Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna) is studying the possibility of launching longhaul leisure routes from Vienna to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mauritius or Seychelles this winter season. Speaking to Air Transport World, airline Chief Commercial Officer, Karsten Benz, said the routes would help Austrian avoid overcapacity in its longhaul fleet during the traditionally low-demand winter months.
“We would also be very interested in operating scheduled flights to the US West Coast or to Hong Kong and Shanghai, but those routes need additional capacity,” he said, adding, “but as long as we [can’t reach an agreement] with our unions, we can’t expand capacity.”
The Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) subsidiary has been at loggerheads with its employee unions over a proposed revised labour contract since early June. As a result of the impasse, Austrian has put on hold its other priorities which, among others, includes its Fokker Aircraft (Woensdrecht) fleet renewal plan.
Benz said he is optimistic an agreement can be reached by autumn.
