Restructuring for Air Berlin

Struggling Air Berlin has unveiled a far-reaching restructuring of its business, which will see the company concentrate its core operations as a focused network carrier serving higher-yielding markets from its two key hubs in Berlin and Düsseldorf, with a core fleet of 75 aircraft. 

Air Berlin is a member of oneworld and 30% owned by Etihad. It has up to 40 Airbus A320 family aircraft wet-leased (ie including crew) to Lufthansa under a six year wet-lease agreement.

The restructuring follows a comprehensive bottom-up review of all operations, seeking to improve efficiency, limit seasonality and re-establish a clear market proposition for the airline.

Airberlin’s core operations will be served by a fleet of 75 aircraft from summer 2017, consisting of 17 A330 wide body aircraft for long-haul flights, 40 A320 family aircraft and 18 Q400 aircraft for short- and medium-haul flights including to major business centres throughout Europe.

Going forward, airberlin’s profitable long-haul programme will be expanded with new routes and additional frequencies, particularly to the United States.

Much of Air Berlin’s problems stem from the fact that its ambition was to become Berlin’s premier airline based at Berlin Brandenburg. With no opening date for that operation announced (2018 maybe?), airberlin is still based at the current Tegel Berlin Airport, very much out of date. 

www.airberlin.com

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