First of 6 new Airbus A220 jets arrives for Croatia Airlines

The leasing giant Air Lease Corporation has confirmed the delivery of one new Airbus A220-300 aircraft to Croatia Airlines. This is the first A220 to join the Croatian carrier’s fleet and the first of six new A220 aircraft confirmed to be delivered to the airline from ALC’s order book with Airbus.

“Air Lease Corporation is honoured to have been selected by Croatia Airlines as the first Lessor to introduce the A220 to the airline and support Croatia’s major fleet modernization program,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “This milestone first of six new A220 deliveries is a wonderful achievement that commences the fleet transformation at Croatia Airlines.”

“We are thrilled to congratulate our colleagues at Croatia Airlines on this first A220 aircraft delivery,” said David Beker, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation. “Croatia Airlines’ fleet modernization program is expected to deliver not only a new and improved standard of passenger comfort and experience but also significant financial and environmental benefits due to lower fuel consumption, reduced noise and lower emissions with the most modern, technologically advanced aircraft available.”

Croatia Airlines finalizes Pratt & Whitney GTF Engine and EngineWise maintenance agreements

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced yesterday that Croatia Airlines finalized engine and aftermarket agreements for the GTF engines that will power its fleet of fifteen Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft. These include six purchased and nine leased aircraft, six of which will come from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The first aircraft is currently scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2024. Pratt & Whitney will provide engine maintenance for Croatia's fleet with an EngineWise® Maintenance long-term agreement.

Pictured above, from L to R: Steven F. Udvar-Házy, executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation, Jasmin Bajić, CEO and president of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines and Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney finalize GTF™ Engine and EngineWise® maintenance agreements.

"This is an exciting time for Croatia Airlines as we modernize our fleet with these GTF-powered A220 aircraft," said Jasmin Bajić, CEO and president of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines. "By replacing prior-generation aircraft with the most efficient and sustainable engines and aircraft available today, we'll be able to shrink our environmental footprint and keep fares competitive."

Founded in 1991, Croatia Airlines is the national carrier of the Republic of Croatia and a member of Star Alliance. Based in Zagreb, the airline's first planes were powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, including Boeing 737-200 and McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft with JT8D engines, and ATR 42 aircraft powered by PW100 engines.  

"Pratt & Whitney and Croatia Airlines have a longstanding relationship, dating back to the airline's first passenger operations," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "With this GTF-powered A220 fleet backed by EngineWise services, Croatia Airlines will benefit from industry-leading technology and world-class service and support, with a growing GTF MRO network, including facilities like Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, EME Aero and Lufthansa Technik Aero Alzey in the heart of Europe."

Croatia Airlines to get six new Airbus A220 aircraft on lease

Today Air Lease Corporation announced long-term lease placements for six new Airbus A220 aircraft with Croatia Airlines, including four A220-300s and two A220-100s.  The aircraft are scheduled to deliver to Croatia Airlines beginning in 2024 through 2025 from ALC’s order book with Airbus. 

“We are pleased to announce this lease placement for six new Airbus A220 aircraft with Croatia Airlines,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation.  “ALC looks forward to a successful long-term relationship with Croatia Airlines as the airline modernizes and expands its fleet with the newest and most fuel-efficient jets.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus' Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, said: "We are thrilled to add Croatia Airlines as a new A220 customer. The A220 is ideally suited to Croatia's aviation needs, providing operational flexibility and efficiency allowing its airline to pursue its ambition for both regional and international connectivity without compromising on any aspect, be it passenger comfort or trip and seat cost economics."

It is worth recalling that Croatia Airlines replacing its entire fleet represents a long-term process of transition of the company’s business operations as a whole. This implies that all the employees of Croatia’s flag carrier are facing a period in which all business processes will have to be adapted to the new aircraft. This will further optimise the company’s operations and improve passenger cabin occupancy, and cabin crew utilisation. This will concurrently make Croatia Airlines an even more environmentally friendly airline, and will significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, which is today, given the latest developments in the oil and oil derivatives market, the largest share in the expenses of airline companies.

Croatia Airlines signs firm order for six A220 aircraft

Croatia Airlines, Croatia’s national flag carrier based in Zagreb, has signed a firm order for six A220-300 aircraft. Croatia Airlines plans to lease an additional nine A220s, taking its total commitment for the type to 15.

The A220s will replace previous generation aircraft in the company's fleet, reducing operating costs as well as improving environmental efficiency and competitiveness while offering passengers unrivaled comfort throughout its fleet.

Today’s signing of a contract for the purchase of state-of-the-art Airbus aircraft is a very special moment for all of us at Croatia Airlines. It marks the beginning of a new period of aviation, a new period in the life of Croatia Airlines, a new period for our passengers, and a new period for Croatia’s tourism and the economy as a whole,” said Jasmin Bajić, CEO and President of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines.

“We are thrilled to add Croatia Airlines as a new A220 customer. The A220 is ideally suited to Croatia's aviation needs, providing operational flexibility and efficiency allowing its airline to pursue its ambition for both regional and international connectivity without compromising on any aspect, be it passenger comfort or trip and seat cost economics,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.

Croatia Airlines and Sabre successfully achieve remote implementation of real-time revenue optimization solution

Croatia Airlines and Sabre Corporation, the software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, today announced the airline's successful technology migration to Sabre Revenue Optimizer, Sabre's leading revenue optimization solution. Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the demanding project work was done primarily remotely, with the actual technology implementation and training handled virtually.

Last year, the two partners announced the Croatian flag carrier's upgrade to Revenue Optimizer, to enable the airline to take a 360-degree approach to forecasting, analyzing, and optimizing its revenue streams.  The solution provides real-time visibility into the total revenue for every flight, every geographical area and every departure date and helps break down data silos that may exist across airline systems.

Croatia Airlines and Sabre continue successful partnership to increase carrier's revenue and yield

Croatia Airlines and Sabre Corporation the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, today announced the renewal of their long-standing partnership. The Croatian flag carrier has been using Sabre's revenue management product for more than four years and with this renewal, the carrier will upgrade to Sabre AirVision Revenue Optimizer, Sabre's industry-leading revenue optimization solution.

In today's fast-moving, competitive marketplace, setting a price for a product is one of the most important decisions an airline can make. Sabre's revenue optimization suite of technology solutions helps airlines to take a 360-degree approach to forecasting, analyzing, and optimizing their revenue streams, by providing real-time visibility into the total revenue for every flight, every market and every departure date. The product offering is designed to allow airlines to make the most of their inventory and help break down data silos that may exist across the airline enterprise.

Croatia Airlines up for sale? ............The Croatian government seek partner for Croatia Airlines

The national carrier for Croatia could be up for sale soon if the government cannot find a strong strategic partner for Croatia Airlines as it seeks to modernise its fleet and expand its route network.

Oleg Butković, the Minister of Maritime Transport and Infrastructure confirmed that the future further development of the carrier could only be achieved with the help of a serious strategic partner, and that seeking such a partner would be the main function of a new inter-agency committee.  “The main task of that committee will be to consider possible further steps that will ensure the arrival of a quality strategic partner with significant experience in civilian air transport," Butković said at a press briefing this week, where he also said the new partner was needed to ensure the airline could expand and increase its market share. The minister also stressed "the importance of regular and year round connection in domestic and air transport, the need for strong support of further development of tourism potentials in the Republic of Croatia".  Part of the function for the new partner will be to modernise the 12 strong aircraft fleet of Croatia Airlines as well as recapitalise it for future developments. The minister didn't rule out the possibility of Croatia Airlines being sold off completely if no strategic partner could be found.

Croatia Expansion

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.