Austrian Airlines has continued to advance the transfer of its Embraer fleet within the Lufthansa Group. On Friday, May 22, 2026, the third of a total of 13 planned Embraer E195 aircraft was handed over to its Italian sister company, Air Dolomiti.
The aircraft, previously operating under the Austrian registration OE-LWL for Austrian Airlines (AUA), departed from Vienna-Schwechat Airport late in the afternoon as flight EN9500, bound for Verona. There, the aircraft will operate under the new registration I-ENJC and strengthen the regional network of Air Dolomiti.
The delivered aircraft has a long and busy history with Austrian Airlines. Since entering service, the jet has completed a total of 19.967 flights, accumulating 20.892 operating hours. The transfer is part of a comprehensive fleet strategy by the Lufthansa Group, which aims to further centralize regional services at its hubs in Munich and Frankfurt. While 13 of AUA's original 17 Embraer aircraft are being transferred to Italy, the remaining four are slated for sale to external buyers outside the group. The freed-up capacity at Austrian Airlines will be used to modernize the fleet with larger aircraft.
Air Dolomiti benefits from this acquisition by expanding capacity at its strategic locations. The Italian airline primarily uses the Embraer E195 as a feeder to Lufthansa's major hubs, with Verona serving as its operational base for fleet maintenance and technical support. The acquisition of the Austrian Airlines (AUA) aircraft allows the company to gradually replace older planes while maintaining a consistent fleet structure. The Embraer E195 seats 120 passengers and, due to its configuration, is considered particularly efficient for routes with moderate passenger volumes in European regional traffic.
The fleet realignment reflects the current consolidation phase in European airspace. Austrian Airlines will focus more on integrating Airbus A320 family aircraft and renewing its long-haul fleet with the Boeing 787. Industry experts view the transfer of the regional jets as a necessary step to reduce unit costs per available seat kilometer at AUA, while Air Dolomiti strengthens its role as a specialized regional service provider within the group. The entire transfer process for the 13 jets is expected to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year to stabilize operational planning for the upcoming winter flight schedule.