Croatia's national flag carrier, Croatia Airlines, welcomed its first new Airbus A220-300 aircraft with a capacity of 149 seats to Zagreb on Tuesday, July 30
th 2024., which marked the start of the renewal of its fleet, the largest project in the company's 35-year history, worth around €500 million.
The Airbus A220 arrived from the factory in Mirabel, Canada, travelling its first 7,500 kilometres to Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb. The flight took 11 hours, with one technical landing in Copenhagen for refuelling. The plane flew at an average altitude of 12,000 meters, it was said during the welcoming ceremony.
The aircraft is worth around €38 million.
The new Airbus A220, with the registration mark 9A-CAE and dubbed Zagreb, will conduct its first commercial flight next week on the Zagreb-Split route, and its first international commercial flight will be from Zagreb to Frankfurt. After that, it will be gradually used on other commercial routes.
The new generation Airbus A220 can have between 100 to 150 seats. It has a maximum range of 6,700 kilometres and consumes 25% less fuel than older generation aircraft, and has significantly less harmful emissions.
In addition, the A220 emits 50% less external noise compared to the previous generation of aircraft and about 40% less nitrogen oxides compared to civil aviation standards.
It has the widest seats and the highest ceiling in its class, a wider aisle, more legroom, while offering passengers plenty of natural light and a unique view thanks to the large panoramic windows. It also provides more overhead space for storing luggage and personal belongings, and the needs of passengers with reduced mobility have not been overlooked either as they have improved access to sanitary facilities.
Passengers are provided with a high-speed internet connection, and every passenger has a charging port (USB A and USB C) and a holder for mobile phones and tablets at their seat, with the possibility of accessing digital content.
Attending the ceremony, Prime Minister
Andrej Plenković said that Croatia Airlines is operating solidly now and finding a strategic partner is not a priority at the moment. It is important that as a tourist destination, Croatia has its own airline.
He congratulated the company's management saying it has done a great job. CA will buy 15 airplanes with a repayment period of 12 years, with the possibility of extending repayment for another 12 years, he added.
"It is the right decision for the company's 35th anniversary. Today's arrival of the Airbus 220 marks the arrival of new planes in the next three years," Plenković said.
He recalled that during the Covid-19 epidemic and the consequences it had on the global economy, and especially on the aviation sector, the government had helped the national airline to survive and regain strength. He also stated that this year's traffic in local airports is 10 to 25% higher than in the same period last year.
Vice President of the Government and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure
Oleg Butković believes that today, the arrival of the first new Airbus 220, is the most important moment in the 35-year history of Croatia Airlines.
"The renewal and replacement of the fleet with 15 new aircraft is one of the most complex and important projects since the foundation of this company," said Butković.
He underlined that CA is a recognisable brand in Europe and the world. He added that after several years, the company is achieving positive financial results. Currently, it is recording 7% higher passenger numbers year on year.
Croatia Airlines CEO
Jasmin Bajić said today is a special day in the history of the airline, in the history of Croatian aviation and the Croatian state.
"Today we are entering a new period in which we will open additional spaces to develop Croatia's tourism and economy, because thanks to the excellent fleet gathered under the name Airbus A220, we can now successfully spread our wings to new destinations, optimise the flight network, and all with greater energy efficiency and less fuel consumption," said Bajić.
After today's Airbus A220 arrival a second aircraft is expected by the end of 2024, while the next six should be delivered in 2025, four in 2026, and three in 2027, which will bring the total number of new aircraft in the Croatia Airlines fleet to 15, 13 of which will be A220-300 (with a capacity of 149 seats) and two A220-100 (with a capacity of 127 seats).
(
Hina)
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