Croatia Airlines takes delivery of its first A220-300 aircraft

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA  / Image : Airbus

Croatian flag carrier and Star Alliance member Croatia Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft at the Airbus Montreal factory in Canada. The delivery is one step in Croatia Airlines’ efforts to renew its entire fleet with new generation aircraft and is the largest project in the airline’s history as it celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary this year.

This is the first aircraft to be delivered in a firm order of 13 A220-300 aircraft and 2 A220-100 aircraft from Croatia Airlines. The introduction of the A220 will bring significant technological advancement to the airline's fleet. Compared with the previous generation model, the A220 has higher fuel efficiency. Single-seat fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 25%, noise can be reduced by 50%, and nitrogen oxide emissions are also about 40% lower than industry standards.

Like all Airbus aircraft, the A220 can fly on a blend of up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims to have all aircraft products flying on 100% SAF fuel by 2030. The A220 will play an important role in helping Croatia Airlines reduce operating costs and environmental impact.

The Airbus A220 aircraft is a model specially manufactured for the 100-150-seat market. It can fly non-stop up to 3,600 nautical miles/6,700 kilometers. This provides strong support for Croatia Airlines to gradually expand its route network, and also ensures that Croatia Airlines can improve passenger satisfaction while providing quality services. In addition, the A220 is equipped with Pratt & Whitney's latest generation GTF engine with advanced aerodynamic design and materials, and adopts an innovative cabin design, with wider seats, larger windows and more spacious cabin space among aircraft in its class, which provides passengers with a higher level of comfort.

As of the end of June 2024, about 30 airline customers have ordered more than 900 A220 aircraft, which is enough to prove the A220's leading position in the small single-aisle aircraft market. Currently, more than 340 A220 aircraft are flying on more than 1,400 routes connecting more than 440 destinations around the world, and have transported more than 100 million passengers.