airberlin implements Turbine turnaround programme

airberlin began (15-Jan-2013) to implement its "Turbine" turnaround programme on 15-Jan-2013. The carrier described the programme as a "comprehensive scheme to ensure that Germany's second largest airline focuses on its key markets on the basis of a stringent business model". The two-year programme extends across all divisions. The airline will be expediting the optimisation of its network, fleet and timetables already under way, improve its offering, sales and customer orientation and slim down its administration and working processes as well. "Turbine" has defined initiatives of around EUR400 million by the end of 2014 "to achieve a lastingly competitive result". The carrier said meetings with staff representatives to discuss the turnaround programme and the planned personnel measures have already begun. The programme covers all areas of operation and relationships with business partners as well. Details include:

• Job cuts: The programme involves cutting about 900 jobs in which the possibility of redundancies cannot be excluded;
• Network optimisation: The elements that make up "Turbine" include network and fleet optimisation that have already been initiated, concentrating on profitable routes and increasing flight frequencies in key markets. These measures are specifically designed to strengthen airberlin's position in its core market, for example, the D/A/CH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). There will be even more flights to Palma de Mallorca. The hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf with their long-haul services are to be expanded. The airports in Vienna, Hamburg, Munich, Zurich and Stuttgart will retain their function as principal stations within the airberlin route network;
• Fleet optimisation: Reducing the fleet to 142 aircraft in the current year, with six earmarked as operational reserves. [more - original PR]