Croatian airline Trade Air continues to strengthen its fleet: an Airbus A320-216, soon to be registered as 9A-BTM, landed today at Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb, where it will soon begin regular commercial operations. This aircraft marks the fifth Airbus A320 in Trade Air’s current fleet, further reinforcing the company’s position in the charter and ACMI operations market.
The aircraft, serial number 3921, was manufactured in 2009 and completed its first flight on May 15, 2009, under the test registration F-WWBK. It joins the Croatian fleet after years of service with other European carriers.
The new member of Trade Air’s fleet arrived via a direct flight from St. Athan Airport in the United Kingdom, known for aircraft maintenance, storage, and dismantling. It took off at 14:02 local time and landed in Zagreb at 15:34.
The aircraft is currently registered as EI-DTG. It was originally delivered to Alitalia on July 2, 2009, where it bore the name Ludovico Ariosto and was leased by Icil Munster. It later joined the ITA Airways fleet on October 15, 2021, where it remained in operation until being stored and scheduled for retirement in October 2024.
Instead of heading into retirement, the aircraft has been given a new lease on life in Croatia—as part of the Trade Air fleet, which in recent years has experienced significant growth thanks to its flexible business model and increasing number of international engagements.
Founded in 1994, Trade Air has become recognized for providing reliable charter and ACMI services across Europe. The addition of this A320, the fifth in the current fleet, confirms the company’s strategic direction toward modernization and capacity expansion.
