European start-up carrier, Air Croatia, will finally inaugurate passenger operations from Zagreb International Airport at the start of next month using a 48-seat ATR 42 wet-leased from Dutch ACMI provider Denim Air. The airline will link the Croatian capital city with Budapest, Hungary; Milan and Rome, Italy; and Prague in the Czech Republic using the regional turboprop.

The independent carrier has been seeking to launch operations from Croatia for over a year, but has delayed the start of operations on numerous occasions. It had initially planned to link Zagreb, Split and Zadar with Gothenburg from summer 2014 using an Airbus A319 leased from Czech Airlines but deferred its launch due to low bookings and reservation system issues.

A plan to inaugurate flights between Zagreb and Prague and Rome in December 2014 using an Embraer E190 leased from Estonian Air was again suspended at late notice due to low demand for flights through the first quarter of 2015, thus the delay to its new April launch date.

The start-up will inaugurate flights on April 2, 2015 with a three times weekly links to Budapest and Prague, while three times weekly flights to the Italian destinations of Milan and Rome will follow from April 3, 2015. Air Croatia will be the sole carrier to serve all four markets from Zagreb on a non-stop basis, marking the return of regular services on the city pairs. The Budapest market was last served from Zagreb by Qatar Airways on its flights from Doha, while Vueling Airlines served the Zagreb – Rome market last summer. Croatia Airlines provides links between Zagreb and Rome, but via Dubrovnik and Split.

As Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb is also the largest city in the country and the hub of business, culture and sporting activities, making it an ideal destination for leisure and business passengers alike. Research shows significant volumes of passengers already travelling in and out of Croatia from/to Hungary, Italy and the Czech Republic, but having to transfer via other airports.

Budapest Airport has welcomed the news of Air Croatia’s launch, a sixth new airline and 13th new route for Hungary’s main international gateway since the start of the year. This growth has helped the airport record its highest ever monthly growth rate of 13 per cent in February 2015.

“This is tremendous news and another clear indication of our airport’s growing reputation, with airlines recognising the business and leisure opportunities available. We know demand is strong for this service to Zagreb and look forward to welcoming Air Croatia as a new airline partner,” said Jost Lammers, chief executive officer, Budapest Airport.

Air Croatia is one of a number of new airlines planning flights from Croatia from this summer. Limitless Airways has already taken delivery of the first of two Airbus A320s for use on seasonal flights to Scandinavia from Reijeka on behalf of tour operator Scandjet, while Sea Air plans flights from Osijek to Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna using Classic Boeing 737 variants.

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