First airberlin A320 in Austrian Airlines livery enters service

airberlin stated (07-Mar-2017) the first airberlin A320 (D-ABZA) in Austrian Airlines livery operated Vienna-Skopje service on 07-Mar-2017. This aircraft is the first of five A320s to be operated for Austrian Airlines by airberlin crew under a wet lease agreement. The crew will wear airberlin uniforms, the aircraft will bear the Austrian Airlines logo and display "operated by airberlin". Austrian Airlines CEO Kay Kratky said: "With the five aircraft from airberlin, we will take advantage of market opportunities to strengthen our leading position at our hub Vienna". airberlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann said: "We are proud that we are in a position to actively participate in shaping the market consolidation process", noting: "The wet lease agreement is another crucial element on the way to restructuring airberlin". The integration of the other aircraft will be carried out in phases. The second A320 (D-ABZC) is scheduled for its first service on 08-Mar-2017. The other three aircraft will be deployed over the next few weeks. The five airberlin aircraft increase Austrian Airlines' total Airbus fleet to 36 aircraft. [more - original PR - English/German]