AUSTRIAN AIRLINES has placed a Sch3.22 billion ($320 million) order for two high-capacity Airbus A340-300s, for delivery in 1997 and 1999.
The new aircraft, to be configured for 297 passengers in a two-class layout, will be used to supplement or replace the existing A340-200s on routes to Johannesburg, Beijing and Tokyo, and inaugurate new services, yet to be finalised.
In the new 1996 summer programme, Austrian will be adding twice-weekly A340-200 flights between Vienna and Osaka in conjunction with partner All Nippon Airways (ANA), with ANA taking over one of the joint Vienna-Tokyo services with its Boeing 767.
The delivery of three 168-seat Airbus A321-100s in January, February and March, replacing three smaller 144-seat McDonnell Douglas MD-82s, will result in an estimated 16.9 % increase in passengers and 8.9 % in freight tonnage in 1996. The MD-82s are being transferred to charter subsidiary Austrian Air Transport.
Source: Flight International
