Croatia Airlines Welcomes New Airbus A220 Aircraft

Croatia Airlines welcomed its eighth new Airbus A220-100 aircraft in Zagreb on Friday, with a seating capacity of 127. The latest aircraft bears the registration 9A-CAQ and has been named Pula. Like all previously delivered new aircraft used to renew the existing fleet, it arrived directly from Airbus’s production facility in Mirabel, Canada.

Croatia’s national carrier is thus entering the summer season with eight new Airbus A220 aircraft, operating across 55 international scheduled routes.

Jasmin Bajić, President of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines, stated that the arrival of the eighth Airbus A220 marks another important step in the implementation of the company’s comprehensive fleet renewal project, the largest development project in its decades-long history: “Each new aircraft delivery is a special moment for us, as it represents tangible progress in fleet renewal and, consequently, in the further development of the company, as well as Croatian tourism and the economy as a whole. With eight new aircraft in our fleet, we are entering the summer season operationally stronger. The modern and efficient Airbus A220 aircraft enable us to further strengthen our international route network, enhance service quality for our passengers, and ensure a more sustainable and competitive long-term development of the national carrier.”

Davor Mišić, Director of Flight Operations and captain, who together with Captain Zoran Viljac delivered the aircraft to Croatia, emphasised that the A220-100 is a highly modern and technologically advanced aircraft offering pilots a different flying experience:
“Thanks to its performance and equipment, the Airbus A220-100 is particularly well suited for operations in more demanding weather conditions and at airports with complex operational requirements, such as London City Airport or Florence Airport. Interestingly, the Airbus A220-100 has the highest seating capacity among aircraft operating at these airports. Once complete, the new fleet will further enhance the daily operations of Croatia Airlines.”

As part of the overall fleet renewal project—the largest in the 37-year history of Croatia Airlines—the national carrier has so far taken delivery of six new Airbus A220-300 aircraft with 149 seats, along with two A220-100 aircraft with 127 seats.

By the end of this year, the delivery of an additional six Airbus A220-300 aircraft is expected, while the full fleet renewal project is scheduled for completion in 2027, when Croatia Airlines will operate a total of 15 new A220 aircraft—13 A220-300 and two A220-100.

Source: Croatia Airlines / Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB)
Photo: Šime Lugarov / CNTB