ZAGREB, 25 May 2022 - Two multi-purpose Black Hawk (UH-60M) helicopters, donated to Croatia by the USA, were presented at the Pleso military airbase on Wednesday, with Defence Minister Mario Banožić participating in the first test flight.

The two Black Hawk helicopters and their equipment are valued at $138 million, with $53 million provided by the US government and $85 million by the Defence Ministry.

The helicopters will primarily be used to transport people and equipment. They can transport up to 11 passengers and two technical pilots.

They can develop a speed of up to 360 kilometres per hour, their ceiling altitude is six kilometres and the maximum flying distance 511 kilometres.

US envoy, Commanding General, Special Operations Command-Europe Major General David Tabor underscored that with the US donation, Croatia has strengthened its capabilities and security as a country and as a member of NATO.

After the test flight, Minister Banožić said that the helicopters are equipped with excellent equipment.

He said that the plan is for the other Black Hawks to arrive by the end of the year.

With regard to the training of Croatian pilots, Banožić said that "enough of them have undergone training until now" but he didn't want to reveal how many.

He commented on the replacement of the Soviet-made Mi-8 and Mi-171 helicopter fleet whose resources expire in 2023, saying that talks were being held with the allies and partners regarding further steps. 

Talking about the construction of hangars for the new equipment, Banožić said that infrastructure development was launched in 2021, however, problems occurred with the public procurement procedure and it had to be cancelled.

Two hangars are currently subject to public procurement procedure. They should be built in six months' time after the procurement is signed, Banožić said, noting that two new hangars should be built by 2023.

Attending today's presentation of the US military donation was also President and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Zoran Milanović.

For more, check out our politics section.

January the 30th, 2022 - Zagreb's Pleso Airport police head is being investigated by USKOK (Croatian State Prosecutor's Office for the Suppression of Organised Crime and Corruption or Bureau for Combating Corruption and Organised Crime).

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, based on the criminal report released by the Zagreb Police, USKOK issued its decision to open an investigation against three Croatian citizens (born in 1982, 1965 and 1969) about whom there is reasonable suspicion of the commitment of the criminal offenses of the abuse of office, the incitement to commit abuse of office and trading in influence (influence peddling), according to a report from Dnevnik.hr.

There is a well-founded suspicion that the first defendant, in the period from April the 1st, 2021 to January the 27th, 2022 in Zagreb and Velika Gorica, as the head of the Pleso Airport Police Station, allegedly agreed for the second defendant to be allowed to pass through Zagreb International Airport's customs with goods without being checked.

Either personally or on his orders, through his subordinate police officers, without conducting any border and/or customs control, he allegedly made it possible for the individual in question to avoid the customs control of his luggage in which he carried clothes and footwear with non-original markings of various brands acquired while in Turkey, with the apparent intention to resell them on the black market here in Croatia. In this way, he also enabled him to avoid the collection of due customs duties/the confiscation of the goods.

The mayor parked free of charge

During the months of August and October 2021, the third accused person, the mayor of Ivanic Grad, allegedly abused his position in Velika Gorica and Ivanic Grad. He allegedly asked the head of the Pleso Airport Police Station to allow him to park the personal vehicle he was using without paying any fees, as well as to keep that vehicle at Pleso Airport Police Station's car park during his trip.

The mayor was aware that this car park was intended only for the official needs of the Pleso Airport Police Station. He succeeded in leaving his car there because his engagement was allegedly secured by subordinate police officers from the Chief of the Pleso Airport Police Station.

USKOK has proposed to the investigating judge of the Zagreb County Court to order the pre-trial detention of one of the defendants.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

For the first time since it closed to the public on March 28, 2017, the old passenger terminal at Zagreb Airport will be put to use once more.

Namely, Ex Yu Aviation reports that on Saturday, September 21, BHS has announced an all-night party in the old terminal, from 9 pm to 6 am, with more than 15 house music artists, multiple stages, and shuttle transportation for party-goers. 

“We are back in Zagreb, and we are back for our biggest event yet.

We are proud to announce we'll be taking over Zagreb airport's Terminal Pleso on 21st of September for what will arguably be one of the most unique events we ever held.

After numerous unique locations such as Medvedgrad Fortress, Trsat Castle, breathtaking locations on top of Medvednica mountain, museums, rooftops, atriums, parks and tennis courts, the time has come for a level up,” announced the organizer.

But this unique location is nothing new for BHS, who claims that their “main goal is to set new standards regarding the nightlife in Croatia.”

“We are offering a vast variety of something new, something never seen before  - house music on exclusive places such as museums, town halls and places that never came up.

Different venues, one vision. Passion for music, passion for party. Be a part of the vision, be a part of the change. Expect only the best, expect only the most exclusive,” reads their Facebook page.

Namely, BHS recently put on the BSH Grand Slam 2, which was the first event ever held at Tenis Centar Maksimir's central tennis court - and just last month, they held their second event at Trsat Castle in Rijeka. 

Specializing in sunset sessions, house music, and scouting the most unique locations in Croatia for a party, we have no doubt that taking over a part of Zagreb Airport may be their boldest move yet. 

Tickets for the Zagreb Sunset Sessions are on sale now for 90 kuna, or 200 kuna for the VIP business lounge. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.