Due to the categorization conducted by the American aviation authorities, which pertains to the assignment of category 2 to Croatian civil aviation authorities, Croatia Airlines will consequently not be able to execute a commercial agreement with the American United Airlines regarding mutual seat leasing, as it will not be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it was announced today by the Croatian airline company.
When asked for a comment on yesterday's announcement by the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb that the FAA has assigned category 2 to the Croatian Civil Aviation Authority, Croatia Airlines responded that due to category 2, airlines registered in Croatia have received restrictions for flying to the U.S., and American carriers cannot lease seats on Croatian aircraft. "Thus, the commercial agreement between Croatia Airlines and United Airlines will not be able to be realized on the principle of reciprocity. This means that Croatia Airlines loses the opportunity to offer its commercial product in the U.S. market under its international flight designation OU.
Additionally, United Airlines will not be able to lease seats on Croatia Airlines flights nor sell Croatian destinations under its brand and flight designation UA," stated Croatia Airlines in their response. They also remind that they signed their first intercontinental code share agreement, the agreement with United Airlines, in June 2007. This agreement provided for flights under joint designations (Croatia Airlines – designation OU, United Airlines – designation UA) from American cities Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, via seven European hubs – Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Zurich, London (Heathrow), Munich, and Frankfurt. (H)
