Croatia Airlines has reached another milestone as it prepares to welcome its first Airbus A220-100. The aircraft completed test flights in Canada earlier this month and now moves closer to service entry. With 127 seats, the jet will become the smallest aircraft in the airline’s fleet once the carrier finishes its A220 transition in 2027.
The airline has adjusted its deployment schedule for the new A220. Instead of October 10, the inaugural flight will now launch on October 12 from Zagreb to Skopje. The aircraft will return the next day but will not operate again until October 16, when it flies between Zagreb and Brussels. The airline plans limited use during the first weeks, with only two to three flights a day. However, on October 24, the A220 will complete three round trips, marking its busiest day.
Croatia Airlines intends to use the new jet on several key European routes. These include Dubrovnik, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Milan, Split, and especially Brussels, where the A220 will fly most often. This aircraft will be the fifth delivery in 2025 and the seventh A220 in the fleet. The airline expects eight more units by 2027, including another A220-100, strengthening its regional network and improving efficiency.
The arrival of the A220 marks the gradual phase-out of Croatia Airlines’ older Airbus A320 models. The carrier will retire one A320 this year and plans to withdraw the second by February 2026. With this fleet renewal strategy, the airline aims to lower costs, enhance comfort, and compete more effectively in Europe.
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