Austrian Airlines Partners with Air Dolomiti for E195 Wet Lease Following A320neo Damage

Austrian Airlines has announced a strategic partnership with Air Dolomiti, a fellow Lufthansa Group carrier, to wet lease an Embraer E195 aircraft. This arrangement will commence on June 1 and extend through October 2024. The collaboration comes as a response to an incident that left one of Austrian Airlines’ Airbus A320-200N aircraft, registered OE-LZQ, significantly damaged.

The damaged A320neo was involved in a collision with airport infrastructure at Vienna Airport on April 6, 2024, following its arrival from London Heathrow. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board at the time of the incident, preventing any injuries. However, the aircraft sustained severe damage, necessitating its temporary removal from service.

To cover the resultant capacity shortfall and maintain service continuity, Air Dolomiti will operate the Vienna to Venice Marco Polo route for Austrian Airlines. This route will continue to see four daily departures, ensuring minimal disruption to passengers and flight schedules.

Michael Trestl, Chief Commercial Officer of Austrian Airlines, expressed satisfaction with the interim solution, stating, “The wet lease cooperation with Air Dolomiti allows us to minimise the impact of the damaged Airbus A320neo. We are delighted to have found a strong partner within the Lufthansa Group in Air Dolomiti.”

Austrian Airlines’ fleet, aside from the damaged A320neo, includes four additional A320-200Ns, twenty-nine A320-200s, three A321-100s, three A321-200s, three Boeing 767-300ERs, six Boeing 777-200ERs, and seventeen E195s. The airline also utilizes two ATR72-600s from BRA – Braathens Regional Airways to serve its less dense regional routes.

Air Dolomiti’s fleet comprises six E190s and seventeen E195s, making it well-equipped to support Austrian Airlines during this period. This partnership underscores the resilience and resourcefulness within the Lufthansa Group, facilitating seamless operational continuity amidst unforeseen