Croatia Airlines Dash 8 Q400 aircraft

Another Dash 8 aircraft in the fleet of Croatia Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, was blessed at the Zagreb airport.
The Zagorje aircraft (registration number 9A-CQE) was included in the Croatia Airlines fleet on April 23rd of this year. The first passengers flew onboard on a regular domestic flight from Zagreb to Split.

The Dash 8-Q400, by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace, is one of the most modern turboprop aircraft in the world. In terms of flying characteristics, technological advances, and cost-effectiveness, it is among the best in the airline industry. Croatia Airlines has chosen the 76-seat passenger configuration, and the aircraft will be used for flights within Croatia, to regional destinations (Priština, Podgorica, Sarajevo, etc.), as well as to European hubs such as Zürich, Munich and Vienna.

Apart from Zagorje, another new Dash 8-Q400 (registration number 9A – CTF) was included in the national air carrier’s fleet in early April, and it will be named Primorje. This aircraft completed its first flight under Croatia Airlines colours on April 3rd on a regular service from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.

Zagorje and Primorje are Next Generation aircraft and bear the marking Dash 8-Q400 NextGen. The main difference with regard to the basic aircraft type lies in the configuration of the passenger cabin, which offers passengers greater comfort during the flight. The new side panels allow for more shoulder space, and the windows have built-in sun shades. Overhead luggage bins are also larger, while the new led-lights further enhance the overall passenger cabin environment, giving the impression of a more spacious interior.

The inclusion of Zagorje and Primorje has completed the overhaul of the medium range fleet of Croatia Airlines. The process began in the summer of 2008, when the first two such aircraft, named Slavonija and Lika, were delivered from Bombardier Aerospace in Toronto. Last year, another two Q400 aircraft, named Dalmacija and Istra, were delivered and joined the fleet.

The overhaul of the fleet is part of the company’s development goals to be achieved by 2012, which also includes strengthening the position of regional leader in south-eastern Europe, as well as expanding the destination network. This year’s summer flight schedule (valid between March 28th and October 30th), includes direct flights Zagreb – Rome three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays), Split – Rome twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday), and Dubrovnik – Rome on Mondays.

As of June 1st, Croatia Airlines aircraft will start direct flights on the route from Zagreb to Athens three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The overhaul of its medium range fleet over the last two years has enabled Croatia Airlines to include Copenhagen, Priština, Podgorica and Barcelona into the network of its European destinations. These destinations are connected with Zagreb by three or four flights a week on average, which is an additional contribution by Croatia Airlines to the development of Croatian tourism, and the economy in general.

The Croatia Airlines fleet includes a total of thirteen aircrafts – four Airbus A319, three Airbus A320, and six Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. The Airbus aircraft bear the names of Croatian cities, while the Q400 aircraft were named after Croatian regions.