Austrian Airlines to start using wet-leased Airbaltic A220s for Vienna flights

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Austrian Airlines to start using wet-leased Airbaltic A220s for Vienna flights

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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Dec 31, 2024

Austrian Airlines is set to begin utilizing airBaltic's Airbus A220 aircraft for its flights starting in March 2025. This development follows the Lufthansa Group's announcement in September that it would expand its wet-lease agreement with airBaltic, allowing the Riga-based carrier to provide its aircraft across the airline group's network.

Currently, Lufthansa offers airBaltic-operated flights from Munich during summer, while SWISS operates these flights year-round from Zurich. Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines will also benefit from this collaboration as of the upcoming summer season.

The agreement announced in September includes "up to 21" airBaltic Airbus A220-300 aircraft being deployed on behalf of the Lufthansa Group. Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, stated: “Throughout the recent years, airBaltic has earned a reputation as one of the leading premium wet lease providers in Europe. The wet lease business has become a crucial element of the airBaltic growth strategy, complementing our scheduled operations from our existing bases."

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Flights operated by Austrian Airlines using the A220s will originate from Vienna and initially serve destinations such as Amsterdam, Stockholm Arlanda, Berlin, Nice, Thessaloniki, and Zurich beginning March 30. Additional destinations including Seville, Frankfurt, Rome, and Düsseldorf will be added over the summer.

Brussels Airlines plans to introduce four airBaltic planes but has not yet finalized specific routes for them. At a press conference in September, it was mentioned that these aircraft would likely serve city routes where demand fluctuates seasonally.

SWISS remains a significant user of airBaltic's A220s since winter 2022/2023 due to lower operating costs and ongoing engine issues with its own fleet. The continuation of this partnership is expected through at least 2027.

Lufthansa may also utilize some airBaltic planes during future seasons; however, specific details regarding routes or numbers have not been confirmed.