Air China today launched services between Beijing and Zagreb via Bucharest, marking the first scheduled link between the Chinese and Croatian capitals. The 265-seat Airbus A330-200 touched down in Zagreb slightly ahead of schedule. The Star Alliance member will operate three weekly rotations on the route, with tickets also available for travel on the short Bucharest - Zagreb sector. Travellers to and from the Croatian capital will complete passport and immigration formalities in Romania in both directions, while departures from Zagreb will use the airport’s Schengen area. The intermediate stop lasts three hours on both the outbound and return journeys.

Commenting on the new route, Monika Udovičić, the State Secretary at the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport, said, “The launch of this service represents an important milestone for Croatian tourism, as it strengthens our connectivity with one of the world's most significant outbound travel markets. Chinese visitors are of great importance to Croatia's tourism sector, and I am particularly pleased that this new route will provide them with even more convenient and accessible opportunities to travel to Croatia. Building a strong presence in long-haul markets requires sustained efforts through improved connectivity, targeted promotion and long-term partnerships, and this new service is a significant step in that direction. Enhanced air links also create greater opportunities for economic, investment, and sports cooperation, further strengthening the relationship between Croatia and China. I am confident that this route will contribute to promoting Croatia even more strongly within the Chinese market and support continued growth in tourism and broader bilateral exchanges".