A Croatian charter and wet-lease airline that began as a cargo operator in 1994, headquartered in Zagreb. It flies Airbus A320 aircraft on passenger and cargo charters, ACMI wet lease and European regional cargo, adding flexible capacity for Chinese exports entering Croatia and Central and Eastern Europe through a European hub.
Trade Air (IATA two-letter codeC3, ICAO three-letter codeTDR, call sign TRADEAIR) is a Croatian charter and wet-lease airline founded in April 1994, initially as a cargo carrier, headquartered in the Croatian capital Zagreb and based at Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport (ZAG).
Over more than thirty years the company has grown from its cargo origins into a mixed operator built around Airbus A320 family aircraft, flying passenger and cargo charters and ACMI wet lease, with about five 180-seat Airbus A320 in service. It holds dangerous goods approval and has passed the IATA IOSA safety audit for several consecutive years, with a network covering Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
Trade Air is known for a flexible business model: it flies series charters for tour operators, provides ACMI wet lease of aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to other airlines, and takes passenger and cargo work on a charter basis. The airline website is trade-air.com. For Chinese shippers the value is flexible charter and wet-lease capacity at the European end: cargo from China transfers at hubs such as Frankfurt and Vienna and connects on its charter capacity to Croatia and Central and Eastern European destinations.
Croatia sits in southeast Europe on the eastern Adriatic and is one of the gateways into Central and Eastern Europe. Zagreb concentrates Croatia's main importers, distributors and manufacturers, and Chinese machinery and electrical products, auto parts, consumer electronics and industrial consumables arriving on European trunk services often clear customs in Zagreb and distribute to Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring markets. Being based in Zagreb gives Trade Air local handling and ground support in this market.
Unlike the large European network carriers, Trade Air does not aim for a big scheduled network and competes on on-demand charters and wet lease. For Chinese shippers this matters when scheduled capacity is tight in peak season or a destination lacks suitable scheduled belly space: charter capacity fills the gap quickly and suits shipments with firm deadlines and moderate volume. Its IOSA certification and dangerous goods approval also support compliant handling of special cargo.
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport is Croatia's air gateway and Trade Air's base. Cargo from China that clears there can distribute by road to Ljubljana in Slovenia, Budapest in Hungary, Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other nearby cities, making it an important landing point for Chinese goods entering the Central and Eastern European sub-region. For exporters who want to use Croatia as a base to reach the wider region, this corridor offers last-mile reach.
Trade Air passenger and cargo charters and wet lease are on-demand by nature: flights do not run to a fixed year-round schedule but are arranged around the tourist season, wet-lease contracts and shipper charter requirements. Shippers using this capacity should therefore give Goodhope Freight the shipping plan and target transit time in advance, so the best option can be weighed between charter feasibility and scheduled combinations, rather than assuming a fixed weekly flight.
For Chinese shippers, the value of the Trade Air corridor is not a fixed route but the adjustable capacity at the European end. Goodhope Freight has long-standing coordination with European charter brokers and Zagreb ground agents and can assess charter feasibility and respond within a short time.
| Airline | Trade Air |
| Country | Croatia |
| Company profile | Charter / ACMI wet-lease airline |
| Founded | April 1994 (started as a cargo operator) |
| Head office and bases | Zagreb ZAG |
| IATA two-letter code | C3 |
| ICAO three-letter code | TDR |
| Call sign | TRADEAIR |
| Main aircraft type | Airbus A320 (about 5 aircraft) |
| Business type | Passenger and cargo charters, ACMI, dangerous goods |
| Official website | trade-air.com |
| China business | No nonstop service; connection via a European hub |
Trade Air has no publicly listed scheduled China route or own office. The company focuses on European charters and wet lease, so Chinese shippers do not book directly with the Zagreb head office but arrange charters and capacity through European hub cargo stations, charter brokers or its local Chinese agents. Contact its local Chinese agents or work through Goodhope Freight.
Because Trade Air operates charters rather than a fixed schedule, Chinese shippers are really buying a combination of a China to Europe first leg plus a European-end charter or belly leg. Goodhope Freight coordinates capacity on both legs and the connection window, and explains charter feasibility and end-to-end transit time before booking.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) has long handled air cargo bookings from China to Croatia and Central and Eastern Europe and can coordinate the China to Europe first leg with a European-end charter or belly connection. Submit cargo details at https://goodhope86.com and Goodhope Freight will cost the whole job.
Goodhope Freight has long experience with the main commodities exported from China to Croatia and with EU import compliance requirements, and can explain the routing via Frankfurt or Vienna and the end-to-end transit time before booking, so charter infeasibility is not discovered after the cargo has been handed over. For first-time exporters to the region, document preparation and last-mile delivery can be arranged as one package.
The current fleet is Airbus A320 family passenger aircraft, carrying cargo through passenger and cargo charters and belly space. The company holds dangerous goods approval and can carry the relevant classes within compliance limits.
| Aircraft type | Number (approx.) | Operating model | Freight capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320 | 5 aircraft | Passenger and cargo charters / ACMI wet lease | Passenger belly, 180-seat class |
| Historical aircraft | —— | Started as a cargo operator and flew cargo types in its early years | Built dangerous goods and cargo handling experience |
| Special approvals | —— | Dangerous goods approval, IOSA certification | Carries DG cargo within compliance limits |
Trade Air cargo does not appear as a fixed freighter schedule but is organized on demand through charters and wet lease, suited to moderate volumes, European-end destinations and a need for flexible capacity. For Chinese shippers the value is a charter fallback when European scheduled capacity is tight or a destination lacks scheduled belly space. Registered aircraft numbers change with wet-lease contracts and follow the carrier's current publication.
As a single-aisle narrowbody, the Airbus A320 has limited belly capacity and does not suit large concentrated heavy shipments; it works better for moderate volumes of general cargo and express traffic with firm deadlines. Trade Air started in cargo and has years of experience in acceptance, load planning and ground handling, and with IOSA certification and dangerous goods approval its charter cargo has a compliance and safety base.
Note that Trade Air, unlike the large European network carriers, does not offer a full scheduled service from China to Croatia; Chinese shippers rely on a combination of a China to Europe trunk service and Trade Air charter or belly capacity at the European end. Goodhope Freight, as the China-side forwarder, joins the two into one trackable chain and tells the shipper which carrier and capacity status applies to each leg.
For larger or more concentrated shipments, Goodhope Freight can assess a whole-aircraft charter flown by an Airbus A320 in combi or full-cargo configuration; for smaller lots, cargo can join scheduled European belly capacity. Cost and transit differ widely between the two, so Goodhope Freight compares them case by case at quotation.
Trade Air has no own flights in China. Cargo from China departs from Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Guangzhou (CAN), Hong Kong (HKG) and other gateways, flies to a European hub such as Frankfurt (FRA) or Vienna (VIE), and connects to Zagreb (ZAG) on a Trade Air charter or European regional belly capacity. Times are local, schedules change with season and charter plans, and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Because Trade Air operates charters, the China leg is flown by the carrier departing China and the European end is covered by a Trade Air charter or regional belly capacity. Goodhope Freight coordinates capacity and connection windows on both legs to keep cargo from sitting in Frankfurt or Vienna. Cargo from South China and Hong Kong reaches Europe on intercontinental trunk services, while East and North China cargo can fly direct to a major European hub and then connect to Zagreb.
For customers needing storage in Zagreb and onward distribution into Central and Eastern Europe, Goodhope Freight can combine Zagreb ground resources with last-mile trucking, packaging air trunk carriage, clearance on arrival, storage and delivery into one quote. Croatia is an EU member, so cargo cleared in Zagreb circulates freely within the EU, which matters in practice for Chinese exporters using Croatia as an EU entry point.
Reference airport-to-airport transit is about 5–9 working days, and the whole job including inland pickup in China, export declaration, European transfer and Zagreb clearance and delivery usually runs about 9–15 days. Peak season capacity and customs inspection can change actual arrival, and Goodhope Freight updates status at every node.
| Path | China origin ports | Transit hub | European last leg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Frankfurt | PVG, PEK, CAN, HKG | Frankfurt FRA | Zagreb ZAG |
| Via Vienna | PVG, CAN, HKG | Vienna VIE | Zagreb ZAG |
Cargo from China enters Croatia mainly through two European channels, Frankfurt and Vienna, converging at Zagreb for distribution within Croatia and to neighbouring Central and Eastern European markets. Each path has advantages in European trunk frequency and last-leg distance, and Goodhope Freight recommends one by origin gateway and transit requirement. Routes shown are compiled from public network data and Goodhope Freight operating experience; actual routing is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking, times are local, and schedules change with season and charter plans.
Machinery and electrical products, auto parts and industrial consumables are in steady demand from Croatian and regional manufacturers and suit air shipment in moderate volumes.
Phone accessories, smart hardware and small appliances, Chinese strength categories, distribute to Central and Eastern European markets through a European hub.
When scheduled capacity is tight or deadlines bunch up, charters take volume fill-in cargo, suited to concentrated peak season shipping.
The company holds dangerous goods approval and carries the relevant DG classes within compliance limits, declared and confirmed per shipment.
Dangerous goods, live animals, valuables and oversize or out-of-gauge cargo must be declared per shipment at booking with complete technical data. Export declaration, commodity inspection and export licensing on the China side are coordinated by Goodhope Freight according to cargo type; Croatian import is declared under local customs rules and EU requirements, import duty is paid by the consignee by default, and a duty paid term can be agreed at booking.
Croatia joined the EU in 2013, so imports follow the EU customs and tax regime, and Chinese exporters should watch product compliance certification and rules of origin. Goodhope Freight applies long experience here and can remind shippers to prepare the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin in advance. For first-time exporters to Croatia, confirm the importer's credentials and product market access requirements at the sample stage.
When European scheduled capacity is tight or a destination lacks scheduled belly space, Trade Air provides charter capacity, suited to moderate volumes with firm deadlines.
Based in Zagreb, charter and wet-lease operations cover Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, so cargo from China can connect through a European hub to Croatia and neighbouring markets.
Founded in 1994 as a cargo airline, the company has more than thirty years of cargo and dangerous goods experience, which underpins compliant acceptance and load planning for Chinese cargo.
Trade Air holds dangerous goods approval and carries the relevant classes within compliance limits. Machinery and electrical products, auto parts, consumer electronics and industrial consumables exported from China are the main commodities on this corridor into Croatia and Central and Eastern Europe. Dangerous goods and oversize cargo must be declared per shipment, with aircraft type and charter feasibility checked by Goodhope Freight at booking.
After booking, Goodhope Freight provides the air waybill number and node-by-node tracking: warehousing at the Chinese gateway, European transfer, arrival in Zagreb and last-mile distribution all report status. For cargo needing destination clearance and delivery, Goodhope Freight coordinates the Zagreb agent for airport collection, clearance and last-mile trucking, delivering from the Chinese factory to the Croatian consignee.
On rates, air freight from China to Croatia is affected by intercontinental distance, European transfer and charter cost. Goodhope Freight quotes per shipment and sets out the routing options, end-to-end transit and cost structure before booking to avoid hidden charges later. For first-time exporters to the region, document preparation and introductions to destination importers can be included.
Compared with flying a large network carrier to a major European hub and trucking onward, the Zagreb charter or belly corridor clears on arrival and works well when volumes are moderate and destinations concentrate in Croatia; for lower-value bulk cargo with looser deadlines, shippers can weigh sea against air on budget, and Goodhope Freight provides the comparison and transit notes at quotation.
No publicly listed scheduled China route or own office. Cargo from China transfers at Frankfurt or Vienna and connects to Croatia on a Trade Air charter or European regional belly capacity.
IATA two-letter code C3, ICAO three-letter code TDR, call sign TRADEAIR, founded in Croatia in 1994 as a cargo airline.
The active fleet is Airbus A320 passenger aircraft, with cargo carried in passenger bellies and on passenger and cargo charters; the company began in cargo and holds dangerous goods approval.
About 5–9 working days airport to airport and about 9–15 days door to door; charter scheduling and peak season capacity can change actual transit.
Moderate volumes of machinery and electrical products, auto parts, consumer electronics and industrial consumables, and especially charter fill-in when scheduled capacity is tight.
ACMI is the lease of aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance together. Trade Air provides wet-lease capacity to other airlines, and Chinese shippers use its European-end capacity indirectly through Goodhope Freight.
The company holds dangerous goods approval and carries the relevant classes within compliance limits, with each shipment declared and confirmed at booking.
Routes shown are compiled from public sources, times are local, and Trade Air operates charters, so actual schedules change with charter plans and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Frankfurt is Europe's largest cargo hub with high flight density; Vienna is closer to Central and Eastern Europe and nearer Zagreb for the last leg. Goodhope Freight recommends a path by transit requirement and budget.
Normally an air waybill, commercial invoice, packing list and export declaration documents; Croatia is in the EU, so imports are declared under EU customs rules and restricted goods need the relevant licences.
When European scheduled capacity tightens in peak season, Trade Air charter capacity is a fill-in option; shippers should contact Goodhope Freight early to assess a charter.
Yes. Zagreb is Croatia's gateway, and cleared cargo can distribute by road to Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other nearby Central and Eastern European markets.
The company has passed the IATA IOSA safety audit repeatedly and holds dangerous goods approval, so operating compliance is backed by third-party certification.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) handles bookings to the Trade Air network, European transfer connections and Zagreb distribution from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and other major gateways, suited to export cargo needing flexible charter fill-in. Whether machinery and electrical products, auto parts or consumer electronics, Goodhope Freight provides a full-chain air cargo plan from China to Croatia and Central and Eastern Europe against transit requirement and budget, with node-by-node tracking through to delivery.
Visit goodhope86.com for air freight optionsDisclaimer:Prepared by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight). Airline names, codes and brand marks belong to their owners, and Goodhope Freight has no affiliation, agency or investment relationship with Trade Air. Information is compiled from public sources including the carrier website and public industry reports, for reference only, and does not constitute a contract of carriage or a commitment. Capacity, rates and schedules are subject to actual confirmation by the carrier or its authorized agent on the day of booking.