Korean Air has celebrated its inaugural flight from Seoul to Zagreb, Croatia, marking the first regular service connecting Croatia and Far East Asia directly.

The airline’s maiden flight KE919 from Seoul, which took 11 hours and 40 minutes, was welcomed with a water cannon salute upon landing at Zagreb (Franjo Tuđman) International Airport.

“We are delighted to launch our first regular service to Croatia, the fast-growing country in tourism in South East Europe,” said Byung-Ryool Park, Korean Air managing vice president for Europe.

“Taking this opportunity, Korean Air will support in reinforcing trade and tourism relations between Croatia and Korea.”

Korean Air commenced the three-times weekly non-stop service between Incheon and Zagreb, utilising Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

The flight departs Incheon, Seoul at 11:00, arriving in Zagreb at 15:45.

It then departs Zagreb at 17:20, arriving back in Incheon at 11:30 the next day.

Those passengers arriving in Seoul and wishing to travel onwards enjoy easy connections at Incheon International Airport, with access to a wide range of destinations in Asia and Oceania for both business and leisure travel.

Jacques Feron, chief executive of the Zagreb International Airport, said: “We are extremely proud that our efforts in connecting Zagreb with Asia all year round and in continually enriching the overall offer of flights show results.

“Almost half a million South Korea’s tourists visited Croatia last year and therefore we believe that this line will strongly contribute to the continued positive results recorded at Franjo Tuđman Airport, as well to the tourist results and the image of Zagreb.”

With the addition of the new route, Korean Air will operate international flights to 112 cities in 43 countries.