July the 8th, 2026 – The Air China Zagreb launch is set to boost Croatia Airlines through the Star Alliance partnership, to which the company belongs.
Sinisa Malus/Poslovni Dnevnik writes that Air China’s planned return to Croatia is expected to deliver strategic benefits for Croatia Airlines, with both carriers set to benefit from closer cooperation as members of the Star Alliance network.
The Chinese flag carrier will launch flights between Beijing and Zagreb via Bucharest on the 4th of September, operating three times a week with an Airbus A330-200. The service is expected to restore direct air links between China and Croatia for the first time in years while also adding wide-body capacity on the Bucharest–Zagreb route. Because both Air China and Croatia Airlines belong to Star Alliance, the new service is expected to strengthen connectivity through code-share opportunities, coordinated schedules and seamless onward connections via Zagreb.
The move is particularly significant after Croatia Airlines discontinued its seasonal Zagreb–Bucharest service earlier this year. Air China is expected to obtain fifth-freedom traffic rights, allowing it to sell tickets solely between Bucharest and Zagreb, potentially filling part of the capacity gap left by Croatia’s national carrier.
Croatia Airlines has been a member of Star Alliance since 2004, while Air China joined the global airline alliance in 2007. The partnership enables passengers to book connecting itineraries across both networks while earning and redeeming frequent flyer benefits.
The return of Air China also reflects the continued recovery of outbound Chinese travel to Europe. According to the European Travel Commission (ETC), demand is being supported by rising household incomes, improved international air connectivity and favourable travel policies. The organisation also notes that some Chinese travellers are increasingly opting for Europe over the United States amid geopolitical tensions, stricter visa scrutiny and broader security concerns.
For Croatia, the new route is expected to improve long-haul accessibility, support inbound tourism and strengthen Zagreb’s position as a regional aviation hub. Beyond tourism, better air connectivity is also expected to facilitate business travel and cargo transport between Croatia and China, while offering Croatia Airlines greater opportunities to feed passengers into Air China’s long-haul network through the Star Alliance partnership.
