Austrian Adds New Route to Boston

Austrian Airlines will launch nonstop flights from Vienna to Boston starting in July 2024, operating up to six times per week with a Boeing 767-300 aircraft

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 09:41 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Austrian 767-300 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Austrian Airlines will launch nonstop flights from Vienna to Boston starting in July 2024, operating up to six times per week with a Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The flight is scheduled to be year-round, according to the airline.

The flight will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays as well as every second Tuesday. Departure from Vienna is scheduled at 10:40 a.m. local time, arriving in Boston at 1:50 p.m. The return flight departs Boston at 5:10 p.m., arriving in Vienna at 7:25 a.m. local time.

The Vienna-based carrier’s 767 aircraft feature 211 seats in a three-class configuration. Austrian is overhauling its aging fleet with plans to take delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner this year.

The new route will expand Austrian Airlines’ intercontinental network to 19 destinations, including six in the U.S.

“We are excited to announce Boston as a new and highly attractive destination. This expansion enhances our long-haul offering and strengthens the Vienna hub. Boston’s world-renowned universities, including Harvard and MIT, business connections, and the city’s unparalleled charm make it a fascinating and enticing travel destination, ” said Austrian CCO Michael Trestl in a press release.

“Additionally, it will be even easier for visitors and tourists from the New England to come to Vienna in the future,” Trestl continued.

Austrian Airlines is a member of the Lufthansa Group, which also owns Lufthansa, Eurowings, SWISS, and Brussels Airlines. At the time of writing, Austrian has over 60 aircraft in its fleet.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Malaysia Airlines to Modernize Fleet in 2024

Malaysia Airlines will modernize its fleet by adding four A330neo aircraft alongside eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s in the third quarter of 2024.

Pete Ainsley

Monday, January 29, 2024 at 03:51 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Malaysia Airlines aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | hkhtt hj)

Malaysia Airlines will modernize its fleet by adding four A330neo aircraft alongside eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s in the third quarter of 2024. The fleet modernization is expected to support the post-pandemic growth of the local aviation industry.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus and Roll Royce in 2022. The flag carrier will acquire 10 A330neo aircraft that are directly purchased from Airbus, which are scheduled to be delivered through 2028 with the remaining 10 aircraft leased from Avolon. The deal is a “lower and stable cost base, and with assurance of supporting financing.”

The A330neo features Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines, comprised of 28 seats in Business Class and 269 seats in Economy class, of which 24 seats come with extra legroom. Also, the new aircraft could offer up to a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

The new arrivals are expected to replace the A330ceo fleet operating in its network throughout Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.

“We aspire to curate an overall passenger experience that not only meets premium standards but exceeds them, underpinned by our inimitable Malaysian Hospitality.” Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG, said.

The airline will go further in retrofitting six of its A350-900s in 2026 to ensure consistent cabin standardization and premium experience in alignment with the new A330neo cabins.

A Malaysia Airlines A350. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)

Earlier, Airbus said Malaysia is the aircraft manufacturer’s third-largest market in the Asia-Pacific region, following China and India. However, Boeing is also supplying the carrier’s fleet. Back in 2016, Malaysia Airlines ordered a total of 25 737 MAX 8 aircraft through its operating lease with Air Lease Corporation, which will be delivered through 2026.

The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 was delayed in delivery for three months due to a supply chain issue last year. The new aircraft has 12 seats in Business class and 162 seats in Economy class.

Increased Flight Frequencies

According to the airline, the group including Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings, and MASkargo, currently owns a fleet of 104 aircraft through its subsidiaries.

Malaysia is seeing a recovery after the pandemic. The carrier had gotten into gear and announced an increase in domestic flight frequencies as a result of high demand. Meanwhile, Malaysia is making every effort to entice foreigners to go to the country. Earlier, the government granted visa-free entry to Chinese and Indian nationals. Thailand is also carrying out a similar policy with travelers from the two countries.

Malaysia Airlines could stand to benefit from the policy. In response to the surge of travel demand, the airline has recently launched services to Ahmedabad , India. Ahmedabad becomes the airline’s ninth destination in India.

Pete Ainsley

April Eclipse Set to be ‘Single-Biggest Mass Travel Event in the USA’

A total solar eclipse across North America on April 8 is anticipated to be ‘the single-biggest mass travel event in the USA.'

John Flett

Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 12:25 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Map of the April eclipse (Photo: NASA)

A total solar eclipse across North America on April 8 is anticipated to be one of the most viewed astronomical events in recent memory and maybe ‘the single-biggest mass travel event in the USA,’ according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Several major cities are inside the path of the eclipse, including Mazatlan, Torreon, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Montreal. Some other cities that come close to the path of the eclipse include St Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Toronto. In addition, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., are all within 200 miles of the path of totality.

The last total solar eclipse across the U.S. occurred in 2017, and this one will have the longest totality seen in the country since 1806. According to the American Astronomical Society, totality is ‘the maximum phase of a total solar eclipse, during which the Moon’s disk completely covers the Sun’s bright face.’ The duration of totality for the eclipse is expected to reach 4 minutes 27 seconds, with some parts of Texas achieving a totality of 4 minutes 23 seconds. By comparison, the 2017 eclipse achieved a maximum totality over land of 2 minutes and 41 seconds.

Airports Opening Their Doors

To celebrate the first eclipse in the region for over 90 years, Vermont’s Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) is making its airfield available for eclipse viewing. The airport will offer a paying audience the opportunity to mark the occasion with live music, food trucks, and bar services starting at 2 p.m. The partial eclipse is expected to begin at 2:14 p.m. with 3 minutes and 14 seconds of totality commencing at 3:26 p.m. The partial eclipse will end at 4:37 p.m.

As previously reported by AirlineGeeks, Southwest Airlines has identified several scheduled flights that will offer passengers the best view of the event. Three Southwest flights that may give passengers ‘the greatest likelihood’ of the best view are: WN1252 departs Dallas – Love Field at 12:45 p.m. for Pittsburgh; WN1721 departs Austin at 12:50 p.m. for Indianapolis; and WN1910 departs St. Louis at 1:20 p.m. for Houston’s Hobby airport.

At the time of writing, seats were still available for sale on all three of the ‘greatest likelihood’ services. Southwest also identified a few flights that may cross the path of totality departing from airports such as Houston (Hobby), Milwaukee, Chicago, and Nashville.

For those who may not be able to make it to an area of totality on April 8, the next total solar eclipse across the contiguous U.S. will occur on Aug. 12, 2045. Other parts of the world will experience total solar eclipses in the next few years including parts of Europe (2026 and 2027), Africa/Middle East (2027), and Australia/New Zealand (2028).

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

Delta Adds New Interline Partner

Colorado-based Denver Air Connection, or DAC for short, has announced a new interline baggage agreement with Delta Air Lines via Facebook.

Joey Gerardi

Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 12:20 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Delta and DAC's tails (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Colorado-based Denver Air Connection, or DAC for short, has announced a new interline baggage agreement with Delta Air Lines via Facebook. This is a significant accomplishment for the airline, and it will become DAC’s third airline partner after United and American. DAC will now have interline agreements with each of the three major U.S. airlines.

While Delta has many airline partners around the world, they are very selective about who they partner with, and DAC will become only the third commuter airline in the United States that Delta joins forces with, after Florida-based Silver Airways and Massachusetts-based Cape Air.

The ability to book flights with this new interline will go active on Jan. 31, 2023. DAC operates to five major airports in the United States, and passengers will be able to take advantage of this partnership from all of them: Phoenix Sky Harbor, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago O’Hare, along with its home airport in Denver. None will benefit from this new interline more than DAC’s fifth operating base, Minneapolis St. Paul, as the airport is also home to a Delta hub.

Denver Air Connection’s current route map as of January 2024. (Photo: Denver Air Connection)

Currently out of Minneapolis, DAC operates flights to Thief River Falls, Minn.; Ironwood, Mich.; as well as a recently started route to Pierre, S.D. Passengers will now be able to make use of the Delta operations without having to leave the secure area to collect their checked bags.

AirlineGeeks had a chance to talk to Denver Air Connection about their new partnership with Delta, and they did mention that, with it, they are examining the possibility of re-timing its flights to match up better with Delta’s large departure banks out of Minneapolis, but it will ultimately be based on aircraft and crew availability.

The news is welcome for aviation enthusiasts as Denver Air Connection operates the increasingly rare 30-seat Dornier 328Jet from Minneapolis. This means it is now possible to book a Dornier Jet flight on Delta’s site to one of DAC’s communities on the same ticket.

A Denver Air Connection Dornier 328Jet at Denver Intl. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

“Our new agreement with Delta underscores our commitment to our Essential Air Service communities in the Midwest,” said Jon Coleman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Denver Air Connection in a statement. “We expect this new agreement will give us more flexibility to better serve these communities going forward.”

Editor’s Note: All information in this article was obtained directly from the airline or the Facebook post about the new interline agreement. Schedules and flights are subject to change.

Joey Gerardi

Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.

To Woo United, Airbus Asks Customers to Delay Aircraft Deliveries

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is asking customers to return some aircraft delivery slots in order to make those slots available to United.

John McDermott

Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 06:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

United Airbus A321neo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Andrew Chen)

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is asking customers to return some aircraft delivery slots in order to make those slots available to American carrier United Airlines. The company has offered to buy back delivery slots for Airbus A321neo aircraft.

This move comes soon after United announced it is looking for alternatives to the Boeing 737 MAX 10 orders it has on file. The company has been disgruntled with Boeing since the latest 737 MAX grounding; the carrier is concerned that the same quality control issues that caused a door plug to blow out on an Alaska Airlines jet will also be present on MAX 10 airplanes, which also have the same door plug.

“I’m disappointed that the manufacturing challenges do keep happening at Boeing,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “We’re going to at least build a plan that doesn’t have the MAX 10 in it.”

Kirby mentioned in an earlier statement to CNBC that this 737 MAX 9 crisis might be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” for United, adding that there is only so much the airline will endure before considering other options. Since 2018, Boeing has been under intense scrutiny from federal regulators and the general public for what are seen to be consistent quality control issues and major failures to communicate with customers.

United says it needs to see “real action” from Boeing in order to restore trust in its aircraft. Boeing’s once-strong reputation for high quality has been damaged since the company merged with McDonnell Douglas.

Airbus’ order book for narrowbody A320 family aircraft stretches on for years. However, the manufacturer already has a foot in the door with United, who has received several A321neo aircraft in the past three months and even has an order pending for A350 family aircraft.

It is unclear how many aircraft Airbus will be able to procure for Boeing with this method, particularly as airlines try to modernize their fleets with more efficient aircraft from a proven design. The Airbus A320 family was launched in 1984, meaning the oldest planes are nearly 40 years old, and airlines trying to cut costs and prove their care for the environment may be reluctant to relinquish orders for new aircraft.

United is also a critically important customer for Boeing. Over 80% of United’s 900+ strong fleet consists of Boeing aircraft. Nearly half of the entire fleet is 737 family aircraft, split across 737 NG and 737 MAX families. United has close to 400 additional orders for 737 MAX 8, 9, and 10 aircraft; the airline is currently slated to be the launch customer for the 737 MAX 10.

A preview of what’s to come on United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 10. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

The FAA is investigating Boeing for these quality control issues that led to the Alaska Airlines door plug issue earlier this month. The regulator is blaming Boeing, not contractor Spirit Aerospace, for Alaska’s plug door failure.

John McDermott

John McDermott is a commercial pilot pursuing a career in professional flight. His passion for aviation began in an Ann Arbor bookstore with a tale of enemy pilots during World War 2, and he hasn't looked back. Besides flying and writing for AirlineGeeks, John volunteers with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and travels whenever he gets the chance.

JetBlue Looks to Trim Workforce

JetBlue is looking to trim its workforce by offering so-called 'opt-out' packages across different workgroups, excluding pilots and flight attendants.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, January 26, 2024 at 09:11 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue Airbus A320 preparing for departure. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue is looking to trim its workforce by offering so-called ‘opt-out’ packages across different workgroups. As first reported by airline industry watchdog JonNYC, the airline confirmed the buy-out offerings on Friday evening in a statement.

“We remain the industry’s only airline with a no-furlough commitment in place. We are aiming to reduce our fixed costs through voluntary measures by giving people who work in a number of corporate functions, in our airports, and in our customer support center the opportunity to leave JetBlue with a departing pay and benefits package. The program does not include pilots, flight attendants, and technicians,” a spokesperson from the airline said.

According to the internal memo shared by JonNYC, employees who take the buy-out will leave the company on Feb. 29, 2024 with up to three weeks of pay per year of service for some.

The announcement comes just days after JetBlue and Spirit lost a months-long battle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to merge. “If JetBlue were permitted to gobble up Spirit — at least as proposed — it would eliminate one of the airline industry’s few primary competitors that provides unique innovation and price discipline,” U.S. District Judge William Young wrote in regard to the proposed merger.

JetBlue’s $3.8 billion proposal to acquire the ultra-low-cost carrier is on shaky ground as the companies consider next steps. On Friday, JetBlue said it may back out of the deal and not move forward with an appeal. In a filing, Spirit stated it saw “no basis” for termination.

An Emerging Trend

In November 2023, Spirit also offered select staff the option to depart the company with similar buy-outs. “The last few months have been a testament to our resilience and dedication as a company but we must return to profitability, which will require a series of tough decisions,” Spirit CEO Ted Christie told employees in a recent internal memo according to TheStreet.

Many U.S. airline executives have echoed similar sentiments in recent Q4 2023 earnings calls, with some expecting recruitment to be down year-over-year for most positions.

“…we plan to end 2024 with headcount flat to down as compared with year-end 2023 as we slow hiring to levels that are at or below our attrition rate that will drive efficiency gains in 2024 with more to come in 2025,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said during the company’s recent earnings call.

In addition, Atlanta-based Delta is cutting its pilot hiring plans in roughly half during 2024. “The intensity of hiring and training has moderated…,” the airline’s CEO Ed Bastian said during its earnings call.

Ryan Ewing

American Slated to Begin New York-Tokyo Service

American has received tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a nonstop service from JFK to Tokyo Haneda.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, January 26, 2024 at 08:36 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American Boeing 777-200 in Dallas/Fort Worth. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American has received tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND). This move positions the Fort Worth-based airline as the sole U.S. carrier operating nonstop flights between these two hubs.

The airline briefly operated a flight between JFK and Tokyo Haneda between February 2011 and December 2013, but ended the service, citing unprofitability due to late arrival and early departure slot times. The airline also previously flew from JFK to Tokyo’s other major airport – Narita International Airport – until it ended that route in favor of its Haneda service in 2012, according to Cirium Diio data.

In October 2023, the airline applied to operate the route again as slots became available. Pending final DOT approval, the flight is set to be operated by a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with service beginning in ‘the coming months.’

“American looks forward to beginning nonstop service to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from JFK,” said American’s CEO Robert Isom in a press release. “We are grateful to the DOT and thankful to our partner Japan Airlines for supporting our application. Together, we are well-positioned to offer customers a comprehensive network between two of the most robust economies in the world. This new service will add nearly 200,000 additional round-trip seats annually between the U.S. and Japan, offering customers more ways to conduct business in the global marketplace or connect with family and friends.”

Adding to Existing Service

According to the carrier, the new route is projected to add nearly 200,000 additional round-trip seats annually between the U.S. and Japan. It will be the airline’s fourth daily nonstop flight to Haneda, complementing daily service from Dallas-Fort Worth and two daily flights from Los Angeles.

American’s oneworld alliance partner Japan Airlines (JAL) currently serves the Haneda-JFK route. The Japanese airline recently debuted its new flagship A350-1000 on the route.

Ryan Ewing

First U.S. 737 MAX 9 Returns to Revenue Service

The first Boeing 737 MAX 9 operated by a U.S. airline has returned to revenue service after a nearly three-week-long grounding

Ryan Ewing

Friday, January 26, 2024 at 08:15 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Alaska mechanics inspect the door plug on a 737 MAX 9 (Photo: Alaska Airlines)

The first Boeing 737 MAX 9 operated by a U.S. airline has returned to revenue service after a nearly three-week-long grounding. Alaska flight 1146 from Seattle to San Diego took off on Friday afternoon following the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Wednesday announcement that the aircraft could return to service pending certain inspections.

On Jan. 5, 2024, Alaska flight 1282 experienced a rapid decompression after a door plug detached from the fuselage, falling nearly 16,000 feet. The incident prompted the FAA to ground the combined 144 737 MAX 9 aircraft operated by both Alaska and United. At Alaska, the 737 MAX 9 was slated to operate nearly 25% of the carrier’s planned January schedule.

First Alaska 737 MAX 9 returns to revenue service (Photo: Flightradar24)

Alaska and United reported that they each found loose bolts in the door plugs of their respective 737 MAX 9 aircraft. “I’m more than frustrated and disappointed. I am angry. This happened to Alaska Airlines. It happened to our guests and happened to our people,” Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci told NBC News.

Boeing paused production at its 737 assembly facility in Renton, Wash. on Thursday as part of a so-called safety ‘stand-down.’ The FAA has also halted Boeing from expanding 737 MAX production.

Both U.S.-based 737 MAX 9 operators are planning to resume revenue service with the type on Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)’s investigation into the January 5 incident is ongoing, however, investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the door plug’s fastening bolts were not installed at all.

Ryan Ewing

Livery of the Week: Qantas’ Wunala Dreaming

In the vast Australian skies, a Boeing 747 once adorned itself not in the traditional airline livery, but in a vibrant tapestry of colors and symbols.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, January 26, 2024 at 04:36 PM ET

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Edited By:

John McDermott

A Qantas 747 in the Wunala livery (Photo: Phil Vabre (GFDL or GFDL ), via Wikimedia Commons)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is excited to launch our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.

In the vast Australian skies, a Boeing 747 once adorned itself not in the traditional airline livery, but in a vibrant tapestry of colors and symbols. This was Qantas’ Wunala Dreaming, a livery that transcended its role as a mere mode of transportation to become a symbol of cultural respect and artistic expression.

A Canvas on Wings

Crafted in 1994, the Wunala Dreaming design was the first of its kind, conceived and painted by Aboriginal artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Her bold strokes and vibrant hues, inspired by the Dreaming stories of her Western Desert country, transformed the aircraft into a mesmerizing canvas.

The kangaroo, a symbol of ancestral spirits and journeys, took center stage, its silhouette dancing across the fuselage amidst circles and dots representing waterholes and stars.

A Qantas 747-400 in the Wunala Dreaming livery (Photo: Kambui, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Beyond Aesthetics

Wunala Dreaming was a powerful statement of reconciliation and cultural pride. For many Australians, it served as a poignant reminder of the continent’s rich Indigenous heritage, often overshadowed by colonial narratives. The aircraft’s global journeys carried these stories far and wide, sparking conversations and challenging perceptions.

Wunala Dreaming flew the friendly skies for nearly two decades, captivating audiences and earning accolades. It was recognized as the world’s largest flying canvas and even featured on an Australian postage stamp. The last aircraft to wear the special paint scheme was VH-OEJ until 2011.

Qantas’ Wunala Dreaming stands as a beacon of artistic innovation and intercultural understanding. Today, the airline continues to be known for its Flying Art series, which most recently included a special paint scheme on the carrier’s first A220 aircraft.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

Lufthansa Rebuts EU Concerns, Says ITA Deal Will Boost Competition

he planned acquisition of shares in ITA Airways by the Lufthansa Group is being subject to a comprehensive investigation by the European Commission

Tolga Karadeniz

Friday, January 26, 2024 at 04:04 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Lufhtansa aircraft at Munich Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

The planned acquisition of shares in ITA Airways by the Lufthansa Group is being subject to a comprehensive investigation by the European Commission. The Commission announced on Jan. 23, 2024 that the deal, which would see the German airline acquire a 41% stake in the Italian airline for €325 million, will be subject to a pre-contractual “phase 2” review.

While the German carrier is eager to establish a stronger presence in the European aviation sector, the European Commission is concerned that the deal could lead to a reduction in competition in passenger air transport services on various short-haul and long-haul routes.

Regarding the issue, Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, had previously made a statement: “By opening the in-depth investigation, we want to further assess the transaction and ensure that the acquisition of ITA does not reduce competition in short-haul and long-haul traffic and that it will not lead to higher prices, less capacity or lower quality for passenger air transport services in and out of Italy.”

Lufthansa Breaks Silence

In response to these claims, Lufthansa has issued an official statement: “On 23 January 2024, the Lufthansa Group received confirmation that the EU Commission will continue to examine the planned acquisition of shares in ITA Airways in a so-called phase 2.’ The Lufthansa Group will continue to follow this process closely and constructively.

The Lufthansa Group will continue to work vigorously for a swift conclusion of the EU Commission’s review and for the subsequent implementation of the investment. The company continues to firmly believe that the transaction will be approved following the review. ITA Airways is to become a complementary and important part of the Lufthansa Group’s multi-hub system, which currently consists of four network airlines. Lufthansa Group believes that participation in ITA will have an overall positive effect on competition in Italy and Europe.

Lufthansa Group has been in intensive discussions with the EU Commission since June 2023 in the run-up to the official notification a the participation and as part of the ‘Phase 1’ procedure.”

Consequences of Deal Loom Large

The Commission’s in-depth investigation adds a layer of uncertainty to the ITA-Lufthansa deal. While Lufthansa remains confident, analysts predict possible concessions or modifications to appease competition concerns. Smaller airlines express anxieties about potential market dominance, while consumers cautiously hope for improved connectivity without price hikes.

The next few months will be crucial in determining the fate of this high-stakes merger, with its ripple effects felt across the European aviation landscape. The Commission now has 90 working days, until June 6, 2024 to decide whether to greenlight the merger, demand concessions, or even block it altogether.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.