Croatia Airlines Fleet Transition Process Remains Challenging

Croatia Airlines is undergoing a complex fleet transition period as it took delivery of its third Airbus A220-300.

“According to the current [delivery] situation, the next two A220s should be delivered by the end of June, and the remaining two aircraft are expected by the end of this year,” a Croatia Airlines spokesperson told Aviation Week May 19.

“The transition period for the aircraft fleet replacement is very challenging,” the spokesperson said. This is not only due to delivery delays but also to the fact that the small airline operates three different aircraft types.

According to CAPA-Centre for Aviation data, Croatia’s fleet comprises three Airbus A220-300s, two A320s, four A319s and five de Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400s.

“Our fleet replacement plan includes the flexibility to retire existing aircraft in multiple scenarios,” the spokesperson said. “The same approach applies to pilot training planning as well.”

The latest and third 149-seat A220-300 arrived directly from the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, on May 14.

The delivery was also the first of three new A220-300s that will be handed over to Croatia Airlines by lessor Azorra, in accordance with the airline’s order with Airbus.

Croatia Airlines’ fleet renewal project is scheduled to be completed in 2027, by which time the fleet should be a single-type carrier comprising thirteen A220-300s (each seating 149 passengers) and two A220-100s (seating 127 passengers).

The airline began A220 operations Aug. 6, 2024.

“The arrival of each new aircraft enables us to expand our network of destinations and optimize the flight timetable,” Croatia Airlines President and CEO Jasmin Bajić said in a statement.