First long haul low cost airline to start in Croatia

A350_scout · Post by **A350_scout** » 07 Dec 2005, 01:51

I have heard of a new low cost long haul and short haul airline that is in the process of being launched in Croatia. The initial long haul routes will operate to Canada, the USA, Australia, and Asia with a fleet of Airbus wide body aircraft. The first stage will see the airline commencing low cost domestic and European services in Spring 2006 with long haul operations due to commence shortly afterwards. The airline is currently in the process of finalising its funding with potential investors.

JAT_boy_BEG · Post by **JAT_boy_BEG** » 08 Dec 2005, 05:53

I doubt the Australia and the Asian part, but not to sure on the U.S and Canada. I don't thik this airline would last long, if actually open at all. I c an see them going domestic in Europe, but not long haul.

regi · Post by **regi** » 08 Dec 2005, 09:33

If we take into consideration the amount of "Balkan" people who emigrated to Australia and New Zealand, it is indeed interesting to pursue that "home" market.
Flying to Sidney would involve automatically a stop in Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok)
So, yes, it is quite possible that they succeed.
On the other hand, there would be no feeder operation by regional/european airlines. So we may assume it is a local affair.
But we are always on the look out for cheap tickets to BKK.

regi · Post by **regi** » 08 Dec 2005, 09:33

I bet that they will use a B767

rares_dan · Post by **rares_dan** » 08 Dec 2005, 09:48

It's hard for me to belive that such an airline will be born in Croatia that is only a candidate to EU. I doubt that from Croatia will be some much travelers in order to fill 1 weekly flight to each of those destinations. In I don't see a german, an italian or a french flying to Zagreb in order to take the plane to New York when from each of this contries there are direct flights at good deals.
Probably this new airline will go in Europe as JAT_boy_BEG just said.

A350_scout · Post by **A350_scout** » 08 Dec 2005, 12:17

Actually the Australia services would be interesting. How many european airlines fly to Australia??? I personally think it would work. I've heard that the flights would operate via Singapore. Also I think they will feed these services from former Yugoslavian cities, eastern european cities and obviously european cities. If the pares were really low, then I don't think that a french or german passenger would care whether he's flying via Zagreb or Vienna.

Iluv346 · Post by **Iluv346** » 10 Dec 2005, 05:08

Hi girls and guys,

Regarding of a new low cost long haul and short haul airline that is in the process .......

Dalmatian Holidays is looking for a Director of Flight Operations & Safety for a new airline project in Croatia. The position involves preparing and implementing flight operations manuals, procedures, and being responsible for Safety and the entire flight operations department within the airline.
JAA ATPL (unfrozen), minimum of 5000 hrs in Command of A320 and/or B737 and/or B767 and/or A330/A340 aircraft types, experience in developing flight operations manuals and procedures through to implementation according to aircraft manufacturer and JAA-OPS procedures and regulations.

Candidates must have extensive experience and JAA approvals on A320 and/or B737/767 aircraft. Similar experience with wide body aircraft would be advantagous but not required. The position would suit candidates looking to further their careers within a management role in an airline. Initially the position will be based in Zagreb although the HQ will eventually be based in Šibenik.

www.dalmatianholidays.com

...my maiden post and just want to wish all the best for all of us...
btw.very nice site

girls and :waving: guys

JAT_boy_BEG · Post by **JAT_boy_BEG** » 10 Dec 2005, 06:50

But still, i can only see the new airline doing regional europe, and maybe a U.S/Canada service. It makes more sense. They will be in abit of competition with JAT if JAT starts their new trans-atlantic services next year, with ZAG, DBV and/or SPU to possibly open to help feed passengers for these flights. For the Asia/Australia part, dont think it will happen just yet.

world · Post by **world** » 26 Dec 2005, 02:41

Good day to Everyone!
I have accidently come across your website today and i
thought i would register and voice my own personal opinion
in relation to this topic!
This so called "new airline in Croatia", if does start up at all?
I think it will succeed!
Jat has its own market and jat will NEVER be a competitor to any
Croatian airline because jat DOES NOT represent Croatia in
air transport!
I can personally tell you that Croatian people living abroad,
DO NOT travel with Jat and DONT want to!
It is a known fact that Jat will NOT be allowed to operate into
Croatia UNTIL it settles its OUTSTANDING DEBTS from 10 years
ago with up to 4 Croatian airports, which runs into millions of dollars!
This so called "new Croatian airline", has every chance of success
if it flys to Australia the US and CANADA,especially if it offers a geat
service to its customers and its well managed!
Croatia airlines will NEVER be involved with long haul operations but
their future will be assurred as a "star alliance member", and with the
summer charter flights!
So this would be a great opportunity for a "new Croatian carrier", to be involved in long haul operations DESPITE OTHER international competitors,as Croatia DESPERATELY needs its OWN long haul airline for its growing
economy!

kindest regards to everyone!

Aerocroatia · Post by **Aerocroatia** » 26 Dec 2005, 22:12

Dalmatian Holidays is an airline who should start with flights in spring next year. These flights will be probably something like regular charter flights with very attractive fares more then a classical low-cost company.
Possible trans continental flights are thought exactly for the tourist and Croatian immigrants to reach Croatia directly. I don't see it possible that Central European citizens would use these flights to get to USA or Canada. Zagreb airport is small and awful and is unsuitable for large numbers of transfer connection flights.
And actually I haven't any info from Croatia that this company is planning flights to Australia.
On the other side. I think there is very little possibility to reach agreements needed to resume JAT flights to Croatia this year. Many agreements missing between to countries to make it possible. On the other side JAT is talking that it is planning to resume flights to Croatia about three year, but Croatian Aviation Authorities still haven't got any official request for these flights.
If JAT arrives to Croatia, I think it will have very little effect to Croatian competition. Actually Croatian airports has much more direct flights and better connections to main European destinations then JAT and Belgrade.

Galemos4 · Post by **Galemos4** » 27 Dec 2005, 00:18

Only 3 European airlines fly to Australia. It is very costly and I doubt a new low cost airline could fly to Australia. I would see Croatian Airlines flying to Asia before this airline.
The guy that announced this on TV or newspaper blew it out of proportion so people would talk about it.

Galemos4 · Post by **Galemos4** » 27 Dec 2005, 00:20

If this was serious the airline would have a name

world · Post by **world** » 27 Dec 2005, 02:32

Hello to all!
We can talk about this topic for a long time, iam only voicing my
thoughts to some of your comments!
It is evident to me that a majority of the people replying to
this topic have NO IDEA about Croatia and Australia!
During the last 12 months Croatia has been one of the fastest
growing aviation markets in south east europe, with 2 new airlines
starting in 2005(mainly charter) and up to 7 additional jets have been
added during this period!
Australia with all the airlines flying there each week, still CANNOT keep
up with the demand,a person has to BOOK a ticket up to TWO MONTHS in
advance to fly to Europe during june,july,august,september,december
and january!
Also flights from Europe to Asia are ALWAYS heavily BOOKED throughout the year!
If this so called "new airline", flys to Australia, they can succeed,
as Australians DO WANT to visit Croatia and fly to OTHER European destinations,
which iam sure this "new airline",will have a network in place.
Obviously to be SUCCESSFUL, this "new airline", has to OFFER its passengers a HIGH LEVEL of CUSTOMER SERVICE, that is something airlines like jat and Croatia airlines DONT KNOW ABOUT!
Croatia airlines is an airline that has NO IDEA and has NO DIRECTION about its
future, it will NEVER be INVOLVED with long haul operations and it can
ONLY manage a fleet of 10 aircraft in 14 years of service!
Croatia airlines and jat have to work HARDER to PROMOTE their products,
especially if LOCAL COMPETITION ARRIVES from a LOCAL PLAYER on scheduled
routes!
Croatia airlines and jat, CANNOT keep a HOLD on to THEIR SCHEDULED ROUTES for ever...
and TRY to PREVENT new operators from competing with them on the CREAM ROUTES!
This is something Croatia airlines is about to experience in the near future,
COMPETITION from LOCAL and OTHER OPERATORS on its cream routes!
And with Croatia s acceptance talks with the European Union about to
commence,this really helps the situation for "new airlines" in Croatia, as
the E.U. wants to see OPEN FREE FOR ALL COMPETITION!
Everyone will just have to wait and see if this "new airline",starts up in
Croatia soon!
Kindest regards to everyone!

n5528p · Post by **n5528p** » 27 Dec 2005, 08:35

A350_scout wrote:Actually the Australia services would be interesting. How many european airlines fly to Australia??? I personally think it would work. I've heard that the flights would operate via Singapore. Also I think they will feed these services from former Yugoslavian cities, eastern european cities and obviously european cities. If the pares were really low, then I don't think that a french or german passenger would care whether he's flying via Zagreb or Vienna.

Currently only OS and BA, AFAIK.
I agree with you that it is possible, but I doubt that it is likely without feeeder flights from Europe. And in order to have such feeder flights, there must be some background - partner of a bigger European airilne or even alliance, or setting up a really big airline at once to produce such feeder flights without a partner. And that is what I doubt.

Depsite having a certain market due to many relatives who left the former Yugoslavia, I doubt that there is a large enough market for weekly flights to Oz when lacking the feeder flights.

Reards, Bernhard

n5528p · Post by **n5528p** » 27 Dec 2005, 08:38

Galemos4 wrote:Only 3 European airlines fly to Australia.

Which one?
I know only of OS (Austrian) and BA (British Airways). Have I missed one?

Regards, Bernhard

Galemos4 · Post by **Galemos4** » 27 Dec 2005, 10:36

n5528p wrote:
Galemos4 wrote:Only 3 European airlines fly to Australia.
Which one?
I know only of OS (Austrian) and BA (British Airways). Have I missed one?

Regards, Bernhard

Virgin Atlantic operates flights to Sydney via Hong Kong. However BA shouldn’t be counted since they are the owner of Qantas so you would expect them to fly to Sydney.

hakan · Post by **hakan** » 27 Dec 2005, 10:48

I know we all Australians with different background would love to see our motherland companies to fly to Australia, but in contrary they stopped flying to Australia like Olympic, Sri Lankan,Air France , Lufthansa.Even, despite so much pressure THY wouldn't fly here as the market is to far away and too expensive to keep the staff and an aircraft here all the time.U.S. and Canada are close and more economical for these airliners.
I am afraid we all have stick to our usual airliners such as Qantas, Singapore, Malaysia, Austrian, BA, Thai,Emirates, Gulf Air etc.
I am not sure whether the Croatian new airliner will fly only for high season here in OZ., but I would welcome any new airliner to Sydney airport.

JAT_boy_BEG · Post by **JAT_boy_BEG** » 29 Dec 2005, 00:15

i can't see the airline in Australia at the moment. Australia is very close to very nice destinations such as Noumea (new caledonia), Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Depasar (Indonesia), Phuket, Sabah, Ko Samui, Gold Coast (Australia), Cairns, Townsville, Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Bandar Seri Begawan, Port Luis (Mauritius) and that is just the begining.

How will the new Croatian charter company compete to that? it can't. There is only very few european airlines serving australian airports.
here is a couple of examples:
MEL - BA(soon to leave), OS, LH codeshare, KL code share
SYD - VS, BA, OS, AF, OA, AY codeshare
PER - BA codeshare

i can't see the airline succeding in Australian and Asian cities. Maybe in N/America, but not Aust/Asia.

regi · Post by **regi** » 29 Dec 2005, 10:01

You think too much in holiday passengers. But think about the vast balkan diaspora living in Australia after the yugoslavian civil wars.
Why did Alitalia fly to Australia? Not for italian tourists.

Aerocroatia · Post by **Aerocroatia** » 29 Dec 2005, 11:27

Only to correct and complete information written by Mr.World.

During the year 2005 only 1 new airline was founded and it is Dubrovnik Airline. Sun Adria thought to be a new airline is actually old company (1997) known as Trade Air and until now it was flying only as a DHL feeder with three L-410s. Sun Adria is only a brand used for Fokker charter flights and it is not a company.

In 2005 there was 11 new planes registreted in Croatia
5 (out of 7) MD-80s Air Adriatic, 3 MD-80s Dubrovnik AL, 2 F-100s SunaAdria and 1 A320 Croatia AL. And Croatia AL was fliying this year with 13 planes (not 10) 4xA320, 6xA319, 3xATR-42.