Croatia Airlines, the national flag carrier of Croatia, is navigating a transitional period in its fleet management by planning to wet-lease aircraft as a temporary measure. This strategy comes as the airline begins phasing out its older jets, particularly the Airbus A319 model, with one already retired last month and another expected to leave the fleet in the first half of the next year. The retirement of these aircraft is part of a broader plan to modernize the fleet, with the introduction of new Airbus A220s, scheduled to become the sole aircraft type in Croatia Airlines’ fleet. The delivery of the first A220 is anticipated in June 2024, followed by another later in the year, although these dates might change due to previous delays.
To offset the reduction in capacity caused by retiring its A320-family jets, Croatia Airlines is in advanced negotiations with Trade Air, a Croatian ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) specialist, to wet-lease an A320 aircraft. The agreement is expected to be finalized soon, with operations starting in February 2024. Initially based in Zagreb, the leased aircraft will eventually be moved to Split to support the airline’s busy summer schedule in the coastal city. Additionally, the airline is considering another A320 wet-lease for the summer season of 2024.
Croatia Airlines’ current fleet comprises twelve aircraft, including two A320s, four A319s, and six Dash 8 Q400s. Despite the planned expansion of its fleet and services, the airline anticipates that its number of flights and capacity in 2024 will still not match the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. However, there are plans to increase flights by 6% and capacity by 7% compared to this year. Furthermore, Croatia Airlines intends to resume several of its seasonal routes earlier in the year, starting in late March instead of late April, and extending them until late October, rather than concluding in September.
This move is significant in the context of Croatia’s history in aviation, which has seen the country develop its air transport sector since its independence in the early 1990s. Croatia Airlines, established in 1989 as Zagal (Zagreb Airlines), was rebranded in 1990 and played a crucial role in maintaining air connections during the turbulent years of the Croatian War of Independence. The airline’s expansion and modernization efforts, including fleet renewal and route diversification, have been central to its strategy to strengthen its position in the European aviation market and enhance connectivity for Croatia, a country with a strong tourism industry. The introduction of the Airbus A220s and the strategic use of wet leases mark the latest steps in Croatia Airlines’ ongoing efforts to adapt to the dynamic aviation industry and cater to evolving passenger demands.
