The first flight from Beijing arrives in Zagreb

The first Air China flight from Beijing via Bucharest landed in Zagreb on Friday, carrying 120 passengers from China and Romania. The new Zagreb-Bucharest-Peking route connecting China and Croatia will fly three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), and represents a big step in further connecting the two countries.

Speaking after the first Air China flight arrived in Zagreb’s Franjo Tuđman International Airport today, the Executive director and member of the Zagreb International Airport Management Board, Nicolas Duthilleul, noted the importance that the new route would have for both countries: "Today we celebrate not only a new era in service, but also new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange, between our two countries. We look forward to seeing this partnership grow and this route thrive in the years ahead."

For his part the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Croatia, Qi Qianjin, agreed that the route was of strategic importance in strengthening ties between the two countries: "This China-Croatia direct flight is more than an air route, it is a bridge of friendship - connecting the hearts and the minds of our two countries people. Its launch will further unlock the potential for bilateral cooperation and give a strong impetus to exchanges and mutual learning in trade, tourism, culture, sports, education and other fields."

"This is a step forward to make better connections between these two countries, to strengthen our relations, friendship but also business," concluded the State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Monika Udovičić.

Source: HRT