Pilot shortage forces Austrian Airlines to cancel 150 flights in June

Austrian Airlines will cancel 150 flights in June because of a pilot shortage again this year. The carrier will wet-lease 3 aircraft during the European summer peak season to stabilise operations. The pilot shortage this year comes as the airline is transferring its Fokker 70/100 fleet to Embraer E195s in a fleet renewal program that requires pilot retraining. It is adding 17 former Lufthansa CityLine Embraer E195s to its fleet and is phasing out aging Fokker 70/100s. The airline recently took delivery of its fifth Embraer E195. “We are doing this to stabilise our operations. Also, it is part of our business to cover the busy summer peak with additional aircraft, because demand is very strong during the 4-month period,” an Austrian Airlines spokesperson said. <br/>