The Croatian Star Alliance member has decided to standardize the fleet on the Airbus A220 machine type. The company intends to only operate this model from 2026. The Boeing 737 Max, Airbus A320neo and Embraer 190-E2 were also in the running in advance.

On Tuesday evening, Croatia Airlines first announced via social media that it would fly with an Airbus A2026 unit fleet from 220. On request, a spokesman told Aviation.Direct that six brand-new A220s will be in the fleet by then. However, the company did not want to provide any information as to whether it would be the 100 or the 300 version or even both.

The Croatian airline's fleet currently consists of six de Havilland Dash 8-400s, five Airbus A319s and one A320. The average age is 18,4 years, with the jets being significantly older than the turboprops. The new additions are intended to replace all existing machines, although from today's perspective this could also mean downsizing. It can therefore be assumed that further A220s will be procured from lessors. The six machines that have now been confirmed will be purchased directly from Airbus.

Last year, the Croatian government announced that it would take Croatia Airlines under its wings as part of the post-Covid strategy in the area of ​​fleet renewal. The carrier took a long time to decide which type of machine to order. The Airbus A220, A320neo, Boeing 737 Max and Embraer E2 series were evaluated. In aviation circles it was assumed that the "match" between the A320neo and the Boeing 737 Max was likely to take place and that Embraer and the A220 series were only outsiders.

However, Croatia Airlines also looked at how Air Baltic managed the transition from a mixed fleet consisting of Fokker 50, de Havilland Dash 8-400, Boeing 737-Classic and at times also B757 to uniform A220-300. The Latvian aviation company makes no secret of the fact that it is very satisfied with the choice of this model. Obviously, the potential of the A220 originally developed by Bombardier should also have convinced Croatia Airlines.