Croatia Airlines restores seasonal flights between Rijeka and Munich
3rd June 2021, Rijeka
Number of flights operated by Croatia Airlines from Croatia to European destinations further increasing
Today, Croatia Airlines has operated its first flight this year on the Rijeka-Munich route, thanks to which seasonal flights that directly connect the German market with the Kvarner Region have been restored.
All passengers on the return flight OU4435 from Munich to Rijeka received a 30-euro discount voucher redeemable against their next purchase of Croatia Airlines air tickets. After Croatia Airlines’ Dash 8-Q400 aircraft landed at Rijeka Airport (on the Island of Krk), the passengers were welcomed jointly by representatives of Croatia’s flag carrier, Rijeka Airport, and the Kvarner Region Tourist Board.
The restoration of scheduled seasonal flights between Rijeka and Munich is an integral part of Croatia Airlines’ plans to not only restore flights, but also increase the number of flights available from Croatia to European destinations during this year’s summer season. On the Rijeka-Munich route, Croatia’s flag carrier is in June planning to operate scheduled flights on Thursdays and Sundays, and to introduce in July an additional flight on Tuesdays.
– We’re glad that, in accordance with the current public health and safety situation, and market demand, we have succeeded in restoring seasonal flights between Rijeka and Munich. I believe that being directly connected with the German market will contribute to the development of the potential for tourism of the Kvarner Region and the city of Rijeka, while simultaneously strengthening the business operations of Rijeka Airport during this season. This product has an added value – Croatia Airlines’ Rijeka office, whose employees are here to assist all passengers flying on this route, and to introduce them to all the other benefits of the Croatia Airlines product – said Marina Cossutta-Razumović, Rijeka Branch Office Manager at Croatia Airlines.
– We’re very pleased that Croatia Airlines is continuing to connect Rijeka with Munich for several reasons, the first of which is the fact that, via the Munich hub, our passengers can easily connect with the entire world. The other reason that makes us feel pleased and that attention should be drawn to is the fact that this route is actually the result of the efforts made by Rijeka Airport at the initiative of the Management Board of Rijeka Airport in 2015, when the Rijeka-Munich route was introduced in agreement with the Management Board of Croatia Airlines, as well as the result of the fact that Rijeka Airport invested significant amounts of its own funds in its sustainability. To be precise, during the first years of flights operated between Rijeka and Munich after the route was introduced, when no one believed that it would survive, Rijeka Airport invested over HRK 10 million (both its own funds, and via discounts approved and given on its services), believing that the investment would pay off. We’re very happy and proud to finally be able to say that operating flights on the Rijeka-Munich route even during these times of crisis proves that the route has finally become self-sustainable, and that, in the future, it will no longer need to be pushed or encouraged – said Tomislav Palalić, CEO of Rijeka Airport.
– That the Kvarner Region continues to be at the top of the most popular destinations for guests coming from Germany is evidenced by statistics on tourist traffic during the first 5 months of this year. These statistics show that, from amongst all foreign guests visiting the Kvarner Region, guests from Germany take first place. Accordingly, in 2021 the Kvarner Region Tourist Board organised a series of virtual presentations on the German market, attended and presented at tourism and travel shows, and ran several different advertising campaigns, all with a view to maintaining uninterrupted communication with our German guests, and to reminding them of what the Kvarner Region has to offer – the region’s accessible quickly and easily, it boasts post-COVID health recovery programmes which are highly sought after at this particular point in time, its offer of foods is exceptional, the activities it offers in the great outdoors are many, with a special emphasis on cycling and hiking. We believe that Croatia Airlines’ flights on the Munich-Rijeka route will be well filled despite all the circumstances. We’re pleased that together we’ve succeeded in keeping this route running, a route that will assist us in promoting the Kvarner Region further, making it become a more easily reachable holiday destination not only for German guests, but others as well – said Irena Peršić Živadinov, CEO of the Kvarner Region Tourist Board.
During the summer months, Croatia Airlines, Croatia’s flag carrier and a member of Star Alliance, is planning to further expand its network of flights from Croatia to European cities. Accordingly, flights are planned to 18 European and 7 Croatian destinations.
Besides flights on the Rijeka-Munich route, from Zagreb Croatia Airlines is looking to operate flights to 14 European destinations. Split Airport should be connected with 12 foreign destinations, and Dubrovnik Airport with six international destinations.
To ensure connectivity, and to support the tourism product of the Republic of Croatia as strongly as possible, Croatia Airlines is planning to offer over 80,000 seats on flights from European destinations to Croatia during the summer season. Moreover, in collaboration with many tour operators, more than 200 charter flights are planned from Austria, Italy, Ireland, Israel, and Scandinavia.
Taking all necessary measures to maintain the level of protection of the health and safety of passengers at the highest possible level at all times, and adhering to all current public health and safety measures, Croatia Airlines is continuing to interconnect Croatia via scheduled domestic traffic between the airports of Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Zadar, Brač, and Pula.