AS IT HAPPENED
11:10: Croatia Airlines' CEO, Jasmin Bajić, said, "This day will forever be remembered in Croatia's history and our hearts. Thanks to these new aircraft we can now successfully expand with the launch of new destinations".
11:00: A cake cutting ceremony is now taking place in the hangar to mark the special occasion.
10:50: Officials are now touring the new aircraft.
10:30: Speaking in a short address at the welcome ceremony, the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, congratulated the carrier. He noted, "The existence of Croatia's national carrier will never be brought into question and the government will always support its flag carrier. This will continue in the future".
10:20: Among those present at the welcome ceremony include the Ambassador of Canada to Croatia, the heads of the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Zagreb Toruist Board, the Governor of the National Bank of Croatia, the CEO of Zagreb Airport, the Prime Minister, Ministers of Finance, Tourism, and Transport.
10:05: Airbus crew piloted the delivery flight from Montreal to Zagreb. They will now hand over the aircraft to Croatia Airlines.
10:00: Touchdown! Croatia Airlines' first A220-300 has landed in Zagreb and greeted with a water cannon salute. A ceremony welcoming the new jet, attended by members of the Croatian government, including the Prime Minister, will now be held in front of the carrier's hangar.
Novi zrakoplov Airbus A220 Croatia Airlines stigao u Zagreb @hrtvijesti pic.twitter.com/QcdFWGfrwq
— Silvana Skocajic (@SkocajicSilvana) July 30, 2024
09:20: Croatia Airlines' first A220-300 aircraft has begun its descent into Zagreb. The jet is expected to touch down at 09:55 CEST,
09:00: The Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, has said, “Air Lease Corporation is honoured to have been selected by Croatia Airlines as the first Lessor to introduce the A220 to the airline and support Croatia’s major fleet modernization program. This milestone first of six new A220 delivery is a wonderful achievement that commences the fleet transformation at Croatia Airlines”.
08:45: The Croatian Minister for Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, has said that Croatia Airlines is a national brand. He noted there are currently no plans to privatise the carrier but added that "sooner or later, we will have to open discussion on this matter". According to Mr Butković, Croatia Airlines' operating costs will be reduced with the arrival of the new A220s.
08:35: Out of the six A220s which Croatia Airlines will be leasing from Air Lease Corporation, four are A220-300s, while two are A220-100s. In total, the Croatian carrier will operate thirteen A220-300s and two A220-100s.
08:20: Croatia Airlines first A220-300 has now taken off from Copenhagen, following an overnight flight from Montreal's Mirabel Airport. It is due to touch down in Zagreb just before 10:00 CEST.
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Croatia Airlines has taken delivery of its first of fifteen new Airbus A220 aircraft this morning. The 149-seat A220-300 jet, registered 9A-CAE, took off from Montreal’s Mirabel Airport yesterday afternoon, touching down in Copenhagen. The aircraft landed in Zagreb at 10.00 CEST where a welcome ceremony took place at the airline’s hangar. It was attended by the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, the Croatian Minister for Sea, Transport, Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, and the Croatian Minister for Tourism, Tonči Glavina, among others. Croatia Airlines has described the aircraft’s arrival as a “start of a new era”, for the 35-year-old carrier.
Following three test flights in Canada, the jet, named Zagreb, sports the airline’s new livery and ushers in several novelties for passengers, including onboard WiFi. In a deal worth 500 million US dollars, Croatia Airlines is leasing all fifteen of the new A220s for a period of twelve years, after which the aircraft will either be returned to their owners, or the contracts will be extended. The first jet is one of six that are on lease from the Air Lease Corporation. “We are thrilled to congratulate our colleagues at Croatia Airlines on this first A220 aircraft delivery. Croatia Airlines’ fleet modernisation program is expected to deliver not only a new and improved standard of passenger comfort and experience, but also significant financial and environmental benefits due to lower fuel consumption, reduced noise and lower emissions with the most modern, technologically advanced aircraft available”, David Beker, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation, said.
Croatia Airlines’ second A220, to be named Split, is expected to be delivered by the end of the year, followed by six in 2025, four in 2026 and two in 2027, with the carrier to become a single aircraft-type operator. The airline recently inked an agreement with TP Aerospace for MRO services specifically tailored to the A220’s wheel maintenance needs, as well as a comprehensive component support agreement with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. Commenting on the arrival of the first A220, Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, said, “This day will go down in history as the start of a new era in the history of Croatia Airlines, in the history of Croatian aviation and the Croatian state, and all our employees and passengers. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank our partner Air Lease Corporation for their cooperation, as well as our other two partners, Airbus and Pratt & Whitney. Thanks to our joint expertise, understanding, and great enthusiasm, we have created a recognisable aircraft that we can all be very proud of.”
Croatia Airlines‘ first A220-300 is scheduled to enter into revenue service on August 6, once all bureaucratic procedures with the aircraft are finalised. Based on a preliminary schedule, the jet will operate its inaugural revenue service between Zagreb and Split, followed by its first international service, from the Croatian capital to Frankfurt, a day later. The full deployment schedule can be found below. Changes remain possible.
Croatia Airlines’ A220-300 deployment, August
Congratulations Croatia Airlines
ReplyDeleteGongrats OU!
DeleteWhen i saw i first thought 'Croatia Airlines takes delivery of A330-200' 😂
DeleteAnyone else?
1140, no, we all can read.
DeleteWell, if you can read, you can surely differentiate between 'read' and 'thought' 😂.
DeleteCongrats. Wasn't it possible for the plane to make it nonstop to ZAG?
ReplyDeleteNo
Delete+1
DeleteGood news for Croatia Airlines but unlike the management I don't believe this plane will solve their problems. It is the politically appointed management that is the problem.
ReplyDeleteQuick way and fast track for bankrupcy or more state aid.
ReplyDeleteSure. You are a great expert.
DeleteThank you.
DeleteI hope it won't have engine troubles like many other aircraft do.
ReplyDeleteNewly delivered aircraft so not have the issue.
DeleteThe powdered metal contamination problem affects aircraft build befor 2023.
DeleteThe mythical engine problems.
DeleteAsk Cyprus Airways to tell you how mythical it is.
DeleteGood luck. These planes are needed as soon as possible
ReplyDeleteTbf, this is the most organised I've seen Croatia Airlines, I was fully expecting the aircraft to be late today :D
ReplyDeleteWell it is 5 months late.
DeleteNot because of OU
DeleteLooks good in OU colors.
ReplyDeleteAgree!
DeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteFantastic news
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to fly on this plane.
ReplyDeleteLove the big windows on the A220!
DeleteI really hope Croatia makes it work with these new planes.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteWhy the need for the 2 -100s? Why not all A220-300s?
ReplyDeleteBecause of Brac.
DeleteHow do you mean?
DeleteThe A220-300 can't use Brac Airport's runway but the 100 version can.
DeleteDidn't know that. Interesting
DeleteNot only because of Brac. They can send -100 version any time when they have lighter loads on any other route.
DeleteThis as well. Thinner routes like Mostar can be served by the 220-100 while the -300 can be sent to bigger and pricier airports like Frankfurt or Heathrow
DeleteYou are both wrong.
Delete-100 was solely decided on due to much higer xwind component, 35 kts as opposed to -300 which only allows for 29 kts.
Brač or anything else was never even mentioned.
Bravoooooo
ReplyDeleteHope for some new routes now that the A220 has arrived.
ReplyDeleteThe plane is the second most tracked in the world on flightradar :D
ReplyDeleteArrived!
ReplyDeleteThey keep saying how they will be a single type operator but it is just a technicality. They will wet lease turboprops for many of their routes. Same way they were saying for many years how they will own the new A220s and now it turns out all are leased.
ReplyDeleteOk expert.
DeleteOk expert what? Your comment makes no sense. Is it not true that they keep saying they will be single A220 operator? Is it not true that they have confirmed that they will wet lease turboprops and are deciding between Q400s and ATRs? Is it not true that for years they kept claiming that they will own the new A220s? Is it not true that the planes are on 12 year lease?
DeleteYou have no idea what is a single type operator.
DeleteThankfully you know a single type operator is an airline operating multiple different types of aircraft from different manufacturers. You are the true fanboy expert.
Delete1. you have no idea there are differences between wet-lease and dry-lease
Delete2. you have no idea what is single type operator. Actually, you have no idea what means "to operate"
I know very well what the difference between wet lease and dry lease is. Dry lease is what Croatia Airlines has done with the A220s after lying for years they will own it. For passengers many will continue flying turboprops, not at all what was promised by your idol Bajic. Ask him a cookie now.
DeleteSo tell me, what's the difference between these two. And no, there was never an info that OU will own 12 or 15 A220s.
DeleteJust because you are wrong doesn't mean im uhljeb.
I am not wrong. They claimed from the beginning that Croatia Airlines will own the aircraft and made a point of it. Only in the last 8 months it became apparent that the planes are being leased.
DeleteNo they did not. You have no source for such claims.
DeleteLet him be 1117. He is material for medical experts.
DeleteOf course that they claimed it.
DeleteMany times we were reading it here.
They claimed that OU would own the planes long ago, before they changed the contract from buying new A320 neos to leasing A220s.
DeleteIt surely wasn't long ago.
DeleteLooks nice. Good luck with the new machine.
ReplyDeleteCongrats OU on this important milestone.
ReplyDeleteTruly gorgeous bird - I flew on it few years ago with SWISS.
Cabin looks nice although the I don't like the curtain divider stuck onto the walls doesen't look that good.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see just as many angry and belligerent comments here as there are when Air Serbia has news. Must be a Balkan thing.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteIt's definitely a Balkan thing. I normally don't read the comments under the news from other countries, but over here it actually used to be way worse...this is nothing, lol! The vast majority are positive.
DeleteLooking great, hope for some new routes from OU.
ReplyDeleteHow pitiful we are. Both we and our neighbors celebrate and make a big deal out of the arrival of leased planes, while we own none. We've sunk so low that it's embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteWhat means Zagreb_Airbus A220-300?!!
ReplyDeleteCan we all agree that Zagreb_Airbus A220-300 text is absolutely ridiculous?
ReplyDeleteEven on the long range photos, it looks like there is a Croatia Airlines slogan written down there, but with small font.
Design nightmare
+1
DeleteNo we cannot agree as I really like it. The idea of putting the blessing name and the aircraft type name together is new and actually looks good in my opinion. But then tastes are different....
Delete1145, no, we can't.
DeletePsst, the Chief Design Lady (aka design uhjljeb) will hear you and will be ofended
DeleteI Like the text.
DeleteThat´s the given name on the aircraft type. They could also have written A220 and Zagreb below like on their older fleet..
ReplyDeleteDžaba ti novi avioni kad imaš nesposoban management. CA je konstantno u minusu iako većina avio prijevoznika ostvaruju rekordne dobiti.
ReplyDeleteThose are huge windows.
ReplyDeleteHow many times we heard that Croatian politicians are not involved in fleet planning, new destinations opening etc...
ReplyDeleteBecause they are not. Today in our news you can barely find a short article about new plane coming.
DeleteHalf of the governement, tourist board ceos, and even even the governor of the national bank was there.
DeleteAll crooks, part of the government clique
DeleteNot bad. Do they have also spare parts?
ReplyDeleteNo, the manufacturer does. Unlikely though they will be needed in a brand new shiny bird!!
DeleteSo the first nail in to the coffin has arrived. Hope they prevail after all.
ReplyDeleteIts a great aircraft but simply to big for OU which does not have big loads and need to offer frequent services to the important airports in Europe (like twice daily to LON, FRA, MUC, ZRH, PAR, AMS, BRU). It could be great aircraft if OU would be interested to change profile and become charter airline connecting Dalmatia with Europe/Mdl. East/ex-Soviet "Stan"s
ReplyDeleteOU should rather look into E175/290/295.
lets hope it's not grounded in some months...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful plane! Looks really great in the new livery!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations neighbours!! Nice looking bird! May it serve you well in the future ✈️👏
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see normal comments between people from neighboring countries over here! May there be more of them! 👍
DeleteCan the captain explain what he was doing over the Atlantic at 27000 feet?
ReplyDeleteSay again?
DeleteCould be a glitch with FR24 application. I see now what you saying.. But after Greenland it's back to 41000ft, where it was just before it left the coast of Canada. Probably a glitch.
DeleteIt is simple, aircraft is not EDTO or ETOPS if you like, so on ocanic rute must be below FL290.
DeleteAnonymous15:05 thanks for that. I thought of it was RVs certified that it can cross the water above FL290.. But I learn something every day 😀
Delete*RVSM certified
DeleteIt is RVSM certified. In this particular case, to be more precise is question of NAT HAL requirements. Aircraft is not equipped with ADS-C.
DeleteRiding the tailwind. Found a thread on reddit, it is normal for flights between Canada east coast to Greenland flying between 25k - 30k altitude to ride the ~300km/hr tailwind.
DeleteEternal money loser will continue to burn tax payers money:
ReplyDelete"the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, congratulated the carrier. He noted, "The existence of Croatia's national carrier will never be brought into question and the government will always support its flag carrier. This will continue in the future".
So?
DeleteI'm not sure poor Andrej understands fully EU rules about subsidising basketcase airlines
DeleteThe EU does not seem to care and Plenkovic is very well regarded in the EU.
DeleteThey also did not care about Estonian, Malev, Cyprus...
DeleteOh, wait!
Good luck. My only remark would be about the livery, it is so similar to the old one, wish they risked a bit more.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteYeah, plane looks way too white. Like they are just leasing the plane for the summer and quickly painted something on it.
DeleteI'm really surprised that Croatia Airlines' new A220s don't have the small screens overhead like many others do.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping so too :/
DeleteSomething like this
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Itavp5NxHFrEfWUAKGEuhbmjHFQnBuysl3tAHUB6heSE7YZYFpr4SMNpMPWOeykFkAeeKxgOi8qux38JcGSCAN_oJaYGQMW1U9L5aQCkFFUHma5ucxJFroQJWc_fXGebAvGyI_fqU3ZusFQe-OeWCUEU8iE5Qe1gTZxla-ugmhGcMcJJw4VJE_BmQ/s4000/20220529_122047.jpg
Plenkovic*s presence is gonna jinx the plane and Croatia Airlines for sure ......
ReplyDeleteThe clergy also came to christen the plane.
ReplyDeleteGovernment owned aircraft. What happened to separation of church and state?
DeleteIts been a tradition with OU from the beginning.
DeleteGreat work!
ReplyDeleteCabin looks fantastic
ReplyDeleteDoes it have C class?
DeleteIt does. It looks same as economy.
DeleteAmazing.
DeleteStunning!
ReplyDeleteWow, very nice. Congratulations from Montenegro :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Congrats and godspeed OU! Hoping this really is the beginning of a new era, but for that a new strategy is needed on top of new planes.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed you make the most out of this opportunity!
Kick out the government appointed management, embrace the tourist market and offer a proper business class offering, not crap in a box for a meal.
ReplyDeleteI booked the Zagreb Split flight @ 6.8 and wondered about the plenty of free seats 😑 Hope to catch the first A220 flight with them
ReplyDelete