Croatia Airlines celebrates 30 years of Vienna and Zagreb service

Direct flights have been operated between Austria and Croatia for three decades. On 17 January 1993, Croatia’s flag carrier Croatia Airlines landed in Vienna from Zagreb for the first time. Three decades later, the airline connects the capitals of Austria and Croatia twice a day. Today, on 17 January 2023, Croatia Airlines and Vienna Airport are celebrating this anniversary at a photo session.

Air travel to the popular vacation destinations will be even more convenient in the future: Croatia joined the Schengen area in January 2023. This means passengers at Vienna Airport will no longer have to go through the border control when entering and leaving for flights to and from Croatia as of March 26, 2023.

“Croatia Airlines has been offering flights from Vienna to Croatia for thirty years. Currently, they operate a total of fourteen flights per week. This flight connection strengths the close tourism connection between Austria and Croatia and Vienna’s role as an international hub. Joining the Schengen zone will simplify the journey for passengers flying via Vienna Airport on flights from and to Croatia in the near future. I am pleased about this decision which strengthens the freedom of travel within Europe,” states Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.

“I am pleased that we are celebrating the 30th anniversary on the Vienna-Zagreb route and would like to warmly thank our partners at Vienna Airport for the high-quality collaboration which has existed over the past three decades. The Austrian market is a very important market for Croatia Airlines. This cooperation enables our passengers to benefit from suitable transfer options to destinations throughout the entire world when they arrive at Vienna Airport. At the same time, we also offer the fastest transport connection from Vienna to Croatia for passengers from Austria all year long” states Mato Radic, Area Manager Central Europe at Croatia Airlines.

First flight in 1993 – today twice daily from Vienna to Zagreb
Since January 1993, Croatia Airlines continuously has been operating flights on the ViennaZagreb route for 30 years. The direct flight connection to Croatia’s capital city is currently operated twice a day. Zagreb is located in the northwest part of Croatia and is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. It also features extensive architecture, culture and culinary delights and is a popular destination for city trips.

Croatia’s accession to the Schengen Area lifts border controls at the airport
Croatia officially joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023, whereupon border controls
over land from and to Austria have been abolished since the beginning of the year. With the
changeover to the summer flight schedule, starting March 26, 2023, air travellers on flights to and from Croatia will also no longer have to pass through border controls at Vienna Airport.

Croatia Airlines – Flag carrier of Croatia since 1989
Croatia Airlines was founded more than 30 years ago to serve as the country’s national airline. The flag carrier headquartered in Zagreb serves thirteen international destinations in twelve European countries in the current winter flight schedule. It also offers a dense network of destinations within Croatia, for example Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar. Croatia Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance. Further information on the airline and booking possibilities are available at www.croatiaairlines.com.

Contact:
Press Office of Flughafen Wien AG
Peter Kleemann, Company Spokesman
Tel.: (+43-1-) 7007-23000
E-mail: p.kleemann@viennaairport.com
Website: www.viennaairport.com
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