Croatia Airlines Takes Delivery of First Airbus A220

Dark/Light Mode (30/07/24)  Croatia Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-300.

The aircraft, which features the airline's new livery, is the first to be delivered of the thirteen A220-300s and two A220-100s on order.

Delivery of the second aircraft is expected by the end of 2024, whilst the next six are scheduled for delivery in 2025, four in 2026, and three aircraft in 2027.

The delivery is part of the renewal of the airline's entire fleet with new-generation aircraft, the biggest project in the company's history which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

Croatia Airlines A220-300. Picture: Airbus

"Our new visual identity communicates with our passengers and the public even more simply and easily. The first impression that Croatia will leave will now be even stronger," said Slaven Žabo, Commercial Division Director at Croatia Airlines. "Besides flying in new and significantly quieter aircraft, our passengers will have the convenience of a more comfortable passenger cabin featuring wider seats and larger windows, more carry-on baggage space, and high-speed inflight Wi-Fi."

During this year’s summer season, Croatia Airlines is connecting Split Airport (SPU) with the following 22 international airports: Amsterdam, Athens, Vienna, Berlin, Bucharest, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Copenhagen, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Milan, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Rome, Skopje, Stockholm, and Zurich.

During the upcoming winter season, the flag carrier is planning to connect Croatia with 29 European airports, operating flights on 50 international routes.

The A220 provides greater efficiency with 25% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat, as well as a 50% reduced noise footprint when compared to previous generation aircraft, and around 40% lower NOx emissions than industry standards.

"We are witnessing a new historic step forward and into a better future for Croatia Airlines, as well as for all of us, who will fly Croatia’s flag carrier as businessmen, tourists and passengers," said Tomislav Mihotić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia. "In the 35 years of its existence and provision of transportation services, Croatia Airlines has been connecting Croatia’s cities with key European destinations, and, in collaboration with partner airlines, the whole world. As such, Croatia Airlines is of immense support for us all."

The A220 is purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market and powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF engines can fly non-stop up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 kilometres).

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with the company aiming for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.

As of the end of June 2024, around 30 customers have ordered more than nine hundred A220 aircraft. Over 340 Airbus A220s are currently flying on more than 1,400 routes and more than 440 destinations worldwide. To date, more than 100 million passengers have flown on the A220.

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