Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) has committed to adding fifteen A220s, including six A220-300s ordered direct from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) and a further nine to be leased.
The state-owned carrier confirmed the incoming jets would replace its previous-generation aircraft which entail five A319-100s (21.2 years old on average), two A320-200s (20.7), and six DHC-8-Q400s (13.7), the ch-aviation fleets module shows.
The airline announced the selection of the A220 as its future platform in October 2022. At that time, it said that the commitment would comprise both A220-100s and -300s. The smaller variant was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement of the firming of the deal.
"Details of the contract related to the type of aircraft are going to be agreed upon," spokesperson Davor Janušić told ch-aviation.
Croatia Airlines has a firm order for four A320-200Ns stemming back from 2015 but said it would drop this order as a part of the commitment for the A220s.
The carrier did not respond to ch-aviation's questions concerning the possible inclusion of the A220-100s in the order, delivery dates, and the fate of its A320neo order, while Airbus refused to comment.
Editorial Comment: The article updates with Airbus' and Croatia Airlines' statements. - 01Dec2022 - 13:15 UTC