The Croatian Embassy in China recently held discussions with Cathay Pacific regarding the carrier’s potential launch of seasonal flights to Croatia. This follows talks with a number of airlines from mainland China, which is expected to result in the introduction of Air China flights between Beijing and Zagreb later this summer. The meeting with Cathay Pacific marked a follow-up to the contacts established between the two sides after China lifted its pandemic-related restrictions in early 2023, at a time when Cathay Pacific was gradually rebuilding its European network.
Ronald Wong, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Cathay Pacific, noted that the airline expects to take delivery of new aircraft over the coming years. However, he indicated that no new routes are likely to be launched before then. He suggested that Croatia should focus on raising its profile in China, strengthening tourism and business promotion efforts, and deepening overall ties with the country. He added that attractive airport incentive schemes offered by some destinations have become an increasingly important factor in route development decisions. The two sides also discussed the possibility of future cooperation between Cathay Pacific and Croatia Airlines.
In a statement, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said, “Seasonal air services are currently available from the United States to Split and Dubrovnik, as well as from Canada and South Korea to Zagreb. In this context, seasonal flights from Hong Kong could represent a logical first step”. It added, “Before the pandemic, Croatia welcomed around 40.000 visitors from Hong Kong each year, compared to approximately 10.000 today. The number of visitors from mainland China peaked at around 500.000 and has since recovered to roughly 330.000. At the same time, travel from Croatia to China is also increasing, particularly following China's decision to lift visa requirements for Croatian visitors”.
Cathay to Zagreb would be crazy!
ReplyDeleteThere used to be Malaysia Airlines so anything is possible
DeleteDifferent aviation landscape then. There used to be PanAm too..
DeleteAgree.
DeleteMalaysia can't be compared with Cathay.
Two different worlds.
Both would cater for the Australian and New Zealand markets in addition to the growing Asian markets both in- and outbound.
DeleteIndeed, but it would be a bold move from a relatively conservative airline.
DeleteYeah, it is already crazy dream..
Deletevazi
DeleteMaybe they don't buy a package of chewing gum and buy Croatia Airlines instead.
DeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteJust going to say LOL
Delete"He suggested Croatia should focus on raising it's profile in China, strenghtening tourism and business promotions offers"
DeleteThat much about Bravo Hrvatska.
its
DeleteThis is quite an insult and should be taken as a telling off. Croatia in general is so passive in doing anything promotional. They choose to just sit back and see what happens. OU could have been a success if managed properly for example
DeleteExactly 12.06. But brainwashed individuals whose World ends in Graz or in the best case Vrankvurt are not capable of seeing broad picture. They are happy with collecting crumbs that fell from the Masters table, at the same time cheering Danke Deutschland and Bravo Hrvatska
DeleteSmells like Garuda
ReplyDeleteExactly.
DeleteI'm happy the government is finally becoming a bit more proactive in attracting some of these big players.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThey're still completely clueless though.
DeleteHow many similiar articles have we read?
ReplyDeleteCathay does not fly to much more important markets than Croatia.
How many? Why don't you tell us. How many articles were there about the Croatian embassy in China holding talks with Cathay?
DeleteDoes Cathay have any seasonal routes?
ReplyDeleteYes, Cathay Pacific operates seasonal flights
DeleteThey have a lot of seasonal routes actually. In Europe they fly seasonally to Rome.
Delete^ the city of which is as large as Croatia.
DeleteThey could get Australia transfers, not just tourists from Hong Kong. Could be sucsesfull.
ReplyDeleteThe numbers from Hong Kong still seem too low to justify nonstop flights. Ten thousand annual visitors would barely fill a seasonal service unless there is significant transfer traffic.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteHong Kong has excellent connectivity across Asia-Pacific. Even if local demand is limited, passengers from Australia, Japan and Southeast Asia could help support the route.
DeleteIf Air China launches Beijing-Zagreb flights successfully, that could pave the way for other Chinese carriers to consider Croatia.
ReplyDeleteCroatia needs to do more to promote itself in Asia. Many travellers in China still know very little about the country.
ReplyDeleteTo me a seasonal Scoot route from Singapore would make most sense from Asia.
ReplyDeleteI would not expect Cathay Pacific to launch this route before the end of the decade. The airline still has plenty of larger European markets to prioritise.
ReplyDeleteMy point as well.
DeleteThis is way too early.
I don't think anyone thinks the route would launch tomorrow. Talks with big players usually begin years ahead flights are actually launched.
DeleteCooperation between Cathay Pacific and Croatia Airlines could be more realistic in the short term. A codeshare via major European hubs might be the first step before considering nonstop flights.
ReplyDeleteWould OU be allowed to cooperate with Oneworld airline?
DeleteWhy wouldn't they?
DeleteThere is some limit as to how many non Star airlines from other alliances you can cooperate with.
DeleteNo way. Firstly it's totally different alliance, secondly OU European network is a disaster
DeleteThey could add codeshare onto QR flights to Zagreb. Cathay actually has a codeshare on QR's BEG service so why not ZAG?
DeleteThe biggest challenge is seasonality. Croatia is extremely busy between June and September, but airlines need demand outside the peak months as well.
ReplyDeleteThe very first sentence of the article mentions that the talks are about introducing seasonal flights. Where is the challenge?
Delete3 months.
DeleteTourist from the long haul markets generally tend to visit Europe outside of the peak summer period, since they favour touring, city break and similar experiences, not sun and beach. Pre and post season is actually the ideal time for visiting Croatia.
DeleteIt is encouraging to see Croatian finally taking a proactive approach to air connectivity instead of waiting for airlines to come to them.
ReplyDeleteAirlines follow the money. If Croatia can demonstrate strong yields and provide attractive incentives, a route will eventually happen.
ReplyDeleteMore and more people in the future will look to avoid the Middle East after what has happened this spring. Asian airlines like Singapore Airlines is singificantly increasing ops to Europe next winter. So routes like this will become more realistic.
ReplyDeleteNice. It's good they are thinking big
ReplyDeleteRight now, the market still looks too small.
ReplyDeleteWay too small.
DeleteGood to see Croatia looking east for new routes
ReplyDeleteCould this work as a tag-on service? For example, Hong Kong–Zagreb–some other European destination during the summer season.
ReplyDeleteThey don't do those.
DeleteThey do some fifth freedom flights but it's all in Asia.
DeleteWell, there is no info they would fly to ZAG at all...it says to Croatia.
DeleteThe challenge is whether enough premium passengers are willing to pay for nonstop service.
ReplyDeleteThere is strong competition from established one stop hubs such as Istanbul, Doha and Dubai.
ReplyDeleteDoha and Dubai now, in these years, are you serious?
DeleteWar is over. People will be back at both in a matter of months.
DeleteWar is not over
DeleteLet's say this route was to hypotethically launch. What aircraft would they use?
ReplyDeleteA350
DeleteA330 more likely
DeleteYes A330. They are also getting A330-900s
DeleteWhile Croatia Airlines, headed by Jasmin the magician, with hundreds of millions of wasted euros, keeps on operating Minken Vrankvurt Vrankvurt Minken
ReplyDeleteExcellent news
ReplyDeleteWhat is?
DeleteThat they are being proactive and talking to Cathay.
DeleteIt means actually nothing.
DeleteHow long have they been talking to US authorities about flights to ZAG and still nothing?
"Zagreb was likely to see its first nonstop flights to the United States in either 2020 or 2021. Croatia’s former Minister for Tourism, Gari Capelli, announced the service for 2020. Two years ago, he said, "Following the arrangement with American Airlines between Philadelphia and Dubrovnik this summer, which will act as a trial run, we are already in advanced talks for the introduction of a nonstop service from New York to Zagreb. I hope that we will have this route operational next summer". However, the global pandemic beset such plans.
In 2022, Zagreb may see its first US destination in over three decades."
https://www.exyuaviation.com/p/zagreb-airport-awaits-us-flights.html
We have now June 2026 and still nothing.
When will the Air China flights launch?
ReplyDeleteIn August most likely
DeleteIt is still not sure.
Delete@13:22 making that up right?
DeleteI'm not "making it up". The article linked in the text says it itself
Delete"The new service is expected to launch in August"
Would be amazing to see a Cathay aircraft in Zagreb. Doubt it will happen but hope so.
ReplyDeleteWell Cathay just announced the launch of new flights between Hong Kong and Almaty. So you never know
ReplyDelete"peaked at around 500.000 and has since recovered to roughly 330.000."
ReplyDeleteApsolutno to nije istina!
Dolasci 2024: 156.858, 2025: 155.830.
Niti prije korone u 2019. nije bilo ni blizu 500.000 kineza nego tek 279.118...
Dakle, niti zajedno 2024. i 2025. godine nije došlo 330.000 kineza u Hrvatsku!
Brojke su lako provjerljive na stranici: dzs.hr
Znači hrvatska vlada laže budući da je to njihova izjava
DeleteHrvatska Vlada NIKADA ne laže, NIKADA nije lagala niti će ikada lagati. To je vladavina naroda, iz naroda ZA narod. Sva vlast proizlazi iz naroda i pripada narodu.
Delete