Austrian Airlines to return to 'cautious' growth

Austrian Airlines announced (19-May-2015) its intention to return "to a cautious growth path" following a period of restructuring, with a "new pricing model, new medium-haul fleet, new destinations, the expansion of the business as an operating carrier within the Lufthansa Group and a new red-white-red market image comprise the underlying basis." The carrier plans to create 400 new jobs "over the next 3-5 years", and is targeting a 10% increase in its "core and additional business as an operating carrier." Austrian Airlines expects "1.5 million passengers, 400 jobs and a revenue increase of EUR210 million within the next years." Austrian Airlines CEO Jaan Albrecht said: "The restructuring carried out over the past years has made us fit again for the rough aviation market. Following the agreement reached with the Works Council, we once again have a good basis and renewed opportunities for growth. We want to take advantage of this." Austrian Airlines CFO Heinz Lachinger added: "We anticipate growth in passenger volume, revenue and the total number of our employees during the upcoming 3-5 years. However, we will continually keep an eye on costs and profitability." [more - original PR - English/German]