Austrian achieves short and medium haul growth

January traffic figures confirmed positive results from Austrian’s ‘Focus East’ strategy with passenger growth of 8.1% achieved. Austrians ‘Focus East’ strategy is based on network development in Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Far East.

This resulted in the rationalisation of some long haul routes during 2007. The planned reduction of scheduled availability has been virtually balanced by positive growth across the short and medium haul network where load factors of 61.6% were achieved in January.

With the introduction of Nizhniy Novgorod, Sochi and Baia Mare in April Austrian will operate services to 48 destinations in 24 countries within Central & Eastern Europe.

Services to Erbil will also recommence in April with 3 flights a week, increasing to 4 in June, Austrian now operates to 10 destinations in the Middle East and will introduce its new Premium Class service in Business Class from September 2008.