The Boeing 767 are the oldest long-haul aircraft of the Austrian Lufthansa subsidiary. But perhaps Austrian Airlines will not replace the three jets at all.
«The Boeing 767 can […] fly for another four to five years.” That’s what Austrian Airlines’ operational manager Francesco Sciortino said to aeroTELEGRAPH in January. But that also means that by 2027 at the latest, the Lufthansa subsidiary will need replacements for the three long-haul aircraft, which are now on average 23 years old.
And at some point the six Boeing 777-200s, which are also 22 years old, will have to be replaced. Parent Lufthansa Group has always made it clear that Austrian Airlines first has to prove that it can finance investments in new long-haul aircraft itself. The airline is further away from Corona than it was before.
How does Fit for 55 affect me?
First she has to fully repay the state aid of 300 million that was granted to her during the Corona crisis. So far, she has only repaid a third of the loan. And now there are doubts whether the Boeing 767 will be replaced at all.
As Austrian boss Annette Mann told the analysts of Airinsight explained, no decision on the replacement of the Boeing 767 will be made in the near future. Because first she wants to analyze more precisely how they do it Europe’s climate strategy will affect your airline, This is entitled Fit for 55 known. There is already a “rather small hub for long-haul flights” in Vienna, according to Mann.
Also political calculation
As it stands now, carbon offsetting rules and sustainable kerosene regulations would further disadvantage European airports compared to their competitors in Turkey and the Middle East. If Vienna becomes a very small hub, “then investing in new long-haul aircraft may not be a wise decision,” says Mann.
Of course, the concerns are justified. At the same time, they are also political calculations. You are a Wave the fence post in direction Brussels to grant changes and relief for the aviation industry following all.
Dreamliner in the Pole Position
Mann’s predecessor Alexis von Hoensbroech has always emphasized that “in the end we will only have one long-distance model be operated». as The Boeing 787 is in the foreground as a replacement for the Boeing 777 and possibly the 767. Because AUA needs an aircraft that fits the size of its Vienna hub. Jets with much more than 300 seats are out of the question.