The world's largest carrier, American Airlines, is considering introducing seasonal flights to Dubrovnik. According to the "TangoSix" portal, the company is in talks with the airport over a seasonal service from Philadelphia. A decision on the matter is expected within the next month. American operates a number of seasonal flights to Europe from its Philadelphia hub including Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Lisbon, Prague, Shannon and Venice. This year, the airline expanded its reach from Philadelphia into Europe with seasonal flights to Budapest and Prague. Both are operated by its Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The move is seen as affirming American’s commitment to Philadelphia as a trans-Atlantic gateway.
Dubrovnik Airport has identified the United States and South Korea as two far-away markets which could sustain services to the coastal city. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Dubrovnik Airport's General Manager, Frano Luetić, said, "These two far-away markets are the most important for Dubrovnik. According to the city's tourist board, visitors from the US are the second most common, behind those from the United Kingdom, which is specific to the Dubrovnik region. On the other hand, Korean tourists are most plentiful during the winter months". With exception to several summer charters from Japan, operated by All Nippon Airways, Dubrovnik Airport currently has no regular long haul flights.
In 2016, local authorities said they were seeking a partner for the introduction of a two weekly, year-round, New York - Dubrovnik service. At the time, the now former Mayor, Andro Vlahušić, said, "The number of visitors from the United States to Dubrovnik has tripled over the past five years, which is why we want to establish direct flights between New York and Dubrovnik. A two weekly service from New York would significantly contribute to the tourism industry during the winter months". Commenting on possible services to Croatia, American Airlines said, "American constantly evaluates our network to ensure we are maximising our fleet and profitability while matching customer demand. While no airline can serve every destination, our joint businesses and alliances with airlines like British Airways and membership in Oneworld allows our customers to seamlessly connect to Croatia".
Dubrovnik Airport has recorded strong passenger growth so far this year. In May it welcomed 291.453 passengers through its doors, representing an increase of 14.8% on 2017. During the January - May period, the airport handled 537.152 travellers, up 13.4%.
If you look at the cities they fly out of Philadelphia, Dubrovnik actually makes sense.
ReplyDeleteyes very intresting, very good for DBV
DeleteCongrats to DBV for trying! There are really many American tourists there!
Deletewow that would be nice.
ReplyDeleteIf they do decide to fly to Dubrovnik my guess would be for next year right?
ReplyDeleteObviously. They won't announce these sort of flights in July for August.
DeleteI think it could work. There is definitely potential.
ReplyDeleteBesides Belgrade and Zagreb, Dubrovnik is the only city in my opinion that has (seasonal) potential for US flights.
DeleteSKP too if you look at its growth so far. Maybe not now but in a year or two yes.
Delete+10000 Anon 09.16
DeleteMaybe AA could link ZAG and SKP?
Why should they link ZAG and SKP?
DeleteBecause they could fly like that year-round.
DeleteZAG should have its own flights, just my thought.
DeleteWhat's your thought on ZAG still not having it?
DeleteI think it's called negotiating?
DeleteAnon 10:57, you can ask Korean Air about not having flights to ZAG! ;)
DeleteDid someone repeatdly say that DBV is just a small town of 40 thousand? Hmmm, try again.
ReplyDeleteDBV = THE BEST in South Europe!
We know who is jealous the most of DBV here. :D It's ok,Dubrovnik will become the first in the country to get flights to the US and those people will just have to deal with that. :D
DeleteIf DBV is getting them then it's only a matter of time before ZAG gets them as well.
DeleteAgree with Anon 9:24!
DeleteI doubt it, DBV always had more demand compared to ZAG, when it comes to US flights.
DeleteZAG will get the flights to the US, there's no doubt about that.
DeleteDubrovnik needs to hire someone decent to do their website. It was bad before and was recently updated and now it’s just a complete mess!! Like honestly probably the worst website I have come across in a long time.
Deletemany websites of airports needs better user experience most of them are bad
DeleteHave there ever been flights from DBV to US after Yugoslavia broke up?
ReplyDeleteNo
DeleteI don’t think there were ever flights. Pan Am did fly to dubrovnik but from their Frankfurt hub.
DeleteJAT flew nonstop Dubrovnik - New York in summers.
DeleteAh ok, thanks!
DeleteJAT flew nonstop Dubrovnik - Chicago as well
DeletePanAm had a number of flights just before the demise in 1991, JFK-ZAG-DBV-JFK with A310
DeleteIf JAT and Pan Am could maintain flights to DBV from/to the US 30 years ago I don't see why there could not be flights now.
ReplyDeleteFrom Ex-Yu's vintage section :)
Deletehttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChfhgTqWLdI/VEP15CnfOQI/AAAAAAAAOVU/njAETwYW7B0/s1600/panam.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AF0ZQHMb3sY/VloJwCw_6eI/AAAAAAAAUb4/EVcA0IkCFfM/s1600/panam.png
Kind of sad that this was normal 30 years ago but would be a massive thing today.
DeleteTrue
DeleteIt was a different time back then.
DeleteFingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt about it this will become reality
DeleteIt would be nice if they flew Philadelphia - Zagreb - Dubrovnik - Philadelphia.
ReplyDeleteNo need, ZAG will have its own flights to the US. Even if this AA story for DBV doesn't work now, it will work in the future, for sure!
DeleteZagreb airport is talking to number of US Carriers in starting service to Zagreb, there was some semi-success, read as US carriers considering Zagreb in the past.
DeleteThere's a small US ex-pat emigre community in Zagreb of around 1000, and in Croatia of around 1700, mostly entrepreneurs, artist and businessman working for international operations in Zagreb and Croatia. Not sure this would warrant direct links to US, as alternatives as really good, Air France, JLM, Lufthansa, Austrian, BA, Iberia, Swiss and OU code-share with United, all offering good decently priced flight deals for NY and other US cities.
I think there'll be nothing of US flights before 2020 in Zagreb or Dubrovnik, perhaps in 2020, Delta or American might decide to initiate flights linking NYC with Dubrovnik via Zagreb seasonally.
As is, the very good connection to US via major EU hubs, makes little sense for US carriers to start direct flights. Even though, Croatia is top 25 destination for US visitors in 2017, probably be top 20 destination in 2020 when it is expected over 700 000 US visitors could visit Croatia. Ahead of Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Hungary or Switzerland.
In time perhaps US carriers will show up, lets hold it is rather sooner than later.
Good news just keeps coming from Croatia this year. Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt would be the cherry on top of the cake for flights to the US to launch next year, with the new terminal opened and so many new routes being launched.
ReplyDeleteIt would be the next major step for DBV. Let's hope it happens in 2019.
DeleteWhy Philadelphia? Why not New York? Any particular reason?
ReplyDeletePHL is American Airlines' major, intercontinental hub and one of the most premium airports in North America. That is why they are linking DBV with it.
DeleteThanks :) Didn't know that.
DeleteAnd in Pennsylvania is biggest Croatian Diaspora in USA.
DeleteWhat do you think the chances are for this flight Purger?
DeleteWhich generation though? There's a lot of Serbs there especially around Pittsburgh but they are second or third generation.
DeleteWell it is my information in first place.
DeleteI speak with person who is in charge for this for several hours but I can not give any details.
More information on topic:
Deletehttps://tangosix.rs/2018/05/06/kolumna-alena-scurica-korean-jos-jedan-veliki-iskorak-za-zagreb/
How many US visitors to Dubrovnik last year?
ReplyDeleteI don't know for Dubrovnik but in Croatia there were 451,947 US arrivals last year.
DeleteI still don't get that Croatia Airlines hasn't leased one or two A330s. The cost of leasing its quite low at the moment. They could pretty much pick and choose the destinations during the summer - US, Canada, Japan, Korea... We would be earning much more on these tourists that way.
ReplyDeleteIf they would be smart they could hve cooperated with JU. But politicians are rather dividing and so we are in 2018 and instead of good, smart and fruitfull relations we hve political tension among some of the ex YU republic. Good evidence why to ignore politics and focus on more important things in life
DeleteWhy should there be any cooperation between OU and JU? What's wrong about competition? Besides, it would be very difficult given that one has to operate under EU rules and other does not have.
Delete@9.21 that would be nice but the only thing OU is missing here is money.
DeleteBecause this way they could do something bigger.
DeleteBigger does not mean better. OU needs to continue serving Croatian market by connecting to EU hubs and bringing pax to Croatian airports.
Delete@AnonymousJune 6, 2018 at 9:21 AM
DeleteI see no need for OU to lease or consider wide body aircraft. It is unecessry and with number of EU based carriers having great links to major EU hubs, direct flights for now seems ott.
Croatian airlines is a small company, it'll need to grow some more before it can contemplate flights to north america.
If Croatian Airlines had a fleet of 30 aircraft or so, 4 million passengers and served 50 destinations in Europe and near East, I'd understand the need to expand beyond this region.
As is, there's no need for such flights at this time. Major EU carriers are doing brilliant job. Would love to see north american carrier establish flights to Zagreb and Croatia, but let them first take a chance.
There obviously is some form of demand for long haul routes from Croatia as ZAG has been recieving them for the past few years, which has only grown.
DeleteThe added advantage to OU is its Star Alliance membership as well as the Miles & More program. OU should be easily able to find a small niche from which to make a widebody or 2 work.
YYZ - AC
ICN - OZ
EWR - UA
SIN - SQ
BKK - TG
However, it lacks a proper hub to boost sales through connecting pax as seen with JU, which would mean heavily relying on the O&D demand.
Ive said before many times that OU has more reason to go long haul than JU, demand is simply much larger for it in Croatia due to the tourism it generates, especially from the markets it does, which unfortunaty has been picked up by competitor airlines not in alliance with OU (EK, KE, QR, TS.
@ anonymous 3,45pm
OU could do some small changes like make departure/arrival waves which would improve connectivity in ZAG. Obviously OU wouldnt be able to meet the full demand, however it could compliment the offering via OU's partners in Euro hubs.
Not the best example, but JU seems to be pulling it off with 21 ac and 2.6 million pax, having now increased JFK to 6 p/w. JU has a weaker partner (EY), is not in any alliance, a weaker FF program (EY guest) and Serbia is far from a tourism hot spot.
But I guess its all about money, which OU doesnt have.
This will affect some airlines flying to DBV.
ReplyDeleteI am probably one of the rare ones who landed and dep on widebody in DBV ;-)
ReplyDeleteAA B767 in Coach are not a real pleasure to fly with. First of all in average every 6 to 8 weeks u face an AOG in or outbound, no power plugin except for Maincabin extra and no PTV. Seats are 20 years old
Business is updated and good
Well the B767 from AA is similar to Rouge. Same generation of planes.
DeleteWhich airline/plane did you use at DBV?
DeleteAgree with you about AA's B767s.
August 1989 JFK-DBV-BEG
DeleteNice! Would be great if you could share some memories from that flight (if you can remember it).
DeleteI have had good experiences with AA but I have not been on their 767's.
DeleteActually, just had a quick look at Skytrax to see how they are rated. Lots ans lots of 1/10..... Maybe I just got lucky lol.
Deleteanonymous 0953h: dont remember much but I was so excited on flying JU DC10 that during stop over in DBV where remained on board i was asking one of the flight attendants holes in her belly. Flight was full and delayed. I think about 110 pax flew to BEG, rest got off in DBV
DeleteJU DC10 flights are my big own treasure which I will carry all my life in me. GN fm ZRH
Korean could easily extend its ZAG flights to go to DBV as well.
ReplyDeleteWould be nice to see Jinair in DBV
DeleteIt is possible to see, perhaps not in 2019, but see no problem in getting Seoul - Zagreb - Dubrovnik - Seoul route approved over summer months.
DeleteHopefully it happens in 2020.
If Venice, Athens, Budapes and Prague can have US flights, why not Dubrovnik.
ReplyDeleteDubrovnik could get those flights, no problem. But you can't compare Du to those huge tourist meccas.
DeleteDubrovnik isn't getting that many air-passengers to warrant such flights. Venice has 10-11 million visitors, Prague 7 million, no idea if Budapest has direct NA flights, but even Budapest gets 4.5 million visitors each year.
DeleteDubrovnik with its 1.1 million visitors can't be classed in the same category just yet.
Budapest has direct flights to JFK, ORD, PHL and YYZ.
DeleteFor instance, Venice doesn't have flights to China, so, how about that? And, judging by its reputation, don't you think it should have at least seasonal flights? What I meant to say, if AA thinks there is sufficient demand in DBV, they will come. If not, well, at least, DBV can try again.
DeleteForgot to add, Venice doesn't have flights to Japan, either.
DeleteGood numbers from Dubrovnik as well.
ReplyDeleteI think a priority for DBV should be securing more winter flights. That said I wouldn't say that progress hasn't been made in this respect.
ReplyDeleteI also think they are working towards it. In 2016 they got Turkish Airlines, last year Vueling and this year Iberia
DeleteIf only those flights had operated in reality. In most cases flights were cancelled.
DeleteIt is unfortunate that Croatia Airlines has reduced its ops from Dubrovnik so much during the winter.
Delete@11.01 what do you mean?
DeleteIt is the result of low demand.
DeleteIf demand is so low, why will the flights be resumed in the coming winter? yes, that's right, that Turkish Airlines has canceled some flights. Vuelings losdfactor was above their expectations and therefore satisfied.
DeleteCroatia did not reduce flights from Dubrovnik in winter:
Delete3 pw to Frankfurt
2 pw to Rome
22 pw to Zagreb (this winter up to 24)
Im surprised that after several years of seasonal
Deleteops, JU hasnt made DBV a year round route.
A za koga i zasto?
DeleteNiti je vrijeme povoljno niti su hoteli otvireni
Zagreb-Beograd-Podgorica-Beograd-Zagreb
ReplyDeleteAir Serbia
petak 8.6/subota 9.6.
karta kupljena tri dana prije
258 EUR bez prtljage i sjedala
279 EUR sa prtljagom
291 EUR sa odabranim sjedalima (23-30 kn je po legu odabir sjedala) - KUPLJENO!
To je odlicna cena imajuci u vidu da je leto i da letite za TGD koja je hronicno puna.
DeleteAlen, make trip report :)
DeleteЗар Air Serbia наплаћује пртљаг? Нисам то знао.
DeleteП.С. Поздрав из ЦГ
^ Zavisno kakvu kartu kupis
DeleteJP is still cheaper...
Delete210€ without luggage
250€ with luggage
But travelling to LJU and parking there... you come to the same price I guess.
Haplek
I fly with Air Serbia at least 15 times per year. And I made trip report on my first flight. Those days there is nothing special what you can write in trip report on those short flights.
DeleteHaplek, 2 problems with JP:
Delete- costs (petrol, vignette, parking) + time for travel to Ljubljana
- timing which was not good for me
By the way what happen with 11 flights per week to Podgorica, as they fly 7 pw like last year. Problem with shortage of planes?
They should or will start with them by the end of the month
DeleteI believe that fleet shortage is the most logical explanation.
Delete8 new routes,
2 CRJ900 at OS,
1 CRJ700 at LG,
no SAAB2000 in the fleet.
Haplek
Any chance of seeing Norwegian flights from DBV-LAX or DBV-SFO?
ReplyDeleteWould be nice but knowing Norwegian's current state (lack of aircraft and liquidity) I'm not sure they would start such an adventure.
DeleteThey will fly from OAK for sure. Probably next summer.
DeleteAhahahahaha...
DeleteOr DBV-BWK-LAX. Even better!
DeleteWhy not to Hawaii, or Sydney also?
DeleteHahahahahaha!!!!
Would be interesting to see how much these flights would bring in new tourists.
ReplyDeleteTo me it would make most sense for an airline like United to start flights from the US to Zagreb and then codeshare on Croatia Airlines which is their Star Alliance partner to Dubrovnik and Split.
ReplyDeleteIt would make sense for both DBV and ZAG to have flights.
DeleteWell done, Croatia!
ReplyDeleteit's just a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteAgree. So many Americans during summer in DBV.
DeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteI think flights from Dubrovnik to the US would be a great success straight away.
ReplyDeleteTwo weekly year round would have been too much. But during the season it would definitely work.
ReplyDeleteAt least 3pw during summer could work for DBV! The demand is there!
DeleteThis is fantastic news!! Well done DBV and Croatia.
ReplyDeleteI think 2 per week on a 767 type would easily work on its own.
ReplyDeleteGood airline too.
Good airline? Okay I flew with them only once, but they are as crappy as all two other major US carriers. Worn out interior and bad service.
DeleteOn long haul I prefer million times LH group airlines or TK from Europe (though I always think twice if I really need to book with TK as their safety record is a big concern) or any Asian carrier! US big 3 are the worst you can fly with on long haul, no doubt.
American Airlines is a brand and there are people who are willing to use it and go directly to their destination. Congrats to DBV for trying to negotiate this route, regardless how the negotiations end!
DeleteYeah, I had a look at Skytrax and got they get lot of 1/10.... Like I wrote above, maybe I just got lucky but I thought they were very good From Syd to LA in the 777. Thought Delta long haul was good too.
DeleteIf this goes thru the slimmer chances of Zagreb getting flights to USA.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? Ahahaha
DeleteWith a US3 carrier yes, daily to DBV and daily to ZAG seems too much. With LOT, Norwegian and carriers alike who fly low frequency TATL routes no.
Delete@AnonymousJune 6, 2018 at 3:14 PM
DeleteHe is aying if Dubrovnik gets it first, less chance for Zagreb, which is true, as there's only two airlines from US that fly to many EU destinations, Delta and American. United only flies to select few hubs, London, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam...
ZAG is actually negotiating with Delta and there is place for both, DBV and ZAG, at least for seasonal flights.
DeleteBut hardly daily to both cities from US3, even in the peak season. So if DBV gets them next season it’s a setback for ZAG. The advantage of ZAG is that it might sustain year round flights unlike DBV. Couple of times weekly with LOT, maybe.
DeleteI doubt Dubrovnik will get anything more than a charter or seasonal charter from US. We need to be realistic what potential Dubrovnik has right now and mid-future.
DeleteApart from tourist and film crew there's little demand for anything else, in terms for film crew, most of them when on filming locations in Croatia are based in Zagreb, where filming studios and extensive faculties are, in Dubrovnik they just shoot the scenes, fly to Zagreb and edit the material before sending it off to Hollywood or London for post-op.
I don't think Delta or America are in to holiday flights that much, sure they have seasonal flights to Venice, Prague, Vienna, Budapest...
However these are major cities of commerce, trade, diplomacy and travel. Sorry Dubrovnik barely rates when compared. Any future US flights will need to be done via Zagreb, with Dubrovnik as a 2nd stop, sort of stuff Pan Am did in their heyday. Do I miss Pan Am, what a great airline that was. I was barely a child when they went bust, but stories and films, made about that airline and the fact they flew to Zagreb and Dubrovnik.
"...I don't think Delta or America are in to holiday flights that much, sure they have seasonal flights to Venice, Prague, Vienna, Budapest..."
DeleteSorry, I don't get this part.
Market for this would be mostly American tourists going to Dubrovnik. Some diaspora but not much, as LAX/ORD/JFK-PHL-DBV-ZAG is worse than LAX/ORD/JFK-FRA/MUC-DBV. No cruise ship passengers as Dubrovnik is just a port of call. Not too many business passengers and cargo demand. Very few passengers originating in DBV. AA cabin not optimized for leisure passengers like TS or Rouge. At best, seasonal 2pw.
ReplyDeleteThe US3 operate TATL flight almost exclusively on a daily basis, only United operates couple of African destinations with low frequency (2-3x weekly). If this route really happens it will be daily.
DeleteDubrovnik is starting port for MSC.
DeleteDBV is also homebase for TUI UK Cruises
DeleteI cant find Dubrovnik as a departure port on MSC website
Delete"If this route really happens it will be daily."
DeleteYou kidding us, right?
Why should he/she be kidding? If there is demand, then there is demand...
DeleteI think Norwegian will base 1 787-900 just like LEVEL did in CDG. I see potential US routes:
ReplyDeleteDBV-JFK
DBV-BOS
DBV-OAK
DBV-LAX
DBV-ORD
DBV-MIA or DBV-FLL
In the summer they can send the aircraft to Europe too:
DBV-CDG
DBV-LHR
DBV-FRA
DBV-MAD
I am confident that they will also look into the Balkans and base a widebody a/c.
???
Delete