Croatia Airlines has concluded a long-term lease for six new Airbus A220 aircraft with Air Lease Corporation (ALC), including for two A220-100s and four A220-300s. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery to the Croatian carrier at the beginning of 2024 and through 2025 from ALC’s order book with Airbus. “We are pleased to announce this lease placement for six new Airbus A220 aircraft with Croatia Airlines. ALC looks forward to a successful long-term relationship with Croatia Airlines as the airline modernises and expands its fleet with the newest and most fuel-efficient jets”, Air Lease Corporation’s Executive Chairman, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, said.
Croatia Airlines placed an order with Airbus for six A220s in November but last month said it was still finalising financing options for the aircraft. An operating lease, such as the one concluded with Air Lease Corporation, was the most likely outcome taking into consideration the state of the company’s finances. The airline also plans to lease an additional six A220 jets in 2025 and 2026, in order to operate a single-type fleet. “The public will be informed in a timely manner upon the selection of the lessor for the remaining six aircraft with deliveries in 2025 and 2026”, Croatia Airlines said. The carrier also has the option to add a further three A220s in 2027.
Croatia Airlines’ A220-100s will have the capacity to seat 127 passengers, while the A220-300 will welcome 148 travellers. The A220s are expected to reduce Croatia Airlines’ operating costs as well as improve the company’s environmental efficiency and competitiveness while improving passenger comfort. Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, previously described the incoming aircraft as, “The beginning of a new period of aviation, a new period in the life of Croatia Airlines, a new period for passengers, and a new period for Croatia’s tourism and economy as a whole”. On the other hand, Airbus noted, “The A220 is ideally suited to Croatia's aviation needs, providing operational flexibility and efficiency allowing its airline to pursue its ambition for both regional and international connectivity without compromising on any aspect, be it passenger comfort or trip and seat cost economics”.
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I flew airBaltic a week ago, and can confirm the A220 is the most comfortable regional jet out there
ReplyDeleteIt's a great jet and it would be nice to see them flying in this region more.
DeleteI wouldn't say regional jet, Air Baltic is flying RIX-TFS with A220. It has really nice range :)
DeleteReliable too. Great operating costs.
DeleteBravo Hrvatska,!!!!!!!!! 🤪🤪🤪
ReplyDeleteBravo Misetic! More money for him through double lease, same as with Q400. Now everything is clear. Another money laundry operation. Bravo indeed!
DeleteI feel really sorry for haters like you pozdrav iz Rijeke. What are you saying are some serious accusations, if you are so sure about it, go ahead and sue them. Report them to the authorities. If not, you are the one making a criminal offense (having the knowledge of the crime and not reporting it). You are only spreading the hate about (presumably) your own country, killing everyone's mood. We are finally seeing some development, new aircraft are coming to the fleet, and people in the company feel optimistic for the first time in a long time. But I am sure that random comment troll knows better. Please, release your inner complexes somewhere else.
Delete^ Do you mind telling me what other developments are you seeing other than these planes? Genuinely interested. And how does criticism about an airline to you translate into 'spreading hate' against the country? Do you think Croatia Airlines is the epitome of Croatia? I don't think so and I certainly hope not.
DeleteHe (or she) obviously think, that all OU needs is some positive thoughts, man, it sounds like line by Donald Shutterland in the Dirty dozen: toomuch negative waves :)
DeleteThe "double lease" of the Q400's was not rumor but did happen and was reported in the Croatia media back when the aircraft entered service.... Not sure if it is still happening or why the story was dropped or why nothing came out of it but I still remember when it first made the news.
DeleteApparently Misetic set up his own leasing company while he was CEO which leased the Q400's from the leaser, his company then leased the aircraft to OU and took a cut along the way. I guess if it was still true and was still happening it would be easy for someone to dig a little and find out who OU actually lease the Q400's from and who owns that company or if that company lease other aircraft to anyone else?
When you look at what happened at Ina recently I wouldn't be surprised if something similar is happening at OU. I mean it makes no sense for them to operate a company the way they do unless it is on purpose.
@An.11.07
DeleteCroatia is the World's most developed democracy, by any means it's not only formal democracy and actually travesty of the democracy. Croatia has fully independent judiciary, where all reports of alleged criminal acts are resolved promptly, and where all participants are equal, it simply can't be that croatian judiciary is slow, inefficient, and decides in favour of those close to power and tied with high politics. Croatia Airlines is profitable, successful, well managed airline which took advantage of all Croatian potentials, and totally transparent, with no political influence, crime and corruption, of course it is not loss making insignificant pathetic feeder and humiliated Cartel servant and Uhljeb sanctuary full with crime and corruption, and it achieved all the goals set in 1990, and took all the opportunities of the biggest ex-yu aviation market. I hate everything croatian, I am from Cacak and Uzice and I am full of inner complexes, it can't be that I am from Rijeka, that I love my country, and that I was one of the founders of Croatia Airlines, who left it long time ago, when I realized it was absolutely not what it was supposed to be. Hope you are happy now, and wish you a very nice day, and bright future with the new A220 fleet.
Đasmine, dira me Hakala! :D
DeleteThis has turned into a farse. The ‘order’ placed with Airbus was just for show since Croatia Airlines is leasing all the planes and won’t own a single unit. When they were placing the ‘order’ Croatia Airlines said it was ordering 6 + 9 planes to be delivered by 2026 and that the first six would be A220-300s. Now it turns out it will be a mix of -100s and -300s. It also now turns out that the final 3 A220s are far from a sure thing and might join in 2027 but might now.
ReplyDeleteSo true. These orders are coming from ALC’s existing order book with Airbus.
DeleteI agree. It is now completely unclear what was the whole negotiations with Airbus about and placing the order with them.
DeleteThey were talking about faith of that advance payment probably.
DeleteIt explains why this 'order' was firmed up in Zagreb in November in complete secrecy with no press or media. I read in Croatian media that it is probably because they want to avoid any questions about financing. Now it turns out that they didn't actually order the planes?
DeleteIn secrecy, like everything else Mafia do
DeleteAdria did the same…history repeating…at the end of 80’ they owned all MD82 and DC9. They sold off everything for peanuts (including DHC7) and started shopping/leasing spree with CRJ200. Nail in the cofin was long term lease of A319 pair with criminally unfavourable terms and conditions, that they dragged whole company to the bottom. Now, tell me what is diffetent from CTN story?
DeleteCongratulations
ReplyDeleteThey are going to have a huge increase in capacity on routes served by the Q400s.
ReplyDeleteI still think they should keep the Q400 in their fleet.
DeleteSingle type fleet has many positives
Delete^ Yes, but if you can fill the planes. Alternatively they could have gone for an all A380 fleet too.
DeleteWithout their dashes they can’t be profitable only with the A220’s there are some routes that need smaller aircraft.
DeleteI can imagine the A220s on PSO routes like Zagreb-Brac.
DeleteMany people avoid the turboprop planes so this is good news and as people have said having flown them quite a lot with Swiss etc they are good regional jets. Also the cost savings from a single fleet is smart from pilots, to staff to maintenance can’t be under played. I think Air Serbia with their increased network and focus on feeding their flights also need to consider the A220 or something similar as most airlines in Europe are fazing out turboprop planes where as Air Serbia is going in the opposite direction.
Delete^ Great for passengers but bad for the airline which already has one of the lowest average load factors in Europe when half of its fleet are turboprops. I can imagine when those turboprops are replaced with planes double the size in capacity.
DeleteIt is just a way to finance the planes. Croatia Airlines ordered the planes but they will be purchased by ALC and leased to Croatia Airlines. As we all knew, there was no chance Croatia Airlines could cover the cost of purchasing brand new A220s.
Delete"The aircraft are scheduled for delivery to the Croatian carrier at the beginning of 2024 and through 2025 from ALC’s order book with Airbus."
DeleteCroatia Airlines didn't order anything, it's just a way to get some new equipment into the company and make a good impression on ordering EU plane in Brussels.
I'm afraid that unless they actually create a normal network for this birds this will be their last plane change.
Anonymous09:40
Delete``Air Serbia is going in the opposite direction.``
This is true, JU is going to a direction of a decent connectivity, growth and profitability (small profits, but still profits).
About nine years ago Air Serbia went into the opposite direction by transforming into an all-leased aircraft fleet.
DeleteCroatia Airlines has finally changed the direction and is going in the same direction Air Serbia has been on for almost a decade. Follow the leader.
So what happened with their order that they made with Airbus? All of these are leases.
ReplyDeleteI'm just wondering what they will do with these planes in winter when they have trouble filling Dash 8s on some key routes.
ReplyDeleteThey'll lose even more money- nothing new here
DeleteSo the first A220 will join the fleet in winter 2023/24?
ReplyDeleteWell they say early 2024 so it's possible. But this is Croatia Airlines we are talking about. So it is highly likely the plane would arrive and sit on the apron for months before being put into service.
DeletePresumably crew training for the type should begin this year?
ReplyDeleteYes. Pilots will need new type rating.
DeleteTransition training lasts just a few weeks.
DeleteWell, if by few weeks you mean a month or two, then yes.
DeleteLove this plane
ReplyDeleteVery risky in my opinion
ReplyDeleteBravo OU! Bravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteAt least there is finally some development at OU.
ReplyDeleteI really hope this will kickstart things at OU. It is much needed.
DeleteThere is no development. And there is no kickstart. It's not brand new planes they need. They need to change at least dozen huge important things before. But it's not happening. This is just another show for the public.
DeleteFantastic news. Good luck OU!
ReplyDeleteIf the final nail in someone's coffin is fantastic news, then so be it... lol
DeleteIt will not be the final nail. We will just continue financing more of their losses, and more income for few selected individuals tied to croatian politics, and Cartel profits
DeleteLooks like they have a good and ambitious plan to transform themselves.
ReplyDeleteI wish
DeleteHahahahahahahaha. Their plan is to continue providing feeding and servant services to the Cartel, with more losses. They don't care about the losses because they don't pay them, people of Croatia do
DeleteI love this airline. It never misses an opportunity to provide fresh material for dark humour. t's gonna be a "funny" 2024 indeed.
ReplyDeleteThey have ordered 15 altogether: 6 direct from Airbus and 9 from lease. This six leases (two -100 and four -300) are part of the 9 leases. Because of A220 backlog, the leased ones (from ALC) will arrive before the ones from direct orders with Airbus.
ReplyDeleteThey say themselves that all will be leased.
Delete“The public will be informed in a timely manner upon the selection of the lessor for the remaining six aircraft with deliveries in 2025 and 2026”
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThey have many routes which are perfect for 70 seat aircraft. I just wonder how they will manage to fill up 6 120-160 seat aircraft?
ReplyDeleteNew planes are great but OU is not going to automatically become sustainable and profitable when they arrive.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Lower cost per seat is not the only factor when choosing an aircraft. The plane should be right for an airline's network.
DeleteGreat choice by OU
ReplyDeleteThe A220 family is ideal for airlines in our region.
ReplyDeleteA220 are good aircraft, but simply too big for OU needs
DeletePerfect for role of Cartel feeder, but not for country with such tourism potential. This is another Malev on horizon. And where is Đasmine!!!!! Dira me Hakala! :)
ReplyDeleteBulgaria Air is also getting A220s from ALC.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! Debt pushing is the modus operandi. It will not end well.
DeleteLast year OU operated the Dash 8 with 80 seats on 60% of their flights (based on their own financial reports). So will be interesting to see how they manage to replace them profitably with the A220s.
ReplyDeleteThose Q400s can be used for another 8 years without a problem.
ReplyDeletePeople are still criticizing them, I get it, but I think this is the first positive move they made in a long time. They could turn it around with new planes and new (professional) management.
ReplyDeleteWhy were they gaslighting the public then with the purchase of new airplanes that turned out to be just a lease? It reeks of unprofessionalism and deceit.
DeleteAt the moment, they own most of the Airbuses. They lease Q400. Number of units remain about the same. Number of passengers remain about the same. Income remains about the same. And they need to pay additional leases. Would you explain me how exactly is it positive move and how it can turn around their situation? Once again, it's not the fleet, or only the fleet which need to be changed, but it's only what is changing, because of additional money for criminals made on leases and double leases. They don't care about the company, they care about themselves only
DeleteGood luck. At least some positive development in a sea of missed opportunities.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteGreat news for passengers and comfort.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing about the A220 is its range. Should open up new opportunities for OU.
ReplyDeleteThe range of their existing fleet is far from utilized.
DeleteOf course. They will take over Seoul from Korean and Toronto from Transat
DeleteThey should station 2-3 of them in LJU.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha Hahahahahahahaha
ReplyDeleteI think they did something similar to what Adria did with their A319, so sell them to the lessor and lease them back
ReplyDeleteNo, they haven't done that. ALC says the planes are the ones they themselves ordered from Airbus. And they emphasized that on purpose so people would not think it's a sale and leaseback.
DeleteIt seems like they really did a sale and lease-back, which could see them actually gain a few hundred million EUR!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not a stupid decision afteral
It's not a sale and leaseback. Air Lease Corporation clearly states that these are planes that have been ordered by ALS itself.
Delete*ALC
DeletePrestigious and proud moment. Very well done, OU. Good luck with your all A220 NEW fleet.
ReplyDeletePrestigious, you mean like operational or ordered in Tanzania, Latvia and Bulgaria?
DeleteProud, you mean proud of making more losses and continue being pathetic feeder and humiliated servant?
Finaly some good news from OU.
ReplyDeleteI hope it'll help them a bit.
They are finally waking up
ReplyDeleteNext step is to change management and then some changes are sure to come.
DeleteThey are still in a very deep sleep. Nothing is changing except for tax payers which will need to cover even more of their losses. Leasing aircraft cost big money. If they were making losses with fleet they didn't have to pay lease for, which is the biggest cost, would be interesting to know how they will change to better and reduce losses with additional leases they have to pay for. And, for the end :
DeleteJasmineeeeeee!!!! Dje si??? Cuj oni bi da te mijenjaju, ne daj matere ti, sve valja 'vako. I pozdravi mi gazda Ivana, car je!
Đasmine, dira me Hakala!
ReplyDeleteThis just smells like Adria's Sukhoi order leading them to the end.
ReplyDeleteIts a good aircraft until you need an engine, because there is none and you have to park the aircraft.
ReplyDeleteDont look to close to the aircarft otherwise you find corrosion and more staf you dont want to see on aircarfts which are younger than 5 years....
Be quiet! Don't say it loudly! Don't spoil the party for the Party and its uhljebs. How dare you questioning the dogma? You must be some hater from Cacak and Uzice. Bravo Hrvatska!
DeleteRyan 737-200 and Wizz A321NEO will still have CASM advantage on typical routes over OU A220-300, let alone -100. So except OU's feeder flights to MUC, ZRH, FRA and couple of others like LHR, what is the point of this order? Let me hear from the experts :D
ReplyDelete"what is the point of this order?"
DeleteExtending a Debt exponential growth of debt based financial system just a little bit further .6 planes from OU, few more from Bulgaria Air, few more from Air Baltic etc etc
that is in broadest possible sense. And it will not end well.
This "waste of rations" flag carrier organization is mind blowing. It's in debt up to its neck. It gets bailed out by tax payers every few months and is really not fit for purpose. WTF is going on !
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to see where OU will be in a few years. This order is a bit of a gamble in my opinion. Hoping for the best outcome.
ReplyDeleteMore and more people now a days forget things in the plane during disembark despite airlines announce 3 to 4 times to look for your valuables. It's costs when you take out an individual working on ground handling to go look and retrieve back to passenger. Airlines MUST charge some minimum to make such irresponsible passengers orderly.
ReplyDeleteJasmineeeeeee!!!! Jes'ti to? Djeluje mi 'nako odgovarajuce ovo za tvoju ekspertizu iz vr'unskog manadjmenta
DeleteIm not gonna comment of weather if the order is suitable or not. I am questioning the financing. How will a company that can not repay the loan that is due gonna finance lease of this brand new planes? I mean, someone needs to pay hard cash to the leasor (whoever that is and under whatever conditions) but money should be exchanged. Who is paying for this if company is not making money?
ReplyDeleteIt’s only EX YU Aviation’s opionion that all 15 will end up being leased. Every other outlet is reporting this lease as an addition to the November purchase of the original 6 aircraft.
ReplyDeleteThis was written in Croatia Airlines' statement. It is not my opinion and neither do I express my personal opinion in any article.
DeleteYou can refer to Croatia Airlines' statement here: "The public will be informed in a timely manner upon the selection of the lessor for the remaining six aircraft with deliveries in 2025 and 2026”.
Delete