NEWS FLASH
Croatia Airlines marked the 35th anniversary since its foundation on August 7, 1989 last Friday with a gala dinner at its hangar at Zagreb Airport. The centrepiece of the night was its new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, which was on display and used as the backdrop for an audio-visual show. Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner and were also treated to a fashion show showcasing the airline’s crew uniforms.
Speaking at the event, Croatia Airlines’ CEO, Jasmin Bajić, said, “Believing in the strength of our wings and the expertise of our employees, and with the support of our owner, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, over the past 35 years, every mile has taken us a mile further, and by carefully planning and listening to the needs and demands of the market and our passengers, we have strengthened our presence around the world". Mr Bajić added, “With the introduction of the new Airbus A220 aircraft, which can accommodate 149 and 127 passengers, we are better positioned to meet the specific needs of our passengers while optimizing our business model. This will not only create additional opportunities but also support the gradual expansion of our flight network. The first A220 joined our fleet at the end of July, and we expect the second aircraft to arrive by the end of this year. Looking ahead, six more are scheduled for delivery in 2025, followed by four in 2026, and three in 2027. By then, our fleet will consist of fifteen new A220 aircraft, unified under a single type, and ready to embrace the new challenges ahead”.
Theo Panagiotoulias, the Executive Director of Star Alliance, noted, “This year holds special significance for the company as we celebrate 20 years of being a proud member of the Star Alliance family. Croatia Airlines continues to play a key role in expanding the offerings of our alliance. A big congratulations to all the teams—whether at the airport, in the company headquarters, or in the skies. On behalf of our colleagues from Star Alliance and member airlines worldwide, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to Croatia Airlines".
Christian Scherer, the CEO of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft division, said, “We are proud that Croatia Airlines has selected the A220 for its fleet renewal. This aircraft's exceptional versatility and flexibility, along with its modern and comfortable passenger cabin, make it the ideal choice for airlines operating both regional and international routes, while also enabling the launch of new destinations. We congratulate Croatia Airlines on its anniversary and look forward to supporting its continued success and growth in the years ahead”.
The Croatian Minister for Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, reiterated the government’s commitment to Croatia Airlines as its shareholder and the company’s importance to the country’s tourism industry and economy.
Sorry if I'm acerbic, but I find it extremely ironic that they would use their single brand-new, expensive flagship aircraft as a gala dinner backdrop rather than, you know, to transport passengers. If OU were run well, that plane would have been in the air, not on the ground.
ReplyDeleteWell noted. Bajic is an embarrassment. But so long as HDZ is in power, we are doomed with this incompetent management.
DeleteThe new uniforms are the very epitomy of the meaning of the fairy tale
DeleteThe emperor is naked...
Looking at this embarrassment shows but only a lack of taste but also the level of disconnection with reality as well which is prevalent in the echo chambers of the so called management.
Long may the HDZ rule.
DeleteWhat has CTN's CEO done noticeably differently when SDP was in power than so-called HDZ's management?
DeleteOU is doomed to be a LH feeder. The funny thing is, nearly the whole European Industry became pathetic. Air France and KLM are contemplating about cutting the sandwiches…
DeleteThese political games drifted OU towards buying the A220. As if they can fill on their main routes the planes. It is sad that former Yugoslav cities are not better connected to each other.
More economy, less politics would be a good combination. Why wouldn’t e.g. Polish people fly to Medjugorje i. e. Mostar over BEG or SJJ, if it suits them? Why don’t the countries cooperate more? There must be a market for those Arabs coming to Bosnia, so that they can also visit Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia. Don’t get me wrong, beauty is subjective thing, but not only Croatia has something to offer. Even Slovenia has a nice seaside.
OK, if you love the sea, then traveling to Serbia will not be ideal, but Zlatibor and similar stuff can also be nice.
Mr. Bajic could do much more for OU. FRA and MUC are not the only two airports in the universe.
Regards,
Milojko
Milojko, Europe leads the world in aviation when it comes to levels of competition, connectivity and affordability. But you go ahead and focus on sandwiches on KLM.
DeleteEurope leads in nothing. It's a joke. A hollow shell.
DeleteMaybe in subsides. Socialism.
Remember what M. Tacher said
Socialism works while there is somebody else's money to spend...
Thatcher is literally the architect of the EU single market.
DeleteBravo Croatia Airlines, bravo Plenkoviću, bravo Bajiću. Unimaginable transformation of an Airline, new efficient Aircraft's and new image. Jedno veliko bravo 🎉 , AirBaltic of Adriatic definitely 💯
Deletethe 2nd a220 is heavily delayed right?
ReplyDeleteIt is being manufactured right at this moment!
DeleteAha
DeleteNice.
ReplyDeleteThis is horrible! They spend the money they don't have on terrible events like this one!
ReplyDeleteWow what’s a dramatic
DeleteIt was a horror show.
DeleteAgree.
DeleteThat's pretty cute. If only Croatia Airlines' financial and passenger numbers were as pretty as this evemt
ReplyDelete+1 lol
DeleteCute event
ReplyDeleteAnother exclusive coverage for exyuaviation, congrats!
ReplyDeleteHejteri ce uvijek hejtati! A ja od srca cestitam prvih 35 godina jednoj od mojih omiljenih kompanija i radujem se buducem putovanju novim vazduhoplovom. Samo da jos vrate Pan pivo i Dnevni list!
ReplyDeleteI like the second night photo of the A220 with the projected squares. I think it could have been a good new livery for the airline.
ReplyDeleteCame here to say the same thing
DeleteThat would’ve looked horrible.
DeleteLiving it up before the final bust ......... A220 (bombardier) tech is incompatible with the airbus tech. ...... dzabe si farbo .....
ReplyDeletecongrats ! wishing them luck...at least they CARE...unfortunately my wise fellow compatriots let Adria go bankrupt....
ReplyDeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteBRAVO Hrvatska, za šta? Za patetični show, patetične neuspjele kompanije, hranjene državnim novcem. Tu šund galu si platio ti iz svog poreza.
ReplyDeleteDa, govor je bio vise kao ironija. OU je sve suprotno od onog sto govori Bajic. A izgleda da nisu zvali ni nabiljeg avio ANALiticara.
DeleteThis feels like a send off funeral.
ReplyDeleteGosh are these people for real?