Late A220 deliveries and linked leasing and maintenance costs increased the financial burden for Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) during the summer season, the company said in its latest financial report.

“The fleet replacement project […] represents the foundation for long-term sustainable operations and a more efficient business model in the future,” the airline said in its nine-month report. However, “updated aircraft delivery dates provided by suppliers only in early 2025 led to additional delays that negatively affected the summer season and caused an increase in the company's costs. At this point, the total number of days of delay for A220 aircraft is more than 62 months.”

The national carrier recorded a consolidated operating loss of EUR21.5 million euros (USD24.7 million) in the January to September period, but said EBITDA rose 9% year-on-year to EUR12.4 million (USD14.2 million).

Croatia Airlines initially planned to start A220-100 operations in time for the summer 2025 season, but this has faced delays. It has so far received seven new A220s - six A220-300s and one A220-100 - with plans to eventually operate a total of fifteen (thirteen -300s and two -100s).

According to ch-aviation data, Croatia Airlines currently operates one A220-100 (with one more to be delivered), six A220-300s (seven more to be delivered), four A319-100s, two A320-200s, and four DHC-8-Q400s. It expects additional A220 units to enter the fleet in 2026.