FIRST NEW AIRBUS TO BE DELIVERED TO CROATIA AIRLINES ON WEDNESDAY

( Editorial: --> 5871 ) TOULOUSE/HAMBURG, 20 Jan (Hina) - Croatia's national carrier Croatia Airlines will receive a new Airbus A319 aircraft from the European aeroplane manufacturer Airbus Industrie in Hamburg on Wednesday. This will be the first of six new Airbus planes ordered by the airline. An agreement on financing the purchase was signed in Zagreb last week by Croatia Airlines director Ivan Misetic and representatives of a group of world banks. On Tuesday Croatia Airlines and Airbus Industrie organised a tour of aircraft production lines in Toulouse and Hamburg for Croatian journalists. During the tour of Hamburg facilities, Airbus Industrie marketing representative Dennis Dempster said Croatia was the first central European country to order the aeroplane for the "next century" - the Airbus A319. This new aircraft has 132 seats, 42 in business class and 90 in economy, and has been on the market since 1996. It is the smallest Airbus model, which has the so-called "fly by wire" system of control. The Airbus A319 is distinguished from other aircraft in its modern design, greater comfort and larger space for luggage and fuel. (Hina) jn mb 201718 MET jan 98