newstodate.aero
Dec 17, 2014 (newstodate): Plans for start of the first-ever flights to connect Croatia and China by direct air links have been somewhat delayed.
Initial hopes were that flights between between Zagreb and Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing would start by October 2014, with a program of charter operations running till June 2015.
Behind the project is the organization Croatia's Chinese Southeast European Business Association, CSEBA, talking to Chinese partners in Chongking.
-The Chinese organization Chongqing Tourism Association has been transferred from public to private ownership, meaning that all processes have slowed down due to the need for approvals by public organs. When the government was directly involved, all things went more smoothly, says Bojan Horvacic, CSEBA Business Development Manager.
-One issue remains to identify the Chinese carrier to perform the flights, and Hainan Airlines has been in talks with us while this still remains to be decided upon with two or three options open.
-Other issues that still remain to be settled include the price schemes for group tours as well as pure return ticket rates as well as contracts with tour operators in China.
-Most importantly, though, is the fact that both sides remain enthusiastic about this project, so prospects are good for seeing the flights materializing with some delay, probably by summer 2015, says Mr Horvacic.
Initial hopes were that flights between between Zagreb and Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing would start by October 2014, with a program of charter operations running till June 2015.
Behind the project is the organization Croatia's Chinese Southeast European Business Association, CSEBA, talking to Chinese partners in Chongking.
-The Chinese organization Chongqing Tourism Association has been transferred from public to private ownership, meaning that all processes have slowed down due to the need for approvals by public organs. When the government was directly involved, all things went more smoothly, says Bojan Horvacic, CSEBA Business Development Manager.
-One issue remains to identify the Chinese carrier to perform the flights, and Hainan Airlines has been in talks with us while this still remains to be decided upon with two or three options open.
-Other issues that still remain to be settled include the price schemes for group tours as well as pure return ticket rates as well as contracts with tour operators in China.
-Most importantly, though, is the fact that both sides remain enthusiastic about this project, so prospects are good for seeing the flights materializing with some delay, probably by summer 2015, says Mr Horvacic.