Croatia Airlines continues with plans for the A220 – Airways fleet
DALLAS – Zagreb’s Croatia Airlines (OU) will receive six new Airbus A220s from the American leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The long-term lease is in addition to a firm order with Airbus for six A220s issued in November 2022.
Additional Pratt & Whitney PW1500G powered aircraft will include four of the -300 and two of the smaller -100 variants. They will be delivered during 2024-2025.
“We are pleased to announce this lease of six new Airbus A220 aircraft with Croatia Airlines. ALC looks forward to a successful long-term relationship with Croatia Airlines as the airline modernizes and expands its fleet with the latest and most fuel-efficient jets,” said ALC Executive Chairman, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy.
Fleet Focus
OU revealed back in November that it would upgrade its fleet, focusing on the Airbus A220 with up to 15 aircraft of the type. Originally, the airline planned to use the A320neo to renew its fleet. The four it had on order were removed from Airbus’ backlog after the A220 deal.
Currently, OU’s fleet consists of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, plus several De Havilland Dash-8 Q400s. The contract means that the airline will focus its fleet around one type of aircraft that brings numerous economic benefits. OU’s A220-100 will have a capacity for 127 passengers, while the A220-300 will have 148 seats.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles-based ALC has 68 A220-300s on order, plus seven -100 series.
Featured image: The Airbus A220 will be used to replace the current fleet of A319, A320 and Dash-8 Q400 aircraft. Photo: Airbus.