Niki to Replace E190s with Airbus Aircraft

airberlin has confirmed that by the middle of 2015 the existing Embraer aircraft in the fleet of its Austrian subsidiary Niki, will be replaced by Airbus aircraft.

Instead of using its seven 112-seater E190s, Niki will operate five Airbus A319 aircraft (seating 150) and two Airbus A320s (with 180 seats).

The change-over is expected to be gradually implemented by June 2015.

“Harmonising our fleet will enable us to achieve increased productivity, lower costs per seat kilometre and more efficient flight operations. The decision to switch to the larger Airbus planes will also create new growth opportunities for Niki. In 2015, Niki will therefore see capacity increase,” said Chief Executive Officer, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer.

Niki Managing Director, Christian Lesjak, said, “The standardisation of our fleet is a bonus for Niki. It will allow us to operate more economically on the whole. And the increased overall capacity will also enable us to support an important trend: Vienna airport has established itself as a hub for airberlin passengers for flights to Greece and Cyprus, for example.”

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.