EMMA KELLY / MUNICH
The German regional is looking to seize opportunities left by Lufthansa's downsizing
Augsburg Airways has again dusted off plans to purchase regional jets and will make a decision in the first quarter of next year on a possible order for around 12 aircraft. At the same time the airline is considering adding more Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops to its fleet to replace smaller Q300s and allow it to take up any opportunities from Lufthansa's downsizing.
Augsburg, which operates services as part of Team Lufthansa, has evaluated 30-50-seat regional jet types a number of times. The German regional carrier is now considering "several [regional jet] projects", says managing director Olaf Dlugi. Any regional jet order would be for a minimum of 12 aircraft, he says, with the jets to be used for new longer route development. Although he declines to comment on the aircraft size or types being considered, Dlugi recently attended the roll-out of the 70-seat Embraer 170, which he describes as a "super aircraft".
Augsburg will shortly receive its fourth Q400, while a fifth is due for delivery in early 2002. The airline is considering exercising a further two Q400 options which were due to have expired, but have been extended by Bombardier. Exercising the options will depend on how Lufthansa decides to restructure itself after its fleet and service cuts following the 11 September terrorist attacks and traffic downturn, says Dlugi. If it takes the additional two Q400s, Augsburg will take more options on the type, with Dlugi eventually aiming to replace its 11 Q300s with Q400s.
Augsburg is not yet talking to Lufthansa about taking over any more routes, but Dlugi is hopeful that Team Lufthansa carriers will gain routes once the major has reorganised. Augsburg operates services on behalf of Lufthansa from Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn and Munich. The regional has been a Team Lufthansa carrier for five years and is renegotiating its agreement with the major, says Dlugi. He hopes this will result in route gains from next year's summer schedule.
Augsburg's fleet deliberations come as German carriers seek help from the German Government for the increased security and insurance costs following the terrorist attacks. Dlugi estimates additional costs of up to DM14 million ($6 million) for Augsburg alone next year. German air traffic control (ATC) service provider DFS has already told operators that its ATC charges will increase by 18% from 1 January, as it tries to compensate for the lost traffic by increasing its income, while the Bavarian government is adding 20 pfennigs to every ticket from the beginning of the year to fund increased security personnel and equipment. "We are convinced only the government can help," says Dlugi.
Source: Flight International
