Croatia Airlines puts focus on secondary cities in shifting strategy
Croatia Airlines is putting a greater focus on secondary cities as the carrier seeks new opportunities and looks to become more competitive. Following the recent announcement of its new limited operations between Osijek and Munich, the carrier says it will explore opportunities to extend the flights and add more routes. Furthermore, it is considering additional operations from Skopje, as well as introducing services from Ljubljana. “We decided to commence flights between Osijek and Munich because they will provide good connections to the rest of Europe. This service will be operated on a two-month trial basis, but we are in discussions over a three-year contract”, Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, said. The Osijek flights, launching November 15, will be maintained with the routing Zagreb - Munich - Osijek - Munich - Zagreb.
The Croatian carrier is also considering the W route pattern for other flights in the region. It is looking into the possibility of linking Skopje and Ljubljana. Over 40.000 passengers flew between Macedonia’s and Slovenia’s capital cities each year prior to the bankruptcy of Adria Airways in late September of 2019. The route has been unserved since. Ljubljana Airport’s operator Fraport Slovenija had previously expressed interest in Croatia Airlines serving Vienna, Skopje, Prague and Copenhagen. Earlier this month, Mr Bajić said the carrier is in talks with Slovenian authorities over improving Ljubljana’s connectivity. “Croatia Airlines is potentially interested in establishing flights from Ljubljana Airport in order to enable passengers from Slovenia to connect to European destinations”, the carrier said.
The developments come as Ryanair continues to expand at Croatia Airlines’ main hub of Zagreb with the arrival of a third aircraft and eight new routes in December. The budget carrier has said it is in discussions with the airport to base an additional two jets next summer season. However, Ryanair group CEO, Michael O'Leary, noted the company wants Croatia Airlines to be a "living and healthy" carrier, as they do not have the same passenger structure nor fly to the same destinations and airports. "We care that Croatia Airlines lives, and we did not come here to destroy it, but we came to create healthy competition, and just as the route to Dublin did not destroy Poland’s LOT or Aer Lingus, neither will it destroy Croatia Airlines", Mr O'Leary said.
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