recently expressed interest in expanding in Eastern and Southeastern Europe and said it is evaluating flights to the likes of Bucharest and Belgrade.
The Croatian National Tourist Board has also held discussions with Chinese carriers recently, including Air China and Hainan Airlines, over the potential introduction of flights to Croatia. Earlier this year, Zagreb Airport told EX-YU Aviation News that China, alongside the United States, India and Japan, are its target markets. “We are working on establishing direct connections with these”, the airport said.
This is very much needed now that Qatar and flyDubai won't be there to transfer all the passengers that would have flown with them up until this year.
ReplyDeleteChiefly Korean tourists but also diaspora from Australia and New Zealand
You think QR and FZ are leaving the market for good?
DeleteFZ has not left. It flies to ZAG. QR will be back in 2 months, maybe even earlier. But much fewer people, and especially Chinese tour operators will be keen to book capacity with these airlines following the mess over the past few months.
DeleteNot sure that Koreans or Chinese used QR/FZ at all to ZAG.
DeleteYes they did. Especially Koreans.
DeleteNope, not Koreans.
DeleteBoth Koreans and Chinese really in vast majority land elsewhere and enter by land apart from non stop flights to Korea.
DeleteHaving non stop to China would mostly be incremental to ZAG pax wise as far as Chinese tourists are concerned, no real switch from current airlines.
Delete@9.28 yes, Koreans.
DeleteOk, as you say, QR is heavy on Koreans.....
DeleteAt the moment, it's not 🙂 Usually, it is. Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Philipino...
DeleteGood news and much overdue considering the number of Chinese tourists in Croatia.
ReplyDelete+1. Great to see concrete progress at last. Croatia clearly has the demand to support at least one direct route to China.
DeleteCroatia need to abolish visas for Chinese tourists first. That's the obvious problem. It is completely unclear why visas are still holding, since Chinese economy is larger than any EU member by far, if not all together.
DeleteCroatia has no mandate abolishing visas for Chinese passports
DeleteWhy would Croatia abolish visas for the Chinese.
DeleteThose who genuinely want to visit it have no issue obtaining a visa.
Those who getting a visa is a deal braker they can visit other non European countries. Problem solved.
Very smart. That’s why there are no direct flights to Croatia so far and there will not be
DeleteYou are aware that Croatia, as member of Schengen, cannot abolish visas to anyone by itself?
DeleteAnyone should realize that visa regimes are a demotivator. Firstly, they present an additional cost. Secondly, they require an administrative procedure which is, basically, a waste of time. The suspension of the visa regime for Croats, introduced by the Chinese government, is a breeze compared to the process of having to obtain a visa through their embassy in Zagreb, as it was before (which is my perspective, based on personal experience of traveling to China many times). If you can choose between two equally attractive destinations, you would likely choose the one without a visa regime. Unfortunately, the EU policies are an obstacle.
DeleteYup, visa matters are dealt with at the EU/Schengen level.
DeleteAbout time the government took China flights seriously and try to attract someone.
ReplyDeleteAren't some people here always pressed and concerned when the government negotiates flights with someone?
DeleteAre they? Who is? You literally can't have these flights without politics because of bilateral agreements and because such long-haul is usually done by flag carriers, not private airlines like intra-EU
DeleteOh really? Now it came to your mind?
DeleteI remember calling flights to BEG "political" where only "Chinese workers are flying on".
Good to see coordination between the government, tourism board and airport. That’s usually key to making these routes happen.
DeleteI could see China Eastern launch PVG-OTP-ZAG
ReplyDeleteAnd could work for OTP-ZAG too now that Croatia Airlines has discontinued flights.
Delete+1
DeleteChinese carrier getting 5th freedom rights in two EU countries? I highly doubt.
DeleteThe statement from the ministry makes it look like this is absolutely nowhere near a done deal.
ReplyDeleteThe National tourist board should just offer some cash and be done with it already
Bravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeletelol
DeleteThere are rumours that a major international airline will launch long haul to Zagreb and that the announcement is imminent. Could be these flights.
ReplyDeleteWill it be for summer 2027?
DeleteYes, through tourist board. So it looks more and more like it is a Chinese airline.
Deleteahhh...amateri, jos ne znate, a vec sve dogovoreno :)
Deletekada znaš, reci što je dogovoreno.
DeletePa rekao je čovjek, sve 🙂
DeleteThat would be amazing. At this point, Budapest is still the best option.
DeleteThere are no commercial flights between Zagreb and Budapest. Number of other airports offer better option with transfer flights from ZAG to China.
DeleteI bought one way economy ticket from BUD to PEK via Shenzen on Hainan, end May, for 210 euro. Car from Zagreb to BUD, around 3 hours, highway, no borders. Why should I hassle with transfer in Europe and pay triple price? Of course there are people who would do it. But not me.
DeletePlus gas price ZAG-BUD, car parking at BUD for eternity (you bought one way ticket)!
DeleteIs Juneyao Airlines an independent airline or a subsidiary of one of the major Chinese airlines?
ReplyDeleteIndependent.
DeleteThanks
DeleteAir China being part of Star Alliance would be the more logical choice.
ReplyDeleteSome longhaul would boost ZAG that seems to be very sleepy....
Would make most sense and OU could have some benefit from it.
DeleteActually ZAG is growing fast.
DeleteIt has grown well. April won't be good though.
DeleteJuneyao is an associate mrmber of star alliance, so it would be welcome too.
DeleteI'm not familiar with the airline. What wide body type do they have?
Delete787-9s
DeleteIf happens, let's say Air China establish flights, would it be the most important regional aviation achievement like Emirates flights back in the day? Just asking.
DeleteYou should have asked for a friend. It won't be so obvious. And the answer is no. Emirates is bigger name than any chinese carrier and it operated daily which will definitely not be the case here
DeleteChina Southern: over 700 aircraft and over 170 million passengers
DeleteEmirates: over 270 aircraft and over 53 million passengers.
But don't let facts get in the way.
Oh, the same story again...
ReplyDeleteSurprised nothing materialised since the 2017 Beijing Capital Airlines plan. Hope it happens.
ReplyDeleteThis has been talked about for years now. I’ll believe it when I see the first flight land in Zagreb.
DeleteExactly.
Deletethe fact that discussions are happening at this level is definitely a step in the right direction.
DeleteWould these be seasonal or year-round?
ReplyDeleteI would assume year round.
DeleteChinese airlines don't fly seasonal routes to Europe.
DeleteNot sure.
DeleteEmirates, Korean, Air Transat, Canada Rouge, T'Way didn't make it year round, so I am not sure Chinese carrier would.
Air Transat, Canada Rouge and T'Way never attempted year round flights.
DeleteExactly.
DeleteThey never did it as there is no demand during the winter.
Korean and Emirates learnt that on heavier way.
This is a logical next step. Tourism numbers from China are growing steadily and direct flights would only accelerate that trend.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging that multiple airlines are involved in discussions. It increases the chances something will materialise.
ReplyDeleteCroatia has one of the strongest tourism brands in Europe right now. It’s only a matter of time before more long haul routes follow.
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteThis could open up new opportunities not just for tourism but also for trade and business links.
DeleteThat's hilarious. Croatia is nowhere near France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Britain, Germany... Even Albania is closing rapidly
Delete^
DeleteLOL, what are you talking about?
Croatia is visited by 30 million a year, that is 6 times more than Albania, not to mention the other countries of the exyu.
Croatia had just under 22 and Albania 11 million. So how that is 6 times fewer i'm not sure. Calm down mate, seriously.
DeleteYou seem very upset about something and writing complete fabrications.
DeleteWhen did Albania got 11 million tourists?
And how did they got there, teleportation? 😂
He was wrong. Albania had 12,5 million tourists.
Delete"In 2025, Albania welcomed a record 12.47 million foreign tourists, representing a ~6.6% increase from the 11.7 million visitors in 2024. This growth, confirmed by INSTAT data, highlights a shift toward year-round tourism, with significant increases in hotel stays and a 2025, 2025, foreign visitor surge of over 50% in coastal areas during peak months"
While Albanian gets European that cat afford Portugal, Spain, Croatia etc Croatia gets tourists from the best markets which all European countries fight to attract
Delete@SMFH
DeleteWhat a fail!
@11:36 are you trying to insult tourism in Albania? Because there isnt much point to that strange comment of yours
DeleteI am saying that Croatia won't have any catching up to do with Albania any time soon. We will continue developing our tourism in line with the other top countries
DeleteIn line with other top countries? But Croatia is not part of top visited countries in Europe:
DeleteFrance: 100 million visitors
Spain: 85.2 million visitors
Italy: 57.3 million visitors
Turkey: 55.2 million visitors
United Kingdom: 37.2 million visitors
Germany: 34.8 million visitors
Greece: 32.7 million visitors
Austria: 30.9 million visitors
Portugal: 26.5 million visitors
Netherlands: 20.3 million visitors
Croatia is, unfortunately, nowhere near the top destinations for long haul visitors, especially those from Asia (although we had our brief shiny moment in history with the Korean market - long gone by now). On the other hand, we are a very relevant tourist destination when it comes to the generating markets of Europe.
DeleteNobody is saying it isnt. Some strange anon is making strange comments in reference to Albania, which has nothing to do with the topic. Nobody cares about comparisons and sizes and numbers of X compared to Y. Its about improving connectivity for all.
Delete@Anon 16:02
DeleteCroatia is ahead of the Netherlands with 22 million, so like it or not is one of the top tourist destinations. Especially when you take its size into account - it is literally at the top in terms of the number of tourists per capita.
It's litteraly not at the top even in that category. Andorra is, followed by Malta and Iceland. Are you just going to keep changing categories until you find one where Croatia is first in Europe? Do you feel insecure if other countries are ahead?
DeleteChinese tourists seem to be in love with Dalmatia.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's why they will possibly fly to Zagreb, the capital city of Dalmatia
DeleteWell, Zagreb is the capital of all of Croatia - Dalmatia included.
DeleteThat would be fantastic news for Franjo Tudman airport!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteIs there more possibility for them to start Zagreb or Split/Dubrovnik ?
ReplyDeleteProbably ZAG.
DeleteI think ZAG is most likely.
DeleteZagreb for sure
DeleteWay overdue. Other tourist heavy countries in Europe already have countless flights to China. Looking at Greece, Italy, Spain... what has the government or ministry for tourism been doing until now?
ReplyDeleteIt is too late for this year.
ReplyDeleteVery encouraging developments. Hopefully we’ll see the first announcement sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteDemand is clearly there
ReplyDeleteNot really.
DeleteYeah, no demand. And today's article is about what? Just btw, the same "no demand" story had been written here about Ryanair before it came to ZAG. And both Korean carriers. And many more. So please, save your hate for other forums
DeleteCroatia has strong inbound tourism, but limited outbound demand to China, which could be a challenge for airlines.
ReplyDeleteThe whole of Europe has limited outbound tourism demand to China. It is overwhelmingly business.
DeleteI flew from Budapest to Shanghai last week. I can assure you the flight was full with Europeans hesding to asia. There is massive outbound demand for connections.
DeleteFor connections to other countries in Asia of course there is demand from European tourists.
DeleteBut for visiting as a tourist China itself, especially outside Beijing the demand is still very low.
Well people are simply concerned about the routing and airlines. What people use the flights for is a different matter. Of course flights from Zagreb to China will be overwelmingly for onward connections. But thats just fine.
DeleteA lot will depend on incentives and support from local stakeholders to reduce the risk for airlines.
ReplyDeleteChina Eastern is evaluating flights to Belgrade or Bucharest from where? Shanghai Pudong?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2026/02/china-eastern-airlines-evaluating.html
DeleteA little while ago, there was a guy here telling capital city of 3 million country in no way can have long-haul flights to China, India and the US. When people were telling there already are flights to Canada and China, he kept insisting it was not possible. And he is just about to be proven wrong, for the first of the 3, and very soon for 2 others as well
ReplyDeleteNothing has be decided yet on China. India is not on the cards at all.
DeleteNo wonder since whoever he was, he was wrong starting with the size of the Croatian population. The country has 3.87 million citizens and another 180k immigrants with permanent residency. That's altogether 4.05 million people.
DeleteThat "just about" is since 2017, almost 10 years. But we can still hope for the best
DeleteI dont think it will happen. First oil prise surge, second new entry/exit system in EU, for non EU citizens. Third, who expect that Croatia will be the smallest country in Europe to establish China flights. I doubt.
ReplyDeleteThere are flights between China and Luxembourg, which is even smaller. Also what does the size of the country have to do with it?
DeleteThe size of the market has EVERYTHING to do with whether an airline will serve a destination or not.
DeleteLUX has tens of millions of people leaving 90 minutes from it.
And no border checks.
Croatia also has millions of people living around, in Slovenia, Austria, Hungary. And no borders check. But I understand for some people it's very difficult to hear even possibility of anything positive happening in Croatia, especially Zagreb
Delete@11:43 I agree. I think a China - Zagreb flight is a good and reasonable idea. People drive from zagreb to budapest to fly to places via China so i think Zagreb does have a good chance for flights.
DeleteDont' they also drive to VIE, VCE and BEG for that?
DeleteTo Beg they maybe fly but don't drive because there ain't much other than air Serbia
DeleteYou do realise both China Southern and Hainan Airlines fly to Belgrade? Does not seem like you do.
DeleteBelgrade currenty has 8 weekly flights to China on Air Serbia, Hainan and China Southern to three destinations. Venice, for example, currently has only 5 weekly flights to China with one airline.
DeleteClearly Brlgrade is a much more popular tourist destination for the Chinese than Venice. 🤷♂️
Delete^ LOL!!!
Delete@15:48 And that is a fact. People who can't handle facts are ...
DeleteNot very pleasant news for PIR today.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived another 60 years, I would still not be able to understand the obsession of some individuals with me, and their urge to mention me, even when their post is totally detached from reality, like today. Talks to not one but four Chinese carriers on establishing services to Zagreb or wider Croatia, prove my point that more long haul routes are inevitable necessity for the market, and I am looking forward for at least one Chinese service to commence as soon as possible. So this is very pleasant news for me, and it has nothing to do with only one unpleasant news that we listen every day for over 30 years - incompetent humiliated midget and corrupt feeder Croatia Airlines. Not being able to understand constructive criticism of "flag carrier" (which btw carries the flag to Vrankvurt and Minken only or mostly) and trying to accuse me of "hating everything Croatian", including today's excellent and fantastic news about potential new Chinese service is beyond pathetic and indicates severe intellectual inferiority.
ReplyDeleteOnly problem is your ambasador, he just blatantly lied you that Chines spend most of the time in Croatia.
DeleteOf course, chinese carrier will open the route to Croatia because ambasador blatantly lied 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteHe has no idea where people who land at BUD actually end, there's no border between Hungary and Croatia to document the border crossing. He should know better. Btw, I don't doubt there's a demand from China, those flights are long overdue.
DeleteThey should just scrap OU, they have no ambition to grow other than frequency increases to LH hubs. It’s a burden on the tax payer they said that they have no plans to introduce long haul flights, the A220s are expensive and have too many because they haven’t opened routes to justify that many and are limited to where they can fly because apparently the A220 is not insured for non European ops hence why they couldn’t fly repatriation flights with them…just a disappointment of an airline
ReplyDeleteWhy are you crying?
DeleteTime will tell, but good news nevertheless. 🤞
ReplyDeleteHow many other countries tourist boards have to subsidise China flights? Isn't DBV a better entry point?
ReplyDeleteNo, it is not. DBV is too away from main European routes. And ZAG isn't also. Chinese tourists will not come to Dubrovnik to spend 15 days on a beach. If they get EU visa, they will come to visit as much of Europe as possible and Croatia is not popular as Paris, Rome, Venice, Amsterdam, Vienna, etc. That's why there are no direct flights to Croatia yet and it's highly unlikely there will be.
Delete