Austrian Airlines to cancel 300 flights in July, August amid pilot shortage

Austrian Airlines will cancel 300 flights in July and August because of the ongoing integration of 17 Embraer E-195s into its fleet and related pilot trainings. “Austrian Airlines has always stood for punctuality and reliability. In order to live up to this reputation, we have decided to streamline our summer flight schedule,” CEO Kay Kratky said July 1. The carrier has been forced to repeatedly announce short-term flight cancellations over the past year. For example, last June, the Star Alliance member had to cancel 150 flights. The latest decision has particularly affected regional flights, but not long-haul and charter flights. Austrian Airlines will thin out its flight offerings to destinations it serves several times a day, thus bundling flight rotations. Typical destinations affected by the measures include Bucharest (Romania), Prague (Czech Republic), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Zagreb (Croatia). To balance, Austrian Airlines will cancel 300 flights, operating 23,000 flights. “However, in the light of our experience over the last year, I would prefer to ensure the reliability of 99% of our flight schedule instead of flying 100% [unreliable flights],” Kratky said. Austrian Airlines spokesperson Peter Thier said the carrier had planned to wet-lease five aircraft during the summer peak. However, only three wet-leased aircraft had been available, which did not meet the airline's standard.<br/>