Company insight
Resumed operations in light of the pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every industry over the past year, including aviation, which faced major challenges as a result. Future Airport speaks to Hüseyin Bahadir Bedir, CEO of Zagreb International Airport, to fi nd out how the airport is dealing with these challenges and how it has prepared for the gradual return of passenger traffi c.
It’s been over a year since Covid-19 caused major challenges globally for the aviation industry. Can you tell us how Zagreb International Airport has been dealing with it? Hüseyin Bahadir Bedir: The Covid-19 pandemic had an extremely negative impact on air transport on a global level, and Zagreb Airport is no exception. Zagreb Airport recorded a 73% drop in passenger traffic in 2020, compared with 2019. Different scenarios for dealing with the problems caused by ‘force majeure’ were already in discussion by February and March 2020, and Zagreb Airport started to implement these measures as soon as April 2020. The initial measures were to suspend the collection of aircraft parking charges in months without air traffic; apply discounts on all office rental fees and extending payment periods; introduce a recovery incentive model covering the second half of 2020 – which provided free landing to airlines that met the criteria; to reduce aircraft parking charges during the winter months of 2020–21; and to initiate a new ‘growth incentive model’ to stimulate growth on new destinations by early of 2021. We are glad that our efforts have been welcomed by the aviation industry and, not only have our existing partner airlines resumed their operations, but new ones keep on arriving. WINDROSE airlines started flights between Kiev and Zagreb in 2020, and Nordwind became our first new carrier in 2021 by connecting Moscow and Zagreb. But the biggest news arrived by the beginning of Q2, thanks to the growth incentive model. Europe’s largest carrier, Ryanair, announced a launch at Zagreb base with initially two based units. This was a historical moment for Zagreb Airport, as the airport has the lowest LCC penetration rate among EU capital cities. This will change soon and Zagreb’s name will be pronounced
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Zagreb International Airport has increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in the airport, alongside mandatory social distancing and wearing of protective masks in closed areas.
more as a city break destination. Citizens and visitors of Zagreb, as well as Croatia at a broader level, will enjoy advantages of a second based carrier with affordable flights to a wide selection of new destinations. Zagreb Airport is keen on strengthening its position as a regional hub in south-east Europe and a gateway to the Republic of Croatia, and will continue its efforts.
What measures has Zagreb Airport taken to ensure passenger safety? To prepare for the gradual return of traffic, the airport has taken a number of measures that address passenger and employee health and safety. These include all retail, F&B, currency exchange, ticketing, parking and car rental services, and facilities. With the increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection of passenger terminals, where escalators, handrails, chairs, tables, counters, toilets, ventilation systems, POS devices, lifts and floors are cleaned and checked regularly, it is also mandatory to maintain social distancing and to wear protective
masks in all closed areas. The redistribution of seats in the departure hall also follows the measures of recommended social distancing. Posters and displays about recommended hygiene measures and procedures for passengers were installed throughout the terminal, automatic sound and video announcement were introduced as a reminder for maintaining social distancing. For hand washing/disinfection, contactless disinfection dispensers were installed at specific critical points of the passenger terminal and transparent protection were installed on the counters. Zagreb Airport also has facilities to perform rapid antigen testing and PCR testing for passengers using Zagreb Airport.
Among the first airports in Europe, in October 2020, Zagreb Airport has successfully passed the accreditation programme for providing health and safety measures in the conditions of Covid-19 and earned ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation. ●
www.zagreb-airport.hr 23
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