Austrian Airlines will expand its fleet in the coming 2025 summer season by using three Airbus A220-300s on a wet lease basis. The aircraft will be operated by the Latvian airline Air Baltic and are intended to increase the flexibility and capacity of the Austrian airline. Austrian Airlines is thus responding to the increasing demand in the summer flight schedule and enabling broader coverage of popular routes from Vienna.
The decision to operate three Airbus A220-300s on a wet lease represents a strategic step for Austrian Airlines to meet the demands of the summer season. The wet lease agreement means that not only the aircraft, but also the crew, maintenance and insurance are provided by Air Baltic. Austrian Airlines can thus provide additional capacity at short notice without having to invest in its own aircraft or personnel.
The Airbus A220-300 is considered a modern and efficient aircraft that is particularly well suited for short and medium-haul flights. With a capacity of around 140 passengers, it offers the possibility of operating economically even with fluctuating capacity utilization.
destinations in the 2025 summer flight schedule
The aircraft provided by Air Baltic will be used on various routes from Vienna, including domestic German destinations such as Berlin, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt as well as international destinations such as Amsterdam, Stockholm and Rome-Fiumicino. Popular holiday destinations such as Nice, Seville and Thessaloniki are also on the schedule. The expanded flight schedule enables Austrian Airlines to respond to the increasing demand for holiday travel and business flights alike.
By using the Airbus A220-300, routes with medium demand that would be less suitable for larger aircraft can be served. At the same time, there is enough scope to flexibly adjust capacities on busy routes.
Advantages of cooperation with Air Baltic
Air Baltic, one of the leading airlines in the Baltics, is known for its modern fleet, which consists exclusively of Airbus A220s. The close specialization in this aircraft type has brought the Latvian airline a high level of operational efficiency and reliability. Through this partnership, Austrian Airlines benefits not only from the advantages of the aircraft, but also from the experience and expertise of the Air Baltic team.
Choosing the wet lease model offers additional advantages: Austrian Airlines can react to capacity fluctuations at short notice without having to bear the long-term costs and obligations of expanding its own fleet. For Air Baltic, the cooperation means optimal utilization of its fleet outside of peak travel times in the Baltics.
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