Austrian Airlines fleet development takes shape - Six Additional Airbus A320

Austrian Airlines will get six additional Airbus A320 starting by August 2019. Jets will gradually replace turboprops.

The fleet development announced in January 2019 is taking shape now: Austrian Airlines has now secured six additional A320 aircraft. The first of these jets is scheduled for delivery in August. Within the next few days, it will already receive the red-white-red Austrian color scheme in Jacksonville/USA. A total of ten additional jets are to replace the 18 Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft by 2021. Austrian will thus increase its Airbus fleet from 36 to 46 aircraft. As of June 30, 2019, the entire Austrian Airlines fleet consisted of 82 aircraft. 

"These six additional A320s should also be understood as a strong signal towards low cost competition. We are defending our market position and are determined to fight for our customers", Austrian Airlines CCO Andreas Otto explains the strategic fleet development. 

Four A320 aircraft from Avianca Brasil, two from Juneyao 

Four of the six additional A320 jets are leased from Aviation Capital and previously flew at Avianca Brasil. In part, these aircraft are already being subject to the necessary delivery check. The first A320 plane is expected to be transferred to Austrian Airlines in the middle of August. Additional planes will be supplied at the end of August as well as in September and October. Following the necessary modifications and adaptations, the first aircraft should be put into operation on Austrian Airline’s behalf in December of this year. Austrian Airlines will take possession of two other Airbus jets purchased from CDB Aviation, which are currently operated by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao. 

Dash phase-out in full swing 

In 2019 Austrian Airlines has already decommissioned two Dash aircraft. The hand over of a further Dash turboprop is planned this year. Nine other Dash turboprops are scheduled to be phased out from the Austrian Airlines fleet in the course of 2020, the remaining six will follow in 2021. 

Details on the six A320: 

Registration   Year                     Type          Engine             Delivery (planned)   Prior/current Operator 
OE-LZA         September 2007    A320-214   CFM56-5B4/P    January 2020          Juneyao 
OE-LZB         October 2007        A320-214   CFM56-5B4/P    January 2020          Juneyao 
OE-LZC         September 2012    A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    August 2019           Avianca Brasil 
OE-LZD         October 2012        A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    August 2019           Avianca Brasil 
OE-LZE         September 2013    A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    September 2019      Avianca Brasil 
OE-LZF         November 2013     A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    October 2019          Avianca Brasil