Air China launched its maiden Beijing-Bucharest-Zagreb flight on Friday (September 4), restoring direct passenger links between China and Romania after more than two decades and inaugurating the first-ever scheduled passenger service between China and Croatia.

Operating three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), the new route comes as Central and Eastern Europe — known for the Adriatic coastline, medieval towns and rich cultural heritage — is attracting growing interest from Chinese travelers. Travel has become more convenient than ever following China's unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary citizens of both Romania and Croatia.

The route fits into a broader pattern of deepening air connectivity between China and Central and Eastern Europe. Air China now serves 27 European destinations with nearly 260 weekly flights between the two continents, with the Beijing-Bucharest-Zagreb route adding another thread to this growing network.