Croatia Airlines Launches A220 Fleet

Croatia Airlines is set to commence operations with its new Airbus A220 aircraft beginning August 6. The airline will introduce the A220-300 model on the Zagreb to Split route, marking a significant milestone in its fleet expansion. This inaugural flight represents the first of 15 A220 aircraft scheduled for delivery.

Starting August 12, Croatia Airlines plans to deploy the A220 on several international routes. From Zagreb’s Franjo Tuđman International Airport (ZAG), the A220 will service flights to Berlin, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Skopje. Additionally, the aircraft will operate flights from Split Airport to Frankfurt and Paris, and from Dubrovnik Airport to Paris. The A220 will also be used on flights connecting ZAG and Dubrovnik, with services to Amsterdam starting August 24.

The delivery of the first A220-300 is a historic moment for Croatia Airlines. “This day will go down in history as the start of a new era in the history of Croatia Airlines, Croatian aviation, and the Croatian state,” said Jasmin Bajić, President and CEO of Croatia Airlines. This launch signifies a new chapter for the airline and its passengers.

Croatia Airlines has a total of 13 A220-300s and two A220-100s on order. The second A220 aircraft is expected to join the fleet by the end of 2024. The airline has planned deliveries of six A220s in 2025, four in 2026, and three in 2027. The initial A220-300 has been leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC), which will also provide three additional A220-300s and two A220-100s.

The introduction of the A220s will lead to the replacement of Croatia Airlines’ existing fleet, which currently includes four A319s, three A320s, and six De Havilland Canada Dash-8s. This fleet modernization will enhance the airline’s service offerings and operational efficiency.