Croatia Airlines presents new Airbus A220 in Ljubljana
9 September 2025, Zagreb
Today, Croatia Airlines presented its new Airbus A220 at Ljubljana Airport to Slovenian business partners, journalists, and travel agents.
The occasion was of a sporting nature: the Slovenian national football team arrived in the Slovenian capital on board an Airbus A220, the aircraft type with which Croatia Airlines is currently renewing its fleet. In this way, Croatia’s flag carrier underlined the importance of the Slovenian market, cooperation with local partners, and the strategic significance of the largest fleet renewal project in the company’s history.
According to Slaven Žabo, Commercial Division Director at Croatia Airlines, the development of air routes can further boost the recorded growth of tourist arrivals in Slovenia.
– The Slovenian market is very important for Croatia Airlines. Croatia’s flag carrier enjoys successful cooperation with numerous Slovenian partners. We are focused on strengthening and expanding business relations, and we are always at the service of the Slovenian tourism and business sectors, as well as, of course, all passengers – said Slaven Žabo. He reminded those present that Croatia Airlines currently operates a fleet of 16 aircraft, including six new Airbus A220-300s, with a seating capacity of 149 passengers. One more aircraft is expected by the end of the year, the first A220-100, with a seating capacity of 127 passengers, while the fleet renewal project is scheduled for completion in 2027, when the entire fleet will consist of 15 new A220s.
– Flights on state-of-the-art next-generation aircraft offer passengers and crews a first-class flying experience, and I believe this will be an additional incentive for many to fly Croatia Airlines, including the people of Slovenia – Žabo concluded, noting that, this winter, the airline plans to operate nearly 10,000 flights and offer over 1.18 million seats, representing increases of 7.7 percent and 21 percent respectively compared with the winter flight timetable of 2024/2025.
Since the cessation of flight operations of Slovenia’s national carrier Adria Airways in 2019, Croatia Airlines has assumed a key role in connecting and supporting the Slovenian market, primarily through its own network of flights from Zagreb, explained Alenka Klemen Šink, Strategy and Business Development Manager at Croatia Airlines.
– During the coronavirus disease pandemic and lockdown, our airline actively assisted in the repatriation of Slovenian citizens, while at the same time intensifying cooperation with Slovenian tourism and business agents, adapting to their needs and market demands. We also cooperated closely with government institutions, such as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its consular office, as well as with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Zagreb – noted Klemen Šink. She added that the future lies in technology and the green transition, areas in which Croatia Airlines believes and invests, and that the fleet renewal will contribute to the further growth of Croatia Airlines on the Slovenian market.
– Aviation knows no borders. We are here to listen to the needs of every market, including Slovenia’s. I believe the future rests on human relationships and mutual understanding, while further development will also undoubtedly be secured by technology, a role our new Airbus A220 clearly embodies – concluded Klemen Šink.
First Officer Kralj Gašper shared his personal experience of flying the Airbus A220:
– This is the most modern aircraft in its class. It consumes 25% less fuel, emits 25% less CO₂, and has a 50% smaller noise footprint, making it quieter. It is powered by new-generation engines that ensure a high level of reliability.
Gašper also noted that passengers particularly appreciate the more comfortable, wider seats, additional legroom, panoramic windows, Wi-Fi capability, and in-seat USB outlets.
– Flying such an aircraft is both a challenge and a privilege, especially as it symbolically connects not only Slovenia and Croatia, but also the citizens of our two countries with Europe and the world, and the world and Europe with Croatia and Slovenia – he highlighted.
Matej Knaus, president of the Association of Tourist Agencies of Slovenia and CEO of TA Palma, underlined that TA Palma – as Slovenia’s leading organiser of tourism, business and sports events, and a major destination management company (DMC) in the region – recognises the great importance of connecting Ljubljana Airport with the world.
– We are especially pleased to support carriers that guarantee the highest safety and environmental standards, which undoubtedly applies to the new A220 aircraft and to our esteemed strategic partner, Croatia Airlines.
Knaus believes that the new A220 aircraft will offer Slovenian travellers comfortable and fast flights to destinations such as Dubrovnik, Split, and Brač, while also enhancing the quality of Slovenia’s tourism offering to visitors from around the world who visit both Slovenia and Croatia together.
– They say the sky is not the limit, so we encourage our partners to ambitiously develop new routes and connect Ljubljana even more strongly with the world. We are confident that Croatia Airlines’ new aircraft will frequently be seen at our airport, not only on charter services but also on many scheduled routes – Knaus concluded.
Today’s presentation in Ljubljana reaffirms the strategic importance of the Slovenian market for Croatia Airlines, and represents another step in strengthening connectivity and cooperation between Croatia and Slovenia with the help of the most modern next-generation Airbus A220 aircraft.