Austrian Airlines will substantially expand their offer for 2022 with service to nearly 110 destinations and around 1,200 weekly frequencies. The carrier will expand their entire European network and deploy ten additional aircraft in their operating fleet.
On Tuesday (November), Austrian Airlines announced a significant expansion of their flying program for summer 2022 with nearly 110 destinations and around 1,200 weekly frequencies, including an expansion of their entire European network. The carrier will offer up to three daily flights to Palma de Mallorca, daily service to Sicily, and up to four daily flights to Milan, Stockholm and Amsterdam. For summer 2022, Austrian will also offer double-daily service to Tel Aviv, Athens and Larnaca, as well as up to nine weekly flights to Heraklion. With the schedule expansion, the carrier is not only adding an attractive range of options for Austrians, but also taking a decisive stand against the expected increase in competition from low-cost carriers (LCCs). Compared to 2021, Austrian will increase their deployed fleet by ten aircraft across their European route network.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Austrian Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer, Michael Trestl, said,
“We fly several times a day to the most beautiful places in Europe to offer our customers an attractive flight schedule. We will now fly up to three times a day to Palma de Mallorca, expand our services to Sicily and implement further increases across the entire European network. This will give our guests even more flexibility in their travel planning. In addition, we will land up to four times a day in Milan, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Bucharest, fly to Athens and Barcelona twice a day and also offer two flights a day to Tel Aviv and Larnaca. Furthermore, we will fly up to nine times a week to Heraklion, up to six times a week to Rhodes and up to four times a week to the Greek islands of Corfu, Kos and Zakynthos.
“Austrian Airlines remains the number one in Austria and differentiates itself from the competitors. We connect Austria not only with Europe, but with the whole world, offer our guests an authentic travel experience and take responsibility for our home country.”
During the peak summer 2021 season, Austrian Airlines saw a 10 percent increase in the tourist travel segment compared to the pre-pandemic summer 2019 period. The carrier will also place an emphasis on offering service to attractive holiday destinations for summer 2022, including Greece, southern Italy and the Balearic Islands.
Austrian Airlines knows that with increasing competition from low-cost airlines, dumping prices are to be expected. The company believes that ultimately ultra-low ticket prices come at the expense of team members, and with Austria as a major business hub, Austrian Airlines is committed to responsible business practices, including fair working conditions. Speaking specifically on unsustainable low ticket price dumping, Mr. Trestl concluded, “Competition yes, but not when it becomes irrational. The dumping prices of low-cost airlines create artificial growth far in excess of real market needs. Economically, this is not transparent. And it harms the climate to the maximum.”
Source: Austrian Airlines