Croatia Airlines has taken delivery of its second Airbus A220-300 aircraft (pictured). Registered 9A-CAI and nicknamed “Split”, the brand-new jet arrived in Zagreb yesterday afternoon. It was delivered from the Airbus production plant in Montreal to the Croatian capital via Copenhagen. Featuring 149 seats, Croatia Airlines’ A220s also boast on-board WiFi. Based on its current schedule, the aircraft is tentatively planned to enter into revenue service on the morning of January 3, 2025, with one A220 operating the Dubrovnik - Zagreb route, while the other will be deployed between the Croatian capital and Brussels at the same time. On average, the airline has scheduled for each of its two A220s to maintain six operations per day or three return flights throughout January. Adjustments to the date of entry remains possible.
Commenting on its A220 operations, Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, said, “Our first Airbus A220 has been flying across European skies for six months, with a second now joining the fleet. Six more aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2025, four in 2026, and three in 2027. Thanks to our valued passengers, we’re also planning to expand our network of flights in 2025, in line with the delivery of new aircraft”. He added, “I am particularly pleased to note that since the first flight of our A220, we have received only positive feedback from passengers, ranging from great satisfaction to complete delight. We will continue striving to meet customer expectations, and the Airbus A220, with its outstanding features, performance, and capacity aligns perfectly with our business strategy for the future”.
In a deal worth over half a billion euros according to the Croatian government, Croatia Airlines will replace its entire fleet with thirteen A220-300s and two A220-100s by the end of 2027. The carrier also plans to wet-lease turboprop capacity for shorter and thinner routes. All A220s will be on an operating lease with the aircraft owned by the Air Lease Corporation (six units), Griffin (six) and Azzora (three). Croatia Airlines recently issued a call for type-rated or non-type-rated First Officers on the A220 to join the company.
It's beautiful, hope they'll use it good.
ReplyDeleteWell.
DeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteBravo OU!
ReplyDeleteThis is literally suicide
Delete@09:15
DeleteLOL, it is the exact opposite.
Flying 20 year old airframes is suicidal.
The costs of fuel and maintenance will kill an airline who has to compete with A320NEOs and MAXs like all of Europe's aviation sector is transitioning fast too.
LF between 50-60%, but yeah, 500 million worth of new planes will fix that
DeleteSpending 25% less on fuel matters a lot when you have only 50-60% load factor.
DeleteSame goes for maintenance costs.
What have you saved in maintenance and fuel if your lease rates are expensive? On the flip side, RTX lawyers can't wait for small government owned airline claiming damages for PW1000! 50-60% load factor makes a lot of economic sense, industry standard!
Delete@anon 10:41
DeleteI wouldn't count on 25% less fuel consumption marketing bs. It burns less, yes, but how less exactly is yet to be found. OU has many routes of less than 2 hours and with trash lf.
When is the third A220 expected?
ReplyDeleteI think another 3 of them are expected this year? Or 2?
DeleteThe year ends in 10 days. It says in the article how many are coming next year.
DeleteI believe in Match. We will see
Delete* March
DeleteAdmin do you have any info about the WiFi provider?
ReplyDeletePanasonic Avionics. It is using a Ku-band antenna, which became available on the market last year. This includes support for both LEO (low earth orbit) and GEO (geostationary orbit) satellite networks, higher speed, greater aerodynamic efficiency, gate-to-gate operations, and reduced operating costs, as per the manufacturer.
DeleteThank you very much!
DeleteJU should really look into installing Wifi again on its fleet. Especially on the A330s.
DeleteAlmost all long haul airlines in Europe have it now and passengers have come to expect it as a standard feature.
Just my2cents
I would love to see more pictures of the interior.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteMy parents flew with the first A220 from ZAG to DBV, they say it was nice and quiet.
DeleteI flew on their first A220 last month, and it was a very smooth and comfortable experience. Glad to see more of these planes joining the fleet
DeleteGetting 15 aircraft for 500 million works at about 33.3 per aircraft. That is good pricing!
ReplyDeleteIf only they owned them.
DeleteExactly, they didnt get them, they lease them. If they purchased them it would be more expensive
DeleteCheap price for the lessor to buy means cheaper lease rates for the airline leasing them.
DeleteThat's a great deal for OU.
"Cheap price for the lessor to buy means cheaper lease rates for the airline leasing them."
DeleteLMAO totally unrelated
It is completely related!
DeleteAirbus selling them to lessors at discounted price means the lessors can lease them at discounted rates.
Bajic himself said they could never afford these planes of it weren't through a lease.
DeleteMost people in Western Europe lease their cars nowadays as they can't afford to buy them. What's the difference?
DeleteBeautiful bird
ReplyDeleteHow are they going to fill these planes. OU have an abysmal LF, they do not operate waves of flights out of ZAG offering connections, have been eaten alive by U2 and others on the coast and FR have made them look a laughing stock at ZAG. Never make an annual profit and combined with political management it looks just awful for them.
ReplyDeleteIf only they would use them to introduce newer routes and better frequency on existing routes, but knowing the management they will continue being a LH feeder and kill routes because of competition
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSo true. I flew on the first one and it really is an amazing bird.
DeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed they utilize this incredible new asset properly, by finally introducing a coherent strategy, real wave system, adjusting prices...etc. but yeah, it's as you say - knowing the management, it is really hard to be optimistic.
Great news for Croatia Airlines! The A220 is a fantastic aircraft—fuel-efficient and passenger-friendly. Looking forward to trying it out soon.
ReplyDeleteThe A220 is a fantastic aircraft, but OU being such a poorly run airline means this aircraft won't bring the company any benefits.
DeleteTrue
DeleteReplacing the entire fleet is an expensive decision. I hope Croatia Airlines can survive while making this transition.
ReplyDeleteTrue. 500 billion+ is a huge investment. I hope the Croatian government factored in long term profitability and growth potential
Delete1851, billion?? Trillion!!!
DeleteOk I obviously meant million. You can calm down now.
DeleteThey are looking to hire more pilots. Unless they accelerate retirement of existing fleet they may get into A220 pilot shortage next year.
ReplyDeleteNonsense! Training has been going on for a year now.
DeleteThey are looking for more pilots because several A320 pilots are retiring and because their fleet will be bigger than it is now. Makes sense.
DeleteDoes anyone know what routes the A220-100s will be used for?
ReplyDeleteBrac for sure since I think the A220-300 can't land there.
DeleteBrac will be operated by wet leased turboprops.
DeleteCan’t wait to see the A220 flying more domestic flights :)
ReplyDeleteThe refreshed OU livery is growing on me
ReplyDeleteFor how long are the financial leases?
ReplyDelete