The fleet of Croatian carrier ETF Airways has been joined by its first turboprop aircraft, the ATR 72-600, marking the company’s first step beyond its previously all-jet operational model.
The aircraft landed at Franjo Tuđman Airport yesterday at 17:24 local time, following a multi-day ferry flight from Southeast Asia. The journey began on March 27 in Ho Chi Minh City at 08:42, with the first technical stop in Dhaka, where the aircraft landed at 12:52.
The route then continued to Ahmedabad. During the onward journey to Europe, additional stops were made in Muscat and Hurghada before the final arrival in Zagreb. In total, the aircraft made four landings between Ho Chi Minh City and Croatia.
According to data from Airfleets, the aircraft is 9.2 years old and performed its first flight on January 19, 2017, under the test registration F-WWEZ. Prior to joining ETF Airways, it was operated by Mandarin Airlines under registration B-16852. The aircraft carries manufacturer serial number 1387 and is configured with 70 passenger seats.
The introduction of the ATR 72-600 represents a significant strategic step for ETF Airways. While the Boeing 737-800 has so far formed the backbone of the fleet, turboprop aircraft enable more cost-efficient operations on shorter and lower-demand routes. This opens opportunities to enter new market niches, particularly in regional charter services and ACMI operations.
The arrival of this new aircraft type aligns with previously announced expansion plans, including the development of additional business units such as ETF Technics and ETF Travel. In this context, the ATR 72-600 is not only a fleet expansion but also an important step in diversifying operations and strengthening ETF Airways’ position in the regional aviation market.
