The delivery of Croatia Airlines’ first Airbus A220 aircraft has been postponed until June next year. The carrier originally planned to receive the first jet of this type in February 2024 and the second in April, with the aim of having the aircraft in service before the height of the summer season. Ta. However, delivery will be from June onwards. The company plans to deliver only two aircraft next year, followed by six in 2025, four in 2026, and the remaining three in 2027. However, although all these aircraft will be new, they will not be owned by Croatia Airlines. Instead, the two companies will enter into a finance lease agreement, which the government notes is worth US$500 million.
Croatia Airlines has signed a long-term lease with Air Lease Corporation for six aircraft, including two 127-seat A220-100s and four 149-seat A220-300s. The process is underway to select a lessor for the six aircraft to be delivered under the signed contract addendum with Airbus, and the process is underway to select a lessor for the remaining three aircraft. In total, the company plans to introduce three A220-100s and 12 A220-300s into its fleet. The Croatian flag carrier also signed a contract to purchase 33 Pratt & Whitney GTF engines for the aircraft. Pilot training for the new model has already begun.
Croatia Airlines recently sold five of its Airbus A320 aircraft and now leases its entire fleet. Older A320 aircraft are expected to be phased out first, with airlines eventually planning to operate all A220 aircraft. “Delivering new aircraft and phasing out older aircraft is a huge undertaking that requires dedication from everyone in the company, because this is a massive project that requires all of us to give our all. Croatia Airlines CEO Jasmin Bajic previously said: “At some point, we will have three types of aircraft in our fleet, which will affect us operationally, financially and in every way.” It’s a very strict condition.”
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