Qatar Airways celebrated the launch of its 30th European destination with daily scheduled flights to the Croatian capital Zagreb yesterday.
A traditional water salute at Zagreb airport marked the arrival of Flight QR947 from Doha. The new route, operated via Budapest, also represents the first passenger flight to Croatia from the Gulf region.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al-Baker travelled on the inaugural service along with media from Asia, a key source market for the airline to its latest European gateway.
Local dignitaries from the airport as well as members of  political and business circles attended the arrival ceremony in Zagreb. Following route launches to Azerbaijan and Georgia in February, and last year’s European expansion drive which saw Qatar Airways start services to seven destinations across the continent – almost half the 15 new routes inducted in 2011 – the addition of Zagreb strengthens the carrier’s footprint in Europe. Addressing guests at the ceremony, al-Baker said he was delighted to celebrate Qatar Airways’ long-awaited arrival into Croatia. “Our new daily air link between my home city of Doha and Zagreb is further testament to Qatar Airways’ commitment to expanding our presence in Europe,” he said.
“Over the past 18 months we have grown our footprint significantly in Europe, and I am very pleased to say that today Zagreb becomes Qatar Airways’ 30th destination on the continent, 114th overall worldwide and first route linking Croatia with the Gulf.
 “Croatia also presents many development opportunities for our two countries and we are very proud to bring our award-winning service to this great country.”
Zagreb Airport General Manager Tonci Peovi said: “We are happy and proud that Zagreb today became part of the network of destinations of Qatar Airways. The carrier is one of the leading airlines in the world, a welcome partner to every airport, and we see their arrival as the confirmation that our airport is on the right course of development. Establishing this transport link, along with the opening of a new Croatian embassy in Doha, will provide a platform for improved economic and tourism co-operation between the two regions and two cities.”
Qatar Airways is operating an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration on the Zagreb–Doha route, with 12 seats in business class and up to 132 seats in economy.