Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) is planning to establish various bases across the Balkans next year airline CEO Krešimir Kučko has told the Jutarnji newspaper.
In an interview, Kučko said talks were underway to set up bases in Sarajevo, Skopje, Pristina, and Tirana with the overall intention to offer regional European flights to each with effect from April 1, 2017. Owing to the presence of the state-backed Air Serbia, Belgrade, though tempting, would not be considered.
The rate at which the bases will be developed, Kučko noted, depends on demand as well as on the rate at which the Croatian carrier can add capacity.
The CEO said that talks have been going on for the last two years with several undisclosed manufacturers over the delivery of up to six aircraft. A decision is expected to be made by the end of this month, he added.
At present, Croatia Airlines operates four A319-100s, two A320-200s, six Dash 8-400s, and one Fokker 100 (leased from Trade Air (C3, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman)) for regional European flights from its Zagreb Franjo Tuđman and Split bases. It also has a quartet of A320neos on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) with delivery slated for 2021.
