Austrian Airlines is planning to shift its fleet around post-COVID-19, with some major fleet changes in the pipeline.
Austrian Airlines Boeing 767-300ER climbing out of Chicago O’Hare – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
With the airline sat on the ground since the 18th March, the airline is making plans, based on a 25-50% drop in demand in 2020 (if travel restrictions are lifted). The airline estimates that 75% of pre-COVID-19 traffic should have resumed by 2021.
So what’s changing?
- Firstly, the entire de Havilland Dash 8 fleet will be grounded – a total of 18 aircraft. Whilst this decision was initiated in 2019, it seems this is the perfect time to remove the rest of them due to a lack of demand.
- Seven Airbus A319 aircraft (the smallest Airbus narrowbody the airline operates) will be withdrawn
- Three out of the six Boeing 767-300ER aircraft will be retired too (OE-LAT, OE-LAW and OE-LAX)
The withdrawals of these aircraft will be completed by 2022, marking a 20% capacity drop from its current state.
By doing this, the average age of the Austrian Airlines fleet will drop, from 15.4 years old to 14.6 years. It should be noted the three Boeing 767-300ER aircraft due for withdrawal is 28 years old, with the remaining ones between 19 and 21 years old
In terms of size, it will be a different Austrian Airlines, who plan to have 60 aircraft in 2022, nine of which will be long-haul aircraft. The previous change, which focused on A320 aircraft coming in and Dash 8 aircraft heading out would have brought it to 70 aircraft. This is from a high of 80 aircraft.
In Quotes
Austrian Airlines CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech states:
“We got into this crisis through no fault of our own. Now it is our responsibility to make Austrian Airlines fit for the future after Corona. We want to retain our long-haul hub, even if we have no other choice for the time being but to adapt to the somewhat smaller market. Being fit for the future also means that we must be in a position to finance our aircraft, charges, wages and investments, and of course also to repay any charges and loans from Corona grounding,”
Austrian Airlines Executive Board member Andreas Otto comments in terms of fleet reduction :
“We will part with the oldest and smallest aircraft,” and “also for ecological reasons.”
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