The national flag carrier of Croatia, Croatia Airlines, with its headquarters in Zagreb, has placed a firm order for six A220-300 aircraft. Croatia Airlines intends to lease nine more A220s, bringing its total number of A220 commitments to 15.
The A220s will replace the company’s fleet of older models of aircraft, bringing down operating costs, boosting competitiveness, and providing passengers with unmatched comfort across the board.
“Today’s signing of a contract for the purchase of state-of-the-art Airbus aircraft is a very special moment for all of us at Croatia Airlines. It marks the beginning of a new period of aviation, a new period in the life of Croatia Airlines, a new period for our passengers, and a new period for Croatia’s tourism and the economy as a whole,” said Jasmin Bajić, CEO and President of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines.
“We are thrilled to add Croatia Airlines as a new A220 customer. The A220 is ideally suited to Croatia’s aviation needs, providing operational flexibility and efficiency allowing its airline to pursue its ambition for both regional and international connectivity without compromising on any aspect, be it passenger comfort or trip and seat cost economics,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.
The A220 is a brand-new design and the only aircraft specifically created for the market segment of 100 to 150 seats, combining cutting-edge aerodynamics, innovative materials, and Pratt & Whitney’s most recent generation GTFTM engines.
In comparison to previous generation aircraft, the A220 offers a 50% reduction in noise footprint, up to a 25% reduction in fuel burn per seat and CO2 emissions, and about 50% less NOx emissions than industry requirements.
Since Croatia Airlines initially became an Airbus operator 25 years ago, the two companies have enjoyed a long-standing relationship. The Croatian airline now flies seven single-aisle Airbus aircraft from the A320 Family (five A319s and two A320s).
The A220 is the ideal aircraft for regional as well as long-distance routes and will enable Croatia Airlines to further contribute to the development of tourism in the region while providing flexibility to right-size their operations. Currently, more than 230 A220s have been delivered to 16 airlines operating on four continents.
More than 70 million passengers have taken advantage of the A220 to date. The fleet presently flies to 325 locations across the globe on over 800 routes. Around 30 companies have purchased 780+ A220 aircraft as of the end of October 2022, proving its breakthrough on the small single-aisle market.