Airbus Updates No.4315

 

Croatia Airlines moots intercontinental ops using A220s

The CEO of Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) says he is open to starting intercontinental flights using its incoming fleet of A220 aircraft but has ruled out long-haul flying.

“Our team is constantly scanning for new routes, and our desire is to launch nonstop intercontinental flights in the future,” Jasmin Bajić said during a press conference, as quoted by EX-YU Aviation News. “Upon the delivery of all fifteen A220 aircraft, which we expect by the end of 2027, we will have the ability to achieve the full potential for network growth."

Croatia Airlines expects its first A220-300, 9A-CAE (msn 55290), this month. When in service, it will fly a Zagreb-Frankfurt International-Split-Frankfurt-Zagreb rotation. In June, Bajić told ch-aviation that the second A220 will arrive in November and four more in 2025, and the type will progressively starting flying to more European cities from Zagreb.

Croatia Airlines' existing fleet includes five A319-100s, three A320-200s, and six DHC-8-Q400s. Presently, the carrier's network stretches to Istanbul Airport in the east, Athens in the south, Dublin International in the west, and Oslo Gardermoen in the north. However, the A220's range puts North Africa within reach. Bajić has raised the chance of A321-200NY(XLR)s in the future, which would be capable of long-haul flights, but he says any order "is a possibility in the distant future." He told ch-aviation that the current business model revolves around it ferrying passengers to and from Star Alliance hubs like Frankfurt, and for the foreseeable future, Croatia Airlines would leave the long haul flying to its bigger partner airlines.

Airbus Updates No.4314

 

Cyprus Airways drops A220 plans as GTF headaches grow

Cyprus Airways (CY, Larnaca) has dropped plans to buy six A220s, CEO Tasos Michael told Aviation Week, saying problems with their Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines had significantly impacted the carrier and were the primary reason for the decision.

“If it hadn’t been for Pratt & Whitney, we would have been profitable this year," he said. "All aircraft have teething problems, but in a small airline you need to manage within your means and we may take more A320s until the A220s have a final fix, which will be in 2027.”

Cyprus Airways presently operates two A220-300s, both leased from Air Lease Corporation until mid-2035. One is currently out of service with two more to arrive over the current Northern Hemisphere summer and a final two in early 2025. Cyprus Airways also operates a pair of A320-200s. However, twelve months ago, Michael disclosed plans to double the number of A220s to 12 and was planning a direct order with Airbus to cover the difference. But the CEO says the ongoing problems with the A220s' powerplants had led him to rethink that idea. Delivery delays for the two A220s due this summer have also forced Cyprus Airways to adjust its schedule in recent weeks, being a reduction in flight frequencies rather than outright route cancellations.

"Despite our proactive efforts to mitigate the impact of this delay, including seeking alternative solutions with ACMI and closely collaborating with travel agents, the current situation has compelled us to adjust our schedule," reads a July 4 statement from the carrier.

Despite this, Michael says the A220 remains an important part of the Cyprus Airways fleet, particularly during the winter season when it becomes harder to fill an A320 or A321. As the fleet expands, the intention is to fly at least daily to all major destinations within the network, which currently includes cities across the Mediterranean, in particular Greece, and around half a dozen airports in Western Europe as well as Dubai International.

Airbus Updates No.4305

Croatia Airlines shows 1st Airbus A220 to the world

Croatia Airlines has shared a video on its social media channels that shows the construction and painting of its very first Airbus A220. The aircraft showcased is A220-300 9A-CAE (55290), which is scheduled to be delivered to the airline next month. Close observers will note that the airline will introduce a slight modified livery with larger titles and a different logo on the fuselage.

The airline has a total of fifteen A220s on order, thirteen A220-300s and two A220-100s, which they will use to replace the total current fleet of four A319s, three A320s, and six DHC-8-400s. The A220s on order are a combination of aircraft ordered directly with Airbus, as well as secured via lessors.

This year, the airline expects one more A220-300. After that, the delivery plan is for two A220-100s and four A220-300s in 2025, four A220-300s in 2026, and the final three in 2027.

Image still from Croatia Airlines video.

Airbus Updates No.3093

 Air Manas plans to restart with Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

Air Manas from Kyrgyzstan is planning to relaunch operations with at least one A220-300. The airline, which has been dormant since 2019, will lease the A220 from an unspecified lessor. It's also unknown when the aircraft is due, but training for pilots, cabin and ground crews is currently underway in Germany and Switzerland.

Air Manas was founded in 2006 and launched flights in 2009. In 2012, 49% of the shares were acquired by Pegasus Airlines from Turkey and the airline was rebranded into Pegasus Asia. In 2019, Pegasus sold off its shares and the airline ceased operations and has been dormant since then.

Airbus Updates No.3081

 Why The Airbus A220 Will Be A Big Win For Air France

In an interview yesterday, Air France CEO Anna Rigail confirmed that the airline remains on track to receive its first A220 in September. Aside from just modernizing the fleet, the A220 offers a host of efficiency and environmental benefits for the airline, a new top priority globally. Here’s why the A220 will be a big win for Air France.

The A220s will replace Air France’s aging A318 and A319 fleets in the coming years. Photo: Simple Flying

First

Air France has 60 Airbus A220-300s on order to replace its existing short- and medium-haul fleets. This means the aircraft will be deployed on key domestic and European routes primarily. However, the A220’s long range means that Air France could opt to send it further in the future, as several other airlines have done.

However, the A220’s benefits do not just lie in its range and capacity, but also its environmental factors. In an interview with CAPA Live, CEO Anna Rigail explained how the A220 would benefit the airline’s goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 for all European flights and the airline’s commitment to its order, saying,

We protected our investment on the fleet. With the crisis we had to decrease our investement by one billion [euros] per year but we really focused everything on the replacement or renewal of the fleet…The first service A220 will come in September 2021 and this, of course, is decreasing the CO2 emission by 20 to 25% compared to the cost they replace.”

The A220 will reduce CO2 emissions by 20-25% compared to similar aircraft, a key step for Air France to reach its sustainability goals. Photo: Air France

However, Air France is not only pursuing the A220 for the critical benefits but also to meet conditions set by European lawmakers. This includes environment goals that have to be met under Air France’s critical €7bn ($8.3bn) bailout from the French government and sanctioned by the EU.

Where will it fly?

Considering that Air France is striving to reach net-zero CO2 emissions in Europe by 2050, the A220’s early focus will be within the continent. This means nearly all short-haul routes will be taken over from the A318 and A319 and given to the newcomer. This would include flights to London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Rome, Milan, and dozens of others.

While the A220’s range would easily allow for medium-haul routes to the Middle East and much of Africa, it’s unlikely the airline would deploy the aircraft that far, for now. However, if demand for longer and thinner routes arises in the future, Air France does have the plane for the job.

The A220’s range opens up routes as far as the Middle East and Central Africa if needed. Photo: GCMap

The benefits for Air France with the A220 are immense. The carrier will be able to retire its nearly 15 to 20-year-old A318 and A319s and replace them with a higher capacity, longer range, and fuel-efficient alternative. Moreover, the lower emissions will allow Air France to become more sustainable, a key issue for the aviation industry moving forward.

The A220 has also proven to be the right aircraft for the post-pandemic future, seeing its activity remain high in the last year. Overall, Air France is looking at a big win with its upcoming A220 fleet.