July the 24th, 2026 – Croatia is set to get its first regular Beijing air connection as Air China launches a Beijing-Bucharest-Zagreb route.
Croatia is set to receive its first regular air link with the Chinese capital, Beijing, as Chinese national carrier Air China prepares to launch a new route connecting the two cities from September 2026.
Luka Fisic reports for Jutarnji that this new service will operate on the Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb route, with the first flight scheduled for the 4th of September 2026. Flights will run three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Although the aircraft will make a stop in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, passengers travelling between Zagreb and Beijing will not actually need to change planes, making the journey significantly easier compared with current options that usually require connections through major European or Middle Eastern hubs.
stronger tourism and business connections between croatia and china
The new route is expected to strengthen tourism, business and cultural connections between Croatia and China. Beijing is one of Asia’s largest aviation hubs, meaning Croatian passengers will also gain easier access to further destinations across China and the wider region.
Ticket sales have already opened, with return fares reportedly starting at around 650 euros and reaching approximately 1,000 euros, depending on travel dates and availability. The basic fare also includes checked baggage, making the offer more attractive for long-distance travellers. The launch comes as Croatia continues to expand international air connectivity and attract visitors from new markets. China was previously one of Croatia’s important long-haul tourism markets before the coronavirus pandemic, and improved flight links could help bring more Chinese visitors back to Croatian destinations.
For Croatian travellers, the new Air China service represents a major milestone: for the first time, Zagreb will have a regular scheduled connection with Beijing, opening a direct gateway between Croatia and one of the world’s largest cities.
