CONTENT
NATO/EU membership will solidify Croatia's historic
links with the West
President
Stjepan Mesic:
Signaling a maturation of Croatian democracy
Zagreb
as a destination:
Croatia's capital should not be overlooked
A
nation resolved to overcomeits tough heritage
Privatized
tourism industry will become engine of growth for Croatia
Croatia's
best lobbyist: its US Ambassador
Croatia's
resilient economy continues to grow
Ron
Brown credited for introducing US business to Croatia
Chemical
warfare conventions changed over fertilizer plant attacks
Film
and television producer Vladimir Kraljevic symbolizes worldwide success
of Croatian-Americans
What's
it like to visit Croatia?
State
of Minnesota develops close relationship with Croatia
Esplanade
hotel captures history and spirit of Zagreb
Spread
the word:
Croatia is an extraordinarily safe place to visit
Mega-Yachts:
the biggest status symbols in the world
Croatia
Airlines:
Creating a national identity during war and peace
Hosting
Pope John Paul II
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Hosting
Pope John Paul II
Two flights mark a young airline’s proudest moments
Fly
Croatia Airlines enough times and one will sooner or later be transported
in one of the aircraft used to carry Pope John Paul II on his two visits
to Croatia. Both planes sport small commemorative plaques in the forward
compartments of the business section, outlining the particulars of the
Holy Father’s visit in Croatian, English and in Italian. They mark
the proudest moments in the history of this young airline company.
According
to Ivan Mesetic, President and CEO of Croatia Airlines, passengers his
company’s planes are usually delighted to see the special plaques.
"We have a lot of pilgrims coming to Croatia going to Medugrje (a
famous religious site just over the border in Bosnia). "They are
especially excited to be flying in the same aircraft once used by the
Holy Father."
"It
was amazing," says Mesetic speaking of the two experiences, "Having
the Holy Father come to Croatia twice in five years is something unique
and great." That the airline is proud of having provided this service
is demonstrated, not only by the plaques in the two aircraft, but by the
distinctive display case located within the company boardroom. It houses
numerous items such as an embroidered head pad and special glassware used
to serve the Pope John Paul.
It took
over two months of preparation for Croatia Airlines to host the Pope during
his first flight on Croatia Airlines in 1994- still well into the time
when Croatia was at war, notes Mesetic. The company had to send representatives
to The Vatican in order to research his dietary needs. Then "he came
aboard our aircraft after having just attended a dinner and ended up that
he didn’t eat anything," Mesetic says with a laugh. "He
just had a glass of Coca Cola."
For the Pope’s second flight to Croatia, five years after his first, the Vatican’s Chief of Protocol made sure that the Holy Father ate dinner aboard the aircraft.
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