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Croatia Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Croatia,
based in Zagreb. It operates services to domestic and international
destinations. Its main base is Zagreb Airport (ZAG).
The airline was established on 20 July 1989 as Zagal - Zagreb
Airlines, and started operations using Cessna 402 aircraft
on cargo services for the UPS. The company used the name Zagal
for short. After the first democratic elections held in Croatia,
Zagal changed its name on July 23, 1990 to Croatia Airlines.
In 1991 the airline signed an agreement with Adria Airways
and then was able to lease a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 to start
domestic jet services between Zagreb and Split. 1992 was a
tough year for the company when the Yugoslav wars forced the
airline to stop flying. As soon as flights restarted, Croatia
Airlines bought three Boeing 737s from Lufthansa and became
a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
That year also saw the airline's first international route.
In 1993 two ATR 42s and two more 737s joined the fleet, offices
were opened in several European cities and the company bought
a travel agency, Obzor, to organize travel for groups and
individuals. By 1994, Croatia Airlines had welcomed its one
millionth passenger. Later that year, Pope John Paul II flew
the airline on a trip to Croatia.
In 1995, another ATR 42 was welcomed, as was the two millionth
passenger. In 1996, Croatia Airlines became the first airline
to fly to Sarajevo. In 1997 the airline's first Airbus A320
arrived and was nicknamed Rijeka. In 1998, another first plane
of a new type arrived when the airline's first Airbus A319
joined the fleet. This airplane was nicknamed Zadar. Also
that year, Croatia Airlines became a member of the Association
of European Airlines (AEA). By 1999, two more Airbus jets
had arrived and Croatia Airlines started selling the Boeing
part of their fleet. Another important event occurred when
the airline flew its five millionth passenger.
In 2000 two more Airbus planes arrived and an Automated Ticketing
System inaugurated. 2001 saw Croatia Airlines get maintenance
and technical performing certificates from the German aviation
authority Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. On November 18, 2004, Croatia
Airlines joined the Star Alliance as a regional member, sponsored
by Lufthansa.
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