The Airbus A319, registration number 9A-CTI, is leaving Croatia Airlines fleet.
“India” (according to the last registration letter, read in the phonetic alphabet), served the national airline for 24 years and 5 months. The aircraft named Vukovar, was delivered on 15 of June 1999 from the Airbus factory in Hamburg, where it bore the test registration number D-AVYC. It was the fourth Airbus delivered to Croatia Airlines, and it faithfully served the national airline throughout its lifespan.
Aircraft information:
| Serial number | 1029 |
| Type | 319-112 |
| First flight date | 31/05/1999 |
| Test registration | D-AVYC |
| Plane age | 24.5 years |
| Seat configuration | Y144 |
| Hex code | 501D1E |
| Engines | 2 x CFMI CFM56-5B6/P |
Source: Airfleets.net
In its recent history, “India” wore the Star Alliance livery (from March 2010, due to the departure of 9A-CTM from the fleet, which then carried that livery). However, it was delivered in the original Croatia Airlines livery, after which it also wore redesigned coloring with “cubes” on the tail. The successor to the Star Alliance livery thus takes over an Airbus A320, registration number 9A-CTO.
“India” will make its last flight on Friday, November 24, 2023, at noon local time, on flight OU9400 ZAG-DGX (St. Athan Airport, United Kingdom). According to information available to AvioRadar, the aircraft will be cut and recycled at this airport. “India” is leaving Zagreb with accumulated approx. 58,000 flight hours and 47,700 cycles. The average flight in that plane lasted approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes, and taking the average cabin occupancy of 70%, we conclude that “India” transported more than 4.8 million passengers for its service within Croatia Airlines.
This is the second Airbus to leave the fleet of Croatia Airlines in the recent history of the carrier, after “Juliet” (A320, 9A-CTJ) which left the fleet in February 2022. Previously, “Foxtrot” (A320, 9A-CTF) left the fleet in 2013, and “Mike” (A320, 9A-CTM) in 2010. “Foxtrot” was scrapped, “Juliet” today flies for SmartLynx, and “Mike” is currently in stored status in Ukraine, owned by Yanair.
Symbolically, “India”, which bears the name of the city of Vukovar, says goodbye to its home airport and base in Zagreb, its operator, and its loyal passengers in November, the month when we remember the victims of the war in the city whose name it bears.
Thank you, India, for every flight, every departure, and for returning us home.
© AvioRadar
