Austrian Airlines to expand its long-haul portfolio
The airline will operate a Boeing 777 for both flights. The new destinations are made possible by the addition of a “Triple”, as this wide-bodied aircraft is called in the aviation business. Austrian Airlines will integrate the new jet in its long-haul fleet in 2018.
The Boeing 777 aircraft has a seating capacity of about 300 seats. At present, Austrian Airlines operates six Boeing 767 and five Boeing 777 jets in its long-haul fleet. The additional Boeing 777 increases its long-haul fleet to a total of twelve aircraft. “We are pleased to be able to renew flights to Tokyo earlier than expected. We temporarily terminated flight service to Tokyo in September 2016 because the route had become unprofitable as a consequence of the economic downturn and currency devaluation in Japan. However, market conditions have substantially improved in recent months, which is why we see potential once again. Demand for this route does exist”, says Austrian Airlines CCO Andreas Otto. “Cape Town represents an expansion of our offering to long-haul tourist destinations in the winter”, he adds.