Austrian Airlines announced on Thursday that due to the ongoing corona pandemic and the associated subdued demand, further savings measures will be taken. With regard to the phasing out of the machine types DHC Dash 8-400 and Airbus A319, the final phase was reached.

The centralization of air traffic in Vienna and the associated dissolution of all federal states crew and technology bases as well as some stations for passenger handling is also ongoing. In order to secure the repayment of the loans in addition to the long-term earnings development, comprehensive and multi-year crisis packages were put together in 2020 through agreements with staff, suppliers and system partners.

Austrian recently announced a reduction in the office infrastructure, with four of the eight floors of the Austrian Head Office being returned to Flughafen Wien AG. "We are aware of our responsibility towards the Austrians and want to repay our credit debts as soon as possible as soon as the market recovers," explains Austrian Airlines CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. “The pandemic is taking much longer than expected, and the effects will continue to be felt for several years. We will therefore no longer be able to achieve the earnings targets that we set ourselves last spring. For this reason, we are now taking additional measures to secure the future of our Austrian Airlines on a permanent basis. "

Downsizing is imminent

In order to limit the risk of a slower market recovery in the coming years, two more Airbus aircraft are to go into long-time storage and thus the current total fleet of around 80 aircraft - at least until 2024/2025 - to 58 instead of the previously planned 60 aircraft shrink. A simultaneous increase in fleet productivity is also planned. This, together with a large number of other measures, also has an impact on the arithmetical overhang in terms of staff after the crisis.

Although the domestic airline had already cut around 650 full-time positions by the end of February due to natural fluctuation, a little more than the same amount of staff will have to be reduced by 2023. This will not be achievable in all areas through further fluctuation. It remains the company's goal to have as few layoffs as possible and to find temporary solutions together with the works council. One also wants to examine part-time models for the temporary reduction of personnel capacity.

“Despite this unprecedented crisis, we want to keep as many jobs as possible. Austrian Airlines will be completely different after the crisis. The company will be leaner, more digital and more modern, and with its long-haul hub it will once again connect Austria with the world, ”said the AUA General Director.

Trestl hopes for a Green Pass

"Our liquidity cushion is still good, and we believe in the market recovery in summer 2021. By then we expect that enough people across Europe will be vaccinated so that travel is no longer accompanied by travel restrictions or bans," added Chief Commercial Officer Michael Trestl .

The manager describes the booking situation for summer 2021 as "good". In the past two weeks, new bookings have increased by 50 percent. Trestl has hopes for the Green Pass, although the exact form is still open. In any case, he says: "With the digital 'Green Passport' in your pocket, the desire to travel in summer will hardly be slowed down".