South Korean low-cost carrier T’way Air Co. announced that it will launch its first European route to Zagreb, Croatia, in May.

According to industry sources on Wednesday, the budget carrier has finalized its plans to launch flights to Zagreb on May 16.

Originally targeting a new route introduction in mid-June this year, the airline opted to bring forward the launch by about a month, considering Croatia’s travel peak season starting in June.

The regular service on the Incheon to Zagreb route is set to operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with the service period extending until October 26.

Korean travel agencies swiftly began offering package deals utilizing these flight options since the end of January. Major travel agencies are already promoting 9-day packages to two Balkan Peninsula countries, Croatia and Slovenia, with the new T’way Air flights scheduled for mid-May.

According to the package details, T’way Air will operate large A330-300 aircraft with a range of around 1,800 kilometers, enabling flights on medium to long-haul routes such as Eastern Europe or Sydney, with a flight duration estimated at 10 to 11 hours.

However, it is important to note that the Incheon to Zagreb route is, in essence, an indirect route. Due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the aircraft cannot pass through Russian airspace, necessitating a detour.

The extended flight distance requires a layover in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for refueling on the way to Zagreb.

Passengers will experience a wait of about one hour onboard during this layover, with no disembarkation. In contrast, the Zagreb to Incheon route is a non-stop flight without refueling, taking advantage of tailwinds for a direct journey.

By Cho Yun-hee and Minu Kim

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