Croatia Airlines has continued to maintain operations to a number of cities out of its hub in Zagreb, becoming one of the few flag carriers in the region still in operation and providing a vital link for its nationals to return home. The airline, like others, has been affected by the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak and the significant restrictions imposed on air travel by national governments. Today, the carrier has cancelled thirteen return flights, a number of which are domestic. However, it will still maintain services from Zagreb to Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich, Munich, Paris, Frankfurt, Split and London. The Croatian Ministry for Foreign Affairs has urged all Croatian citizens to immediately return to the country.
Croatia Airlines has also deployed its resources to the Croatian government. Yesterday, the carrier flew its Airbus A320 aircraft to Abu Dhabi to pick up a donation of medical supplies from a local Sheikh who wished to remain anonymous. “In light of the current situation related to the coronavirus epidemic, Croatia Airlines, as the national carrier, is continuously adapting its business activities in line with the latest epidemiological situation in Croatia and the world, as well as advice from Croatian and global public health authorities”, the carrier said in a statement.
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| Croatia Airlines A320 in Zagreb following Abu Dhabi flight |
European airlines which have so far suspended all commercial operations on a temporary basis over Covid-19 include Air Antwerp, airBaltic, Air Malta, Air Moldova, Air Serbia, Austrian, BA CityFlyer, BlueAir, ČSA Czech Airlines, Flyone, HOP!, Jet2, La Compagnie, Lauda, Level, LOT, Luxair, Montenegro Airlines, Smartwings, Transavia, TUI UK and Ukraine International Airlines.
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| Croatia traffic daily variation |
Bravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteThe Bravo wanker has his worst moment - what is there 'bravo' about here?!?!? They are merely spreading this horrible disease around for absolutely no good reason. They should have stopped flying ages ago. Aviation is single handedly responsible for the spread of this virus, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that stopping movement of people around is the only weapon we have to protect ourselves, our families and society against this deadly virus. so NO F****** BRAVO here.
DeleteI still don't understand why they are flying when pretty much everyone else is grounded.
ReplyDeleteThey are flying with 80% reduced capacity...providing the escape bridge while it's still possible. I imagine they will be grounded by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.
DeleteWell, obviously there are few flight across Europe...
DeleteProbably partially to transfer Croatian citizen from some airports and partially this is exercise to show why having a national carrier matters. Look at statement from Montengero (taken from another ExYU news):
The Montenegrin Prime Minister, Duško Marković, noted, “This is the best response to the question whether we need a national carrier”.
This situation will be handy to justify further investments once Corona is over.
They are flying obviously because they are heading the EU and need to make sure Zagreb is connected. Some demand is still there.
DeleteWhy is everyone worying about Croatia Airlines all of a sudden? It’s 100% owned by the Croatian Governement, and they call the shots and will flip the costs.
ReplyDeleteCovid19 will SAVE Croatia Airlines, because EU will change their Laws regarding goverments funding Airlines (all non-private EU Airlines will need massive bailouts after this) and Croatia Airlines will receive an additional cash injection, saved by the bell!
I agree with you. Politicians will use opportunity to throw more money in voters pools what most of state companies are. They must ensure their hands for upcoming elections.
DeleteAnd that is why the Italian government nationalized Alitalia. They did it a couple of days ago.
DeleteSo, ZAG might end up being the busiest airport in ex-Yu having all the rest closed...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely won't.
DeleteBeing the busiest airport during current times is the thought only the most deranged of minds could have.
DeleteOnly for couple of months
ReplyDeleteThe other day, flew OU491 from LHR, completly full, not only with Croatian citizents, also with slovenians, bosnians and macedonians
ReplyDeleteI can imagine. Some people said LHR was full to BEG on JU the other day too. People are trying to get home anyway they can.
DeleteCongrats to the OU staff for keeping their cool in such a situation.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how long this will be able to go for. We just recorded 40 new cases.
ReplyDeleteIs that the first time OU has flown to the UAE?
ReplyDeleteI don't know about OU, but Trade Air used to land in DXB when positioning Fokker to/from Australia to operate for electoral campaign there. Also it had one Fokker based in SHJ (Sharjah) for 6 months operating to MCT, BAH and KWI from there
DeleteI don't know about OU, but Trade Air used to land at DXB when positioning Fokker to/from Australia to operate during electoral campaign for Aussie gvt there. Also they had one Fokker based in SHJ (Sharjah) for 6 months, operating MCT, BAH and KWI from there, for UK gvt
DeleteBravo Croatia, once again, and once and once...
ReplyDelete*and again and again...
Delete'Zivjeti se ne mora, letjeti se mora!'
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines is just doing its daily job, the best they can in these circumstances. They cannot fly virtually, like you probably work from home nowadays and write stupidities on blogs like this. They are a rare bright spot in the world of aviation these days!
I wish them all the best - let them fly high forewer! Greetings from Banja Luka.
+1000000, Croatia Airlines in this crisis is a great corporate citizen, they are surely not flying for profit, rather Heros briging their (and other) citizens home, being at the use of the citizens that pay the bills.
DeleteBravo Croatia Airlines, tip my hat to you!
Tko leti vrijedi, tko ne leti ne vrijedi! Alan Ford
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVCqSbIRPH8&app=desktop
ReplyDeleteWas the airport damaged by the earthquake?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2020/03/zagreb-airport-undamaged-in-earthquake.html
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