# Croatia Airlines A220 expansion amid record traffic

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-airlines-a220-fleet-expansion
> Updated: 2026-07-31T12:34:23.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026 Croatia Airlines took delivery of its tenth Airbus A220‑300, the first in Star Alliance livery, and added an eleventh two days later, bringing the A220 fleet to eleven aircraft. The carrier reported a record 981,482 passengers in the first half of 2026 – a 15 % year‑on‑year increase and the highest volume in its history – driven by domestic traffic up 6 % and international traffic up 18 %. The load factor rose to 66.2 %, 2.7 percentage points above the same period in 2025.

The airline is in the midst of its largest fleet renewal, having added two new A220s in the first half and planning to receive a total of 14 of the 15 contracted aircraft by year‑end. While the newer fleet is expected to improve fuel efficiency, lower emissions and simplify maintenance, the transition has lifted operating expenses by 22 % due to higher fuel prices, maintenance costs and a stronger US dollar affecting financing and exchange‑rate differences. Despite a 12 % rise in operating revenue, the carrier posted a net loss of €49.7 million for the period.

Croatia Airlines aims to acquire up to 15 A220s by 2027, balancing the efficiency gains of the new fleet against higher short‑term costs and a €49.7 million loss recorded in the first half of 2026.

## Claims

- Croatia Airlines transported 981,482 passengers between January and June 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Passenger numbers increased 15% compared with the same period in 2025. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Domestic scheduled traffic grew 6% and international scheduled traffic grew 18% in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Passenger load factor reached 66.2%, up 2.7 percentage points from the first half of 2025. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Croatia Airlines operated 12,631 flights and completed 17,648 block hours in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Two Airbus A220 aircraft entered service in the first half of 2026, bringing the A220 fleet to nine aircraft by the end of June. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Croatia Airlines reported a net loss of €49.7 million for the first half of 2026, including an operating loss of €36.8 million. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Croatia Airlines records record passenger traffic, reports €50 million loss

Croatia Airlines logged a record 981,482 passengers in H1 2026, boosted by fleet renewal, but operating costs surged, leading to a €49.7 million loss.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-airlines-adds-11th-airbus-a220-as-passenger-numbers-hit-record

### 2026-07-29: Croatia Airlines Adds Tenth Airbus A220, First in Star Alliance Livery

Croatia Airlines welcomed its tenth Airbus A220, named Velika Gorica, the first A220 painted in Star Alliance livery, as part of a fleet renewal delivering 15 new jets by 2027.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-airlines-adds-tenth-airbus-a220-first-in-star-alliance-livery

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Cite as: Croatia Airlines A220 expansion amid record traffic. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-airlines-a220-fleet-expansion