Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) has made a volte-face on previous plans to retain its nine London Heathrow slots.
Airline spokesman Davor Janušić told ch-aviation in a statement that the state-owned Croatian carrier had indeed sold five of its London Heathrow morning slots to Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson). He did not comment on the value of the transaction.
A report in the Vecernji List newspaper, referencing airline sources, indicates the transfer will come into effect from April 1. Croatia Airlines will retain four of the slots pairings - on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The report put the value of the transaction at USD19 million with proceeds to be put towards engine maintenance requirements.
Earlier this week, Croatian media reports had suggested the sale of the slots had been called off citing government concerns over the loss of what is seen as a strategic asset.
