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Tag: austrian airlines

  • Austrian Airlines to start mandatory Covid-19 rapid antigen tests on two flights

    Austrian Airlines to start mandatory Covid-19 rapid antigen tests on two flights

    On November 12, 2020, Austrian Airlines is starting a further testing phase on flights OS171 (Vienna-Hamburg) and OS172 (Hamburg-Vienna) in order to integrate Covid-19 rapid antigen tests in the travel chain.

    At this step, tests will be mandatory for passengers and the crew on selected flights. This ensures that all persons on board have tested negative for Covid-19.

    The implementation of the free Covid-19 rapid antigen tests will take place in close cooperation with airports in Vienna and Hamburg.

    After taking the test, passengers will receive their results within 10-15 minutes, either via SMS or, upon request, also after consulting medically trained staff.

    The boarding card is only activated if the test result is negative, enabling the passenger to gain entry to the security area and the gate.

    If the test result is positive, the affected passenger will be taken care of by the airport medical service in order to fully clarify the individual’s medical condition. Further steps will be specified with the responsible health authorities.

    In this case, the passenger will be able to rebook or cancel his or her Austrian Airlines flight at no cost.

  • Only 53.000 passengers travelled with Austrian Airlines in Q2 2020

    Only 53.000 passengers travelled with Austrian Airlines in Q2 2020

    Whereas in the previous year the airline carried around four million passengers between April and June, this figure was only 53.000 in 2020.

    As a result of the coronavirus crisis and the cessation of Austrian Airlines‘ flight operations for a period of close to three months, Austria’s national carrier generated adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT) of minus EUR 99 million in the second quarter of 2020, down from positive results of EUR 46 million in the prior-year quarter.

    Accordingly, the adjusted EBIT for the first half of 2020 equaled minus EUR 235 million. The number of passengers carried by Austrian Airlines fell by 70 percent to around 2 million due to the pandemic.

    With the exception of humanitarian cargo flights, the second quarter consisted of practically only two weeks of minimum operations in June.

    Revenue slumped by 94 percent to EUR 35 million

    During the same period, total revenues fell by 90 percent to EUR 59 million (Q2 2019: EUR 610 million).

    Total expenses for the same period amounted to EUR 158 million, a decrease of 72 percent (Q2 2019: EUR 565 million) compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

    Adjusted EBIT ultimately amounted to EUR -99 million in the second quarter (Q2 2019: EUR 46 million).

  • Austrian Airlines expands summer flight schedule with 15 destinations

    Austrian Airlines expands summer flight schedule with 15 destinations

    The Austrian federal government announced that the landing bans for flights from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, Egypt, Northern Macedonia, Romania, Serbia as well as Great Britain, Sweden and Ukraine will expire on July 31.

    This makes it possible to reintroduce these destinations into the flight program of Austrian Airlines.

    Due to local entry regulations, Austrian Airlines last removed flights to Shanghai and Tel Aviv from its program for the month of August.

    Flights to Bucharest, Chicago, Pristina and Sarajevo are to be offered as early as today, July 31. From August 1, the Austrian home carrier will be flying again to Belgrade, Cairo, Kiev, London, Podgorica, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana and Varna.

    New entry regulations in Austria

    No COVID-19 tests (PCR test) or quarantine measures are required for the entry of passengers from the following European countries: Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Vatican and Cyprus.

    Transfer passengers also do not require a COVID test.

    Austrians, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens as well as persons residing in Austria, who enter from a risk area, must carry a health certificate in German or English (with a negative PCR test, not older than 72 hours at entry) or, if testing was not possible prior to the entry, they are obliged to conduct a PCR test within 48 hours at their own expense. Until the negative test result is available, a self-monitored (home) quarantine must be carried out.

    The following countries or areas are considered having an increased risk of Covid-19: Albania, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kosovo, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, Northern Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Hubei Province (China).

    Third-country nationals are in principle subject to an entry ban, unless they enter from the Schengen area and can present a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. After entry, these persons must also undergo a 10-day self-monitored (home) quarantine. For this purpose, they must present a confirmation of accommodation, at their own expense.

    There are exceptions for certain groups of third-country nationals. These include those persons who are in a partnership with a person living in Austria. These persons can enter without quarantine and without a COVID test if they provide the appropriate proof.

  • New landing bans force Austrian Airlines to cancel flights

    New landing bans force Austrian Airlines to cancel flights

    The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has massively expanded the list of landing bans for aircraft.

    Starting Thursday, 16 July 2020, no regular flights from the following countries, among others, will be permitted to land in Austria: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Egypt, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

    The landing bans for aircraft from Great Britain, Sweden and the Ukraine have been extended. The decree is valid until 31 July 2020.

    Due to the official prohibition, Austrian Airlines is forced to cancel all flights between Vienna and the following destinations during the period 16-31 July 2020: Belgrade, Bucharest, Cairo, Kyiv, London, Podgorica, Pristina, Sarajevo, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana and Varna.

    The landing bans will also have an impact on the remaining route network of Austrian Airlines, due to the fact that the affected routes are frequented by many transfer passengers. These passengers will be missing, for example on flights to the USA.

    Passengers whose flights were cancelled and who do not want to make use of the rebooking options can apply for a refund using the online form on the Austrian Airlines website.

    Passengers who wish to take their flight at a later date have various rebooking options and can start their rebooked journey up until the end of 2021.

  • Tanja Gruber is the interim Corporate Spokeswoman at Austrian Airlines

    Tanja Gruber is the interim Corporate Spokeswoman at Austrian Airlines

    Tanja Gruber (30), Head of Communications Distribution & Media Relations, will assume the role of Corporate Spokeswoman and Head of Corporate Communications on an interim basis with immediate effect in addition to her function.

    Peter N. Thier (47), the long-standing Head of Communications and Corporate Spokesman of Austrian Airlines, has decided to leave the group at the end of September.

    He will return to Erste Group in October after more than eight years in aviation, where he will take over as Head of Communications and Deputy Head of Brand Strategy & Communications.

    Until then he will hand over his topics to Tanja Gruber and Barbara Greul.

    CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech on the change: “The departure of Peter is very painful for us. Particularly in the recent crisis of this unprecedented pandemic, his level-headed and professional communication has made a significant contribution to the stabilization of Austrian Airlines. I wish Peter every success in his future role at Erste Group”.

  • Austrian Airlines resumed long-haul flights after 100 days

    Austrian Airlines resumed long-haul flights after 100 days

    One of the first regular long-haul flights operated by Austrian Airlines took off from Vienna today at 10:33 A.M. as flight OS 89.

    The Boeing 767 with the registration OE-LAX landed on time at Newark Airport in New Jersey at around 1:45 P.M.

    Close to one third of the aircraft is occupied, with 64 passengers on board. The return flight is fully booked.

    “Long-haul routes comprise the supreme discipline in Austrian aviation”, says Austrian Airlines CCO Andreas Otto. “Therefore, after such a long interruption, we are of course especially pleased to be able to offer intercontinental flights again and thereby get our hub at Vienna Airport up and running again.”

    The last regularly scheduled Austrian Airlines long-haul flight before the forced coronavirus break, departing from Chicago, landed in Vienna on 19 March 2020.

    In the meantime, Austrian Airlines carried out various repatriation flights from South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, amongst other places.

    Transport flights for medical supplies from China and Malaysia also took place and will be continued in July.

  • Austrian Airlines receives financial aid from the Federal Government

    Austrian Airlines receives financial aid from the Federal Government

    The Austrian Federal Government, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have reached an agreement on the cornerstones of a EUR 600 million coronavirus rescue package for the national network carrier Austrian Airlines.

    The financial assistance is designed to support efforts to sustainably safeguard Vienna as an aviation hub in the long term, including its flight connections to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and to long-haul destinations.

    According to the Austrian Economic Chambers, EUR 2.7 billion in domestic value creation, 17,500 jobs and EUR 1 billion in taxes and duties are linked to Austrian Airlines and its Vienna flight hub.

    The Republic of Austria will contribute EUR 150 million in financial assistance

    The Republic of Austria will contribute EUR 150 million in financial assistance to cover the losses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

    In return, the Austrian Federal Government has received long-term, binding commitments to the Vienna aviation hub linked to strict ecological requirements.

    The entire financing package is dependent on state aid for Lufthansa in Germany, the approval of all corporate bodies and the consent of the EU Commission.

    Requirements with a focus on sustainability were specified

    • Austrian Airlines will shift passenger traffic to the railways on short-haul flights inasmuch as an adequate infrastructure is available and direct accessibility to Vienna Airport is ensured based on a travel time of considerably less than three hours.
    • The objective is also to make sure that the airports in Austria’s provincial capitals continue to be connected to a Lufthansa flight hub.
    • CO₂ emissions within Austria should be cut in half by 2030.
    • Austrian Airlines has pledged to increase jet fuel efficiency by 1.5 percent annually and to reduce average CO₂ emissions per 100 passenger kilometers of the entire Austrian Airlines fleet from 9.55 kg to 8.5 kg by 2030.
    • CO₂ emissions are to be reduced by 30 percent by the year 2030 from the comparable level of 2005.

    EUR 600 million required financing for Austrian Airlines

    Austrian Airlines originally reported liquidity requirements amounting to EUR 767 million to the COVID-19 financing agency of the Austrian Federal Government (COVID19-Finanzierungsagentur des Bundes GmbH, COFAG in short).

    The earlier restart of flight operations and the successful implementation of measures by the airline’s management to secure liquidity serve as the basis for the lower amount of EUR 600 million in required financing.

    This sum was also confirmed by the auditor PwC.

    EUR 300 million will be made available as loans granted via bank financing

    EUR 300 million will be made available as loans granted via bank financing. Another EUR 300 million provided as state aid and by Lufthansa will strengthen the airline’s equity capital.

    The bank loans totaling EUR 300 million are to be made available by an Austrian banking consortium consisting of Erste Group, Raiffeisenbank International, BAWAG and possibly further banks, with the Erste Group also serving as the overall coordinator.

    A guarantee for 90 percent of the loans will be assumed by the Republic of Austria via COFAG after the required evaluation steps are carried out and all necessary approvals have been granted.

    Another significant part of the coronavirus rescue package will come from the airline’s employees.

    The close to 7,000 employees will make an accumulated crisis contribution of about EUR 300 million by taking salary cuts.

    The more than 1,000 business partners and suppliers of Austrian Airlines will also make a substantial contribution.

    Contract volume could be reduced by more than EUR 150 million, partially within the context of newly concluded agreements, in part also by means of renunciation.

  • Austrian Airlines to resume long-haul flights in July

    Austrian Airlines to resume long-haul flights in July

    • Bangkok, Chicago, New York and Washington back in the program from July;
    • Flights to other European cities and various Greek holiday destinations to resume.

    From July onwards, Austrian Airlines aircraft will take off to regular long-haul flights for the first time since mid-March.

    Bangkok, Chicago, New York (Newark) and Washington will then be available with up to three weekly flights. The first long-haul aircraft will take off for New York at 10:15 A.M. on 1 July.

    New destinations in Europe

    In Europe, the following destinations will be added to the almost 40 destinations already announced: Bologna, Florence, Moscow, Podgorica, Rome, Sibiu, Venice and Zagreb.

    Cairo will be added to the Middle East portfolio.

    In addition, Austrian Airlines will offer the following holiday charters as of July: Chania, Corfu, Heraklion, Karpathos, Kos, Rhodes, Santorini and Zakynthos.

    Keflavik is also back in the program as a charter destination.

  • Pandemic hit Austrian Airlines ”with full force” in the first quarter

    Pandemic hit Austrian Airlines ”with full force” in the first quarter

    • Austrian Airlines revenue decline of 24% in the first quarter of 2020;
    • Strong year-on-year drop in passenger volume of 27%.

    ”The pandemic hit our company with full force”, states Austrian Airlines CFO Wolfgang Jani, commenting on developments.

    ”This blow is also reflected in our earnings. We will likely see the full effects in the coming months. However, it is already obvious today that it will take years for us to weather the crisis”, he adds.

    Austrian Airlines fleet has been grounded since March 19, 2020 as a consequence of the pandemic. Beforehand, the flight schedule for China and later for Europe had to be drastically slashed due to the spread of the coronavirus.

    Even though the far greater impact will be felt in the second quarter of this year, the corona-related development is also reflected in the financial figures for the first quarter: Revenue and passenger volume of the airline were both down by about one-quarter compared to the prior-year period. In turn, this led to adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT) of minus EUR 136 million in the first quarter of 2020.

    Austrian Airlines carried 1.9 million passengers in the first three months

    Austrian Airlines carried 1.9 million passengers in the first three months of the current year, comprising a decline of 27 percent from the comparable period of 2019. The flight offering in available seat kilometers had to be reduced by 19 percent to 4.5 billion.

    Capacity utilization (passenger load factor) fell to 68.2 percent due to the crisis. Many passengers actually did not travel despite valid flight bookings.

    The regularity of operation, an indicator with little significance at the present time in light of the coronavirus crisis, was down to 95.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020. The punctuality rate on departure could be improved to 88.1 percent, whereas the punctuality rate on arrival rose to 88.6 percent.

    Austrian Airlines operated a total of 22.727 flights during this period, or 253 flights per day.

    First-quarter revenue fell to EUR 287 million

    First-quarter revenue fell by 24 percent to EUR 287 million, and total operating revenue also decreased by 24 percent to EUR 304 million.

    Operating expenditures were down twelve percent to EUR 440 million. Earnings expressed as adjusted EBIT (adjusted earnings before interest and taxes) equaled minus EUR 136 million, comprising a decline of 37 percent from the previous year (Q1 2019: minus EUR 99 million). EBIT plummeted to minus EUR 197 million. The deviation between the adjusted EBIT and EBIT can be attributed to a revaluation of the aircraft fleet. (Refer to the chart on the last page for details.)

    The total staff of Austrian Airlines amounted to 6.943 employees as at the balance sheet date of March 31, 2020 (March 31, 2019: 7.061 employees).

  • Austrian Airlines will resume regular flights on 15 June 2020

    Austrian Airlines will resume regular flights on 15 June 2020

    • On 15 June 2020, Austrian Airlines aircraft will resume regular flights after a break of almost 90 days.
    • Subject to new official restrictions, the airline will thus take off to 37 destinations in the first two weeks of the new start. 

    Austrian Airlines will offer flights to the following destinations in the first week of resuming its flight operations: Amsterdam, Athens, Basel, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Dubrovnik, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Larnaca, London, Munich, Paris, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Tel Aviv, Thessaloniki, Tirana, Varna and Zurich.

    In the following week, namely from 22-28 June 2020, the airline will operate flights to additional destinations, i.e. Belgrade, Graz, Innsbruck, Kyiv, Košice, Milan, Nice, Prague, Split and Warsaw.

    Austrian Airlines will offer an average of 5 percent capacity compared to the previous year.

    In the initial phase, the airline will primarily deploy smaller aircraft such as Embraer 195 and Dash 8.

    The airline is currently developing a flight schedule for July.

  • Austrian Airlines flight suspension extended until June 7

    Austrian Airlines flight suspension extended until June 7

    Austrian Airlines has decided to extend the suspension of regular flight operations at least for another week, from May 31 to June 7, 2020. A restart during the month of June is under review.

    Austrian Airlines says that due to worldwide travel restrictions caused by the corona pandemic, the demand for air travel is still low.

    The Austrian federal government announced that the borders with Germany and possibly other countries would be reopened on June 15.

    “When the demand is right and the travel restrictions fall, we want to fly again”, says Austrian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andreas Otto.

  • Austrian Airlines will have to cut 1.100 jobs to survive

    Austrian Airlines will have to cut 1.100 jobs to survive

    Like many other airlines, Austrian Airlines also needs state support. Negotiations take place practically every day, says Heute.

    The plan for the rescue of the airline is to be set up next week. It will be difficult for the workforce and employees should stay on short-time work as long as possible.

    By 2023, 1.100 of the 7.000 jobs will be cut and wages will decrease by 13 percent. If the planned cost cuts cannot be done, the path would lead to bankruptcy.

    The Supervisory Board of the Austrian Lufthansa subsidiary met on Wednesday until late in the evening and encouraged the management board to pursue its restart plan with all its might.