Air China is set to launch scheduled flights between Beijing and Zagreb, routing the service through Bucharest, from September 4, 2026.
The new route will operate three times a week, giving Croatia a direct connection to mainland China for the first time by a Chinese carrier. Flights will be operated using the airline’s Airbus A330-200 widebody aircraft.
The new route expands Air China‘s European network to 23 destinations, underlining the Chinese flag carrier’s continued growth across the continent. In Central Europe and the Balkans, Air China already serves Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna and Warsaw.
The carrier is also seeking fifth freedom traffic rights for the Bucharest–Zagreb sector. If regulatory approval is granted, Air China will be able to sell tickets solely between the Romanian and Croatian capitals, adding new capacity to a market currently without nonstop service. The city pair has been without scheduled flights since Croatia Airlines ended its seasonal service earlier this year.
The airline has scheduled a three-hour stopover in Bucharest in both directions before continuing to its final destination. Tickets for the new route are already available through Air China’s booking channels.
The launch will make Air China the third airline operating widebody aircraft at Zagreb Airport and only the second East Asian carrier serving the Croatian capital, joining South Korean airline T’way Air.
Air China plans to deploy its 265-seat Airbus A330-200 on the route offering 18 business class seats and 247 economy seats.
China has become an increasingly important target market for Zagreb Airport‘s long-haul expansion strategy. Based on current indirect passenger demand, Shanghai ranks as the largest unserved Chinese market from Zagreb, followed by Beijing and Guangzhou.
Earlier this year, Zagreb Airport identified China, along with the United States, India, and Japan, as key priorities for future long-haul route development, making Air China’s new service a significant milestone in the airport’s international growth plans.
