Air Berlin (AB) is planning to further cut its operational fleet from
158 to 135 aircraft as part of a new drive for more cost cutting.
The carrier had already decided to trim its fleet from 175 aircraft, but AB CCO Paul Gregorowich told ATW, “If we want to be an alternative to Lufthansa, then we need an additional (cost cutting) program. There are no taboos anymore.”
Gregorowich was in Istanbul for delivery ceremonies of Austrian partner Niki’s first re-branded aircraft from THY Technik.
Gregorowich declined to give financial details for AB’s newest cost-cutting program, Turbine 2013 (ATW Daily News, Oct. 18).
“Operations-wise Air Berlin is doing better every day, but we are not where we want to be and that’s why Turbine 2013 is necessary,” he said.
Gregorowich dismissed media speculation that AB might leave the oneworld global alliance and join SkyTeam. The German carrier is cooperating with SkyTeam member Air France in codeshare agreements.
“We will not switch alliances,” Gregorowich told ATW. “The fact is that we like to work together with Air France, but we are clearly committed to oneworld. So far, we have gained 305,000 additional passengers through oneworld.”
Gregorowich hopes to extend AB’s codeshare with Etihad, a majority shareholder in AB, via Abu Dhabi on to China and Japan before the end of the year.
The carrier had already decided to trim its fleet from 175 aircraft, but AB CCO Paul Gregorowich told ATW, “If we want to be an alternative to Lufthansa, then we need an additional (cost cutting) program. There are no taboos anymore.”
Gregorowich was in Istanbul for delivery ceremonies of Austrian partner Niki’s first re-branded aircraft from THY Technik.
Gregorowich declined to give financial details for AB’s newest cost-cutting program, Turbine 2013 (ATW Daily News, Oct. 18).
“Operations-wise Air Berlin is doing better every day, but we are not where we want to be and that’s why Turbine 2013 is necessary,” he said.
Gregorowich dismissed media speculation that AB might leave the oneworld global alliance and join SkyTeam. The German carrier is cooperating with SkyTeam member Air France in codeshare agreements.
“We will not switch alliances,” Gregorowich told ATW. “The fact is that we like to work together with Air France, but we are clearly committed to oneworld. So far, we have gained 305,000 additional passengers through oneworld.”
Gregorowich hopes to extend AB’s codeshare with Etihad, a majority shareholder in AB, via Abu Dhabi on to China and Japan before the end of the year.
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