Austrian Airlines is adjusting its summer flight schedule following the end of a partnership with Braathens Regional Airways, a move prompted by the insolvency of Braathens International Airways. The airline is working to secure alternative aircraft to maintain capacity, particularly for peak travel periods.
Austrian Airlines to Utilize Air Baltic Aircraft During Winter Season
Austrian Airlines has secured short-term replacements for the lost capacity, utilizing two Airbus A220 aircraft from Air Baltic and one Embraer E195 from Helvetic Airways for the winter season. The airline also compensated for disruptions using its own aircraft, a possibility due to lower capacity demands during the winter months. However, the situation remains challenging as the summer approaches.
To mitigate potential disruptions during the Easter travel peak, Austrian Airlines will begin utilizing Air Baltic aircraft earlier than initially planned. A seventh Air Baltic aircraft will be added to the fleet for the 2026 summer flight schedule and will be based in Vienna, operating within the continental European network.
Braathens Partnership Ended Due to Operational Concerns
In addition to Air Baltic, Austrian Airlines will continue to receive support from its sister company, Air Dolomiti, with two aircraft as previously planned. However, further assistance is not anticipated during the high-demand summer season, according to Austrian Airlines officials.
The decision to end the partnership with Braathens Regional Airways stems from the recent insolvency of its parent company, Braathens International Airways, which was announced in late September. This insolvency indirectly impacted Braathens Regional Airways. Austrian Airlines closely monitored the developments and, following an evaluation, determined that the wet-lease partner was undergoing an operational transformation, making it hard to reliably assess key performance parameters.
Austrian Airlines Remains Open to Future Collaboration
Braathens Regional Airways no longer fully meets the wet-lease standards of the Lufthansa Group, according to Stefan-Kenan Scheib, Austrian Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer. “Braathens was a very important partner for us,” Scheib said. “The aircraft would have usefully supplemented the portfolio on numerous routes.”
Finding a direct replacement for the ATR 72-600 aircraft is proving difficult. “It is very difficult to get an aircraft of this size on the market,” Scheib noted, adding that the airline currently sees no way to replace this specific capacity. Despite potential disruptions this summer, the airline remains confident in its ability to manage the season with minor adjustments.
While the current agreement with Braathens has ended for 2025, Austrian Airlines has not ruled out future collaboration. “We do not exclude the possibility of working with Braathens again in the future,” Scheib stated, leaving the door open for a potential return. The airline’s decision underscores the challenges faced by carriers in securing regional aircraft amid shifting market dynamics.
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