July the 31st, 2026 – Croatia Airlines has welcomed the world’s very first Airbus A220 to wear the official Star Alliance livery, making it a unique edition to the global fleet.
As Sinisa Malus reports for Poslovni, Croatia Airlines has received its tenth Airbus A220, marking another major milestone in the largest fleet renewal programme in the airline’s history. The new Airbus A220-300 is also the first aircraft of its type in the world to wear the official Star Alliance livery.
The aircraft, registered 9A-CAS and rather aptly named Velika Gorica, arrived in Zagreb directly from Airbus’ assembly facility in Mirabel, Canada. Configured with 149 passenger seats, it is the third of seven new Airbus A220s scheduled for delivery to Croatia Airlines during 2026.
Croatia Airlines President and CEO Jasmin Bajić described the arrival of the aircraft as another important step in the transformation of the national carrier and the implementation of its historic fleet renewal project.
He said the airline is especially proud that Velika Gorica is the world’s first Airbus A220 in Star Alliance colours, making it a visible symbol of Croatia Airlines’ long-standing membership in the world’s largest airline alliance. Bajić added that the new generation of A220 aircraft will serve as the backbone of the airline’s future development, allowing it to provide passengers with greater comfort and service quality while improving operational efficiency and sustainability, benefiting both Croatian tourism and the wider economy.
Renato Ramos, Vice President for Corporate Strategy at Star Alliance, said Croatia Airlines has been a valued member of the alliance for more than two decades, connecting hundreds of thousands of passengers each year to its global network.
He noted that the Star Alliance livery represents far more than branding, describing it as a symbol of cooperation, global connectivity, and the alliance’s commitment to making multi-airline journeys as seamless and enjoyable as possible. According to Ramos, the new aircraft reflects the strength and longevity of the partnership between Croatia Airlines and Star Alliance.
As part of the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal, Croatia Airlines has now received eight Airbus A220-300 aircraft, each with 149 seats, and two Airbus A220-100 aircraft, each configured with 127 seats.
The airline expects to receive four more Airbus A220-300s before the end of 2026. The complete fleet renewal programme is scheduled to conclude in 2027, when Croatia Airlines will operate 15 Airbus A220 aircraft, 13 A220-300s and two A220-100s.
