The airberlin group had already announced the harmonisation of its fleet back in September, as part of its restructuring program. And now the Group has taken another step with its Austrian subsidiary, NIKI.
By the middle of 2015, the existing Embraer aircraft in the NIKI fleet will be replaced by Airbus planes.
The airline’s chief executive, Wolfgang Prock-Shauer said the decision to switch to larger planes will increase productivity by lowering costs per seat kilometre and offering more efficient flight operations. It will also create new growth opportunities and increase capacity.
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By removing the 112-seater E190s from its fleet and using additional Airbus aircraft, the Austrian airberlin subsidiary will become more efficient in terms of its network and cost structure.
Instead of its seven Embraer planes, it will operate five Airbus A319 aircraft (seating 150) and two Airbus A320s (with 180 seats). The change-over will be gradually implemented by June 2015.
airberlin plans to defleet all its 45 Boeings by 2016 and become an Airbus-only operator whereby the accessions will consist of both existing Airbus orders and market access.
