Air China will establish the first scheduled air service between China and Croatia when its new Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)–Zagreb Airport (ZAG) route begins on 4 September 2026. The three-times-weekly Airbus A330-200 service — operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — stops in Bucharest, Romania, en route, giving passengers a single-ticket option to either city, per The Balkan Guide. The A330-200 is configured with 265 seats, according to Emerging Travel News via LinkedIn.
Croatia's capital is the gateway for Dalmatian Coast, Plitvice Lakes, and Istria itineraries. The new link removes the need for Chinese travelers to connect via a third-country hub to reach Zagreb. Air China announced the route on 11 August 2026, per Xinhua via Big News Network, following the carrier's July 2026 Beijing–Venice launch.
Chinese carriers retain a competitive advantage on European routes by using Russian airspace; Aviation Week reports they now account for approximately 83% of China-Europe seat capacity excluding Russia, up from around two-thirds in 2019. Air China serves 27 European destinations with approximately 260 weekly flights.
Sources
- The Balkan Guide — Air China Launches Nonstop Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb Route from September 2026
- Big News Network / Xinhua — Air China to launch new route to Romania, Croatia
- Aviation Week — 50 New Routes Launching In September 2026
Sources & references (4)
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