Summary

  • Croatia Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220, an A220-300, which should arrive in Zagreb, Croatia, on July 30.
  • The delivery marked an important milestone in the airline’s transformation as it began its transition to becoming an all-A220 operator.
  • In total, the airline has planned to operate two A220-100 and 13 A220-300 aircraft, with some of them being leased from aircraft lessors.

Croatia Airlines has taken delivery of its first-ever Airbus A220-300, introducing its new livery with the introduction of the new aircraft type into its fleet.

Delivered from a lessor’s backlog

The aircraft, registered as 9A-CAE, was scheduled to depart its final assembly line (FAL) in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, namely Montreal Mirabel International Airport (YMX) at 16:00 local time (UTC -4).

On its way to Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG), Croatia Airlines’ first-ever A220-300 will stop at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and arrive at the Croatian capital at 9:55 local time (UTC +2) on July 30, Flightradar24 data showed.

IMG_8815 Cropped

Photo: Croatia Airlines

In a statement, Aircraft Leasing Corporation (ALC) said that the Croatian carrier took delivery of the first of six A220 aircraft that would be leased to the airline, with Steven Udvar-Házy, the executive chairman of ALC, saying that the lessor was honored to have been chosen by the airline as the first lessor to support its fleet modernization program.

“This milestone first of six new A220 delivery is a wonderful achievement that commences the fleet transformation at Croatia Airlines.”

Airbus noted that in total, the airline was scheduled to introduce two A220-100 and 13 A220-300 aircraft, with Croatian Airlines planning to become an all-A220 operator.

Related

Lessor ALC Places 6 Airbus A220s With Croatia Airlines

Croatia Airlines inches closer to taking its first A220 by solidifying this deal with ALC.

New visual identity

Nevertheless, with the new aircraft, the airline will also introduce a new visual identity. On June 18, Croatia Airlines said that as it celebrated its 35th anniversary, it began its biggest project: to replace its whole fleet with the A220 aircraft, as well as refresh its brand.

“The airline’s logo redesign and the new look of the aircraft further accentuate the company’s basic messages, which are quality, safety, travel comfort, and hospitality, while the design of the logomark is now brought closer to the design of the tail of the aircraft, which is what makes Croatia Airlines recognisable.”

Croatia Airlines new visual identity

Photo: Croatia Airlines

At the time, Jasmin Bajić, the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of the management board, remarked that the rebranding should increase the carrier’s visibility and recognition in the continent, highlighting the importance of the country’s national identity and the airline’s role in Croatia.

Related

Croatia Airlines Reveals Fresh New Brand Design

Croatia Airlines has simplified its logo, switching it to the colors and design of its iconic aircraft tails.

Becoming an all-A220 operator

Following in the footsteps of airBaltic, which became an all-A220 operator once it had retired its Boeing 737 and De Havilland Canada DHC Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, Croatia Airlines announced plans to operate only the aircraft of the type in October 2022.

Then, the airline reiterated the decision was made as it finalized its post-COVID-19 strategy, deciding to settle on a single fleet type to improve its efficiency and regional competitivness.

Croatia Airlines Airbus A319 landing at FRA shutterstock_410177287

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis | Shutterstock

Currently, Croatia Airlines operates 12 aircraft, split between four Airbus A319, three A320 (one wet leased), and six DHC Dash 8 Q400, with the average age of its fleet being 15.1 years, ch-aviation data showed.

Related

The Croatia Airlines Fleet In 2023

The carrier is set to undergo quite a transition in the coming years.

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