Expansion plans continue for Croatia Airlines as it announces it will lease two Embraer E190 aircraft next year, also commenting that the company is considering opening bases outside of its home country.The carrier plans to expand its fleet with four to six jets over the next four years according to sources inside the airline and seem to confirm earlier statements from the airline’s CEO, Krešimir Kučko, “If Croatia Airlines was to buy more aircraft today it would choose an Embraer model”, Mr. Kučko said recently.
A 100-seat aircraft would be best suited for the airline as it could operate with greater cost efficiency during the slow winter months and open up new markets during the summer. Currently Croatia Airlines operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Bombardier aircraft, although over the last month or so the airline has leased an E190 from Montenegro Airlines.
The E190 can seat 94 passengers in a two-class configuration and would also aid further expansion plans for bases outside Croatia, with Sarajevo appearing to be the front-runner.
Croatia Airlines is also expected to enter negotiations with Mitsubishi over the possible purchase of MRJ90's, with a seat capacity of 90 and deliveries could begin in spring 2017.