Croatia Airlines has tentatively scheduled the retirement of its remaining Airbus A319 aircraft for next month as it accelerates its transition towards an all-A220 in-house fleet. Based on the carrier’s current schedule filing, the type is due to operate its final commercial service on October 11. The A319’s last day of operations is presently scheduled to involve flights from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, continuing to Rome, before returning to Dubrovnik and finally Zagreb. However, the allocation remains tentative and is highly likely to change as the airline adjusts its fleet deployment. Nevertheless, the filing provides an indication that Croatia Airlines plans to end A319 operations imminently.
The carrier currently has four active A319s, registered 9A-CTG, 9A-CTH, 9A-CTL and 9A-CTN. The type has formed part of Croatia Airlines’ fleet since 1998 and has been deployed extensively across its domestic and European network. The aircraft are configured with 144 seats. Their withdrawal will follow the retirement of Croatia Airlines’ final Airbus A320 earlier this year. The last aircraft of the type, registered 9A-CTO, operated its final commercial service between Zagreb and Amsterdam on January 26, bringing an end to almost three decades of A320 operations at the airline.
The accelerated phase-out of the A319s comes as Croatia Airlines continues the largest fleet renewal programme in its history. The carrier currently operates eleven A220s, comprising nine A220-300s and two smaller A220-100s. It expects to take delivery of a further three A220 aircraft by the end of this year, subject to the manufacturer’s delivery schedule. The fifteenth and final jet from the current order is due to arrive in 2027. Croatia Airlines will continue operating its remaining three Dash 8 Q400 turboprops during the 2026/27 winter season. They are expected to be retired at the end of the scheduling period in late March 2027. The airline will then operate an all-A220 in-house fleet, supplemented by wet-leased ATR72 turboprops. Its ATR operations are expected to expand next summer, with a second aircraft planned and the number of flights operated by the type set to increase significantly.
End of an era
ReplyDeleteTerrible decision by clueless management. Croatia deserves better.
ReplyDeleteDecision was not made by so called management. It's decided in Središnjica, whose puppets aparatchiks from "management " are. And Središnjica got instructed from one of Organization Bosses, ex first President FT chief of office, who surrendered croatian market to foreigners long time ago and is still the one who decides OU to remain midget and shameful feeder. Highly corruptive BCG deal on single type fleet, including the aircraft choice, was just the cover and disguise for the charade
DeleteOh the shame!
DeleteEveryone retires A319 nowadays even JU. It's not terrible decision on it's own. However the replacement fleet is.
Delete17 plane fleet next year with network that can be done with 9
ReplyDeleteIt cannot be done with 9. However, for current network 17 aircraft is way too much.
DeleteReminds me very much of Airbaltic which also has an all A220 fleet and also much more than they need. And look where they ended up - filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and must restructure.
DeleteSad to see them go but the cabins were really showing their age. The A220 is a major improvement for passengers.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot big windows and USB stuff. LOL. And yeah, off runway excursions and aircraft grounded and/or constantly returning to departing airport soon after take off for technical issues are not only major improvement but unforgettable experience for passengers
DeleteI wouldn’t be surprised if the final date changes several times. The A319s will probably remain available as backup until all three new A220s arrive.
ReplyDeleteThe A319 was perfectly suited to many Croatia Airlines routes. I’m still not convinced the larger A220-300 is the right aircraft for the entire network.
ReplyDeleteIt has 5 more seats...
Delete@9.07 excellent reply to a clueless comment
DeleteHahaha this one made me really laugh
DeleteThe size is approximately the same. But it's not about seats. It's about lease costs which did not exist in 319/320 fleet. But who cares, stoka sitnog zuba will pay for it anyway
DeleteHopefully Croatia Airlines organises some kind of farewell flight. These aircraft deserve a proper send-off after nearly 30 years.
ReplyDeleteThey won't. Didn't do anything for the A320 either.
DeleteCroatia Airlines has renewed its fleet but now it needs to renew its network strategy.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that won't happen.
Deletefor that to happen it needs to renew its management.
DeleteEleven A220s already seems impressive considering the first one arrived only two years ago. The transition has happened very quickly.
ReplyDeleteBecause waiting times for A220 are not long, such as with A320neo.
DeleteThe entire legacy fleet will be withdrawn within roughly one year. That is an exceptionally rapid transition.
DeleteCroatia Airlines deserves credit for completing such a complicated fleet transition quickly.
DeleteThe A319s served the airline reliably for many years
ReplyDeleteI wonder where these four aircraft will go next. They could still have several years of service left with another operator.
ReplyDeleteLauda in Zagreb could do with birds that don't break down as often as theirs :D
DeleteMost likely scrapped. Most are 28 years old
DeleteGreat news for passengers
ReplyDeleteHopefully the A220’s reliability improves. Croatia Airlines will have very little flexibility once all its own aircraft belong to the same family.
ReplyDeleteThey have too many shiny new planes for their limited operations. No network strategy, no waves at hub, no proper connecting opportunities, limited route network, poor business class catering. They urgently need an independent management that knows what it is doing. It is shocking locals are happy taxes propr up this basketcase.
DeleteI still think retaining a few Dash 8s would make more sense than depending on wet-leased ATRs .
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know whether Croatia Airlines owns these aircraft or if they must be returned to lessors?
ReplyDeleteThey were all sold a few years ago. Croatia Airlines does not own any aircraft.
Deletethe cost of keeping the A319/A320 fleet operational was probably too high.
ReplyDeleteA modern fleet is welcome but Croatia Airlines now needs to use it to launch new routes rather than simply replacing aircraft on the existing network.
ReplyDeleteIt is impressive that Croatia Airlines will soon have one of the youngest fleets among European carriers.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThe issue is at what cost. The airline is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Delete^ true that
Deleteintroduce W A V E S. Is it that difficult? Im not even from HR to b ethat bothered but im puzzled of their non-existance and tvrdoglavost to not introduce it
ReplyDeleteModern aircraft, old business model.
DeleteZAG to FCO via SPU LOL
Delete09:34 it is actually difficult for a comapny is this state.
DeleteWhen is the next A220 supposed to arrive?
ReplyDeleteHow many of their A220s are currently actually in service?
ReplyDelete9 out of 11. 9A-CAN is still grounded in Split and unlikely to fly any time soon. 9A-CAM broke down in Stockholm 4 days ago and is still there.
Deletesuch a wonderful plane..as a passenger I did not feel the updgrade from and embraer e-jet or a 319/320
DeleteIncedibile!
ReplyDeleteCroatia beating Air Serbia on one thing.....
They will beat Air Serbia on earlier A319 retirement....😃
More seriously, hopefully switching to single type would improve their finances by avoiding maintaining 2 jet fleets in paralel.
Wrong strategy to go for brand new planes when you have strong seasonality. Moreover, i think some of A319 were owned.
ReplyDeleteCroatia Airlines sold all its owned aircraft 3 years ago. It does not own any anymore.
Delete