Austrian Airlines is on board the Hahnenkamm Race in Kitzbühel for the first time as a premium partner. The board members explain the motivation for this in an interview with the “Krone”. And they reveal what innovations there will be this year.
“Krone”: The AUA is a premium partner at the Hahnenkamm Race for the first time this year. What do you hope to achieve with the collaboration?
Michael Trestl: Post-pandemic, AUA is back on the rise. During Corona we have thought a lot about what the AUA stands for, what values we embody and what guests experience when they fly with us. It turned out that we stand for authentic Austrian hospitality. Wherever in the world the guests go on board, when they hear the Donauwals on board, they feel at home again. Where better to experience this feeling than here in Kitzbühel, during the Hahnenkamm Race? That was the starting point for saying that Austrian Airlines and the Hahnenkamm Race are a great fit. That is why we came on board as a premium partner.
Francesco Sciortino: The Hahnenkamm Race is a part of Austria and is known worldwide. That suits AUA, because as a red-white-red airline it is also a part of Austria. It’s a “perfect match,” so to speak, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.
Are there other partnerships so that guests can book a complete package with airport transfer and accommodation?
Michael Trestl: That doesn’t exist yet. But maybe that’s a good idea for next year. In any case, we plan to enter into a long-term partnership with the Hahnenkamm Race. As AUA we fly to Innsbruck several times a day. With our connection we are the gateway to Europe and the world for Tyrol, Tyrolean tourism, the Tyrolean economy and Tyrolean industry. We also have many guests on board who come here during the Hahnenkamm Race.
Are there any other partnerships?
Michael Trestl: We have several partnerships in marketing Austria as a destination abroad with Austria Advertising, Vienna Tourism and many more. In terms of sponsorship, this year we will be present at the ‘Electric Love Festival’, we will also support ‘Vienna Pride’ for the first time and we have a few other obligations. But the Hahnenkamm Race is something very special.
What will the HvA’s balance sheet look like before 2023?
Francesco Sciortino: We have had an incredibly strong year. We were the third most punctual airline in Europe and the third quarter was the strongest in AUA’s history with over 100 million euros. The final figures for the previous year will be available in March. It will be a great result, you can already see that. Last year we welcomed 13 million passengers on board our fleet. We have a top position within the Lufthansa Group.
How is the AUA dealing with the shortage of staff and skilled workers?
Francesco Sciortino: We will start hiring staff again in mid-2022. That was earlier than with other airlines and also the right decision. We cannot complain and are happy with many registrations. In 2023 we deployed five more aircraft than planned. We have hired almost 1,200 people.
What about the expansions this year?
Michael Trestl: In 2024 we will start a new era. Last year we started renewing the short-haul fleet with the new Airbus A320neo. We are now starting to modernize long-haul flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It brings more efficiency, less fuel consumption and less CO2 emissions. And it offers guests a more pleasant travel experience. By 2027/2028 we will completely renew the long-distance route and make the AUA state-of-the-art. The investment runs into billions. We invest in Austria as a location, in the future of the AUA and in Austria’s connections to the world. Flight connections are not only important for tourism, but for the entire economy. The whole of Austria lives from the fact that we have good connections. Last but not least, the terminal building in Vienna is currently being expanded. We are bringing a completely new “launch experience”.
The EU wants 70 percent of aviation fuel to be sustainable by 2025. How does the AUA deal with this?
Francesco Sciortino: The new aircraft are significantly more efficient than the previous ones. We also have a clear step-by-step plan for reducing fuel consumption. With the digitalization and modernization of air traffic, it is becoming increasingly possible to fly more directly. And we already voluntarily refuel with ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel’. This is fuel made from oils. It’s recycled fuel, if you will. But the problem also needs to be tackled globally. In any case, we want to significantly reduce our emissions by 2030.
Michael Trestl: We already have several initiatives to start a more sustainable future and are aware of our responsibility. We stand for progress through technology and connect Austria with the world.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
