Croatia Airlines Prepares for Introduction of Airbus A220 Fleet

Croatia Airlines is gearing up for the arrival of its first Airbus A220 aircraft as part of its strategic expansion plans. The national carrier of Croatia has taken steps to prepare for the integration of this new aircraft type into its fleet. The airline has recently onboarded 11 skilled pilots to facilitate the seamless introduction of the A220, which also addresses the heightened pilot demand during the busy summer season and compensates for the departure of some of its crew members.

In line with its “Post Covid” strategy, Croatia Airlines is set to focus intensively on activities related to the acquisition and incorporation of the new A220 aircraft throughout 2023. The first batch of Airbus A220 planes is expected to be added to the airline’s operations in early 2024, with the initial six units being leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) and drawn from the lessor’s order book.

During June 2023, Croatia Airlines entered into significant agreements in preparation for its forthcoming Airbus A220 fleet. Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for the upkeep and post-purchase support of the aircraft’s engines, specifically the PW1100G engines. This comprehensive agreement includes engine maintenance, workshop visits within the Pratt & Whitney network, the procurement of spare engines, and engine parts.

Additionally, the airline also signed a contract with Swiss Aviation Software, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik. The deployment of Swiss Aviation Software’s AMOS software will aid Croatia Airlines in its strategic overhaul of the fleet, transitioning into a modernized A220 fleet. This software will offer advanced capabilities for the gradual integration and retirement of aircraft, enhancing operational efficiency.

Croatia Airlines has ambitious plans to operate a total of 15 Airbus A220 aircraft, encompassing both the -100 and -300 models, by 2027. Currently, the airline’s fleet comprises five Airbus A319s, two A320s, and six De Havilland Canada DHC Dash 8-400 aircraft, as reported by ch-aviation.com.

This move mirrors the path taken by Latvia’s airBaltic, which successfully transitioned to an all-Airbus A220 fleet in 2020. Following a similar approach, Croatia Airlines aims to streamline its operations and enhance its fleet’s capabilities.

In terms of financial performance, Croatia Airlines demonstrated a robust performance in the first half of 2023. The airline recorded a revenue of €112.8 million ($124.5 million) during this period and concluded with a net profit of €1.6 million ($1.7 million). The carrier’s operating profit, which excludes financing expenses, reached €2.6 million ($2.8 million). These financial results reflect the airline’s dedication to sustainable growth and operational excellence.