Croatia Airlines will add the first Airbus A220 aircraft into its fleet during the 2024 summer season. The first of the six A220s contracted through the Air Lease Corporation will arrive in Zagreb between April and late June of next year. “Activities related to the introduction of the A220 into the fleet are going to plan. At the moment, we can share that the delivery of the first A220 is expected in Q2 2024, according to current conditions. Public interest in the renewal of Croatia Airlines’ fleet is understandable and the company will inform the public about all the relevant developments in the coming period”, Croatia Airlines told EX-YU Aviation News.
Late last year, the Croatian carrier concluded a lease agreement for four 148-seat A220-300s and two 127-seat A220-100s. The airline plans to eventually replace its entire fleet with the A220s, with the lease of a further six jets of the same type earmarked for 2025 and 2026. The carrier also has the option of adding a further three units in 2027. The Air Lease Corporation noted, “These A220s destined for Croatia Airlines are expected to be delivered from our order book beginning in 2024 through 2025 and represent a significant modernisation shift for that airline as it moves away from operating older A319s and A320s. In this case, the A220 gives the carrier more capacity and efficiency, both on existing routes and added range to expand future routes as well”.
Croatia Airlines will update its branding with the arrival of the new Airbus jets with emphasis put on revamping the carrier’s logo. “The project is currently in the planning stages and once completed, the company will inform the public regarding all the relevant details”, Croatia Airlines said. Travellers on board the carrier’s new A220s will also enjoy an enhanced hard product. With cabins featuring a two by three seat layout, each will have a USB A and USB C port, as well as smartphone and tablet holders. Furthermore, passengers flying on the jets will be able to enjoy broadband services on their Wi-Fi/WLAN enabled devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.