20 million for Croatia Airlines

Success

On Friday, July 24, Croatia Airlines transported its 20 millionth passenger during its almost 20 year history. The passenger, Boris Jakopović, was travelling on a scheduled service from Amsterdam to Zagreb. At Zagreb Airport, Ivan Mišetić, the airline’s CEO handed the passenger 2 return tickets to any destination within the Croatia Airlines network as well as a 4 day hotel accommodation voucher at that destinations.

On Friday, the airline also marked 5 years since becoming a regional Star Alliance member. The airline should become a full member by the end of the year as the alliance plans to shut down its regional network of airlines. Croatia Airlines first operated 20 years ago as Zagal-Zagreb Airlines. While it mostly performed charters it was Croatia’s first airline. Two years later, in 1991, Croatia Airlines was formed and it began operations from Zagreb to Split. A year later, in 1992, the airline began its first scheduled international services, with its first destination being Frankfurt. The airline has flown 11.14 million passengers on international services, 6.71 million on domestic and 2.14 passengers on charter services.

Croatia Airlines transported its millionth passenger in 1994, while from 2000 the airline has had over 1 million passengers annually. The trend will continue this year as well. Croatia Airlines has so far transported 900.000 passengers this year and is expected to break the million mark soon. The airline is experiencing a decline in passenger numbers of 4.7% in the first 6 months of this year, which is still much less then other airlines operating within the Ex-Yu republics.